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An apology, founded upon the pres- sure of nuinerous engagements, and the perform- ance of official duties, is one usually oftered for errors and imperfections in literary productions, and might truly and justly be pleaded in this instance. But the Author cannot allow himself to adopt that course, because he feels that he might have postponed this publication, if he had deemed it proper so to do ; and that he of set purpose accomplished his task quickly, from a paramount desire to serve a good cause with promptitude. It is due, however to himself, and a mai'k of respect to his readers, to add, that, although the work has been rapidly composed, he hopes it is not justly chargeable with hasty inconsideration or thoughtless negligence. The manuscript was prepared with a particular reference to the existing state a.id prospects of the Wesleyan Missionary Society; and, in compliance with the request of the General Committee, it is ^* TREPACE. now pu])lislicd, under tlio auspices and for the benefit of that Institution. But the iniblication will pro]ja])ly be of service to kindred Societies, by pointing out tlie real cause of tlieir pecuniary em- barrassments, and by sliowiui,^ that the means whicli tliey, as well as the A\'csleyan Missionary Society, have employed for the propagation of the Gospel of God our Saviour, have been accompa- nied and followed by the most cheering results, and afford the best encouragement to enlarged and more vigorous cflPorts for sending it amongst all nations. The ])rcsent age may be regarded as tlic IMis- sionary era of the church and of the world, and as one in which, all who love "the truth a^ it is iu Jesus" arc especially called upon strenuously to exert themselves in sowing, as speedily and as ex- tensively as possible, the " incorruptible seed which Hveth and abideth for ever." AVhatever changes may take place in the social or political state of the nations of the earth; however severe and painful the trials may be through which they may have to pass; whatever may be the immediate results of the great conflict of sentiment and of system which has already commenced, and is waged with so much eai-nestness and determination of purpose ; the seed of the kingdom will " take root downward, and bear fruit upward," which shall be for the healing of the nations. The services which British Christianity is now rendering, in the fur- therance of this great object, can never be fbr= gotten. Should it please God to permit England to fall from her present high estate; should this • « r: PREFACE. yiJ great country cease to l;e wliat slic now is,— the asylum of freedom, the mart of commerce and of raanufactuves, the ark of true reli-ion, juid tlie leader of the IMissionary hosts of Protestantism ; it will be remendjcred to ]ier honour, by future generations, while partaking of the blessJdness of that golden age which the world shall yet witness, and to which the finger of proiuise and of pro- phecy point,— that her sons and her daughters nobly contributed to produce the harvest which shall then be reaped with so mucl: joy. A? .'ocol- lections of the glory of ancient Home .w awakened by the sight of those remains o- splendour and magninccncc which are st. found in the streets and pidaccs of tliat city, ... the mistress of the world, so the improved moral aspects which, by means of the present Missionary efforts of England, many nations may in future times present, will furnish a memorial to the lionour of our country, more durable and more precious than any wliicli human skill or ])ower is capable of forming from Italian marble, or Corinth- ian brass. ROBERT ALDER. Hatton-Gardex, London, Feb. 2lst, 1842. WESLEYAN MISSIONS. I. It ploases God, who workcth all things after the coun- sel of his own will, for the accompHshment of events de- signed to exercise nn extensive and permanent hearing upon the welfare of men, to use means that to merely human wisdom appear to be inadequate to secure the ends for which they are employed; and ihen, co-trary to all human expectation, to crown, with the most signal suc- cess, the simple agencies which he selects :— a truth, of which the annals of Weslcyan Methodism furnish nume- rous and striking proofs and illustrations. In an Assembly,— composed of Preachers of the Gos- pel, who were raised up by the providence and grace of God, during an extraordinary period, for the accomplish- ment of an extraordinary work,— held in the year 1769, m the town of Leeds, a place of renown in the records of Methodism, the Venerable Wesley, who presided on that occasion, inquired, " Who will go to help our brethren in America ? " Two of his " sons m the Gospel " responded to the call, and willingly offered themselves for this "work of faith, and labour of love." A ^-ollection was then made by those evangelical successors of the Apostles which amounted to fifty pounds. A portion of the money thus raised was expended in defra^dng the expenses con- nected with the passage of the two Missionaries across the Atlantic ; and the remainder was sent, in the true spirit of Christian charity, " as a proof of brotherly love," to assist the Trustees of a Chapel in John-Street, New- York, —at that period, the only one in America belonging to the Wesieyan Methodists,- in defraying the expenses' in- curred in its erection. Thus may be said to have com- menced the foreign operations of the " Conference of the B 1 2 WESLEYAN MISSIONS : Ministers in the Co.xnexion established by the late Rev. John Wesley, A.M.,"— at the suggestion, and under the direction, of that distinguished Serviint of God himself. This movement attracted little or no attention, either on the part of the Church or of the world ; and yet it has already produced consequences of surpassing interest and niiignitude. Although scarcely more than "threescore years and ten " have since then passed away, revolutions, rapid and violent as the whirlwind, have, during that time, visited both hemispheres, and have effected stupen- dous changes in the political state and relations of each ; but, during the whole of this eventful period, while the very foundations of the earth were shaken, the evangelical leaven, which was carried to America by Joseph Pilmoor and Richard Boardman, two humble and faithful men, has been silently, but effectually, operating upon vast masses of the inhabitants of the United States ; many of whom, thougli they have embraced the principles con- tained in Paine's " Rights of Man," on questions con- jiected with Civil lovernment, have yet been prevented from adopting, in reference to the all-important sub^ject of religion, the principles embodied in his " Age of Reason," —a circumstance for which they are in no small degree indebted to tlie effects which have been produced by the introduction amongst them of tlie doctrines and discipline of Methodism. That Church, the foundations of which were thus unostentatiously and prayerfully laid, has been, and still is, Missionary in her character, as well as in her orif^in ; and she now numbers her Pastors by thousands, and includes within her pale a greater number of mem- bers, and " hearers of the word," than is to be found ccm- nected with any other forv.i of Christiiinity in the Republic* The second important Missionary movement, on the part of the Wesleyan Community, is also associated wi^h the American Continent ; but it led to a field of lubour nnd usefulness very different from that which was ori- ginally contemplated, and one in which IMethodisni has " * ' "" ■ enterprise giimed some of its noblest triumphs. This • See Note A at the end of the vohime. TIlEIlt CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 3 ^va.s intrusted by Mr. AVesley to Dr. Coke, whose heart was intent on the salvation of the -world ; — who never shrank from any duty, ho^vever painful or humiliating, in which the interests of Christian IMissions were involved ; — whose numory is consecrated by his zeal, labours, and sacrifices on their behalf; — and whose very death was over-ruled, by the wisdom and goodness of the Great Head of the Church, to the extension of the good cause which he so eminently j^romoted during his life. That excellent man left England in the year 17Bt), accompanied by three jMissionaries, bound for Nova- Scotia. But the vessel was forced, by stress of weather, to proceed to the Island of Antigua ; by which provi- dential arrangement, that gracious work of God com- menced in the AVest Indies, which, viewed under the various aspects that it })resents, has, perhaps, not been surpassed since the first ages of Christianity. The agents of other denominations have, at subsequent periods, entered into the same field, more especially since the abolition of slavery ; but it should not be forgotten, that, for many years, the Moravian and Wesleyan Mis- sionaries were, with a very few exceptions, the only reli- gious instructors of the servile population of that portion of the empire. During the reign of slavery, they chiefly bore the burden and heat of the day ; and, by the bless- ing of God on their self-denying services, mainly contri- buted to prepare the way for the state of universal free- dom and religious tranquillity which now exists in those Colonies, as well as to produce the favourable change which has taken place in the opinions of the planters generally, concerning the character and tendency of Chris- tian Missions. II. The IMissionary efforts of the Connexion have been greatly extended since the period which has been just noticed. A branch, which the great tree of evangelical Truth began to put forth only a hundred years ago, is already spreading into all lands, and is laden with the gracious fruits of righteousness, charity, and peace. If those to whose care it is committed continue faithful to 13 2 4 WESLKYAN missions: the trust reposed in them, it will " be to the Lord for a name, and for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." In addition to the places previously occupied in America and the T/est Indies, Missionary operations were rommenccd on the Continent of Europe, as early as the year 1791 ; on the African Continent, in 1811 ; and m Asia, during the year 1814. Australasia was first visited by a'wesleyan Missionary in the course of the following year • and Polynesia, where the word of the Lord has been' so eminently glorified, in 1822. It will be seen from this statement, that the field in which the labourers belonging to this Society are employed, is emphatically and pre-eminently the world. On the shores of Swe- den, and in the Upper Alps ;— at Gibraltar and Malta ; —on the banks of the Gambia, at Sierra Leone, and on the Gold Coast ;— at "the Cape of Storms ;"— in Ceylon, and on the shores of Southern India ;— amongst the Colonists and Aboriginal tribes of Australia, in Ncav- Zealand, the Friendly Islands, and Feejee ;— on the islands of the Western, as well as of the Southern, Hemisphere ;— and from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the far West ;— the Agents of the Wesleyan Missionary Soci- ety are found. To all these places,— to a portion of the people by whom they are inhabited,— to man in all those regions,— the British Conference has sent the Gospel of our salvation, since the question was asked, in 1769, " Who will go to help our brethren in America V III. The Wesleyan Missionary Society has arrived at such a crisis in its affairs, that it must either extend, or con- tract, THE sphere of ITS OPERATIONS. That noblc Institution must ere long be placed in such circumstances as will enable it adequately to maintain and strengthen the Stations which it occupies, and the Agents whom it employs. Unless this is done, and done speedily and effectually too, we may expect soon to hear of the opera- tions of one or more of those Missionary presses being suspended, which are now providing the means of spirit- ual instruction and mental improvement for reclaimed Heathens and Barbarians ;— of the closing of Missionary ^ THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. O Schools and Chapels, in >vhich multitudes o adults and children are taught how they may obtain wisdom, pardon, holiness, and heaven ; "knowledge, which cannot he got- ten fov gold, nor shall silver he weighed for the price thereof-"— of Missionary Churches being deprived ot adequate pastoral care ;-and of some of those spots, which, by labours and prayers, and gifts and sacrifices, liad been recovered from the wilderness of Heathenism, being abandoned to their former sad and cheerless con- dition. It cannot be too distinctly or too frequently repeated, that, if the present pecuniary difficulties which embarrass the movements of that great Missionary ma- chine which the Wesleyan section of the Christian Church has set and hitherto kept in motion, are not removed by the efforts of those fmm whom it ought to receive its needful and continued momentum, the progress of human improvement and salvation, by the instrumentality of scriptural truth, will in some places be greatly retarded, and in others, for a season at least, be entirely prevented. The Wesleyan Society is not the only Missionary Institution of the present day which has to grapple with pecuniary difficulties. This cause of embarrassment is felt, in at least an equal degree, by every section of the Protctant Church, whose Ministers and menabers are actively engaged in the sublime enterprise, which has tor its object the d^Ifusion of evangelical truth and righteous- ness throughout the world. Wmi one voice, they COMPLAIN OP THE INADEQUACY OP THEIR RESOURCES, AS COMPARED WITH THE EXTENT OF THEIR ENGAGEMENTS, AND WITH THE URGENT CLAIMS WHICH ARE MADE UPON THEM FROM UNVISITED PORTIONS OF THE GLOBE. IV. When upon a certain occasion, some of the Pharisees and Sadducees tempted the Saviour, " desiring a sign from heaven," He answered and said unto them, " AV hen it is evening, ye say. It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning. It will be foul weather ^o-day, for the sky is red and lowering. ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky ; but can ye not discern t..c signs of the times?" At another time, while addressing 6 WESLEYAN MFSSIONS : an innumerable multitude of people, he said unto them, " W^'hen ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There comcth a shower ; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat : and it cometh to pass. Yc hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth ; but how is it that ye do not discern this time ?" An important prin- ciple is involved in the admonitory langunge employed by our Lord on these occasions, which may be extensively applied. In this respect, God " has not left himself with- out witness," in the material creation ; for he has so arranged every part of this great system, that certain atmospheric appearances and operations are made so pal- pably to indicate approaching changes in the state of the weather, that even the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air, as well as human beings, are warned by them of approaching danger, and are led to make provision for their defence and security. Surely, then, we may reason- ably suppose, that those great movements and changes which, at certain periods, take place in the moral world, ■will be preceded by such premonitory intimations that God is coming forth from his " holy temple," as can nei- ther be overlooked nor misunderstood ])y the attentive inquirer, who believes that the Lord " ruleth over all the kingdoms of men." To attempt to pry into " the times and the seasons," which the Father hath kept in his own power, or to presume to remove any portion of the cover- ing which he has been pleased to spread over his purposes and ways, would argue great rashness and folly. It is, however, by no means inconsistent with that humble and patient frame and temper of mind which the Gospel enjoins, — nay, it is an important part of Christian duty, — to " search and inquire diligently " into the counsels and designs of the Godhead, as they are shadowed forth to us by the movements of Providence, in connexion with the varying phases which the social and religious state of the human family exhibits, or by means of the light whicn is shed upon them by the oracles of truth. The present age is deeply and strongly marked by a combination of events, the influence of which is felt and I f ] I TTIETR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 7 ackno^vloagcd in the cabinets of Princes and in the schools of science, as well as in the sanctuaries oi reli- ction. Different individuals do, indeed, entertain various opinions as to the cause or causes of those political and moral aspects which the world presents ; but their exist- ence is denied by none: and no presumption can justly be attached to the prediction, that future historians will have to describe the period upon which the entire human family is now entering, as one of those great eras in the history of the species which are always marked by exten- sive changes in the state of individual and collective man. In this respect, the age in which we live may well be compared to the one which gave birth to the Reform- ation. Those who saw that formidable structure of error in which, as in a prison, the mind of Christendom had been so long shut up, smitten, as with a thunderbolt, by Luther's appeal from Popes and Councils, to theAvord of God, witnessed also the revival of literature ; the oridn of the art of printing; the discovery of a new world by the indomitable energy and perseverance of one man; masses of human beings arraying themselves agamst almost every institution, Imman and divme ; and the most potent monarchs of Europe perpetually contending ^vith each other in sanguinary and expensive wars ; while the social condition of their respective kingdoms were undergoing important changes, the effects of which are still felt, and will long remain. Such were " the signs o the times " then ; and what do we see now ? ^\ e behold events of a different character, indeed, from those which have been enumerated; but which, nevertheless, are invested with the deepest interest, and entitled to the most profound attention. It will be only needful to refer, in support of this sentiment, to the unexampled influence ^yhich is exercised by the press ; the discoveries which have been made in the physical sciences, and the degree to which they have been applied to the purposes of com- merce and manufactures at home and abroad ; the facili- ties which are afforded for emigration to new regions ot the globe; the extent to which colonisation is carried; the restlessness and dissatisfaction of large classes ot S WESLEYAN MISSIONS .■ men ; the frequency and eagerness with -which they investigate and discuss the very first axioms of social order ; the desire for change by ■which they are in- fluenced ; the ample manner in v;hich the principle of combination, now so well understood, is actually carried out, for the accomplishment of particular objects ; the vast colonial possessions of Great Britain; the move- ments and changes which are taking place in the East, affording as they do strong reasons to believe that they will be so over-ruled as to lead to changes in the internal state and external relations of the Turkish and Chinese Empires, favourable to the spread of Scriptural Christian- ity in those countries ; the maintenance of amicable rela- tions amongst the great European Powers during the long period which has elapsed since the overthrow of Napoleon, notwithstanding the occurrence of perplexing and irritat- ing events which, but for the intervention of the gracious providence of God, must have terminated in war and bloodshed ; the supersedence, in no small degree, of the dominion of superstition in Papal, Mahommedan, and Pagan countries by scepticism; the state of isolation in which different portions of the great Christian family, liolding substantially the same views of Scriptural Doc- trine, and aiming at the same object, are placed towards each other, and yet, in the midst of much strife and contention, the noble efforts which they are making for the salvation of the Heathen, and the harmonious manner in which they have hitherto conducted their Missionary operations.* These are some of the striking and peculiar character- istics which present themselves to the view of " the men of this generation," and on which they should seriously meditate; "pondering" them in their hearts, as the * It is much to be desired that this spirit may continue to be cxilti- vated by the Directors of Missionary Societies, and by Missionaries, towards each other. But in the present divided state of things in the church, it will require no ordinary measiu-e of divine wisdom and charity, to enable them to maintain " tbo unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." Any attempt to force external uniformity in the forms of religious worship, and in the management of Missions, will issue ift strife and confusion. THEIR CLA1M3 AND PROGRESS. ^ mother of Jesus did, in reference to the things connected with the birth of the Redeemer. It is recorded to the honour of " the children of Issachar, that they were men that had understandino; of the times; to know what Israel ought to do." We live during an eventful age, and should endeavour to understand the times; that, as Christians, we may know what we "ought to do." Amongst all those circumstances which combine to dis- tinguish the present period as one of pre-eminent import- ance, there is none more deserving our notice, or more likely to engage the attention of Christians, than the fact that, WHILE THERE NEVER WAS A TIME WHEN THE GREAT Head of the church vouchsafed to grant more SIGNAL AND ENCOURAGING PROOFS OF THE SUCCESS OF Protestant Missionaries abroad, there never was a PERIOD WHEN THE SOCIETIES, UNDER WHOSE DIRECTION THEY ARE EMPLOYED, WERE SO GREATLY EMBARRASSED BY FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. In the United States of America, the Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and other Sections of the Trans- atlantic Missionary host, have extensive fields open before them, in which glorious triumphs might be gained ; and men possessing high intellectual qualifications, deep piety, ardent zeal, and great singleness of purpose, ready to go forth to turn to flight the armies of the aliens. But, alas 1 the funds of those Societies are exhausted, and their Conductors have not the necessary means for sending the Soldiers of the Cross, who are able and willing to go and " fight the good fight " of faith in hea- then lands. On the Continent of Europe, especially in France, in Switzerland, and in the States of Northern Germany, in which the Reformed Faith is professed, the same monetary deficiencies are severely felt, and deeply bewailed, by the faithful few in those countries who che- rish the reviving Missionary zeal of our common Protest- antism. At Home, a similar state of things exists, and has lately engaged the anxious attention of the Secretaries of the principal IMissionary Societies, at more than one of those truly Catholic Meetings which they hold together, at 13 5 10 WESLEYAN MISSIONS: Stated periods, for prayer and consultation, and, Ly means of which, mutual co-operation, without compromise, is so effec- tually promoted. The very fact that such ^leetiiigs arc held, strikingly illustrates the uniting tendency of the Mission- ary spirit and enterprise, and furnishes an instructive lesson to all j^lissionaries, and to all the friends of Mis- sions. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dNvell together in unity ! " The excess of Disbursements over the Income of the Church IMissionary Society, for the year ending IMarch 31st, 1{141, amounted to upwards of £8,000 ; and it is stated that the Com- mittee, during the present year, have, for the first time, been placed under the necessity of borrowing money, to meet the current expenses of the Society. Equally discouraging, in a financial point of view, are the circumstances of the London, the Baptist, and the Moravian ^lissionary Societies ; as appears from the latest published Reports of those excellent Institutions, the pages of which furnish ample evidence of the existence of roREiGN SUCCESS and of domestic embahrassmems. ^ V. From the preceding statements and observations, it will be seen that the Wesleyan Missionary Society only parti- cipates in trials and difficulties which kindred Institutions iire now called to endure. This is a mitigating considera- tion ; for, if it were otherwise, fears and apprehensions niigh't be entertained, lest the Christian character of our Church should have deteriorated, and, as a conscfiuence, the Missionary spirit be on the decline amongst her mem- bers ; or that God had withheld his blessing from us, and that our Missionary exertions were ceasing to exercise a beneficial influence on the state of the world, and were, therefore, deemed unworthy of that liberal and persevering support from the Wesleyan Community which the other Societies were receiving from the Churches to which they respectively belong. The very extent of the |;vessure, considered in connexion with the general state of this particular Society, proves that such is not the case. The difficulty is a general one, and so is the cause which has produced it. i TIIKIR CLAIMS AND ritOGRESS. H AVhat is this cause ? AVhat has produced this state of things ? Wliy arc the funds of the WesUiyau jMIssionary Society insuHicicnt to meet the claims which arc made upon them ? . , . .. i These pecuniary difficuhics cannot ^vith justice be ascrihed to neglect or imprudence on the part ot the Committees, to >vhich, from time to time, the Conference has intrusted the management of the IMissionary Depart- ment of our Connexiond Affairs : for, although in the direction of matters of such great magnitude, and Avith vvhich perplexing and difficult questions are frequently hlcnded,— affecting, as they do, so many different classes of men, and involving the destinies of eternity, as well as the interests of time,— mistakes and errors are unavoid- able ; yet the present state of the Society's Missions hears the fullest testimony to the care and fidelity with which its affairs have, from the commencement of its operations, been constantly conducted. The published proceedings of the Society 'forbid the indulgence of evil smmisings and suspicions on this question. These show that the successive Committees, having undertaken, with singleness of eye, the responsible duties assigned to them by the Conference, have been " guided in judgment," and taught « in the way," by Ilim whose prerogative it is to give " the wisdom which is profitable to direct ; " and that, in the fear of the Lord, they have vigilantly guarded the holy work intrusted to their charge, and have faithfully administered the means placed at their disposal, in pro- moting the great cause of human salvation. Nor are the financial embarrassments, which are at present felt by the Society, attributable to a falling off" in the amount of its Annual Recdpts. It is only due to t Christian charity of the Wesleyan Body to record, that, in the midst of the severe distress with which this country, on several occasions, has been visited, the Uis- sionai-y contributions of its members and friends have not been diminished. On more than one occasion, during the last quarter of a century, the agricultural interests of the nation have suff"ered from different causes ; our com- mercial energy and industry have been enfeebled and }2 WESLEYAIf MISSTOMS; piiralyzctl ; poverty has pressed heavily upon the manu- facturing classes in several parts of the kingdom ; the most promising speculations have failed, and their failure has entafled destitution and suflfcring upon multitudes; but during no one of these periods has the Income of the Wesleyau Missionary Society declined. Amidst these difficulties, the flow of liberality in this channel has steadily increased, and has conveyed the " living water " of the Gospel into countries whero the people were perishing for lack of this great "gift of God." Even during the past year of almost unexampled anxiety and distress, the Income of the Society has been increased ; and in not a few instances, "the very depths of the poverty " of the people have " abounded to the riches of their liberality," in making provision for the relief of the " world " which "lieth in n-ickedness." These facts fur- nish a noble proof of the firm hold which the Missionary causj^ has taken on the judgment and conscience of that portion of the flock of Christ to which we belong, as well as a satisfactory earnest that the members of our Body, assisted as they have been by generous friends- belonging to other denominations, will do still greater things than we have yet witnessed for the extension of the kingdom of the Redeemer. It is well that, by the blessing of God, so much has been attempted and accom- plislied by the instrumentality of Wesleyan Methodism, but we believe, that there is a heart in those who are connected with it to do more, and that the ability will not be found wanting. While they continue to give utterance, in the great congregation, and around the domestic altar, to the truly JNIissionary s -tiraents and feelings which are embodied in our sacr* -ymns and " spiritual songs," they will not fail to do ti which in them lieth to fill the heavenly fold of the good Shepherd. ITndoubtcdly, they will not cease to be practicolly consist- ent ; and while they sing, — " Our gracious Mastor, and our God, Assist U3 to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad^ The honours of thy name j " THRIU CLAIMS AND PROOnESS. 13 they will be found ' olng their utmost to make the " way " of the Lord " known upon earth," and " his saving hoMi among all nations," that " the people may praise llira ; yea, that all the people may praise 11 im." The embarrassments of the Society liavo not been pro- duced by an extravagant expenditure of moneys, cither at home or abroad. On this, as well as on all other points, the proceedings of the Committee will endure the most searching investigation, and the most rigid scrutiny, on the part of friends or of foes. It is, indeed, generally admitted, that the expenditure of the Wesleyan Mis- sionary Society is conducted with the strictest regard to economy ; and that such is the case, is demonstrated by the fact* that, notwithstanding the care with which other Missionary Institutions disburse their respective incomes, there is not one which supports so many establishments, and such a number of Missionaries and other Agents, .abroad, at so small an amount of expense to the Parent- Society. There is no unnecessary expenditure of money for home purposes. The valuable services of the Treasurers are be- stowed gratuitously. The Secretaries only receive the same moderate allowances which are usually granted to Wesleyan Ministers having similar domestic claims, which allow- ances constitute the entire amount of their official income. The salaries of the Clerks employed at the Mission-IIousL- are fixed at the lowest possible amount, considering the nature and extent of the duties which they have to per- form ; and those Ministers who plead the cause of the Society, and to whom it is placed under such deep obliga- tions, receive nothing more from the Auxiliary Institutions which they visit, than the sum necessary to defray the expenses which they incur in travelling from place to place ; while on many of the Circuits and Stations, the Anniversaries of the minor Associations connected with them are held at little or no expense. If, under any cir- cumstances, more money is spent in any particular locality than is really necessary, it is when our friends, from a.. laudable desire to render the Anniversary services as interesting and beneficial as possible, invite a greate^.;- 14 WESLEY AN M1SSI0N3 ! number of Ministers than is really necessary. Tlicrc is reason to Ijclievo, that this does sonu tinus happen ; and when it does, it operates unt'avoura])ly in more than one respect. In addition to the expense of which it is the cause, the pressure of many speakers prevents any one of them from entering so much at length into the topics suitalde to the occasion, as it is proper thai some one of the number shouhl do, in order that, as far as is possible, iustlce may be done to the character of the cause itself, and that strong and definite^ impressions may be made on the minds of the hearers, in referenc ) to the grandeur and blessedness of its results, as well as to the claims of Christian duty and obligation, in connexion with the recovery of the world to the dominion of llim on whose "head" arc "mnny cro^vns." Each speaker is grieved, because he feels that his presence, at least, was not neces- sary ; and the people are disappointed in their cxpecta- fons. On such occasions, it may, perhaps, happen, that a witty anecdote may excite a smile or a laugh ; a pretty figure of speech, or a pithy saying, may gain the a.^nir- ation of a few ; but the cause is not efioctually served ; the business of the Society does not go on as it should do ; no encouraging rcsultr^ a- - rcdized. T)'o wronj^ end of the telescope is placed i/cuae tiie eye of the congrega- tion; and every thing connected with our Missionary StPiions appears to be small and remote, instead of being displayed in the fulness of their proportions, and brought near to the minds and hearts of the beholders. With grer.t deference to the opinions of others, it may be stated, as the result of much obser>ation, that while it has seldom happened that a Meeting has suffered for want of adequate help, failures have frequently been occasioned by a super- abundant supply. Let all be taught to give rather for the sake of the Master, than on account of the servant by whom He is, at best, but unworthily represented ; and when we have learned to do every thing " as untc the ^ )rd, and not as unto men," tlio expenses of dl our reli- gious Anniversaries will be materia 'ly lessened. All the means that prudence and experience can supply are employed to guard against an improvident eivpenditnre I m THEIR CLAIMS AM) I'lUXiKlISh. IvJ of moucy a1)rojid. A certain portion of the income of tlie Society is uppropriiitcd to each foreign Distriet, by tlie fjlenerul Committee; >vliicli grant is made with a due regard to tlie funds of the Society, and to the relative claims of each District. In every foreign District-Meetinrr it is ii part of the ordinary business to make a prospective dis- tribution of this giant from the Committee amongst the Circuits belonging to each District. In order that this disfribution may be made as eciuitubly and satisf^icturily as possible, it is preceded by an imiulry into the circum- stances of all the Stations, and also into the probable amount of allowances to which each Missionary Avill be entitled during the year for which the arrangc^ment is made. At the following District-Meeting, an account, from each Circuit or Station, of the IUxeipts and Dis- nuusKMiiNTS OF EVi:uY KIND, duly prepared, is presented, and is carefully investigated by the Chairman, in the presence of the I^Ieetmg. If, after such examination, the entries are found to be in exact accordance ^vitli the authorized scale of allowances, it is passed, and officially signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Meeting ; but if not, it is referred for amendment, and is afterwards duly authenticated by the signatures of the proper autho- rities. Thus prepared, the accounts are forwarded to the Secretaries in London, with the other District- Minutes, and the Reports of the state of the societies and schools. After an analysis of each account has been prepared, the whole of the details are reviewed, examined, and, when necessary, compared with those of the previous year, by the Sub-Committee of Finance, appointed for that pur- pose ; by whom a Report is made to the General Com- mittee, in which is embodied a statement of such errors as may have been found in any of the Accounts, and of the charges, if any, which are judged to be unauthorized, unnecessary, or excessive, with such general remarks and observations as may be deemed necessary. After this Report has been received and adopted by the General Committee, it is, with all convenient speed, transmitted to the Chairman of the D Strict to which it relates, accompanied by a suitable letter from the Secretaries, in I 16 WESLEY AN MISSIONS: •which they dilate more largely on the various topics which are contained in the Report itself, for the purpose of hav- ing these documents laid before the following District- Meeting, for inquiry and explanation. If the official replies to them are not satisflictory to the Committee, the claim or claims are disallowed ; and should the amount have been received, it is charged to the personal account of the proper party, by whom, in due time, the sum is repaid to the Treasurers. Of co'irse, such an arrangement as this greatly adds to the duties of the Secretaries and others at the Mission-House ; but then it will at once be seen, that it must be attended with immense advan- tages, in a financial point of view, to the interests of the Society. Such a regular and precise examination as that which this mode of proceeding renders necessary, seci xcs, on the part of Missionaries, and the other Agents of the Soci';ty abroad, the observance of great accuracy and economy in all their pecuniary transactions with the Committee in this country. Nor should it be forgotten, that it brings the monetary claims, made on account of each Station, under the review of two parties who are the most likely to examine them carefully, and to detect any error or mistake in them; that is to say, the General Committee in England, and the Foreign Pistrict-Meet- ings. It will be readily conceived, that, apart from higher considerations, the constant pressure felt by the Parent Committee, in consequence of the inadequacy of the income of the Society to meet the regular and undoubted claims that are made upon its funds, urges them to exer- cise the utmost vigilance in keeping the Missionary exchequer, of which they are the appointed and responsi- ble guardians ; and as it is almost an invariable result, that the pecuniary grants which are made to the respect- ive Districts leave deficiencies unprovided for, if it should happen that a INIissionary belonging to any one of them has become extravagant in some part of his expenditure, the Circuit-account will discover that to his brethren; who, ^lavin"" themselves deficiencies wliich the grant is too small to cover, will not fail to disallow every improper or excessive charge. If, therefore, no loftier motive governed TUEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 17 the proceedings of tlie Missionaries in this matter than a regard for their personal interest, even in that case the neces- sities of some would furnish an eifectual pledge for an econo- mical procedure on the part of all the members of any par- ticular District-Meeting. Indeed, while the Society con- tinues to maintain and support its present establishments at the same amount of outlay, or a less or greater number at a proportionate rate, any considerable waste or excess in the disbursement of the funds will be impracticable. In such a magnificent undertaking as this in which we have embarked, contingencies are constantly occurring, which no human foresight can anticipate, or skill, on the part of those who conduct it, prevent or avoid. The places of deceased and enfeebled Missionaries must be supplied, and the expenses occasioned by sickness and other causes must be paid. The claims of the widows and orphans of those faithful men who have sickened and died in foreign climes, cannot be overlooked. In remote and uncivilized regions, buildings of various kinds must be erected and repaired. Large suras are, of necessity, expended on the preparation, outfit, and passage of Missionaries proceeding to foreign lands, as Avell as in connexion with their return to their native country. Other expenses are incurred at home, for the purpose of keeping the moral machine in a state of vigorous and effective operation, especially those which are connected with the press. The processes of nature teach us, that, if we would reap, we should sow ; that, if we would gather, we should scatter abroad : for " there is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth h. poverty unto him." In addition to all these sources of expenditure, seven printing establishments had to be maintained abroad ; three hundred Day- and Sunday- schools had to be fostered ; three hundred and sixty-seven Missionaries, with their families, had to be provided for, and three hundred and thirty-six salaried teachers sup- ported ; at a time w^hen the entire income of the Societj amounted to little more than ninety thousand pounds. N ^ 18 WESLEY AN MISSIONS : VI. The foregoing observations have not been made because it is felt tliat any defence of the proceedings of the Society at home, or of its agents abroad, is needed ; but for the purpose of communicating information, whicli, it is hoped, will not be regarded as either unseasonable or unwelcome. The age in which it is our providential lot to Hve and act, is distinguished by a spirit of earnest and persevering inquiry ; and, as this spirit is found in the church, as well as in general society, it is much to be desired that every thing connected with the great religious movement which is now taking place for the conversion of all nations to the faith of the Redeemer, should l^e well known and under- stood, especially by his faithful und devoted servants, in order that they may " know how " they " ought to answer every man." Still, the question returns, What has produced these embaiTassments ? The reply to it is, that the pecuniary difficulties of which the Wcsleyan IMissionary Society now complains are felt, at least, in the same degree, by the other Missionary institutions; and may be traced to a COMMON CAUSE, which is, the success with which, hif the effectual blessing of God, theij have been honoured and rewarded. In the affairs of this life, when men succeed in their mercantile engagements and pursuits, just in pro- portion as they prosper they are relieved from those diffi- culties to which they are not unfrequently exposed at the outset of their career, and secure for themselves, as the reward of their integrity and industry, a quiet and digni- fied retirement. Far different is the case with respect to the Missionary enterprise. In this undertaking, signal suc- cess IS the precursor of signal embarrassment. This may appear to be a paradox ; but it is one of those evange- lical paradoxes which are often met with, and may be as clearly and satisfactorily demonstrated as that by which we are taught, that when the believer is " weak," then is he " strong." Startling, therefore, and perhaps incredible, as this view of the case may be, even to persons who have not been altogether inattentive to these subjects, it will occasion no surprise to those who have carefully studied r <.(, t THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 19 tlic genius of Christianity, as it has been developed in the mode and results of its working in ancient and in modem times. AVhen the Gospel is introduced into a country, and opcrntes effectually, by the power of the Holy Ghost, one of the very earliest salutary effects thfit it produces, is, a desire for the knowledge and enjoyment of the blessings which it unfolds, and which it is designed to bestow upon our race. In proportion as the spiritual privileges of " the common salvation " are understood and appreciated, by the people to whom they are offered, this desire is diffused and strengthened. Conformably with the high commission received by St. Taul " from the Lord," that great Apostle devoted himself to the work of making " known to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." He succeeded in his :Mission. At Thilippi, at Thessalonica, at Berea, at Antioch, at Ephesus, and even at Athens, with her science, her literature, ^^er unrivalled specimens of art, and her thirty thousand altars, erected to as many distinct divinities, the hearts of not a few of the inhabitants were drawn out in earnestness of desire after "the doctrine of salvation" which Paul preached. Christian communities were formed, under his care and direction, in these and in other places, until, in his case, as in that of the jMissionary Societies of the present day, one of the fruits of the triumphs which he had been ena- bled to gain " in every place " was, an increase of labour and anxiety ; for, when enumerating his vaiious cares and toils, he mentions, as one of the greatest of them all, " that which cometh upon me daily, — the care of all the churches." Let us turn our attention to modern JMissionary efforts. At the period of their commencement, the heathen world was in an apathetic state. The generation that then existed in the midst of different forms of pagan idolatry, all inseparable from many inexpressible evils and crimes, were not less the victims of ignorance and depravity, acted upon by a Satanic agency, than are the men now living in those countries. Nay, they were much wore ignorant and depraved. The present generation are, in i 20 WESLEY AN MISSION'S : many instances, deriving advantages from the indirect influence of Christianity, which were unknown to their ancestors. But while the former were satisfied, or, at least, seemed to have been indifferent, or, in other words, did not know that they had a Father in heaven who had mer- cifully provided " better things " for them, and, therefore, did not desire or seek for them,— cries for relief are now heard issuing from regions where unbroken silence for- merly prevailed. The dumb wastes of misery have found a voice ; and not from one place, but from many, that voice is heard, saying to the churches of Britain, " Come over and help us." This touching request is the result of the faith and labours of :Missionarics. It is at once a proof of their fidelity and usefulness, and the prelude and pledge of iltimate and complete success. VII. The fruits of Christian instruction, especially amongst a people just emerging, by the instrumentality of the Gos- pel, from a state of barbarism, naturally attract the atten- tion of neighbouring tribes, and lead them to inquire into the cause by which such wonderful things have been accomplished. Although it should always be remem- bered, that the primary object for which Missionaries are sent forth is, to " turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in" Christ Jesus ; it should also be borne in mind, as a well-ascertained and w^ll-established fact, that, in the same measure in which they succeed in securing the principal object that they have in view, other results are realized, which, though of a subordinate cha- racter, because connected with this life only, exercise a most beneficial influence upon the personal and social condition of the people to whom they make known that great mystery of God, " which had been hid from ages and from generations." Christianity is the parent of real civilization. It is in the order of God that it should bo so. He who made the world in conformity with his own infinitely wise conceptions, has saved, is yet saving, and will save mankind, by his own gracious plans and T t THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 21 institutions, from the evils ^vliich sin and transgression have produced, that in all things He may be glori- fied. As God the Creator, he produces manifold results bj' one simple principle, as, for instance, by that of vegetation ; and as God the Redeemer, he makes it manifest, that " the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God stronger than men," by commu- nicating to man, however low he may have fallen, through the manifestation of " the truth as it is in Jesus," every thing that is necessary to his real security, dignity, and happiness. When the "incorruptible seed" is sown in the heart, and " liveth and abideth " there, love to God, which is the element of hoUness, springs np, and buds, and blossoms, with " whatsoever things are true, whatso- ever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what- soever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report." In the same degree in which the individual members of a community are brought under the influence of this principle, its collective state will be improved, and the mass will par- take of the character of the parts of which it is composed. Thus as " the word of the Lord " has " free course," and moves onward, every good thing follows in its train, attesting and gracing its progress ; and when the saving knowledge which it reveals shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the great deep, the " people shall be all righ- teous," and the world, sanctified by the truth, will reflect the order and tranquillity, the purity and charity, of heaven. Then " judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field ; and the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the eff"ect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." It is not intended, by these observations, to discourage the use of all suitable means and appliances for the im- provement of society, in subordination to the Gospel ; but they are adduced for the purpose of showing, that, pro- fessedly and practically, they should always be regarded and emplo^^'ed as inferior and subordinate to " the law of the Lord," which " is perfect, converting the soul." Innu- merable proofs of the beneficial influence of the Gospel 22 WESLEYAN MISSIONS : are recorded in the journals of travellers, as well as in the archives of Missionary Societies, which can neither be successfully denied, nor ingeniously explained away. These have obtained for Christianity the laudations of men who entertain hut little respect for it in its highest character, — as a revelation from God ; but who, profess- ing a desire to encourage social improvement of ev'cry kind, are willing to honour it, as one amongst other instrumentalities which they think may be employed, with equal success, in furtherance of their favourite object. AVe dare not do such dishonour to " the glorious Gospel of the ever-blessed God," as to accept the tender of such homaoje ao that on its behalf. It is not merely a moral power, but the power, " the power of God," and " the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth," whatever may have been his former state and condition. It is just as impossible for man to provide an effectual substitute for the Gospel, as it would be for him to pro- duce an eifcctual substitute for the sun which God has created and made for the " rule of the day." Jehovah will not give the " glory " of his creative acts, or, what is still greater, of his redeeming purposes and operations, " to another ; " and as "' the heavens " now " declare the glory of the Lord, and the firmament showeth his handy- work," so when "the end" shall come, the divinely- appointed agency will be so manifestly seen in the accom- plishiLont of the divinely-promised result, — the creation of " new heavens, and a new earth, wherein " shall dwell " righteousness," — that " every creature " shall be heard, saying, " Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Such is the great purpose of God ; and it cannot be set aside by secular educational schemes, by stringent laws and regulations, by political changes, or by any human plans and expedients, however specious or popular. To think that it mav be rendered void, is to " imagine a vain thing," at which " He who sitteth in the heavens shall laugh." If the rnging waves of the sea can pass over " the sand " which the Most High hath " appointed to be the 4 I i THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 23 Ijoundary thereof," then may man, by methods of his own devising, set aside the decree of God, — that " men shall ho blessed," yea, and blessed only in and by the Gospel of his Son. That is the true source of all improvement ; the great moral Nile, that enriches every country through Avhich it flows, and clothes it with fertility and beauty. Wherever " the streams" of the " river" which "maketh glad the city of God " have not yet found their way, all things wear the aspect of a desolate wilderness. YIII. Here wc appeal to living witnesses. A IMissionary is established in an uncivilized region of the globe, and some of its inhabitants are converted. " The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus " makes them " free from the law of sin and death." Thus the great design is, to some extent, secured ; and, as the consequence of that, the man who, before he became the subject of this spiritual change, wrapped himself in his kaross, or w'andered about almost (if not altogether) nuked, is clothed. lie who before lodged with the wild beast in his lair, now reposes in his own cottage, which shelters his family, as well as himself. Instead of roaming in the Avilderness, in search of the means of support, or preying upon his neighbour, he tends his flocks, or cultivates his fields and garden, that he may "provide things honest in the sight of all men." Tl;e man never felt Ms need of a home, until he became a Christian. Then he desired a place of residence ; and he did so, in order that he might be taught " the way of God more perfectly," and have a school, in which his children should be instructed, lleligious considerations lead to a change of practice, and, finally, to a change of habit, in matters connected with the present state ; and bind the individual to a new course of conduct, productive of a large amount of domestic happiness and enjoyment. " I understand," said Shawundais, (John Sunday,) the con- verted Indian Chief, to a congregation which he was called to address at Plymouth, in the year U}37 : — "I understand, that many of you are disappointed, because I have not brought my Indian dress with me. Perhaps, if I had it on, you would be afraid of me. Do you wish to I 24 WES LEY AN MISSIONS know how I dressed when I was a pagan Indian ? I will tell you. My face was covered with red paint. I stuck feathers in my hair. I wore a hlanket and leggings. I had silver ornaments on my breast ; a rifle on my shoul- der; a tomahawk and scalping-knife in my belt. That was my dress then. Now, do you wish to know why I wear it no longer ? You will find the cause in Second Corinthians, fifth chapter, and seventeenth verse : ' There- fore, if any man be in Christ, ho is a new creature : old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.' When I became a Christian, feathers and paint done away. I gave my silver ornaments to the Mission cause. Scalping-knife «^one away ; tomahawk done away : that my tomahawk now," said he, holding up, at the same time, a copy of the Ten Commandments, in the Ojibewa language. " Blanket done away. Behold," he exclaimed, in a manner in which simplicity and dignity of character were combined, — "behold, all things are become new." New, indeed ; and not in his case only, but in that of multitudes of reclaimed savages — under the care of Pro- testant Missionary Societies— throughout the world. Thus, on Mission Stations, the germ of all real improvement is found in connexion with the Gospel of Christ ; — schools, Dresses, agncultural operations, pastoral pursuits^ and even mercantile transactions. These new lights are seen from afar, by tribes who are still in that state of ignorance and wretchedness from which their brethren have been gra- ciously rescued by the arm of the Lord ; or intelligence is conveyed to them of the wonderful works which have been wrought. Their curiosity is awakened; and, like the eastern Magi, who were led by the unknown star to Bethlehem, to behold the new-born Saviour of men, the Heathens repair to the scene of Missionary triumph, that they may see with their own eyes the things of which they had before heard, and, " falling down on their faces, worship" — to them "the unknown" — "God, and aclrnow- led()iiited are, in point of fact, the very phiees wlience tlio most iir/^ent calls arc now addressed to the Conunittee for additional help, and where the operations of tl»o Hoeiety are most seriously impeded, in conseqiu'iu-e of the paucity of Ministers of the word of life. In Jamaica, to say nothing of the other West-India Districts, fifteen additional JMis- rionaries arc immedia'^^ely required. At the (jlamhia, and Sierra-Leone, excessive lahour, comhiued with the deadly influence of the climate, is exhaustinj^ the far too few devoted men who are connected witii those IMissions. The thousands who have hecn hro\i;:jht into the Itedeeiii- cr's fold in the Friendly Islands, stand in need of more pastoral instruction and oversij;ht ; the jMissionary force belonging to this Society in the East Indies is v.holly inadequate h) the efficient occu[>aney of the various posts amongst which it is distrihuted ; and, indeed, from every District in every part of the world, if not from every Station, the IMissionaries comjdain of their utter inability, in consequence of the coniparative smallness of their number, to meet the claims that are perpetually xnade upon their time and services. Of this the following extracts from the communications of some of those excel- lent men will afford sufficient evidence. " I do hupe British Christians will tiiru tlu-ir attention in a special manner to France and Switzerland, where so great and «'tieetunl a door in now opened. May all who have the means of increasing their sub- scriptions, be enlightened as to the extent of tiieir dutj', that the regu- lar income of the Society may he sufliciently augmented, to allow you to assist in meeting the spiritual wants of the Continent ! " — E.rlxict of a Jjcttirfrom Lausanne, dated March Wth, 1S41. " It is the opinion of this IMeetmg, that the work of God will Ijb greatly promoted by the appointment of a s«'cond IMissionaiy to the Mahaica Station; and that, unless such appointment take place, the people will greatly suffer, not only from the want of pastoral attention, but from the circulation of sentiments which we believe to be both erro- neous and dangerous, and Ijv which some of our members have beer, induced to leave us." — Extract from, the Deinerura District-Minutes for 1840. " Even before our late deprivations, we hnd not nearly a sufficient number of Missiimaries to carry on the affidrs of the Mission with becom- ing vigour. Mr. Greenwood died in January. 1 have succeeded in obtain- I m WESLFAAN ]\ri,SSIOAS : iijg a tompo?ary supply for Black-River ; but in tlii' event of eitlitr hi* death or removal. I know not what to do, or where to look for a supply for Mr. L"'vi.s. That the Committee are in difficulties. I know ; auol. that it would afford them more pleasure to tiend, than to withhold, n proper numlter of AIiasi<»naries, 1 firmly believe ; but really, while en- largement is viewed as out of ovir power, are wo not to have the places of men filled iip^ who are called to their endless rest ? Is the Mission to go to absolute and irretrievable ruin ? " — Exiract of a Letter from thtf ChairiiKOi of the Jamaica Districty dated August 7th, 1841. " In Jaffna we need another Faiglish Missionary. If yon could visit the work which they are so hopefully conducting. The help to which \ have referred is immediately required." — Extract of a Letter from the General Superintendent of the JVcdeyan Easi-hidian Missionsy dater a TcacJivr, hut to no purpose. All the other Chiefs have Teachers ; but I have none. It is irnc, I know I am horn a sinner, and hare a jricked heart; hut still, only give me a Teacher, and I am sure I will take care of him.'" — - FA'tract of a Ijctter from Kafferland, dated Nor. V2th, 1838. " AVithout further preface, I feel it my duty to iniplore yon to send ns, as soon as possible after this reaches you, a re-inforcement of, at le;.'st, six more Missionaries ; two or three of them may be single men ; but, with less than six additional Missionaries, it will be quite impossible for lis to occupy the large and promising field which now invites our labours. *' In Kaffraria, Ijetwixt the Fish-River and the Zimvubu, (nearly three hundred miles,) we have, at present, onXy five regular Missionaries, ;rith a few Catechists. Now, we ought to have, at least, Itvelre ilis- t^%j::r::^ jzi:!^ 'u s s r sm 32 WES» EYAN MISSIONS : sionaries; but, with lens tluiii eiffht, it i.s iinposiriiljle to occupy with t'fficiency our present ground. IiideeJ, unless a hotter supply can he alTorded than our present complement of lahourers, I inchne to the opinion, that we had hotter ahandon two or three of our existing Sta- tions, and concentrate our Missionary force, so as to hear with greater effect upon a more limited population. P'or what is one IMissionary to a scattered population of thirty or forty thousand Heathen, who must be taught even the first principles of Christian truth ? Yet this dispropor- tionate supply of labourers actually . xists in our more remote Kaffer Missions. On the border of the colony, owing to the labours of other Societies, the paucity of Missionaries is not so great ; but, even on the nearer Missions, an increase of labooi-ers is highly desirable. " We cannot go on much longer on the present plan. It appears to nie hke a want of good Missionary economy, to occupy extensive fields inadeqantely ; and, unless yoi can reinforce our numbers, we must withdraw some of the Missions, and strengthen the others. But will our people, will the friends of the Society who really care for the salva- tion of the souls of the Heathen, consent to such a measure ? Has our zeal as Missionaries, and the desir-j of the native tribes for our labours, so far outrun the hberality of the Christian pubUc at home, that we must uot only stop ftu-ther advances into the interior of this great continent, but also abandon in hopeless despair, to the great enemy of souls, the advanced posts which we already occupy ? I must leave you, and the friends of ouc Missions, to answer this query. " I waited patiently during It ST, because I saw you were engaged in a noble effort in behalf of India ; and I refrained from urging, as I ought, the wants and claims of South Africa in 1838, Tjecause I saw you were using your utmost efforts to provide for the Feejeo islanders, and other parts of the South Seas. But now, in 18.39, the Wesleyan Centenary year, I entreat you to think of poor Africa, with her millions of Hea- then. Our present Missionary establishment is but an outline of what it should be, and what I and my respected brethren who commenced the various Missions always hoped it would become. For the last nineteen years I have never ceased to pray and to labour, that we might see an extensive Wesleyan Mission extending from Port-Klizabeth (Algoa-Bay) to Port-Natal, a di^^tance of about seven hundred miles ; and, being a line belt of country along the coast of South-eastern Africa, it is now, and always will be, one of the most thickly populated regions of South- ern Africa. " You will remember, that a request has also long appeared on our District-Minutes for a Missionary to be appointed to tlie tribe of Ncapai, beyond the Zimvubu rivei, and in the direction of Port-Natal. Re- cently another urgent application has been made from the Chief, through the Government-Agent, to the Colonial Government, requesting that the Governor would urge us to send him a Missionary. The Honourable Colonel Hare, the acting Lieutenant-Governor, has forwarded this request to me, expressing his desire, that, if possilde, we would make arrange- ments to meet the wishes of the Chief. iNIr. Fyxm, the Govermueut- TIIILIll CLAIMS AM) PllOGlU^SS. Af^ent, having stated his full conviction, that the iMirision woukl da much good, and pr()l)ably tend to the pe;iee t : that part of tlio country ; I could only promise to lay tlie case before you : W'liut do you say t(» this of' en-repeated re([uest of a ferocious h.'athen Chief, now backed and supported by the Colonial Goverunient ? 1 do conlidently hope, that you will resolve on sending a Missionary for this large and powerful tribe, t(» whose case and country you will ihid an extended reference in tlie Minutes of our last District-Meeting." — Extract of a Letter frain thv Gvyicrcd Superintendent of the IVeslvyan Mindnns in Simtk-Eaxteru ylfrica, dated Pvrt-Elizabelh, Jlrjnu-Baj;, Ji;h/ 27tli, 183:). Appeals equally urgent and pressing from other por- tions of the IMissionary field niiglit easily be supplied ; but it is deemed unnecessary to insert them, as those which have been selected aiford a fair specimen of the whole, and arc surely quite sufficient to awaken the deep- est sympathy on behalf of the perishing Heathen. Here is a reply from " the Lord the Spirit" to the prayer of the church on behalf of the world. Is the church prepared for it ? Header, are you ? This is only the first part of the answer. The desire which has been created is just beginning to make itself heard and felt. Most assuredly it will increase in energy and dilFusivencss, until it shall become irresisti])le and universal ; and all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ hi sincerity and in truth, should prepare themselves for the new state of things which is approaching, and which is now nigh at hand, yea, " even at the doors.' AVhile the Teachers already sent amongst the Heathen continue to be useful, applications of this kind will be mul- tiplied. As long as God shall give testimony to the word of his grace, preached by his servants abroad, these requests will be urged. There is no other way to prevent them, th-.n by the churches at home ceasing to pray for the spread of the ll^deemer's kingdom in the earth ; and by the Mis- sionaries ceasing to labour for that object. This, however, will not be done. The people of God have taken the Mission cause, as it should be taken, — with all its con- tingencies ; and they will abide by their choice. If spiritual prosperity load to pecuniary eml^arrassment, they will still do their utmost to secure the desired suc- cess, and to remove the financial difficulties which it c 5 S4 Vi-EfsLVA'A^ MiSSIO:>S; Tiiay occasion, whenever or under >vliatcver form tliey maj occur. That the success of IVHssionary Societies is the true cause of these difficulties, is fully confirmed by facts con- nected with their history. So discouraging was the aspect of affairs for some time after the commencement of the Wesleyan JVIission in New -Zealand, that the entire aban- donment of that great enterprise of mercy was, at one period, seriously contemplated by the Committee. But He who has promised that " at eA'cntide it shall be light," having tried the faith of his servants to the uttermost, graciously interposed to prevent the execution of a design which would have led to such disastrous results. After years of tiifil, privation, and painful disappointments, the good seed began to spring up ; difficulties were removed : restraints were imposed on the lawless passions of many of the people ; religious societies were formed ; schools were organized; and since tlio first appearance of these gracious indications of a successful issue, Christianity has achieved some of its greatest modem triumphs amongst the once-canni])al and deeply- degraded barbarians of an island, on whose shores, before the introduction of the Gospel, nothing liad been witnessed by European naviga- tors, but deeds of such horriltle atrocity that they may not be named. A desire for Christian instruction now pervades the length and breadth of the land, and mani- fests itself in various ways, even in places where it was least to be expected, as is shown by the following interest- ing statement, received from one of the Missionaries : — " Leaving Rotoaera, we travelled nearly five days ^vitllout meetiiig &. single inliabitant, ov the vestige of a dwelling. Om* road lay partly along the toot of the snow-dad mountain, but chiefly through an exten- sive and uneven forest, whose close umbrageous foliage rendered it ulmost impeuetralde, even to the solar rays. This forest led us to tho winding and rapid river of Wanganui, whence our road lay along the sea-coast to Port-Nicholson. Although in the interior the population is so thin, here the people are very numerous. Along the coast, from Wanganui to Waikanae, inclusive, a distance of about sixty miles over a beautifully level and sandy beach, intersected by several small rivers, there arC; at the vary l.jwest cumjuitation, three thousand soul:s ; and TIIETR CLAIMS AND PROGRT^Sg. 35 rmiong tliem the samo pvevailiag desire for religions iiiotrixctuin amlbouks. I found a number of neat chapels in which they statedly assemble for wor- ship ; several of the people could read well, and many had learn-jd to v\Tite. Of course much rudeness and ignorance still exist among them ; hut, considering their circumstances, having never been favoured with tlie direct instructions of an European Missionary, I could not but think them to be in a very pleasing and promising condition ; nnd was often led tn say, ' Behold, the fields are already white imto harvest.' 1 was received by them as a messenger from God ; and could 1 have gratified their wishes by sojourning a while at each village, my journey would have been protracted indeed. This pleasing change is but of recent date, and was efiPected througl u. n.rumentality of means apparently the most inefficient." The writer, in jscribing the scenes he Avitnessed in another place, says,— " I had no idea of meeting with any appearance of Christianity here ; but my surprise was only equalled by my delight, when, on emerging from the dark shades of the dreary forest, the sonorous responses of this isolated people fell upon my ears ; they were worshipping the God (-f heaven and of earth ! They received me gladly ; and I had an opportu- nity of unfolding to them the great truths of the Gospel, and supplying them with a few books. These people, like many others, have been persuaded -^ 'turn from idols to serve the living and true God,' tlirough the instrumentality of our converted natives. On the following day, several of them accompanied us through tlie wood ; where we found two more villages, the inhabitants of which were inquiring after the God of their salvation." — Extract of a Letter from one of the Missiunuriea ia Nciv-Zcalmid, If the case were otherwise ; if the attempt made to introduce the Gospel amongst the New-Zealandcrs had fluled, and if the IMissionaries had entirely abandoned the country fourteen years ago, as it was then feared they would be compelled to do, the Committee, instead of having to maintain in that District eleven Stations, four- teen Missionaries, and sixteen salaried Teachers, as well as to support a printing establishment, and many school «, at an expense of between five and six thousand pounds, would be involved in no expense whatever, in connexion with New-Zealand. But then there is another side to this question, which must be noticed. If this Mission had utterly failed, then those who are now sainted spirits, and who, during the last few years, have passed from our Missionary church there, in full assurance of faith, to the r" 3t) WESLEYAN MISSIONS : church triumphant in heaven, ^vouUl, in all laobahility, have died in a state of ignorance and sinfuhiess, " without God, and -without hope ; " the hundreds of the Aborigines Avho are unitcl in church-fellowship at llokianga, and elsewhere, and vi .* , in a greater or less degree, enjoy and exhibit the gracious fruits of that change which the Gos- pel has elfected in their condition, would have continued to be " filled with all unrighteousness, without natural affec- tion, implacable, unmerciful ; " and the children, wdio are at present placed under a course of Ghristian instruction in the Mission schools, would have been left to grow up under the influence of the sanguinary and degrading cus- toms of their ancestors. Seven years since, a AYesleyan Missionary w\is sent to the Gold-Coast, under the express stipulation, that, if, -within two or three months after his arrival, the prospect of usefulness should not be such as would justify him in remaining there, the gentleman at whose requc^ he was sent thither, and who gave him a free passage in his own vessel, should bring him back to this country, without any charge to the Society. !Mr. Dunwcll, a most suitable per- son for such an undertaking, volunteered his services, and was appointed to that Station, lie remained in the coun- try, preaching the Gospel, until he was removed by death to another ai.>d a better world. Ere that event took place, the good seed sown by him had taken root ; and it has broufht forth fruit, which remains until this day. That devoted 3Iissionary has been succeeded by "faithful men," several of whom have also died ; but the work has steadily advanced ; and the success of the Mission has not only led to an enlargement of the sphere of the Society's operations on the Coast, but has been the means of open- ing the way for its Missionaries into the poAverful king- dom of Asiiantee ; for the benefit of which a special effort has already been made by the members of the Wesleyan IMissionary Society, assisted by the friends of Africa belono-ino" to other relidous denominations. In this as in the former instance, the growth of the cause has added to our pecuniary liabilities and embarrassments. The expe- rience of other Missionary Societies bears testimony to the -« If .» TIIEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 37 accuracy of the opinion Avliich is expressed in these pages on this point ; in proof of which, it is only necessary to insert the following quotation from the last published Report of the Chu'ch jMissionary Society : — " The large amount of the Kxpemlitnre is to l»e traced to the pro- gressive enlargement of most of the Misriiond, through the blessing from above which has been vouchsafed to their operations. At no antecedent period have the INIissions, speaking of them as a whole, presented ^o favourable a view of the spiriuial influence which they have bi'en instru- mental in diffusing." The pecuniary embarrassments of that most useful institution have so increased since the Report from which the above extract has been taken was drawn up, that it has been deemed necessary, on the part of the General Committee, to publish an Address on the subject, in a late number of the " Church Missionary Record." That important document contains the following amongst other statements : — " The financial situation of the Society has for some time occasioned great solicitude to the Committee. The difficulties in which they find themselves involved do not arise from a falling-off of income, but from that large increase of expenditure in the Missions, consfHi'- it on their progressive enlargement, and the success with which it lu... ^ jrsed God to bless the labours of his servants. Another cause of serious embar- rassment to the Committee has been, the inade(|n;'v-y of the funds avail- able to meet the iuecpialities b- Lween income and expenditure in the course of the year. " Though the Committee are deeply impressed with the obligation which is imposed on ^'.^ iNIanagers of a Missionary Society, on moral as well as financial grounds, to limit the expenditure, from year to year, within the income of the year ; yet tliey etpially feel, that the present state of the Society's operations, as well as of its finances, call for the use of all suitable means to enlarge that income. " The litter inadeqir. jy of the Society's income to meet the demands from abroad for Missionaries, has compelled the Committee to reject many appeals for the formation of new Missions, under very encouraging circumstances ; and other similar ones are now before them, to which they have no alternative but to return the same painful reply. " The pecuniary difficulties of the Committee have likemse been materially increased by the very success with which it has pleased God of late years to crown the Society's operations ; by which the Missions have been rapidly enlarged, and a conseciuent increase of expenditure occasioned, especially in New-Zealand, Tinnevelly, and North India. The news of multitudeKS inquiring the way of salvation led the Committee I 38 WESLEYAN MISSIONS : I f(t incur cxpciifies, of whicli the extent was not fully foreseen, in their anxiety to meet the demand." While, therefore, regret is felt and expressed, on account of the financial difficulties -which press with so much weight on those nohle Societies which are endea- vouring to spread throughout the uorld "the faith once delivered to the saints," the churches may ■well rejoice in that which has produced them. It is because success is emblazoned on one side of the IMissionary banner whicli Protestantism has unfurled, that monetary embarrassments are inscribed on the other. '• Most gladly, therefore," even in the inidst of trials, should we " glory" in a state of things which proves, that the " power of Christ " is resting upon " the work of our hand:." XI. Large as is the debt which has been contracted by the Wesleyan JMissionary Society, and desirable though it is that it should be liquidated with the least possible delay, it is a matter of much less anxiety than is the deficiency of its income, as compared with what it ought to be, in order that it may fully meet the increased and increasing demands which are made upon it. The hearl of Chris- iianify has led the Society into debt ; and the heart of Christianity will provide for its complete extinction, in due time. Leeds, in which the foreign Missions of the Connexion may be said to have originated, has already spoken out, in a manner worthy of itself, on this part of the case : the example which has been set in the AVest Riding of Yorkshire will unquestionably be imitated by the friends of "NYesleyan INIissions throughout the United Kingdom ; and the work will be done, and done promptly and effectually too. That which imperatively demands earnest and practical attention is, the excess of the Missionary expenditure over the aggregate amount of receipts. This deficiency neither can nor ought to be allowed to continue any longer. No addition must be made to the existing debt. When the work of enlargement commenced, a few years ago, the reply to the statements which were then put forth by the Committee, in various quarters, was, " Show I I TIIKIR CLAIMS AM» rROfiUESS. 39 US tliat a great necessity exists, aiul Ave Avill make a suit- able effort to meet it." Tlie exigency of the case has Ijeen fully demonstrated ; and now that the Centenary move- ment has erminated, — which, to some extent, at least, lias, no doubt, affected the amount of contributions for Missionary purposes," — renewed and more vigorous exer- tions should be made to maintain the position occupied by the Society, in the great JMissionary army, which is assert- ing the honours, and spreading the victories, of the cross, amongst many different " nations, and kindreds, and peo- ple, and tongues ; " unless, indeed, the Wcsleyan Method- ists are prepared to take a less prominent station, and to confess their inability to render more effective service to the common cause of the liedeemer. Such an ignoble proceeding as the latter alternative iuvolvcs, ^ »uld be equally inconsistent with cliaracter and duty on the part of the Connexion. AYe oAve much to our Lord; and we have many resources which may be devoted to his service. Having been emjdoyed as inst •;•- ments for awakening others from their slumbers, and of rousing them to a state of activity in this holy warfare, deep and well-merited would our disgrace be, if, after all our professions, and all our exertions, we were to exliibit symptoms of indifference, or of indolence, in the presence of the " cloud of witnesses " with which we are encom- passed, and at such a critical period in the great conflict ■which "the Lamb" is waging against his and our confede- rated foes. While the visitations of heaven, and the movements which are taking place on the earth, are sum- moning us to new enterprises of Christian zeal and bene- volence, let us not act like Reuben, and Gilead, and Dan, ♦ Thongli the Centenary effort may, in some instances, have atfectod the amount of contriljutions to the \\''esleyau Missio.aary Society, the !Mis.7ions have derived great advantages from that noble movement. la addition to the commodious and central premises which have heen gra- tuitously presented to the Society for the transaction of its business, munificent aid has lieen generously fiu-nished by the Centenary Com- mittee for the promotion of various objects exclusively Missionary in tlieir character ; not the least valuable of which is, the sum which has been granted for the purpose of assisting to provide a fund for the relief of the widows and oi-jdiaus of deceased Missionaries. I K) WEoLEYAN missions: and Aslicr, who, when caUcd by I)ol>orah and liarak to assist in the overthrow of the oppressors of Israel, disre- garded tlie summons ; hut h't us imitate l-lidiraim, in which tlieie " was a root a^ijainst Amalek," and like Ben- jamin, and ]\Iachir, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, liasten " to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." XIL It may, perhaps, be asked by some of the persons to whom these observations are specially addressed, " Decs the present state of the Society's IMissions, as compared with their former condition, furnish such satisfactory evi- dence of growth and increase, as to justify the indulgence of a reasonable expectation, on our part, of securing, by the application of additional means, a wider diffusion of Christian knowledge, piety, and civilization ? Does a review of the success which has attended past efforts in this cause furnish good and sufficient reasons for continu- ing and increasing our exertions on its behalf?" In reply- ing to those, as well as to all similar, inquiries, it should be premised, that, if little or no visible good had been real- ized by our prayers and exertions, our duty and obligations to carry out the purposes of the Redeemer, by sending the Gospel into all the world, would be equally clear and binding. Success in this " work of faith " is cheering and animating : however, it should be distinctly understood, that it is not be^-^use we can show, in connexion with the work, manifest x.s of prosperity, that we are to prose- cute it with untiring seal and diligence ; but, because this is a duty which is enjoined upon us by the great Head of the church himself. " Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," is a command bind- ing upon individuals, and collective bodies of Christians, which cannot be neglected with impunity. To dissociate the obligation of duty to propagate the Gospel from the Tjrivilege connected with the possession of so invaluable a treasure, is impossible. The Sovereign Lawgiver has joined these two together; and the church cannot put them asunder. Here we may perceive and admire the harmony which T 4 1-^ "^ THKIR CLAIMS , D PROGRESS. 41 subsists between the counsels and the operations of the GoJlieail. As wo are taun;]it hy the Holy Spirit, that wo are " debtors both to the (1 reeks and to the liarbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise;" so one of the earliest and strongest desires which lie produces in the truly regenerate, is connected with the salvation of our neighbour, and urges us to seek his good, by bringing liini under the influence of the CJospel of Christ. This feeling is a part of the inlierltancc bequeathed to us l)y our Lord ; and it is one of the marks of a real Christian, and of a true church. AVhere it is not found, the vital power of Christianity is not enjoyed. As such inquiries as those which are now^ under consi- deration are not unfrc occu- pied fourteen principal Stations,) and eighteen hundred and fourteen niemhers. The year 181.5 witnessed the beginning of the lahours of the ]\fissionaiies in Asia, that strcng-hold of idcdatry : — The Society in 1840 occupied twenty-one prinei[)al Sta- tions in that quarter of the glohe, ^vith twenty-two jNFission- ariesand seventeen Assistant-]\Iissionaries, who had under their care twelve hundred and forty-three niemhers, or communicants ; in addition to which, inestimahlc henefits have been conferred upon thousands of the nntive popu- lation, by the Missionary schools and presses Avhich have been, and still are, in active and elHcient operation. There were in the West Indies, exclusive of Jamaica, thirty-one JMissIonaries employed by the Society, in the year 181a, and upwards of fifteen thousand members in church-felbwship : — The number of jMissionaries in 1840 ■was forty-eight, and of members, twentj^-four thousand seven hundred and eighty-four. Still more rapid and extensive has been t'.e progress of the work of God on the island of Jamaica, between the two periods which we are now comparing, and to which a more particular refer- once will be afterwards made. In Africa, the fiitherlaiid of the black and coloured population of the "W' Indies, there were, under the care of the Society, in the southern and western sections of that continent, in 1815, only two jMissionarii s, who had one hundred and forty-two members under their pastoral care and direction : — But in 1840, the principal Stations amounted l<^ forty-eight ; the number of JMissionaries and Assistants, to fifty-two; of salaried Teachers, to fifty- four; of church-members, to four thousand seven hundred and ninety-six : and of childi i attending the schools, to nn wards of five thousand. Throughout those immense and distant regions included under the general Lames of Australasia and Polynesia, the Society employed only one Missionary in 1815 ; at which I 4 %M TlirrU CLAIMS AST) I'llOriKMSS. 4',i period no converts to tlio faitli of Christ fippeared in con- nexion with that (tl^ii) infant Mission. How j,M('atly lias the state of things siiict: cliaiij^cd for tlie het^cr ! In New South Wales, Australia J'\'li\, and Vaii-Dienicn's J.and, the Society occupies eleven priuci^)al Stations ; and in Southern and AVestern Australia, t i. The cvanj,'elical leaven has been extensively dilfuse:' ;v; onfj^st tlie Al)0'-'j,nnes of New- Zealand. I'lio F'iendly 1 landers have taken the yoke of Christ upon them, and are learninp^ of Him to he ''meek and lowly in heart." The cross has been successfully planted on the dark and blood-stained shores of Feejee; while other islands of the Pacific are waiting: and lookinj; for the cvanjrelical law. Instead of om: IMissionary in the South- ern Hemisphere, thtre are now fghtv-sevex, and sixteen s laried Teachers ; and in a part of the world in which the Society had ^•0T a sin^li: Mi:Mm:u in UU5, there were nearly eleven thousand in lil40, the greater number of •whom, a few brief years since, were under the dominiou of some of the lowest and most degrading!: forms of idol- atry. C^hristian Schoolmasters are also abroad, Avho arc placing the elements of useful learning upon a religious basis, in the minds of ten thousand nine hundred and forty-six adults and children, belonging to the schools connected with those JVfissions ; many of whom are con- verted Heathens, far advanced in years, but who are sedulously learning to read the " oracles of Cod." Oil that part of uic continent of North America subject to the British Crown, and on the neighbouring islands, thirty- four Missionaries were stationed in 1815, who ministered the word of life in those vast countries to a small ami widely-scattered population : — Ninety-three IMissionaiies vere oi gaged in that department of the work in ]84(t ; and the number of church-members had increased from eighteen iiardrcd anu twenty-four, to eleven thousand six liundred and eighty-one. In ihe judgment of an indivi- dual who filled the birdiest office in Newfoundland, that colony is mainly indebted, ;or the degree of Protestant influence which exists in it, to the labours of Weslevan Missionaries. 44 WESLEYAN 3IIS8IONS : XIII. Let the range of observation and comparison be now limited to two Districts, — that of South Ceylon and Jamaica, the one belonging to Asia, and the other to America. It has be^n already stated, that the inchoative operations of the Society in Asia may be dated from the year 1815. At that pcri<,«d there was a lamentable defi- ciency of Cliristian instruction in South Ceylon, as Avell as in every other part of the island ; in consequence of which, the st; .e of religion and of morals was very low, even amongst that portion of the inhabitants generally who made a profession of the Christian faith. Some pro- vision was made at Colombo, as well as at one or two other places, for the spiritual instruction of the civil and military servants of the Crown ; and the Government Chaplain was an orna^ nt to his profession, and a bless- ing to the circle in which he moved. Bat, generally speaking, there Avas " a famine, not of bread," indeed, but of " the word of the Lord." On the arrival of tlie Mis- sionaries, they found almost all that large portion of the inhabitants by whom the Indo-Portuguese language is spoken, " as sheep having no shepherd ; " there being only one INIinister of the Dutch Reformed Church, at head-quarters, nrovided for them, who preached in a language little understood by the male, and entirely unknown to the female, part of his congregation. The dominion of Heathenism over the Singhalese was un- broken and almost unquestioned ; and the Priests, point- ing to their crowded temples, laughed to scorn the messenccrs of truth. Successive regiments of British troops have since been stationed on the island ; in each of Avhicli, to quote the language of the soldiers themselves, some of them have had reason, on their departure from it, to say, " I was born and reared in Britain, a land of liglit, where I lived in darkness ; and in Ceylon, a land of darkness, 1 have been made a partaker of the light of life." In not a few instances, these military converts were removed to Sta- tions on the continent of India, and otlier places, where there Avere no Missionaries ; in which, jy their conversa- TITETR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 45 •t tion and conduct, tliey shone as lights in tlio midst of surrounding darkness, .-nid, instrumentally, guided the feet of even some of the natives, as well as of their comrades, into the way of peace.* IMoved with compjission for the thousands of the people who spoke Indo-Portugucse, the agents of the Society studied that dialect, and soon hegan to convey religious instruction to them in their own tongue. These services were numerously attended ; a divine blessing accompanied the word; congregations have since been gathered; chapels have been erected; men and women have been brought to a knowledge of the truth ; and Christian societies have been organized, espe- cially at Colombo, Galle, and Jaffna : and it is worthy of notice, that the Assistant-^Missionaries, whose number, in 1840, amounted to seven, have chiefly been raised up by the blessing of God on this department cf the work. While occupied with these important and pressing duties, the IMissionaries appointed to Ceylon have never over- looked the paramount claims of the atheistical and superstitious Aborigines on their sympathies and ser- vices. To meet their case, the Gospel is preached in Singhalese ; Ijooks are printed and distributed ; and about seventy schools are organized on exclusively religious principles, which are attended by between four and five thousand children. The conditions on which these schools have been established aflbrd a striking proof of the gro\Ying strength of Christian influence amongst the natives ; for, in addition to other stipulations, it is required, that the inhabitants of tlie villages into which schools are intro- duced, shall build and keep in repair, at their own expense, the house in which the children are taiight ; that the Teachers shall be selected by the ^Missionaries ; and that no heathen books shall be used in any of the schools under any pretence whatever. In these semi- naries, the influence of caste, vdiich formerly occasioned » One of tlie most ui^efiil Afisistant-IMis^ioufvio.. in tlic isbnu of Cey- lon in tho service of the Srciety, was brought to a knowledge of the truth, and converted to the faith of Chri>t, by means of one of the rious soldiers, who had himself been the fiiiit of Missionary laboiu in that island. 4(j WESLFA'AX missions: so much difficulty to tlio IMissioiiiiries, is now uttoviy sub- dued i and the chlklrcn are classified according to tliclr ability and attainments, without reference to their social rank. The schools themselves supply an adequate num- ber of suitable Listructors ; some of Avhom are not only qualified to teach the rising- generation, but to explain and enforce the impressive truths of the Gospel among their parents ; a duty which they gladly discharge on the day of the Lord, in the same places in which the children are instructed on the ordinary days of the week. It will bo readily admitted, that these are great adviintnges ; and when it is considered, that the entire canon of holy iScrip- turo .s now circulated amongst the Singhalese, and amongst the descendants of the former European possessors of that island, in the two languages spoken by them ; that both these translations were greatly promoted by our ]Mission- arics, ami were printed for the Colombo Auxiliary Bible ^:oticty, at the press sent out by the AVesleyon Missionary Society ; who can refuse to recognise, in such results, cause of devout gratitude for the past, and of hope for the future ? The standard of Christian feeling and practice has been elevated amongst professing Christians ; a native ministry is growing up ; the schools are providing Teachers and Catcchists ; and scriptural truth is disseminated by the Missionary, the Schoolmaster, and the Tress. I^y the bless- ino- of God on these means, which other Societies are em- ploying there, as Avell as our own, a blow has been inflicted on the power of the Prince of darkness in that lovely region, from the effect of which it will never recover ; for, in the judgment of an individual whose opinion on such a sui)ject is entitled to the highest respect, Christianity has struck its roots so firndy into the moral soil of Cey- lon, that, if every European jMissionary were to be with- drawn from that country, it would still live, and flourish, and bring forth fruit to the praise and glory of God. Already there is "a noise and a shaking" in the valley in which the messengers of the Lord prophesied twenty live years ago, and said, " ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." As the voice shall continue to sound, the '•siaews and the llcsh " will come upon them, and 'Mho ■i TnniR CLAIMS AND PROGRES.S. 47 slvin ^v^ll cover them" above; until, at length, the Lrratli of the Holy Spirit shall touch and revivify the dead. Nor is it unreasonahle to hope, that, from Ceylon, tlie word of the Lord will go forth to liurma and Chinn, in whicli the principles of l>udhisni prevail so extensively ; and that the desire of receiving some signal good from that "sacred isle," wliich has bee., iong cherished by the teeming popu- lation of those great empires, Avill be accomplished in a manner very different from their present wishes and expectations. Turning from the east to the west, the progress of the work in Jamaica may bo traced, during the same period. It will be recollected, that, in the year IJU."), the motives and proceedings of the IMissionarics in that island Avere viewed with suspicion and distrust, ])y a largo and influ- ential portion of the inhabitants; and that the Mission- aries themselves were treated with much personal and official disrespect and indignity. On some occasions, popular fury was let loose, and directed against them, in defiance of the law ; and, on others, legal forms and tech- nicalities were employed, by their powerful and misguided adversaries, as the covering for acts of oppression and injustice. In Kingston, the Wesleyan Missionaries were prevented from preaching the Gospel, by the municipal authorities ; and in many other places tlie same hostile spirit was frequently manifested. All the agents of the Society then in ihe colony were placed in circumstances of great trial and difficulty ; and some of them even suf- fered '''])onds and imprisonment, for the sake of the Lord Jesus." That Avas a day of small things, of gloom and of darkness, in the history of the Jamaica iMission. AVith ^linisters silenced, societies scattered, chapels closed, and surrounded by numerous, active, and determined foes, the members of society cried to the Lord for help ; and most instructive, as well as touching, is the recorded account of the proceedings of a portion of the flock, at the time when Mr. Davies applied to the proper quarter, for permission to exercise his ministry amongst them. A few days before tlie one selected by the members of the tri- bunal to which the Missionary had appealed, for consider- 48 WESLEYAX missions: ing and cleculinpj on liis case, tlie pious people held a day of solemn fasting and pi;\yer, " to entreat the Lord to look upon tlie afHicted state of the chureh in Jamaica, and par- ticularly in Kinjijston," where the house of God had heen shut nearly seven years ; and, of course, so long had the public ministry of the -word been suspended. The desired permission was obtained, and the chapel was immediately repaired and re-opened for public worship, to the inex- pressible joy of multitudes. They were, however, soon caUed to endure a new trial of their faith, in the sudden death of their beloved Pastor ; when the sanctuary was again closed, no other Missionary being licensed by the magistracy of the place. But in the midst of these dis- couraging circumstances, their language was, " We must not despai • : if we put our trust in the Lord, and call upon Him, we may reasonably hope for ultimate success." Nor did they hope in vain. That day has passed away, never, we believe, to return. Attention is now directed to these painful occurrences, not for the purpose of reviving the recollection of events upon which all parties look back with regret, but that a deeper impression may be made with respect to the altered circumstances in which the Mission is now placed, and that thanksgivings to Almighty God may be called forth, on account of the greatly im- pro^'-ed state of things in that important colony. ]Men of all ranks, and of various religious persuasions, approve of and encourage the j\Iissionaries in their unwearied endea- vours to instruct the peasantry. Public aid has been afforded, and private liberality has l)een and is largely exercised, by magistrates, planters, and other influential persons, in support of the IMission, the design and ten- dency of which are now properly understood, and duly appreciated : so that, looking at the present tranquil and flour" hing — as compared with the former disturbed and depressed — state of the Wesleyan community in Jamaicji, the description which is given of the churches throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, may with great pro- priety be applied to its members ; for they have " rest," and are " edified ;" and, " walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, are multiplied." TIIEin CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 49 In the Minutes of Conference for the year 1815, the entire island of Jamaica comprised but one Circuit ; in 1840, it was divided into eighteen. Between the two periods which are under review, the Missionaries have increased from four to twenty-nine ; to which number should be added, as belonging to the same District, one at the Grand Caymanas, and two at Belize and Charibb- Town, Honduras- Bay : while, within the same time, the number in church-fellowship, which, in 1815, amounted to two thousand seven hundred, now exceeds twenty-three thousand. It will be seen, from an examination of the official documents, on the authority of which these state- ments are made, that, in the year 1840, a larger number of Missionaries were stationed in Kingston alone, than were he whole island twenty-five years before that time ; on and a larger number or members in the colony, in 1840, by upwards of five thousand, than there were in all THE West-India islands, including Jamaica, occupied by the Society in the year 1815. What hath God wrought ? The result of this whole comparison shows, that, in connexion with the Wcsleyan Missions in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australasia, and Polynesia, between the years 1815 and 1840, that is to say, during the compara- tively short interval of twenty-five years, the number of jyiissionaiies had increased from seventy-four to about three hundred and sixty-seven, and to nearly an equal number of salaried Teachers; and the members, in com- munion with that portion of the great Christian family, from nineteen thousand three hundred and eighty-fi.ve, to about eighty thousand. Assuming, — what, under the cir- cumstances, may be regarded as a moderate estimate, — that three times the number of persons recognised as com- municants attend the ministry of the Missionaries, then it will appear, that, while in 1815 less than sixty thousand individuals heard the Gospel preached by Wesleyan I^Iis- sionaries, the number in 1840 had increased to nearly a quarter of a million, a large portion of whom are as lights shining in the dark places of the earth, which are yet, to an awful extent, filled with " the habitations of cruelty." D .)t> WESLEVAN 3IISSI0NS XIV. Tjiis revlow of the progress of the IMissIons, encourag- irif*- as it is, hv no means embraces all those elements Avhicli should enter into our calculations, if we would form just conceptions of the success with which God has been pleased to reward the exertions of the Society. Other considerations, connected with this topic, still remain to be examined. When an estimate is made of the number of persons living in a state of peace and order, under the spiritual care of the Missionaries, for the purpose of forming a judg^ mcnt of the amount of good which has been realized by their instrumentality, the former state and character of the converts which have been made should be taken into con- sideration. The " messengers of the churches," who have been sent into heathen lands, did not, on their arrival, generally find a people, in any considerable measure, pre- pared by education, habit, or prejudice, for the reception of the truths which they were commissioned to announce in the name of the Lord ; but, on the contrary, a state of things usually as different from that as can well be con- ceived, and one in wliicli all these were arrayed against the Teacher and his doctrines. Ministers who deliver the message of salvation in this country, have, to a great extent, on the side of truth, the influence belonging to early im- pressions and recollections ; all that is deemed respectable in example and station ; the weight of public opinion and profession ; the force of national feelings and predilections, and, not unfrequently, of personal convictions, and of domestic associations. These, with the far greater propor- tion of his audience, are in favour of the Preacher. He and his hearers hold many of those principles in common upon which he founds and enforces tlie reasonings and exhortations that he addresses to the judgment and to the conscience. If, with all these and other important advan- tages connected with the exercise of the Christian minis- try at home, the progress of true religion and virtue is so slow amongst the people ; and if the number is compa ratively so small, who, like the primitive Christians in Jerusalem, continue " steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine 1 1- 51 rilKIR CLAIMS AM) PROGRESS. iY\icl fello^vslup, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers ; " the friends of foreign jMissions may well " tlumk God, and take courage," on account of their numerical increase, as well as of the other signs of progressive improvement which they present to the view of every unprejudiced observer. Amongst the thousands v.ho are receiving instruction from the Missionaries, there arc many who were once under the dominion of debasing and degrading systems of error and wickedness, to which they nevertheless adhered with great tenacity, and around which the strong- est feelings of our common nature were entNvined ; — persons whose views of the Supreme Being were not elevated beyond the rude and mis-shapen figure of wood or of stone, before which they bowed themselves, and •said, " It is a god ; " whose religious services were not only adapted to their cruel and depraved tastes and pro- pensities, 1)ut added to their terrible energy ; whose in- tellect was wholly uncultivated ; whose very affections were unnatural, and prompted them to torment and destroy the living, that they might honour and gratify the dead ; who had lost all power of discerning between moral jrood and evil, and seemed to have reached the lowest point to which human nature can sink in tae pre- sent world ; being " full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity." Such was tlie state of a part of the human |uarry into which the Missionaries penetrated ; and out of that portion of it they have brought many of the ''living stones" which they, as the instruments of the Holy Spirit, have hewn, and polished, and placed upon the "foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus; Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." Indeed, so utterly hopeless did the condition of some of the objects of Missionary benevolence appear to be, that the very attempt to improve their condition awakened tlie pity of a few, and excited the contempt of many, for those who engaged in such a task themselves, or encouraged others : liov.-, therefore, after the experiment has been tried, and has succeeded, the very manner in which it was once opposed shows the magnitude of the dilliculties which D 2 ,*2 VKSLEYAN missions: liad to be encountered, and enhances the value of the success which has attended the undertaking. There is another aspect under wliieh this part of the case should be regarded. Believing that the general spread of the Gospel throughout the world is closely con- nected \\ith the re-eslahlishmcnl of the dominion of xcripliiral truth, and the revival of xpirifual religion^ in all the continental Protestant Churches, the proceedings (^f the Wesleyan ]Missionary Society in different European countries are conducted with a special reference to these objects. This is a truly Christian design, and perfectly accords with the generous spirit and object of the man whom God employed as the great Founder of Methodism. It is an attempt to strengthen the interests of the Re- deemer's kingdom within the boundaries of Christendom, rather than to increase the poAver of a particular «...iss of Christians ; to win souls to the Saviour, rather than to make sectarian proselytes ; to promote union and co-ope- ration amonffst the adherents of the " one faith," instead of increasing the causes of dift'erence and dissension which are everywhere too numerous. This part of the Society's plan may be, and is, carried out with great success in places where the persons are few in number who are formally and professedly united with the Church, under the immediate pastoral care of the Missionary. Such is the case of the Mission at Stockholm. Looking at that Station in a numerical point of view only, it would ap- j)ear as if the services of the Missionary are there unproductive, and might elsewhere be more beneficially employed ; and yet such a conclusion would be most unjust and erroneous, since it would be difficult to find a place where a single agent of the Society possesses and exercises such an amount of religious influence, or is doing so much to maintain and spread scriptural godli- ness, as Mr. Scott, the Society's representative in Sweden. ]iy a combination of providential circumstances, that ^Missionary occupies a place of singular usefulness ; and is indirectly contributing in various ways, to the revival and spread of a living and powerful spirit of religion in the national Church, as well as to defeat the efforts of the THEIR CLAI.NfS AND PUOORISS. .V3 Romish npeiits in that part of Northern Europe. The pure and beneficial design and tendency of his labours are, there is reason to beUeve, duly appreciated by influ- ential individuals, who, for his work's sake, aftord him their valuable protection and encouragement; and the fears which he has inspired in the mind of the Pope's Vicar-Apostolic, are thus stated, in a communication which appeared some months ago in one of the numbers of the " Annals of Catholicism in Europe : " — " On tlie other haml, altliongli tUere are no Methodists in Sweden, tlve Methodist Society of London has sent funds for the erection ct" a *>hm-ch, according to its worship, at Stockh.dm : they do not conline their sacrifices to that, and tlie Vicar-Apostolic fears, that in his flock, a prey to misery and negh>ct, a Society which disposes of so many means may bring about many defections." Much and justly as we are attached to our distinctive rites and usages, we still possess such a measure of the original and best peculiarity of our system,— a simple and paramount desire to spread scriptural holiness at home and abroad, — as will lead us to rejoice when good is done in any country, by the instrumentality of Methodism, though not always under its particular name and forms. It would be equally unsafe to judge, by a numerical rule, of the progress of our Missions in other countries which differ not less widely from Sweden in their geogra- phical position, than they do in many other respects : for example, the interior Stations in South Africa. In several of those remote establishments, few indeed in number are the persons that have attained to such a degree of spi- ritual knowledge, or understanding in the things of God, as qualifies them for early admission into a state of Chris- tian communion and church-membership. But, even in those parts in which the fewest number of men have been progressively gathered into the fold of Christ by the preaching of the Gospel, much evil is prevented, and much good is done, by the presence and labours of the jVIissionary amongst the rude people with whom he dwells. Is it not cause of rejoicug, that the glo- rious doctrines of the cross are thus made known to thousands of human beings, in their scriptural character. r»4 WESLEVAN 3IIS.SION.S : and iC'lntions, in tlio frccncss and fulness of tliclr import, as well as in their prevailinj^ induence and saving effects', as seen in the devout conduct .ind cliaste con- vorsation of tlieir couA-ertod countrymen ? Is it not of importance tliat a faitliful and perpetual testimony is home, hy this graduiilly accumulatin;^' nucleus of a Chris- tian clunrli, against murder, polygamy, theft, witclicraft, and all the other evils to which the people liavc been so long addicted ? Is it not a vast puhlic henefit that some of the tribes are prevented from | 'unging into fierce and de- structive conflicts with each other ? that the ordinances of religion are cstahlished at each IMission Station, around wliich many of tlic heathen families arc collected and reside, on the express condition, that they shall attend puhlic worship, and that the children shall be sent to the Mission school? In places where the number of persons professing the Christian faith is inconsiderable, an influ- ence in favour of Christianity has by those means been created, which is daily increasing ; and, as has been justly remarked by a writer on the spot, " the salvation of many individuals from the frightful gulf of heathenish abomi- nations, and the difiusion of light and truth through whole communities of immortal men, are no mean achievements, as the annals of eternity will clearly show." The civilizing tendency of the principles and institutions of the Gospel is gradually developing itself, in connexion with the Missions in that part of Africa, as well as in other places. Schools are estabhVhed. Portions of the Sacred Volume, and of other useful Ijooks, liave been translated and printed, and are circulated amongst the people; many of whom, of diflx^rent classes and ages. have learned to read them, and a much greater number are engaged in learning. A periodical is published in *ho Kaffer language, and obtains numerous readers in places where, a few years since, the people were wholly ignorant of the existence of letters. The cliaracter of their Witis has been affected by the influence of Missionary instruc- tion ; and the more recent conflicts that have taken place are not marked with those deeds of unsparing cruelty and horror which were formerly perpetrated by them in t c 1 oit TIIEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. their hostile encounters Avitli each other, or ^vhcn tliey contended against a common foe. And, last, though not least, as a sign of social advancement, trade is following in the path of the :\Iinister of the God of peace ; and British maTiufactured goods of various descriptions, to th.; amount of several thousand pounds annually, are now carried over the colonial frontier, into a country whevt" the fruits of the sk'U and industry of England were unknown, until the IMissionary prepared the way for their introduction. AVhen will England learn, from this and other facts connected with modern IMissions, that, by devoting her vast resources to the honour of God, hy pvo- nioting^thc spread of the Gospel of his Son amongst all nation", she will most eifectually increase and perpetuate the sourc(>s of her commercial wealth and greatness ? In connexion with these tokens for good which this Mission presents, it will he found, on examination, that the work of spiritual conversion has been accomplished, in not a few instances, by the instrumentality of " the word of truth;" and as it is in the nature of genuine Christianity to diffuse itself, the converts whom it has already made among Kaffers, and Sichuanas, and Griquas, and other tribes, will be witnesses for the truth amongst their fellows ; and by the evidence of its transformin energy which their spirit and conduct aiford, as well as by theii" exhortations, the number of the faithful will ])e multiplied. Thaba Unchu, Umpukani, and ']Mparane have been recently visited by a gracious effusion of the Holy Spirit, waiich has been productive of the happiest results. One of the natives who shared in the blessed- ness of this visitation has since died, in sure and certain liope of a glorious resurrection unto eternal life ; exclaim- ing, with almost his latest breath : " O Lord, my heavenly Father, come and take home thy child ! " To the benefits which Kafferland has derived from th^ zealous and judicious services of the Wesleyan Mission- aries, a strong nnd honourable testimony is borne in the publication ol^ Mr. Steedman, an intelligent and impartial witness, who visited that part of Africa in the prosecution of scientific inquiries and objects. The impression which ^ 56 WESLKYAN MISSIONS.' his favourable rc|,resentations of the «tate of the Missioiix made upon the mind of Lord Viscount Gago, led that Nobleman to address a communication to the 8ecretarie.=i of the Parent Society, requesting permission to contribute; what his Lordship was pleased to call his " mite " to- wards 80 good a work, and containing the following, amongst other truly valuable, sentiments : — " As it may bo intercHting to your Society to know how a ni'^mber of the Etitablinhecl Church, aud an adherent Bpecially of that portion of it fjenorally considered least favourable to Misriions, has been induced to make this application to you, I beg to state, dis^tincUy and unequivocally, that it is the result of conviction of the well-directed zeal and actual utility of your Missions in South Africa, gathered from facts recorded iti the Journal of a Naturalist, of the name of Steedman. A disinterehted and unprejudiced eye-witness has given evidence of wlint he himself han seen in operation ; and, in my mind, his account leaves no longer room for two opinions upon the question of — whether Miariions, conducted b% jours have been, are or are not really useful in a country circumstanceJ ns South Africa now is. * " Zeal in Missionaries it were hardly rcasonnble to doubt ; but when wo have evidence, bearing internal marks of tnith, that this zeal, under th? direction of any given Society, has universally, throughout a large Dis- trict, embracing many Stations, and \mder varied and trying circum- stances, been tempered by reason, sober discretion, and that true courage in difficulties which geniune piety alone can give ; and when we see the good fruit come, as the natural result of the conduct which, under thtf divine blessing, has produced it ; I consider the problem as solved, the grand desideratmn attained, and that the coldest amongst us can scarcely do otherwise than admit that this is a thing which, as a Christian, it htw become his duty to sup ^ort. " Most sincerely do ^ pray, that ma.iy of my fellows may view the matter in this light, now especially when steady co-operation has been rendered so desirable by the losses recently incurred in the Kaffer war ; and that those who, like myself, might not entirely agree witli you in the wording of an abstract of Cliristianity, will rierge all fancied differ- ences in the consideration, that these things have little or nothing to do with the conversion of savages ; and, moreover, that it will not unfre- quently happen, that forms, really the most eligible for more mature stages of society, may nevertheless be foimd perhaps the very leasi adapted to its infancy." XV. There are other evidences of the progress of the Mis- sions of a very important character which yet remain to be considered, and which it will be proper here to notice. At the commencement of the year 1815, the Missionaries, TMFIR CLAIMS AND PKOGUKSS. 57 with one or two exceptions, preached the (iospel In tli<^ Mnglish language only; in UMO they and their Assistants commun...ited leligious instruction in Swedisli, in French, in German, and in ^Spanish, on the Conti. -'nt of Kurope ; in Tamul, (Janarese, Portuguese, Singhalese, and occa- sionally in Teloogoo, Pali, and Dutch, in difterent parts of Asia; in Katt'er, Sichuana, Dutch, Namacqua, Jolloof, ]\randingo, Fantee, and other dialects of Africa ; iu Ojihevva, French, and Spanish, in t 'erica, including tht^ West Indies ; and iu the languages of New-Zealand, the Friendly Islands, >nd Fe(jee, in the Southern Ilemi-^ sphere. Through the medium of these various forms of speech and language, the Agents of the Society are saying to perishing men, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of tl ^ world ! " At the former period, the labours of the Missionaries were limited to .i portion of the foreign possessions of the Crown ; now *' their sound " has gone into all the colonial provinces of the empire ; and also into " the regions beyond," wliere the British ilag is not recognised, except when once u week it is unfurled at the Mission Station, as the " out- ward and visible sign" of the return of that day which the Lord hath blessed and hallowed. Then, the Society em- ploye ^ no presses on any one of the Mission Stations; now it possesses seven printing establishments ; — two in Southern Africa, one in Ceylon, and ar other on the Con- tinent of India, one in New-Zealand, one at the Friendly Islands, and one in Feejce. The Scholasnc efforts of tl;e Society which were just beginning in the year 1815, have since been greatly enlarged ; so much so, tliat in 1840 the Schools were attended by nearly fifty- sevtni thousan»4 pupils. Then there were no Auxiliary Missionary Socie- ties abroad, co-operating with the Parent Society in Its endeavours to evangelize all nat'o; s ; now there is one connected with every Foreign District. In 1815, no money was raised on th^ Foreign Stations for general Missionary purposes; whilf, in 1840, the Contributions lo the Parent Society from abroad amounted to about eleven thousand pounds. The Indian and the Kaifer, the New- Zealander and the Hottentot, are learning vo nrnctis-cx D 5 ')H WnSLEYAN MISSiOJSS : tlie Cliristian precept : " Freely ye have received, freely give." Those are encouraging manifestations of the presence of God with his servants, in the worl;: to ^vhich ];e has called them, *' SOiis of God, yonr Savioiir pvaifie, Hi; the door hath opcn'd wide ; Ji'siirt gives the word of friaco, Je.su'rf word is glori'ied." During the last twenty-five years, the boundaries of the church have been extended, and "lew centres of operation have been formed in many of the strong-holds of error and .superstition, from v>diich the light and influence of the Gospel are going forth in every direction ; and renovating agencies are now in successful operation in regions where sin and misery, under their worst aspects, exercised undis- puted sway. A great preparatory work has been accom- plished in various places. (Obstinate prejudices have been removed. The Missionaries, ])y i' ^r prudent and disinterested behaviour, have established a character for themselves, that gives immense influence to the cause hi which they arc engaged. Barbarous languages have beei> reduced to a written form ; and, in consequence of that, future I\Iissionaries Avill be enabled to acquire a know- ledge of them at a comparatively small expenditure of time and la])our. The word of God, in whole or in pirt, 7 he Catechisms for youHi, prepar(;d and published under the direction and sanction of the Conference, together with numerous other useful pul)lications, have been trans- lated into the langunges used by the Agents of the 'Society, and have been widely circulated. Few though the num- ber of converts be to the Clu'istian faith from amongst the idolatrous population in ou'' Anglo-Indian empire, con- nected with the Wesleyan and other Protestant Missions, yet there are not Avantiiig unequivocal indications of the approach of a b.ightcr day in the East. Splendid and durable as those idolatrous systems seem to bo, Vchich so long have led captive the teeming population of Ilindos- tan, there are many under-currents, flowing in various directions; these, though almost unnoticed, are washing TITEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. Tji) away the very foundations on wliicli the idoUitry of India is based, together witli the entire " refuge of lies," within Avliich it lias found a shelter and a defence. A spirit of Christian zeal and liberality is developing itself on the foreign Stations, which is already felt to be most beneficial in its operation. This is a natural fruit of the love of God shed abroad in the heart of the Christian^ ])eliever, in Avhatever dim he may reside. It is one of the modes by which the "new affection" every where dis- plays itself, and is inseparable from a sound state of reli- gious experience and enjoyment. The same constraining motive which prompted the members of the Connexion at licme to send the glad tidings of salvation abroad, is now acting upon those new converts ; and, under its influence, they are making efforts to perpetuate Christian ordinances amongst themselves, as well as to send them into coun- tries where the Saviour is not yet known, " that all men may see wliat is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in Crod, who created all things by Christ Jesus." The power of this principle amongst the societies ahroad is manil\;sted in the fervour of their prayers for the deliverance of others from that state of misery from which they themselves liave been rescued ; in the erection ' 'Chapels and School- houses ; in the formation of Associations for religious and charitable objects; in the cheerfulness with which they contribute a portion of the little they possess, to assist in supporting those who preach the Gospel to them, and also for the purpose of promoting the great objects of tlu Parent Society. It should be here stated, to the glory of God, who by his grace has called the members of our Missionary churches to be his " sons and daughters," and, by so doing, has made them willing to be his " servants," that— in addition to between ten and eleven thousand pounds contributed by them, and remitted to the Trea- surers, to be expended under the direction of the General Committee— upwards of thirty thousand pounds are raised annually in the Missionary Districts towards the mainte- nance of the Missionaries, who debit themselves with sucii a portion of this total sum as may have been received by (50 WESLEYAiN MISSIONS : each respectively during the year, and draw for so much less of the amount of allowances to which they are enti- tled on the general fund at home.* In this way the older Stations are doing as much as they can to lighten the iinancial burdens of the Society: And that they will do more, in proportion as their circumstances improve, may he safely inferred from what they have already done ; for, taking number for number, it will be seen that they are not surpassed by the members under the care of any other Missionary Institution, in the extent of their contribu- tions, and that in few instances, if in any, are they equalled in this branch of duty. So great were the exer- tions which were made in the West Indies in the year 1840, to lighten the pressure on the funds at liome, that those Missions cost about Six Thousand Pounds less to the Society, than the sum which was expended upon them in the course of the preceding year. Within the same? period, the Societies in the Demarara District not only provided for the support of their own Missionaries, but repaiJ to the General Treasurers fovj* hundred and fifty pounds, which had been advanced some years before for the relief of one of tho Chapels in that colony ; and, in addition, sent home upwards of a thousand Pounds, the proceeds of their Auxiliary Missionary Society. Nor, m estimating the result of Missionary exertion.*, should the fact be overlooked, that they are identified with eternity. It is indeed a delightful employment to the Christian, in whose heart dwells an ardent and zealous • The aid tluis aflForded is of great importance, not only in a financi.ii point of view, but as a proof of the high sense which is entertained of Xlw beneficial effects of tlie labours of the Mi^si^ionaries in those very place* where they are stationed. These moneys are contributed by all classes of persons uiany of whom fill tlie highest stations in the countries in which tliey reside, and have excellent opportunitios forjudging correctly of the character and proceedings of the agents of the Society abroad. This is a practical answer, of the most satisfactory kind, to the insinua- tions which are sometimes hazarded b) persons in this country unfrienJly to Missions,— that the Missionaries are doing no good; that they arv indolent, selfish, and useless! Why, then, do Governors, Judges, .Nfa^i-.tiates, Merchants and otliers, on the spot, who observe tlie men and their communications daily, contribute liberally towards their sup- port? 'I I-' i 'I i THEIR CLAIMS A.ND PKOGRESS. 5J Ie riches of Christ may he made known to tlie Gentiles," to range over Missionary Stations, and to contemplate the trophies of grace with which they are adorned. But if justice is to he done to the lofty theme, he must, hy faith, pass beyond the veil which divides the Church militant on earth from tlie Church triumphant in heaven ; and look upon the goodly immber there, who, having from our own and other Mifi- sion Stations, passed through death to their eternal home, are now before the Throne, the first-fruits to God, and to the Lamb, of the various countries of which they are the glorified representatives. XYI. Such is the view which the present, as compared with the former, state of the AVesleyan Missions furnishes to the inquirer ; and it is surely most encouraging. Here i?< an answer both to the sneers of the heartless infidelity of the world at this undertaking, and to the bigotry and exclusiveness which prevail in some portions of the church. ]\Ien who are nourished by the bounty of Pro- testantism, — and yet either protest against the great principles of the Reformation, or practically contradict them ; who themselves appeal to no proofs that they are commissioned to preach the Gospel but such as it is more difficult to find, than it is to discover grass aiui fiowers amidst the arid sands of an African desert, — deer'/ as " unauthorized teachers and presumptuous intruders into the sacred ofiice " those whom it hath pleased God to honour, by having employed them in the accomplis'^iment of this great work. The character and the usefulness of the men triumphantly refute the accusatory statements of their haughty assailants. Missionaries who preach '' the Apostles' doctrine," who have imbibed the apostolic spirit, who endure apostolic hardships and privations, who share in apostolic success, must be in the true Christian •' apos- tolic succession." In the sense in which Rome employ?! that term, and by means of whicli she niake« merchan- dise of the souls of men, her imitators and advocates! shall, as far as the Wesleyan Methodists are concerned, enjoy the sole and undisputed posses^iion of it. Instead 02 AYESLEYAN MISSIONS : of seeking, in the purlieus of the seat of the papncy, for evidence of their chiim to the cliaracter of ambassadors of Clirist, Wesleyan j\Iinistcrs will themselves obey "the sure word," and exhoit others to take heed to it, which says, " Come out of her, my people, that ye be not par- takers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." How can she bless, who, because she preaclics another Gospel, is herself under an anathema ? Or how can she give authority to jNIinisters of Christ, who is, pre- eminently and emphatically, an antichrist ? The Wesleyan :\Iissionaries--having been "inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost" to enter upon their sacred vocation; and, after due exauiination of the reality of that call, (as far as man can judge on such a suljject,) set apart to their office- and work by the imposition of the hands and prayers " of the Tresbytery " — we?it forth " in weakness and in fear," but fully persuaded that they were called to "teach" God's holy word, and to administer his hoiy sacraments " in the congregation." The fruit of their labours proves that they were not mistaken, and that God has through them made known the savour of his grace in the places which they have visited. It is, no doubt, very conveni- ent for intolerant and exclusive Ecclesiastics, who can produce no such corroborative testimony of the vocation which they profess to have received to be " ambassadors for Christ," to question or deny the validity of attesting evidence of this description ; and to substitute for " living- epistles, known and read of all men," an invisible and intangible line, connecting — strange extremes !— the Apos- tles and THEMSELVES. But we appeal from the tribunal of such judges as these to the highest authority on this subject, even to that of " the Lord of all," who, when the disciples of John inquired of him, on behalf of their master, " Art thou lie that should come, or do we look for another?" said unto them, "Go, and show John again those things which ye do hear and see,— the blind receive their sight, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf liear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gos- pel preached to them." It is admitted, that the two cases are not identical; nor is it necessary to our argument THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 6'3 tliat they should be, inasmuch as the principle hero main- tained is not that of identity, but of analogy. Tlie ques- tion propounded hy the agents of John was, in reality, " Art thou the ^lessiah ? " The Saviour replied to it, by pointing to his works ; of which he said on another occa- sion, " They bear witness of me, that I am he." What we maintain is, that we are justified, by the example of the Great Teacher, in appealing to the etlects which accompany and follow the ministrations of our Mission- aries, in proof of the reality of their vocation to " preach the word," and to gather and " to feed the flock of Christ which he hath bought with his blood." Let the call to tlie pastoral office, which they profess to have received, be tried by the principle involved in the test to which oui Lord referred,— let them be judged by ^' their fruits," — and we have no fear for the issue ; for it will be seen„ that the spiritual and moral effects which, according to the sacred oracles, prove the presence of Christ with his 3linisters, are produced by the instrumentality of the ;Missionaries ; and that now, as in the first days of Chris- tianity, "the word" is "■' confirmed by" those "signs" which always follow the preaching of the Gospel, when in- comes "not in word only, but in power, in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." AYere men " pricked to the heart " while primitive Evangelists exhorted them to " flee from the wrath to come ? " This effect has been produced in numerous instances, under the preaching ol the same doctrine, by our IMissionaries, accompanied by the same spiritual agency ; and godly sorrow is felt and expressed by human beings, who never shod a tear until they were led to weep for their sins. AYere believers " filled with all peace and joy through believing," in the early days of the clmrch ? So are the converts on our Alission Stations, at the present time ; as their artless and scriptural statements testify. Were men then "turned from dumb idols to serve the living God," by the power of the Gospel? This result has been eff'ected in our day, amongst v.-hole tribes and communities of men. Were the early followers of the Lamb led to " walk in love "^ towards another?" The same lesson has been t'4 WKSI.CYAN .MISSIONS : successfully taught, by modern Missionaries, to their flocks; and those who breathed nothing but slaughter against each other, are now united together in bonds stronger than those of kindred or of patriotism, — in the bonds of Christian affection. Did apostolic converts triumph over sickness and death? So do those whom God has given to our Missionaries to be their " hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing, in the day of the I.ord Jesus." " Jesus Christ is my only foundation," and, " I am going to Jesus," constitute the sum and substance of their dying testimony. XVII. We are directed by a primitive rule to judge of the claims of the evangelical ambassador, from the character of his embassy, and the fruits of his Mission. " Hear what St. John saith : " " If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine," — the doctrine, that Christ is (•ome in the flesh, "receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed ; for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." " Hear also what St. Paul saith : " " But though we," Paul himself, " or " even a more illustrious being,—" an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you," — the doctrine, that men are justified by faith only, — " let him be accursed : " and the same sacred writer maintained his claim to the apostolic office, in opposition to the accusations and insinuations of his adversaries, by an appeal to his apostolic labours and success. Far be it from us to impugn Christian authority and order in the church of God. The Wesleyan :Method- ists are not ignorant of their necessity and value, when scriptnrally administered and rriforced, for the purpose of maintaining and spreading C'vistian truth and purity. But if externalism is to be uirluly magnified, or perverted to schismatical uses and purposes ; if forms and circum- stances are to be substituted for the vitality, power, and charity of the Gospel ; if things doubtful are to be made as important as the faith by which cometh salvation ; if as much zeal is to be manifested in attempts to draw Mis- sionaries from tlieir present religious connexions, as In f I I m TIIKlR CLAIMS ANP PUOGRLSS. 65 persuading heuthen Priests to forsake their idolatrous altars, and to turn to the Saviour ; if Papal Home is to be practically honoured, and the hand which is held up against lal)orious and useful Protestant Pastors, is to be offered as a token of friendship and fellowship to the accredited agents of error, and if an imaginary lineal suc- cession is to secure for them proofs of official considera- tion and respect, which are denied to the faithful Minis- ters of truth; if efforts are to be made to unsettle the minds of sinr-ore and upright professors of Christianity, because they do not follow a particular form or method of worship, rathe: Iian to convert sinners from the error of their ways; if the wheat, growing in that part of the field which Wesleyan labourers have cultivated, is to be calkd "darnel," because it is not enclosed within a par- ticular fence, or does not grow on stalks of a certain size and form : — if these things are to be, then, while we shall bring no " railing accusations against others," nor abandon any one of those great principles which, " through good report and through evil report," we have asserted and upheld, we will endeavour to make it appear to all men, that we know how to distinguish between " things that differ," and to pursue '* a more excellent way." Standing on " the pillar and ground of the truth," the Wesleyan Ministers abroad, as well as at home, pointing to their children in the Lord, with feelings of devout gratitude to the Author of all good, will still say, in reply to the ridi- culous and arrogant claims of their traducers, " Are not we Ministers of Christ? 'Are not' these our 'work in the Lord ? ' If we be not Ministers ' unto others, yet doubtless ' we are to these ; ' for the seals of our ministry ' are ' these in the Lord.' " XVIIL During the period which we have been comparing, many human schem j and enterprises have been pro- jected, and have failed ; but this cause, " like a tree planted by the rivers of water," has been and still is fruitful and flourisliing. Christian churches have been multiplied in heathen lands ; and the sanctifying energy of the Gospel has been diffused, and its principles estaU- f)G Wi:SLEYAN MISSIONS : lishod, amongst communities once under tlie dominion ol' Paganism. The song of Jioly praise is lieard in places ■which, not long ago, echoed only to the cries of savage beasts, or still more savnge men. Children's voices are lifted up in the desert, lis])ing " their young Ilosannas " to tlie ncwly-discovcred Saviour's name. Intelligence, wonder, and joy hcam in the tattooed countenrmce of the once-untutored barbarian, as he meditates in " the Book " that unfolds to him " things Avhich the angols desire to look into." Hostile Chiefs meet at the table of the Lord, where they bury all their former animosities, and kneel together as brethren. The joyful mother holds up her living child, now devoted to God in baptism, and blesses Him for the " unspeakable gift " of a religion which spreads its shield over the innocence and helplessness of infancy, and but for which that child would have been devoted to demons and to destruction. Instead of sitting, as the roving Indian used to do, in his heathen state, on the margin of some river or lale in the wildcrn'jss, torn with anguish, lest the child, of which death had deprived Iiim, should have been unsuccessful in his attempt to cross the narrow strait which, according to Indian tradi- tion, he wouh' have to pass to the hunting-grounds in the far West; now, (to use the language of the Chief bha- wundais already referred to,) under similar visitations, he "wipes the tears from his eye, while he reads," in his own tongue, the consolatory language of our liOrd to his disciples : "' Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in (lod, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it Avere not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Marks of temporal amelioration, as well as of spiritual improve- ment, are associated with the scenes of ]\Iissionary suc- cess. The natives of New-Zealand are now seen sailing to or from the house of God, and the vessels with which they occasionally trade ; instead of plying their canoes up and down the Ilokianga, in search of their enemies, and maintaining dreadful contests with each other. Habits of Oil TIIKIR CLAIMS AND IMlOGRKfeS. 07 sol)rIety and industry have been introduced amongst once intemperate and wretched Indians ; and at the 8t. Clair Station the average annual num])cr of deaths in the tribe lias been reduced, since they -sverc brought under the influence of the Gospel, from between thirty and forty to less than five. These and similar triumphs, while they admonish, also encourage us, by saying to all who, at home or abroad, have contributed to produce them : " Therefore be ye steadfast and unmova])lc, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as yc know that your la1)our is not in vain in the liOrd." For '• the deaf hear tlie words of the book, and the eyes ol" the blind see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor amonp: men rejoice in the ]Ioly One of Israel." XIX. Then this cause, identified as it is with the glory ol God and the best interests of man, and over which the Lamb watches with untiring vigilance, must not be neg- lected or forsaken by " the bride, the Lamb's wife." She must be up and doing, making herself ready for the com- ing of the I3rxdegroom. The members of the church have great duties to perforin, in order that the church may fulfil her high destiny; and the question which here arises, and ]-equires a careful consideration, is. How shall the Wes- leyan Methodists, as constituting a part of that church, most effectually meet the obligations which have provi- dentially devolved upon them, in connexion with the ]\IiS" sionary enterprise ? They should enter upon this task, by re^ardinff the cause of the Redeemer in the world as a solemn trust, which he has in part committed to them, and which they are to defend, to maintain, and to extend, with as much care and fidelity as if it were their own. It is our joy and boast, that the salvation which is in Clirist Jesus becomes ours, when we belie^ e " with the heart unto righteousness." We gratefully acknowledge, that believers " have redemption througli his blood, the for- giveness of sins;" that they are "predestinated t) ilie adoption of children " by Christ Jesus ; that they have received, by virtue of their connexion with him, " the ^ uiwLKVAN missions: Spirit of adoption," wliereby tluiy cry, '' Abba, Fatlier ; " tbat through llirn they have "access with boldness and with coniidence" to the throne of the heavenly grace, while tliey remain on earth ; and " rejoice in hope of the glory of God. If the blessings of the covenant wliich is sealed with the blood of Jesus, as of a Lamb without ble- mish and without spot, be — as well they may — so highly prized by his people, they should remember that IT is a COVENANT which makes these high privileges sure to them, and that the same authority which secures the bestowment of the gifts, imposes upon the recipients of them peculiar and appropriate duties. AVe can neither have a divided covenant nor a divided Saviour. When the Redeemer with his salvation is truly received, his cause is taken "for better for worse, for richer for poorer;" and the pulsations of sanctified joy which beat in the renewed heart, move the hand to work for its increase and prosperity. The requirements and obliga- tions which the new covenant enjoins, are all precious to those who have a saving interest in it ; and are looked upon by them less as duties than as privileges. This is one of the tests by which the power and reality of faith is to be tried. If we belong to Christ, his cause belongs to us ; and all our Missionary purposes and efforts should be associated with this principle : nor, indeed, can they bo suitably maintained unless it be duly recognised and received. The Saviour has a cause in the fields of Mis- sionary labour, which is languishing for want of suitable assistance. The Wesleyan Methodists have taken an active part in originating and supporting it in various localities ; but that Society is acting on the defensive in some places, and is diminishing its exertions in others, at a time when vigorous and aggressive movements against antagonist powers are at all points imperatively required. XX. The AVesleyan Methodists are, therefore, called upon to increase their " gifts and offerings," for Missionury pur- poses and objects, in order that " the kingdom of God " may be extended amongst men. With a view to the attainment of this end, it is sometimes recommended TiiEin CLAIMS AND rnooiiKss. do to the subscribers to our Missions, tliat thoy sboukl doublo the j)rcsont amount of tlioir annual contributions to tlio Missionary Fund. But it is submitted whether it would not be " a more excellent way," to nrpe the members of the Society to adopt as a general rule the principle of increasing the amount of pecuniary aid which they have been accustomed to afford,— leavinf? it witli every sub- scriber to judge to what extent it will be rirrbt and proper to carry it out in liis case, after a careful review of indivi- dual ability, in connexion with the solemn . ^terrogatory, " IIg.v much owest thou to thy Lord ? " Justice to mail, as well as to the cause of God. seems to recommend the adoption of such a plan as this, in preference to the other ; because it is quite possible that there may be subscribers Avho have not the means of increasing their annual offer- ings from one to two guineas, who could, and would, if requested to do so, add five or ten shillings to their pre- sent contributions ; and an increase to that extent, on the part of many, would be of great importance to the institu- tion. On the other hand, there is still a large number of those who have the means to do much more than merely double the amount of their present subs^-iptions to the fund : .vnd why should any rule be laid down that might, even by implication, offer tlioin an excuse for not doing so? The actual condition of the world, and the present state of the Society, demand that " he that has mucli should give plenteously, and he that has little should do his diligence gladly to give of that little." If the Christian church has acted properly in taking up this cause at all, and in maintaining it in any degree, is it not trifling nay, is it not worse than trifling— with the claims of God, and with the vvants and miseries of man, for the members of the church to act otherwise ? Surely, if we are right in doing any thing, we are bound to do every thing we can to make known the " excellence of the knowledge of ( 'hrist Jesus our Lord " to a world that is yet, to a fearful degree, ignorant of his name and character. Let it, then, bo the aim and endeavour of all, not merely to double the ])reseni; amcuiit of subscriptions, but to secure to the Society an increase of pecuniary aid proportioned to the «» .tW'' I 70 \ve.-...i:yan misstons : means of (^ach of the donors, and to tlio ningnitudc of the ol)ject contcniplated, — tlio salvation of all men. Tho practice of \>'\yh\or to the Society by qrartorly instalments the subscriptions ^vhich Avere formerly paid annually in one sum, has ])cen introduced ^vith much success into some places ; and there can be no doubt that the general adoption of such an arrangement would be attended Avith many advsintages. In th^' first place, it would render it easier for persons to uugmct their sub- scriptions, and to pay them in advance, than it would be for them to do so on the plan usually followed ; inasmuch as to many of the best friends of the cause, it would be more convenient to pay the amount of their contributions at four difici^'nt periods, than it would be for them to give the entire sum at any one time. This mode of payment would also extend the flow of the Society's income into the general fund more equally over the year, and would greatly diminish the necessity which now exists for bor- rowing money on interest, to meet the current expendi- ture. It should be remembered, that the disbursements for which a Missionary institution is required to provide, during the year, cannot be postponed or limited at any time, as those of the British and Foreign Bible Society, or any similar institution, may be, when it finds that it is conducting its operations on a scale which exceeds the rate of its income. These Societies can contract their issues at pleasure, and at once make arrangements for proportioning their appropriations to their receipts. The establishment which a Missionary institution lias to main- tain is a living one ; and, whether contributions to the AVesleyan Missionary Society come in regularly or not, there are upwards of seven hundred i\tissionaries and subordinate agents, a h ■ proportion of whom have families more or less depending upon the funds of that Institution for the means of subsistence from day to day, and whose drafts upon the General Treasurers have to be met by moneys borrowed on interest, whenever the remit- tances received from the Auxiliary and Branch Societies are insufficient for that purpose. It is, vherefore, for obvious reasons, most desirable to devise such measures as . \ .' i no TIIKIU CLAT.MS AND PHOGUESS. 'Jl ran re a rcvould ettcct in the payment of inter- est. The separate sums forwarded on th ^ plan might indeed be small, l)Ut the aggregate amount would be con- siderable ; and these regular payments would be much increased, if, in every place throughout the kingdom, the friends of the Society were to connect with the praise- worthy exertions which they nudvc to keep up and increase the Anniversary Collections, pains-taking endea- vours, during the other periods of the year, to raise regu- lar subscriptions. It is an unsafe thing to place too much dependence upon Anniversary i\Ieetings and Anniversary Collections, because they are exposed to various contin- gencies, by which they nuiy be, and often are, seriously affected. XXT. AViTH suital)le efforts to obtain additional aid from the present contributors to the Society, should 1)e combined earnest and simultaneous exertions to increase the num- ber of subscrilicrs within the limits of every AiA^iliury and Branch Society in the United Kingdom, and on all the foreign Stations. This may be attempted and ac- compl'shed in three ways : First, by persuading those who regularly attend our places of public worship, — -Avhether fully united in church-fellowship with us, or hearers of the word only, who at present give towards the support of the Missions when public collections are made on their behalf, — to become subscribers for a certain specified amount. It will be found, on a careful examination '^» 7^ WESLEY Ay MISHIOXS; almost every congro^'^ation, that a number of individual? belonging to each of them give, from year to year, an uncertain sum at a Missionary Anniversary, avIio might, in addition to sucli service, assist the Society, by annual subscriptions ; and >vho woukh in all probability, do so, if the claims and necessities of the cause were properly placed before them, and their duty in relation to it pressed upon their attention in private personal interviews held with them for tluit purpose. Jlow many persons liave been induced to enter our communion, in consequence of "a word" of encouragement " spoken in season" to them by gome zealous and watchful disciple, who had observed their regular and devout attendance on the ministry or the word! while some who are desirous of becoming members of the body, are prevented from taking tliis importar.i, step, because they have not ])een specifically invited. Subscribers to the Missions have not been sought for with sufficient care and diligence ; and, in con- sequence of this neglect on our ; art, the number of names in the subscription-lists generally is much smaller than otherwise it would l)e. The influence of neijrhbour- hood, of character, of station, and of domestic relations, have not been brought to bear sufficiently on this point ; and it is high time that it should be so employed, as the efiect o: such a proceeding would be most favourable to the iirogres". and prospects of the jMissions. It has beon justly observed by a distinguished friend of the Society in Lan- cashire, that there are perhaps none of the subscribers to its funds who might not, by a judicious application of personal influence, do more towards its support, than is done by the amount of direct pecuniary aid contributed by any one of them at the present time. Each subscriber should look around the social circle in vhich he moves, and should endeavour to induce at least another to unite with him in doing good in this particular way ; remembering that influence is a talent for the proper use and applica- tion of which we are accountable to llini who shall here- after " reward every man according to his works." A second method by which the number of JMissionarV contributors raay be very much enlarged is, by Christian .. k: THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 7*^ parents making the children under their care and direc- tion subscribers to the Society; and that, not from mere caprice, but on the ground of scriptural duty and obHga- tion. By the sacrament of baptism, children are admit- ted into the church, and are dedicated to the service of God. They are thus, at the request of their parents, who act for them in this important matter, placed in new relations, and are made the partakers of valuable privi- leges : for, while the doctrine of per onal baptismal regeneration is utterly rejected as unscriptural, and of dangerous tendency, the sacrament itself should neither be despised nor neglected. It is a Christian institution, and is designed to lead to gracious ends and purposes, intimately connected with the welfare of those to whom it is administered. When a child is presented in faith by the parents at the baptismal font, and the prayers of the congregation on its behalf are sincerely and believ- ingly offered, it may reasonably be supposed that God will honour the due observance of his own ordinance, and that his blessing will not be withheld from the parents or their offspring on such an occasion. In this solemn transaction bettveen God and m;in, the child is formally admitted into a state of membership with the church ; and obtains a peculiar interest in some of those privileges which belong to the evangelical Zion, esnecially those which are connected with united prayers and supplica- tions, and of pastoral oversight and attention ; and sV^ould the child die in a state of infancy, the parents are con- soled under tho painful bereavement by the additional assurance which is afforded them in connexion with this divine ordinance, that, though " absent from the body," their child is " present with the Lord ; " not, indeed, because of baptism ; but by virtue of the covenant of grace, of which that sacrament is one of the outward and visible se;ds, and the Authoi of which hath said, ^' Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God." Surelj', on these and other grounds, " it is meet, right, and " the " bounden duty " of parents, — when they come seeking the good of their offspring, by desiring, that they may. 71 AVESLEYAX MISSIONS; by baptism, be " received into the ark of Christ's church," — to contribute, in their nu.ne and behalf, towards the support and spread of that church in the world. To this extent, Christian parents, most assuredly, are pledged to act for their offspring, until thoy are competent to judge for themselves. As soon as that period arrives, children should be impressively and affectionately reminded of what was done for them while they were incapable of understanding these thing.« ; the privileges and obligations of church-membership should be set before them, and they should be urged and entreated to take upon thera the discharge of duties which had been performed by others on their account, for the cause of that Saviour in whose name they were blessed in tlieir earliest infancy. By such a course of proceeding, children would be trained to jMissionary service ; and an impression in its favour would be made on their minds from their tender years, which, by the divine blessing, would "grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength," and from which they would themselves derive many advantages. Should the principle involved in these remarks be practi- cally carried out by the heads and guides of families *' professing godliness," the salutary effect of such a course of conduct would be speedily felt in the domestic circle, and in the improved tone of society, as well as on the income of Missionary and other religious institutions. The crude and erroneous notions which are entertained on these sub- jects would be improved and corrected : much of the money which is now given to children for their personal use and gratification, and which is not unfrequontly mis- spent or wasted, would be cast into the treasury of the Lord ; and the junior members of families in this way would learn to acquire habits of discrimination, of reflec- tion, and of self-denial, from which, in future years, they would derive great advantage. If this plan be fairly tried, the next age will witness a large accession of con- tributors to the cause of Missions at home, and of candi- dates for Missionary work abroad ; and from generation to generation the great work of human salvation will proceed with a constantly-increasing rapidity, until " aU If It t iy r THEIR CLAIMS AND TROGUESS. *J') •slia'il know the Lord from the least of them unto the greatest of them." A third plan for obtaining an increase of regular suh- scrib^^rs, and one which, at this time, requires particular attention in almost every place, is, that of re-canvassing the towns and villages throughout the kingdom in whicli Societies and Associations auxiliary to the parent institu- tion exist, or in which there is a Wesleyan-]\Iethodist congregation. The income of not a few of the loca) Societies suffers from a want of systematic exertion, and active efforts ; both of which would be greatly promoted by the arrangements that a vigorous and well-regulated canvass for additional subscribers would render indispen • sable. The success of this measure would be much assisted, by increasing the present number of Collectors, and by dividing each town into districts of such a size as would enable all the Collectors to perform their duty well, without requiring such an expenditure of time and strength as would render the discharge of it inconvenient, or im- practicable, to any one who might be induced to engage in so good an undertaking. It has been founl from expe- rience, that a large district is seldom well visit'- d by the Collector, and that those persons, within its limits who can ailbrd to give but little, and who generally !.^ed i^uch atte ilion and encouragement, are not called upr-i for their viDscriptions with that frequency which ' viir peculiar circumstances require; in consequence of which, their humble but useful contributions are very often entirely lost to the Society. By so arranging the districts iut(f wtnch any one town is divided as io make it compara- tively easy for the Collectors to visit them once a week, this evil will be gr^^ntly lessened, if rio: entirely prevented. In commencing a ne.v can^-as.-, a ^ dl should be made at every house, not for the purpose of soliciting pecuniary aid in the firsf instance, but of ui^\. buting Missionary imormation ; after which, the Collectors should apply for subscriptions, founded npon the evidence which the pul)- lished documents afford of the excellence of the enter- prise for whicli that assistance is solicited. When tlie canvass takes place, one of the members of *he IccaJ ^ ■ E 2 70 WESLEY AN MISSIONS : Committee should accompany each Collector to the various houses which may be visited, and encourage him hy his presence, advice, and influence. " The heart knoweth its own bitterness,' is a saying, the force of which is often felt by the self-denying Missionary Collec- tor, after unsuccessful attempts to overcome ignorance, indifference, covetousness, and sceptical enmity or con- tempt. They have often to struggle with severe diffi- culties, and should have corresponding encouragement afforded them. Nor are the grounds of encouragement, on which they may at all times take their stand, either few or small. It is their high privilege to reflect, while engaged in this work of mercy, that they are promotinj^ the cause of the Saviour ; — that very cause for which he lived, and suffered, and "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross ; " for which martyrs have bled ; for which Missionaries have laboured and died ; for the success of which the .» rsal church daily prays ; which engages the counsels, ^ calls forth the powers, of heaven ; in which angels wouhl esteem it an honour to be employed ; and for the ultimate triumphs of which " the Son" "ever liveth to make intercession," and all the attributes of the uncreated Godhead stand pledged. Col- lectors should never despair of success. Let them go forth in the spirit of prayerful dependence on that Being to whose cause they are ministering, and in whose hands are the hearts of all men ; for he can and will mtike their way to prosper befuie them. XXII. The practical utility of the preceding suggestions greatly depends upon the observance of methodical arrangement, combined with activity and diligence by local Committees, Officers, and Collectors, No system of this description, however perfect in its structure, and in its adaptation to the object which it is designed to secure, will work itself. The Society possesses, in its various Auxiliary and Branch Associations, most admirable ma- chinery ; and the chief desideratum now is, that it should be kept in a state of vigorous and constant operation, by the influence of willing minds and active hands, doing the II re fc THF.IR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. Work of the Lord for the m/ce of the Lord. It is not novelty in organization, but earnestness of purpose, and energy of effort, that are now especially required ; and the inventive faculty should he employed, not in fanciful theo- rizing, but in heartily adopting the best methods for the more effectual working of every part of the system which is already in motion, and by means of whicli so much good has been accomplished. The services that have been rendered to the parent institution by Auxiliary Societies, their Treasurers, their Secretaries, their Committees, inul, last, but greatest of all, by their Collectors, are beyond all praise ; and attention is here directed to the importance of order and diligence in connexion with all their pro- ceedings, not so much for the purpose of stirring up tlnnr minds by Avay of remembrance, as of showing, in a few particulars, how both may be rendered subservient to the <_-nd proposed. This may be done in connexion with the ^lectings of the respective Committees, the distributi* n of ^Missionary intelligence, with the collecting of subscrip- tions, and with monetary receipts and remittances. Let a monthly meeting of the local Committees be held at least in each Circuit-town, at the close of the Missionary prayer-meeting ; and in order that punctuality of attend- ance may be secured, let the Meetings be duly published, and made in reality — what they were intended to be — occasions for the transaction of Missionary business. There is reason to fear, that, in some cases, these meet- ings are seldom held, except on the near approach of the period fixed for holding the Missionary Anniversary. One principal cause of this omission is, that it is taken for granted, either that there is nothing to be done, or that the work to be performed is trifling and unimportant. But there is always something which requires the atten- tion of a Missionary Committee ; and nothing connected with so great an undertaking should be considered small or trifling. On these occasions the members of Commit- tees should make themselves acquainted with the state of Missionary feeling and effort in the Circuit, the Mission- ary affairs of which are intrusted to their care and direc- tion ; — tho Collectors should be present, lo pay to the 7fJ WEftXKVAN 3ILSSI0X.S : i'j- Treasurer the moneys which they may hare obtained IVom their subscribers, as well as for the purpose of receiv- ing advice, counsel, direction, and encouragement, to wliich their valuable services so well entitle them : — the " Notices " and other Missionary publications should be appropriated, and measures adopted for their speedy and extensive circulation ; for, if this be in any instance neg- lected^ the Missionary cause will most assuredly decline^ The prompt distribution of the intelligence contained in these documents in every place, is indisjvcnsably necessary to the growth and increase of the entire system. It is tht^ fuel which, under God, is to feed the Missionary fire which lie has kindled in the church. The parent Society speaks to the subscribers through the medium of its oiii- «ial imblications, from month to month, in reply to the very proper question, " Why should we support the Mis- sions ? " and to Avithhold them, or to distribute them irre- gularly, or after great intervals of time, inflicts a serious- wrong upon the Society, as well as upon the contribu- tors. To increase the interest and usefulness of the local meetings, after the ordinary business has been duly set- tled, it might be found advantageous to spend some time in conversation upon instructive and animating topics of a Missionary character, for mutual edification and encou- ragement. Measures should be adopted to secure a special meeting of each Committee at least once a quarter ; at which time every member, and every Collector, should, if possible, be present. On that occasion each Collector's hook should be audited, all the moneys received during the preceding quarter should be paid in, and forwarded., with the least possible delay, through the proper channel^ to the Mission-House. A growing desire is felt and expressed for rendering the District Missionary Committees more effective and influ- ential than they generally are ; and, as one means towards this result, it has been recommended that a meeting of the members should be called on the day appointed for hold- ing the District Anniversary ; at which time every Cir- cuit in the District should, if possible, be represented by at least one person, and the inquiries contained in H 1 THKIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 7^ the suLjoiiied note should be put and carefully con- sidered.* XXIII. Other measures of r public nature are employed m different parts of the kingdom, for promoting the interests of the Missions ; which might be extended with advan- tage, because they are calculated to diffuse and to strengthen those principles and feelings upon which this enterprise is founded, and by which, under the blessing of the Great Head of the church, it is to be sustained and conducted to a triumphant issue. Allusion is here made to the plan which is adopted in the smaller towns and villages, connected with some Circuits, of having 'in appropriate sermon preached on the Lord's day immedi- ately preceding the Anniversary Meeting ; a practice greatly to be commended, because the attention of the hearers is, in this way, directed to the strong claims which the Missions have upon them, and to their duties and vesponsibilities in relation to the kingdom of the Messiah. These topics are made the subject of personal meditation, and of domestic converse, during the intervening period between the delivery of the discourse, and the evening selected for the Missionary Anniversary ; and the people, in consequence of what they had heard on the Sabbath, repair to the Meeting, better prepared to listen to the facts and reasonings of the speakers, as well as to contri- bute towards the cause which they advocate. A method of conducting Missionary prayer-meetings, which has been adopted in numerous instances, has been found to add so much to their utility and interest, as to entitle it to special attention, and to general imitation throughout the Connexion. The plan referred to, involves .a careful and judicious selection, by the officiat- ing Minister, of these portions of the " Notices " for the month which he may deem the most suitable and impres- sive for the occasion ;— the pointing out with brevity and clearness the practical lessons which the " readings " may be calculated to teach ;— a few remarks on the geogra- phical position, the natural history, and the civil, social, • See Note B, at the end of the volume, * 80 WESLEYAN MISSIONS ; and religious state of the countries to which tlie ottention of the people may have been directed by the Missionary communications to which they had listened ; — and his so conducting the devotional parts of the service, as to render them edifying, lively, and influential ; copious, without tedious prolixity ; and appropriate, without cold formality. The subject contained in the " Notices " will, indeed, not unfrequently suggest appropriate topics for prayer : proofs of the growing prosperity of IVIissions will naturally call forth expressions of devout thanksgiving and praise : — intelligence of the opposition which iVIissionaries may have had to encounter, or of trials and privations through I'll whicli they may have been called to pass, will awaken sympathy on their behalf, and lead to the offering-up of prayers for them "to Ilim that is able to save : "— accounts of the removal of IMissionaries 1 death, or of the temporary suspension of their labours by sickness and disease, will lead to earnest supplications on behalf of the near relatives of the men who may have fallen while valiantly fighting in " the high places of the field," and of the churches and congregations that, by such dispensa- tions, have been bereaved of their beloved Pastors ; and also for the recovery of the afflicted, and for the continued preservation of the Ministers cf our Zion in foreign and inhospitable climes : — and information of promising open- ings for usefulness into whicli Missionaries, in conse- quence of the number of their engagements, cannot enter, unless others be sent to their assistance, will produce acknowledgments of past unfaithfulness to the interests of the Redeemer ; gratitude for privileges enjoyed in the possession of the means of grace and salvation at home ; and the forming of purposes and resolutions, in the strength of grace, to render more befitting services to this department of the work of the Lord in future. It is one of the advantages of extemporaneous prayer, and one of the strongest arguments in favour of the practice, that, by such a method of devotion, our intercessions and thanks- givings can be so constructed as to adapt themselves to existing circumstances of every description, whether con- i^ected with individuals or with families, with the church I THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. Rl or with the world. Missionary prayer-meetings afford excellent opportunities for making this adaptation appa- rent and profitable ; and they sJiould, as much as possible, be rendered subservient to that as well as to other objects. The observance of this mode of regulating those valuable services, requires the employment of both time and thought. But, what of that ? Every thing belonging to the work of the sanctuary should be done in the best manner, by him who is appointed to officiate in any part of it ; and in this particular duty an ample and a present rc^ward is reaped, in the pleasure with which the people anticipate the return of these meetings, in the improved attendance upon them which is witnessed, in the satisfaction whicli tlioy afford, in the good which is accomplished at home, and in the service which is thus rendered to Missionaries and to jMissions abroad. XXIV. AViTii every other method which may be employed to provide for the maintenance of the existing establishments belonging to the Society, for the occupancy of new Sta- tions and for an increase of Missionaries, there should be connected earnest, confiding, and unceasing prayer " to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named," for the stability, increase, and prosperity of this undertaking. Without the help which He alone can afford, Missionary plans and labours would lead to no spiritual and holy results ; but, under his sanction and blessing, they will flourish permanently and abundantly. The supplications and intercessions which are made on behalf of this depart- ment of the work of God should include — in addition to other topics — prayer for the preservation of the life and health of Missionaries and their families ; for the raising up of a native agency in connexion with every District and Station occupied by the Society ; for the communica- tion of a larger measure of a Missionary spirit to the church, leading its members to sympathize wiih the Hea- then, and to devise more liberal things in making provi- sion for their relief; and for the general outpouring of the Holy Spiritj especially upon the Directors of the Society £ 5 82 -WLSLKYAN Ml > ONS ,* at liotne, :ind its various agents and cslaWIsIimentsc througliout the Avorld ; tliat wisdom may be given to their counsels, and efficiency to their endeavours, for the evangelization of all nations. The sudden and (humanly speaking) premature removal of Missionaries by death from the posts of usefulness which they were occupying, is one of ihose mysterious dispensations of Divine Providence which not only per- plex our reason, but stagger our faith„ Yet how fre- quently do they occur, and spread a gloom over the churches ! It is not the pecuniary loss which a Mission- ary Society sustains by such painful events, that piodnces symptoms of sorrow and almost of despondency on these occasions. That consideration, though one of rauch im- portance, is at those times felt to be the least. It is the loss of the peculiar qualifications of the deceased for the station which he occupied, of promising talents, of ardent zeal, of the fruit of years of preparation for Missionary service, of acquired experience and influence ; all of which are often lost to the Society by the death of a single 3tissionary. To speculate upon the cause or causes of these visitations would be an unprofitable employment; but it cannot be otherwise than beneficial to reflect seriously upon them, and to consider how far we have done our duty in praying for Missionaries, more especially for those who are placed in circumstances of great peril and danger, that they may " abide under the shadow of the Almigbty," and there find a place of refuge from " the pestilence that walketh in darkness," and from " the destruction that wasteth at noon-day." No doubt, it sometimes is the case that the agents of the Society are called to their eternal reward at an early period, that they may be saved from the evil to come ; while in other instances these strokes of the rod are applied in order that we may learn to " cease from man," who " is as grass," and trust in Him alone who is " the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." It is, however, by no means improbable that these afflictions are sometimes designed to reprove and correct our practical unbelief in the special providence and gracious promises of Almighty God, and ^nT^n claims and rRocinEss. fi;v J? our omission of duty towards the me. lio jeopard their lives in defence of the Gospel. Who, of all the friends of 3Iissions, think of and pray for Missionaries when on tlu^ deep, or in the wilderness, or amongst deceitful and bloody men, or in tropical rcL^ions, as much as their case demands? On reviewing this matter, who amongst us but must be prepared to say, " I * have left undon* ' tlie thing ' which' I 'ought to have done ?'" Who, in this resTiect, has done his duty to the Missionary of the cross ? who is doing it now ? And yet there never was a period when greater earnestness of intercession for the preserva- tion of faithful labourers in the foreign field was more necessary, because, in consequence of the straitened cir- cumstances of the Society, the Committee are unable to supply the vacancies whicli disease and death have recently produced in the Missionary host. The importance of raising up a native ministry in those places to which the Society has conveyed the Gospel, by the instrumentality of men Avho went from this country for that purpose, is a subject which has engaged much anxious attention. It is not to be expected that the United Kingdom should supply all the heathen world with Missionaries ; and if even this were practicable, it is neither desirable nor necessary. Wherever Christianity in its truth and spirituality is introduced, it is intended that it should make provision for its own diffusion ; and facts connected with its history prove, beyond all success- ful contradiction, that in due time it invariably does so. This tendency may indeed in some places be checked for a season by temporary causes, as it has been in the West Indies by the effects of the state of slavery which so long existed there; but if prayer be addressed to that Being whose prerogative it is to select his own agents and instruments for the accomplishment of his own purposes, he will remove out of the way that which hindereth ; and will call men to the sacred office in all the Missionary churches, who will preach in languages vernacular to the people and to themselves. A hopeful commencement has already been made towards this desirable state of things. The London Missionary Society is making arrangement* i %^ ^a^. .^^A^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 1.0 I.I 1.25 j50 M i.8 JA ill 1.6 P^i <^ /i ^>B / -i^ 6m>, ^^"^ Photographic Corporation [V #> •c^^^ ^ ■^^ <> 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.T. f4580 (716) 872-4503 4^ <> «-' f>^ .k^ "^^ 84 WESLEYAN MISSIONS: I for training Native Tef^cliers at Calcutta, at Bangalore and other places in the East ; and also in connexion with their Missions in the Southern Hemisphere, and in the West Indies. Many useful Assistant Native ^lissionaries and Teachers are connected with the AYesleyan Missions in different parts of the world ; and some admirable speci- mens of this class of labourers have already visited this country, who, by their spirit and ministrations, have caused the " thanksgivings unto God " of many on their account. It will readily be supposed that these agents, however deep their piety, or ardent their zeal, will require careful instruction and training ; for if in this country it is deemed necessary that candidates for our ministry should pass through a suitable course of study, with a view to their future usefulness in the church, how much more necessary must such preparatory training be in the case ot a Mandingoe man, or a Kaffer, an American Indian, a Negro, or a Ncw-Zealander ! As " the harvest truly is great, and the labourers are few," in heathen lands, let us therefore " pray the Lord of the harvest " that he would raise up labourers ; and connect with these petitions, pru- dent and well-digested methods for preparing them to become skilful and devoted workmen. If this be done, we shall speedily enter upon a new and more glorious era in the history of our Missions. It may be that He who afflicts his people for their prcftt, designs, by the pecuniary trials to which he has subjected the Missionary Societies, to press thi:: subject more forcibly upon their attention, and to conduct them to the adoption of measures which will undoubtedly accelerate the progress of the Gospel. In the present state of the AVesleyan Missionary So- ciety, prayer without ceasing should be made for the increase, and further manifestation, on the part of its members and friends, of a spirit of deeper sympathy for the Heathen, and of more abundant liberality in providing for their instruction and salvation. Eighteen hundred years have revolved since th- Son of God, standing upon our earth, com.missioned his Apostles to go and " disc le all nations ; " yet still the sun rises and sets upon various countries, filled with proofs and emblems of idolatrous a THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 85 worship; whose present inhabitants are as ignorant of " tlie only true God, and of Jesus Christ whom " he hath " sent," as were the people who dwelt in them when the Apostles began to "preach repentance and remission of sins in" the "name" of Jesus "at Jerusalem." We speak of hundreds of millions of Pagans; but do we a^so pause, and, in the light which Christianity supplies, endeavour to form an estimate of the destitution, the misery, and the danger of each individual in those ' ast masses of immortal beings travelling towards the same eternity to which we ourselves are hastening ? — but, O ! under what different circumstances, as it respects their knowledge of its nature, and the means and motives which we so richly enjoy to assist in making a suitable preparation for it ! While we are directed to " believe in Him that justifieth the ungodly," and listen to words of invitation from the Saviour, saving to us, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ; " they, alas ! vainly offer on unholv altars " the fruit of the body for the sin of the soul." vliile we are shown '' a fountain opened in the house ^ i)avid for sin n- d for uncleanness," they seek to silence the voice of conscience within hem, and to destroy the power which sin exercises over them, by self-inflicted tortures. While we are taught to worship a Being pos- sessing, in an infinite degree, every perfection that can claim our implicit trust, supreme affection, and steadfast obedience, they daily adore the objects which material nature affords, or, what is, if possible, worse, offer religious worship to deities, whose lives were stained with the worst crimes that can dishonour human nature : so that, by this method, they karn to invest vice with a divine character, and their very religion becomes one of the chief causes of their wickedness and misery. Yet, for the salvation of these countless multitudes, how little, comparatively, has be^ 'i attempted or accomplished ! although there is mucii cause for thankfulness to Al- mighty God, who has crowned with success the dispro- portionate efforts which have been made. There is a larger amount of spiritual and moral machinery at work. IB wm I :l 86 WESLEY AN MISSIONS : every day, for the benefit of the metropolis of England, than has yet been proyided for the recovery of many millions of human beings living in pr^tions of the globe, compared ■»vith which England is only a speck, and her whole popu- lation an unit. What an appeal does their sad condition make to our most tender sympathies ! But no descrip- tion of the state of the Heathen, however appalling, no motives, however powerful, will, without a special influ- ence from God himself, produce in the church that degree of pity for them, or of effort to help them, to which their necessities give them so strong a claim. For as no man ever feels adequately on account of his personal guilt and misery as a sinner, or seeks with proper earnestness for deliverance from it, until the Spirit of God convinces him of sin, and makes him alive to his danger as a child of wrath ; so neither will the church ever feel or labour for the " world " that " lieth in wickedness" as she ought, till the same Spirit shall, by his powerful operations, convince the collective body of the faithful of the world's sinfulness and wretchedness. To this end his presence and agency should be sought and invoked, in the petitions and re- quests which we present at the mercy-seat of heaven; and, when this cry shall ascend from the dwelling-places of Christians, and from their solemn assemblies, then shall the church " enlarge the place of her tent, and stretch forth the curtains of her habitation." Prayer should be offered up for the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with a special reference to the stability, increase, and prosperity of this undertaking ; and for the conversion of the world to the faith of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The supreme importance of this duty is demonstrated by the nature of the primary object that Missionary Societies contemplate ; which is, the sal- vation of the soul from sin, and the restoration of fallen man to the favour and image of God. Various terms and forms of expression are employed in the New Testament to describe this work, which strongly mark its importance, and prove that it can be accom-plished only by a Divine Author. It is "a new creation;" a spiritual resurrec- tion ; and believers are described a^ being, in this respect, ees TIIEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS 87 *' born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God ; " as having " put on the new man which after God is created in kno^vledge, righteous- ness, and true holiness." " Without me ye can do no- thing," is a declarrtion, that, as a memorial, should be always before the eyes of Missionaries, and of the con- ductors of Missionary Institutions ; because it asserts a principle upon which all their operations must be founded, in order that they may be successful. If we, as a Society, feel strong in ourselves, or suppose that there is an innate energy to be relied on in the instruments we are employ- ing, by which idolatry, superstition, and wickedness of every name will be subdued, without the power of the Spirit of God, He will, doubtless, in some effectual man- ner, convince us of our presumption, and withhold from us the honour of bearing any important part in gathering the nations to the fold of Christ. But if, in the midst of all our exertions, we cherish and manifest a spirit of prayerful dependence upon Him with whom is the residue of the Spirit, he will bless us more and more in our domestic and foreign operations; and will lead us into fields where we shall reap more abundant fruit. As prayer for the supplies of the Spirit of Christ Jesus is so essential to Missionary success, it is of the utmost importance, that all who, from a desire for the increase of the Redeemer's kingdom in the earth, pray for the pro- mised effusion of the Holy Ghost, should have just con- ceptions of the nature of the blessing which they seek, in order that they may " pray with the Spirit, and with the understanding also." Important as is the duty now under consideration, and frequently and forcibly as the perform- ance of it is urged, in discourses from the pulpit, and in addresses from the platform, there is often combined with great earnestness in pleading for it, much vagueness of apprehension concerning it. While the necessity of prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all nations is at once admitted by every Christian, it is not always remembered, that if "we" would "have the petitions that we desire of Him " to whom we pray, we must " ask according to his will." The entire evidence of the sacred I m iti 1j I I I i 88 WESLEY AN MISSIONS : volume upon this particular subject, if duly weighed and considered, will lead to this conclusion, — that fervent prayer for the effusion of the Spirit of God upon any part of the heathen world, to be prevailing, must be united with equally sincere and earnest efforts to introduce into it the chosen instrument which the Spirit himself has pre- pared, as the medium through which he ordinarily com- municates to men " the things that are freely given to " them " of God." That medium is " the word of truth," the Gospel of the grace of God, and especially the ministry of that word by the living voice. It pleases God " by the foolishness of preaching to save them that be- lieve ; " and though the blindness of the natural man per- ceives no wisdom in this arrangement, and his wickedness prompts him to reject and to contemn it, he who formed it always has honoured, and always will honour, his own institutions and ordinances. If the church would partici- pate in the promises of God, she must walk in the order of God. The scriptural warrant by virtue of which the chu h. prays for the gathering of all nations into her fold, cannot be dissociated from the solemn obligations under which, by the enactments and examples recorded in the New Testament, she is placed to convey.the message of mercy and salvation to every human being. AVhen our Lord, shortly before his ascension, met the eleven Apostles " on a mountain in GaHlee," he said unto tliem, — and through them to as many as he is pleased to call to the pastoral office,—" Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you alvvay, even unto the end of the world." Such is the commission given to the ministers of Christ. They are to go forth, *' preaching the word," that men may be converted to the faith, initiated by baptism into the church, and be trained in the earthly sanctuary for the enjoyments and employments of the heavenly. To this end, the promise of the presence and co-operation of the Spirit of Christ with them is given for their encou- ragement and support. " Lo, I am with you alway,"— TnP.IR CLAIMS AND PROGRESa. 89 to succeed your labours, — to enlighten, pardon, sanctify, and save them that "believe on me through" your " word ;" " and I am with you, even unto the end of the world," or of the present state. The Acts of the Apostles confirm and illustrate the principle here laid down, as in the case of Cornelius, and in the circumstances connected witli the introduction of the Gospel into Europe by St. Paul. Tliat the "devout Centurion of the Italian band " might be made a partaker of the great salvation, the Apostle Peter was supcrnatu- rally directed to proceed from Joppa to Cscsarea, "to preach peace by Jesus Christ " to that officer and to his household ; and while St. Paul sojourned at Troas, on the shore of the iE^ean Sea, he was summoned in a vision to cross over to Europe, in order that the work of salvation might be commenced there by his instrumentality. Such has been the divine method from the beginning until now ; nor have we any reason to expect that I '^ill be altered, and least of all should we expect that it will be changed, for the purpose of affording encouragement to indifference or to indolence on the part of professing Christians. The Spirit of God accompanies the minis- tration of the truth of God ; and, therefore, the truth must first be exhibited, in order that men may be turned unto the Lord. One hundred and fifty years ago, prayerr were offered in the churches of this land, that it might " please " God " to have mercy upon all men," and that his "way might be known upon earth;" but little or nothing was then attempted for securing the accomplish- ment of the petitions which were offered ; and every thing, therefore, connected with true religion presented a gloomy and discouraging aspect. When the churches were awakened to a sense of their duty, and manifested a degree of activity in seeking to save mankind by sending forth the Gospel, the world displayed a measure of anxiety for the introduction of a better state of things than it had before known; and in proportion as the activity of Christians has increased, the solicitude of the Heathen has been extended and deepened. Wherever the church has, in modern times, sent her messengers ^amam 00 WESLFA'AN MISSIONS : into pagan nations to preach the Gospel, signs of improvement are cxhi])itecl ; but where they are not found, the "sorrows" of the people are daily "multi- plied." In some groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean, idolatry is abolished ; Christian temples are erected ; the ordinances of religion are established ; knowledge is spreading ; useful arts are cultivated ; laws, founded on scriptural principles, are promulgated by the ruler, and obeyed by the people; and all the elements of real improvement are in operation : while in other groups, at no great distance, the inhabitants have not emerged in the smallest degree from their original state of ignorance and misery. The cause of this disparity is obvious. It is to be ascribed to the Gospel. If it had not been intro- duced amongst the inhabitants of the former, the church would have prayed in vain for their salvation ; and until it shall be sent to them that dwell in the latter, they will remain as they are, or rather they will grow worse and worse, however constantly the church may pray for their salvation. It is not intended, by these observations, to limit the gracious operations of God, or to argue that they are confined within the circle in which the appointed means of grace are enjoyed ; but to expose the incon- sistency of talking of and praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the world, without corresponding endeavours to extend the knowledge of the Gospel of salvation. What God in his sovereignty may do, is one thing ; what he has made it our duty to do, is another. It is not because God has forgotten his promise, that so many millions of our species are ignorant of him ; but because the church was for so long a period inattentive to her obligations and responsibilities. These things are now better understood. A nobler spirit — "the spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind" — is manifesting itself in relation to the cause of Missions ; and the inquiry is becoming more and more general, " How shall " the Heathen " call on Him in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? and how shal^ they preach, except they be sent ? " ^ and real THEIR CLAIMS AND PUOORESS. 01 XXV. ^ fiESE are the claims wbicl), at the present crisis, the '.Vesleyan Missionary Society presents: a prompt and cordid compHance with wliich, on tlie part of all those to whom they are more especially addressed, would efifect- uallv extricate this Christian Institution from all the pecuniary difficulties that are so severely felt ; and, what is even still more important, would bring down upon all the agents and agencies placed under its direction a larger measure of "the heavenly gift of the Holy Ghost." The duties which have heen pointed out are all reason- able, as well as practicable ; and are not only clothed with the authority of the Divine Lawgiver, but are also enforced upon us by the power of divine examples. TVe are taught, by the processes of sacrifice and of suffering which were connected with the great work of our Re- demption by Christ Jesus, that the principle to be adopted and acted upon by every Christian, in h>'s endeavours to promote the final cause for which these sacrifices and sufferings were made and endured, is, that the limit op INDIVIDUAL ABILITY IS THE ONLY LIMIT OF INDIVIDUAL DUTY AND OBLIGATION. " God SO lovcd the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believetli in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The infinite resources of the Godhead could provide no greater gift, the exigencies of the case could be met by nothing less. The world, " dead in trespasses and sins," could be made to live only through and by the death of the only- begotten Son ; or that Son — who is " the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person," and who, as such, is the object of his infinite and eternal regard and affection — would have been " spared," instead of having been " delivered up for us all." An emergency had arisen immediately connected with man, but affecting in various ways the entire intelligent creation of God, which, for rei sons too profound to be fathomed by any creature, however exalted, required the utmost to be done to meet it that boundless wisdom, power, and love could devise and effect ; and that utmost was done. I ^^ - . ^.iK'.« 'M 02 WESLKYAN MISSIONS : " The ransom vvBH paid down, the fund «)f heaven — Hi'Rven's inexhauntible, (ixhaiisted fund — (Ania/luj; uiul amazed) ponr'd forth its price, All price beyond." For " when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the hivv, to redeem them tliat were under the hiw, (and under tlie curse,) that we miglit receive the adoption of chil- dren." Tlie Son of God voluntarily ])articii)ated in this transaction. The cross was not forced upon him: he took it up ; and, foi " the joy that was set hefore him," — joy springing from the contemplation of the recovery of all nations to his fold, — he ^' endured the cross, despising the shame." What could he no more than give HIMSELF, and, "while we were yet .sinners," die " roR us ? " The principle which is here contended for, still regulates the arrangements and movements of hea- venly powers in heavenly places, in relation to the reco- very of the world to holiness and to God. As " the Head " of the body " the church," all things are placed under the dominion of the King Messiah. lie is set "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to ^ome ; " and all beings, (He only excepted who hath set llim at his own right hand,) all powers, all agencies, every thing material and spiritual, great and small, simple and complex, above, around, and beneath, are placed under him, that he may *' subdue all things unto himself," and thus finish the mys- tery of the wisdom and goodness of God towards our race. If, then, the narratives of the Evangelists are not fabu- lous ; if there were truth and reality in the delightful spectacle which the shepherds beheld in the manger at Bethlehem — in the amazing occurrences in the wilder- ness, whither Jesus was led to be tempted of the devil — in the scenes of humiliation and agony which were wit- nessed in the garden of Gethsemane, and on tlie hill of Calvary — in the exaltation of Jesus to be a Prince and a Saviour ; — if these things actually took place, then the manifestation of " the Word " that *' was God " in an ' Dtl sent lie law, under of cliil- in tliis im : he turn, — very of [jspising N GIVE S," DIE led for, of liea- e reco- il the placed is set lit, and in this beings, n right ial and above, he may le mys- ur race. )t fabii- lightful nger at wilder- devil — re wit- hill of e and a ten the in an THEIft CLAIMS AND PilOOnESS. 03 infant's form — the endurance of Satanic temptation by the Kon of God, that he might know how to succour them that ar.i tempted — the groans and tears, the mental anguish and accursed deaih, of the innoce't Victim — the energy and earnestness with which he is carrying out his saving designs and jmrposcs — proclaim, in language the most unetiuivocal and powerful, to all his people, that, is W7JRKING TOOETUER AVITU IIIM, FOR THE HALVATION OF THE WORLD, THE LIMIT OF THEIR ABILITY IS THE ONLY LIMIT OE THEIR DUTY AND OBLIGATION IN SERVING lIiM. The conclusion is clear and irresistible : " Beloved, if God so loved us, then ought we," according to our means and opportunities, " so to love one another." In- incveased duties and h kings and pro}»h 3ts ' ) blessedness of the re placed, we must re and self-denying creased privileges bring wi; obligations. If we live in desired to behold, and pa higher dispensation under be prepared to yield a more t-. obedience. Christ " came not to destroy the law and the prophets," but to carry out the principles involved in them. He did not come to diminish the obligations of the law, by which the offerings of the Jews wcie regu- lated, to whom the mercy-seat was covered with a typical veil ; but that, by disclosing to us, in his doctrine and in his death, the matchless love of God, the s})here of cur pious and benevolent exertions might be extended to the uttermost. Christianity must be taken with its peculiar duties, as well as with its peculiar advantages. Both are identified with the cross. Gifts and offerings to the glory of God, and for the benefit of man, are to be regulated by that standard. It is the rule of duty in this great cause, as well as Uie object of faith. The love which induced the Saviour to bleed on the cross, when " shed abroad " in the human " heart," supersedes Mosaic statutes ; and the services which Christianity requires are left to be deter- mined by the full and generous operation of Christian principle, abiding in the believer. It is as useless and dangerous to go to Sinai to ascertain the limit of evan- gelical ol)edience, as it would be to go there to ascertain the extent of evangelical salvation. I f t '1 04 WESI.EVAN MISSIONS: Neither the one nor tlie other of these can he accurately traced amidst the hlackiicss and darkness wlsich ^\nii extent commensurate with the new and expansive feeling of which they had beon made the happy partakers ; for they " sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." That was the spirit which lived and flourished in primitive Chris- tianity ; and such was one of the lovely fruits which it produced. This spirit was nobly exemplified by the great Apostle of the Gentiles, in the generous sentiments which he uttered, and in the self-denying and laborious services ■which he endeavoured to render to all classes of men, in every place that he visited. Convinced that the interests of the Gospel re. lired him. 1,0 proceed from Ephesus to Jerusalem, he repaired to the latter city at great risk and hazard to himself. The power of friendship, sanctified and strengthened by religion, — the influence of Christian associations and ties of the most endearing character,— the prospect of martyrdom, — were insufficient to shake his purpose, or to deter him from acting in accordance with the sentiment, — that the only limit of our duty in the service of the Redeemer^ is the limit of our ahilitij. Hence, in reply to tears and remonstrances, and alarming predictions, he said, "What mean ve to v^^een and to break mine heart ? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at^ Jerusalem for the name of the Lord JcGus." St. Paul was no rash enthusiast. lie never (( one ^\l ith THEm CLAT..IS A.\D PROCiRESS. 0.5 >vantonly cxposod liis life. He Avas rcstr.iinod from it 1>y tljc very sense of duty to tlie Lord which led him to go up to Jerusalem, with his life in his luind, on that memo- rahle occasion. 1'he Master called him, and lie imme- diately prepared to ohey the summons. I lis compliance night lead him into a prison, or to death ; but " none of these things moved him, neither counted he his life dear unto himself, so that Lf might finish his couist with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of tlie grace of God." The principle upon which he himself acted,?- L M down as the standard to which he urged others to Lonfo m in the performance of Christian duty. In the appeal which ho addressed to the Corinihian converts, on behalf of their impoverished brethren '^ I*alestine, he fixed their atten- tion chiefly upon the manger and the cross, and pressed the practical io\e of their neighbour upon them by motives which only the love of the Saviour towards them, and towards ail men, can su])ply ; and Avhich, indeed, when properly understood and felt, render all others unnecessary. " For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes Jie became poor, that ye throu^rh his poverty might be rich." That was the sublime example which he set before them, and which all the followers of tlie Saviour aic to exert themselves to imitate at all suitable opportunities. Jesus emptied himself, that we might be filled. He assumed a state of poverty, that we might be enriched. He '* took upon him the form of a servant," that we might again become the " sons and daughters " of " the Lord God Almighty." He "humbled himself," that we might be exalted ; and endured death under its most appalling and revolting forms, that we might attain everlasting life and blessedness. Though the disciple cannot stoop and sufi'er as the Master did, the same spirit of sacrifice which w^as displayed by Him on our behalf, should animate his followers in their endeavours to extend his dominion, and to gain for him the love and the obedience of the whole human family. Men who really deserve the name of " Missionaries of the cross," participate largely of this H • I 96 WESLEYAN MISSIONS: disposition. " For his name's sake" they go forth to labour in distant hmds. " For his name's sake " they breathe the tainted air wiiich pervades thr western coast of Africa ; they climb the mountains and ascend the rivers of the southern extremity of that continent ; they dwell amongst cannibals m the islands of the Pacific ; they penetrate the remote wilderness, and, in its deepest recesses, seek the souls for whom the Saviour died. Feelings of patriotism, the strength of filial and fraternal love, all personal inter- ests and considerations, are brought into subjection to this self-denying and self-annihilating spirit. It is not to be supposed that this is possessed in an equal degree by every Missionary; but it should be well understood by every one who aspires to the office of a Missionary to the Heathen, that, whatever may be his other qualifications for this service, no man is fit for it who is not resolved, in the strength of grace, to take up and practically to carry out the principle upon which these observations are founded. For if he love even father or mother, or sister 01- brother, or houses or lands, more than this part of the work of the Saviour, he :s not worthy to be engaged in it. Tiie same spirit should govern every Pastor and member of the church at home, in devising plans, and in furnish- ing contributions, for the furtherance of Missionary objects. We are not to deal out our gifts as if we were bestowing an alms, or performing a distasteful duty and service. It was not thus that the Saviour acted towards us. The manifestations of his pity were not forced from him as wine from the grapes, but flowed forth spontane- ously, as water from the gushing fountain. What He only could do for our rate, that he did; and what we can do for his cause, we should do cheerfully and liberally, and as if we felt it to be a privilege to be permitted to minister to its growth and increase in the world. The duties to which the churches are thus called at the present Missionary crisis, are of great magnitude and difficulty; and when we compare the feeble exertions which we have individually made, with the extent of our duty and obli- gation, we may well exclaim, " Enter not into judgment with thy servants, Lord ! " At the same -me, it is i labour athe the Africa ; 8 of the amongst trate the seek the triotisra, lal inter- n to this lot to be ^gree bv stood by ry to the ifications resolved, tically to itions are or sister rt of the ged in it. member furnisli- jssionary we were iuty and 1 towards ced from ipontane- V^hat He it we can liberally, mitted to Id. The le present lifficulty ; L we have and obli- judgment me, it is THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRFSS. 97 cheering to reflect-, that there have been instances of moral heroism on the part of ]\lissioRarics, and proofs of liberal- ity on the part of private Christians, connected with modern Missions, which are worthy of the first and purest ages of Christianity. Yet it is deeply to be regretted, tliat the receipts of the Wesleyan Missionary Society have, during four or five successive years, fallen hort of the amount which it has so frequently and so solemnly declared to be necessary to meet the exigencies of the world. 'It is indeed a cause of hope and thanksgiving, that the Income for the year 1841 exceeded the expendi- ture for the same period ; but, amidst our rejoicings on this account, let it not be forgotten, that if the Society had kept up its amount of agency to the extent necessary for the vigorous prosecution of the work of God amongst the perisliing millions of idolaters who are ignorant cf his name and cliaracter, the debt of the Society would have been furtlier increased. This would have been the case, if even tlie vacaucies occasioned by death, and by the return of Missionaries on account of the failure of health, had been adequately supplied ; and if reasonable expecta- tions of assisrance, in places where the want of it is most painfully and injuriously felt, had been fulfilled. The fruit of the exertions of the last year, especially when the state of all the great interests of the country is taken into con- sideration, is most honoural)le and most cheering. It teaches us wliat, by the divine blessing, may accomplished ; and will encourage us to increase our exertions. The Committee must expend much more in the course of the current yoar, than they ventured to do during the last ; and the members and friends of the Society must prepare for these arrangements, or otherwise they will grieve the hearts of all their Missionaries; they will destroy the health of some of them; and shorten the lives of others by excessive labour, who went out relying upon the pledges of generous and steady sympathy and support which were given to them ; they will restrain the tide of mercy that is ready to flow over regions long parched and desolate; and avert from themselves, and from others around them, the blessings promised whea "all the tithefj i ]■> ■I fi I ■ 1 ! \i 98 WESLEYAN MISSIONS : ar3 brought into the Lord's storehouse." If every one does according to the ability which God hath given hira, all that is required will be accomplished by united, con- tinuous, and prayerful efforts ; and no individual will be unduly burdened. Various plans have been recommended to the Society for relieving it from pecuniary difficulties ; and though the persons with whom they have originated differ in the opinions which they entertain as to the best mode for the accomplishment of that object, they all agree, that it is not merely practicable, but will be found a comparatively easy task, to liquidate the debt due by the Society, and so to augment the Income as to enable the Treasurers to meet the claims which are made upon them. And so it will be found, if the attempt be made on the great rule and motive which Christianity pre- s.?ribes : " Freely ye have received, freely give." Let us aim at this, as a means in order to the attainment of the end which we have in view,— the increase and completion of that spiritual temple which God is rearing out of the ruins of human nature, by the operation of the word of truth, and the Spirit of righteousness, and on whose front shall be inscribed: "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever ! " While too many pro- fessing Christians are contending for modes and forms of religious worship, it is especially the calling, as it has been, during the last hundred years, the avowed object, of the Wesleyan Methodists, to endeavour to disseminate, as extensively as possible, the great principles of scriptural Christianity, leaving them to assume such forms as, under the divine blessing, may render them most conducive to the glory of God, and to the salvation of mankind. Com- pared with " the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord," that which is circumstantial and ouremo- nial is but as the chaff to the wheat : and » what is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord." Here is the true remedy for all the evils that afflict the world ; and here is xx.g ^Yorld's hope. While the waters of political and social strife and agitation disturb the nations, and threaten them with desU-uction, the Gospel is seen by the eye of faith as THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 99 GoiVs '' faithful witness in heaven," affording a pledge and an earnest of that bright and lovely period, when the floods of human passion shall no longer lift up their voice, ■when the pacific influence of the heavenly Dove shall per- vade the mind and the heart of the world, and when " tho work of righteousness shall he peace, and the eftect ot righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." Tem- porary reverses may occur to try our faith, and to check our presumption; but ultimate failure is impossible. Th«* morning of the day of the millennial glory of the churcli. is breaking upon the mountains ; and the evangelicr.I sun shall shine more and more, until it clothe both hemi- spheres at once with beauty and with glory. Nothing can stand before the church, when she learns her obligations, and draws her motives, from the cross. Then everv sec- tion of the church, and everv Minister and member belonging to each, shall esteem and love every thing less than the Redeemer and his service. Then " prayer shall be made for Him continually, and daily shall lie be praised." Intellect, learning, life, health, and property will be laid upon his altar. No one will then be found praying for the coming of the kingdom of Christ, Avithout adding to his prayers suitable endeavours to secure the fulfilment of his petition. The " messengers of the churches " will be multiplied. Missionaries will joyfully live and die for Christ's sake in foreign lands ; and it will be their choice to occupy a grave in those countries in which their spiritual descendants shall dwell, rather than have a resting-place assigned to them amongst the tombs of their ancestors. Contributions for the conversion of the world shall be increased and multiplied. All the talent, and zeal, and influence of Missionary Committees and Collectors will be brought tr, bear on Missionary interests ; and supplications will be constantly offered for the descent of the Holy Ghost upon all the earth. The church having thus come up to the point of obedient faith, by acting to her utmost ability for the glory of God, and the salvation of the world, He with whom " is \\\(^ residue of the Spirit" will magnify his " word" of promise " above all " his ^' name ; ' and " a nation shall be born ia F 2 ' ^ 100 WESLFA'AN MISSIONS : a day." Then he will put forth the saving strength of his right hand, and, throwing open the prison-doors of the captives of hope, will bid them go forth, and turn to the strong-holds prepared for them. We have embarked in a great enterprise, and have cor- responding encouragement afforded us. We have pro- mises such as God alone has authority to give : " As thy days, so shall thy strength be." AVe have assistance such as God only can bestow : " My grace is sufficient for thee : for my strength is made perfect in weakness." We hare examples such as the word of God alone can fur- nish : " In nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to mi* to live is Christ." We have rewards such as God only can confer : Rewards too gi'eat for men to receive in all their fulness on earth, but which shall be distributed at the resurrection of the just, when "they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." Unfurl, then, in every clime that banner under which the church is alwrys victorious. Let the message of mercy be sent into all the earth, that the fainting spirit of man may be revived. Cry aloud, and spare not, that the nations may shout for joy. Then the church shall see, and flow together, and her heart shall fear and be enlarged. Ilef sun shall no more go down, neither shall her moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be her ever.- lasting light, and the days of her mourning shall be ended. What his word of promise has declared, that his w^ord of power will accomplish ; and he " will glorify the house of his glory." " The mountain of" his " house shall be established on the tops of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.'' The ensign of salvation shall wave in every breeze, shall be seen by every eye, and shall be hailed by every tongue, with joyful acclamations. CJreat expectations these ! Yes, but they rest on a glorious basis,-— a basis formed of divine promises, oaths, and blood. " The arm of the Lord .shall be made bare in the eyes of all nation?^, and all flcsli THEIR CLAIMS AND PROGRESS. 101 shall see the salvation of God." " I have sworn by my- self, saith the Lord, tlie ^A'ord is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." '' And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." "^Youthy IS THE Lamb that was slalx to receive power, AND RICHES, AND WISDOM, AND STRENGTH, AND HONOUR, AND G[.0RY, AND BLESSING. And overy creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, BE UNTO Him that sitteth upon the throne, and UNTO the Lamb for ever and ever." NOTES. KOTL: a.— Page 2. The .siiLjoinod List is extracted from the '* American Almanack, anci Kfpository of Useful Knowledge," which i.s geu'^raU}' reckoned a coni- potcnt authority on this subject. TAHL't,AR VIKW OF TH K RELIGIO(VS DKNOMIXATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. Dcnomhiations. Cliurclics or j^jj^jg^en Meml)ers or tongre;,'!itions. ' " Communiciints. ^^■'PtLsts (j^;j 19 4^.2;!<) 4ii2,000 Ditto, Freewill 7^3 t;i2 33,87fi Ditto, Seventh- Day 42 4(> 4 508 Ditto, Six- Principle JQ 10 2117 Catholics 4]^ 478 Chrystians 1 ,00() 800 1 50,000 Congregationalists 1,300 1,150 1(50,000 ]>utch Reformed 197 195} 22,51 5 Kpiscopalians • 9o0 849 I'nendd fJOO German Reformed GOO 180 30,000 .lews Lutherans 750 267 t)2,2GG Mennonitus 200 30,000 '^ A branch of the Church of Eiiglaud. 4 s ' I 1 I 102 WESLEY AN MISSIONS. T. .X. Churches or -.r. . i^„ Denominations. ^ .. Ministers. Congregations. .Methodists (Wesleyans) • 3,106 Moravian!?, or United Bretliren .... 24 [33 Mormonites New-Jerusalem Clnu'ch 27 33 Presbyterians 2,807 3,525 Ditto, Cumberland 600 450 Ditto, Associate 1 83 87 Ditto, Reformed 40 20 Ditto, Associate Reformed 214 IK) Shakers 15 45 Tmikers 40 40 Unitarians 200 174 Universalists 653 317 Members or Communicants. 686,545) 6,745 12,000 274,084 50,000 16,000 3,000 12,000 6,000 3,000 NOTE B.— Page 79. IN(3U{R1ES. 1. Have you a regularly organized Committee, Treasurer, and feecie *ary ? 2. How often does the Committee meet ? 3. Is the town regularly divided into such a number of Collectiiii? Districts, as render the thorough canvassing of tlie town a tusk of tni-y accomplishment ? 4 . What number of Collectors are employed ? 5. How many more are necessary ? 6. Do they call at every house ? 7. Do thej' call punctually on the weekly, monthly, and (luavtoily Subscribers when their respective Subscriptioiu-; are duo, and not call tor two or three Subscriptions at once ? 8. Are the Missionary Prayer- Meetings kept up, and rendered iutii- esting ? 9. Is care taken to diffuse Jiissionary information by the prompt distribution of the Missionary publications ? 10 What number of preaching-places in the Circuit ? 11. The number in Society and Congregation ? 12. Whether Missionary Meetings et all ? and, if not, public collec- tions ? 13. Whether Collectors at every place ? * Their social importance and respectability are well known in America, bouivi of the highest offices in the country are filled by Methodists f^^ CONTENTS. rsoiuo Page. Sect, i.— Origin of the Wesleyan Foreign Missions 1 n. — Their Spread ^ in. — Finnncial Difficuhies 4 IV. — Signs of the Times 5 V — Inquiry into the pecuniary Embarrassments of the Wes- leyan Missionary Society 10 VI.— Success shown to be the Cause of those Embarrass- ments ] ji| VII. — The same Sxxbject: — Christianity the Parent of Civili- zation oy VI n.— The same Subject :— Effects of the civilizing Power of Clirlstianity 2'» IX. — The same Subject: — Desire among the Heathen for Missionary Instruction, and the Efforts made to meet it 20 X.— Additional Evidence :— New-Zealand and the Gold- Coast Hi XI.— Deliciency of the Income of the Missionary Society . . 38 XII.— General State of the Wesleyan Missions in 1815 and in \ 840 compared 40 XIII — Two particular Instances :— Ceylon and Jamaica ., 44 XIV.— The right Method of judging of the Extent 'f Mis sionarv Success , lot CONTENTS. Se( T. xv.-A(iaitIonal Evia.nice of the rrogres*. of the Mi.sion^.. . i-0 XV r Diviue Call of the Missionaries ^^ XVII.— A primitive Rule of jmlging on the preceaiug Snl.jcot 04 xvilL—J^otives for increased Missionary Exertions