JUNE 5, the Annual Meeting of the BEDFORD UNION was held at Bedford. In the morning Mr. Holland of St. Ives commenced with reading and prayer; the Report of the Committee was read, and the President, Treasurer, and Secretaries, were re-elected; Mr. J. Clayton, junior, preached from 1 Cor. ix. 22; and Mr. Geard of Hitchin concluded. In the evening Mr. J. Holloway, (late of Bristol, now of Cardington Cotton-end,) began with prayer; Mr. Middleditch of Biggleswade preached from Luke xv. 10; and Mr. R. Halley of St. Neot's concluded. JUNE 6, the Rev. John Holloway, late of Bristol, was ordained at CARDINGTON COTTON-END. King of Bedford read the scriptures and prayed; Mr. J. Upton of London delivered the introductory discourse, and asked the usual questions; Mr. J. Such of Steventon offered the ordination prayer; Mr. T. Middleditch of Biggleswade addressed the minister from Haggai ii. 4; Rev. Mr. Hillyard of Bedford preached a very appropri K. S. P. W. S. W. Kalendar. JULY 1. Moon passes Antares II aft. The Pleiades between Jupiter and Veous. 3. Moon passes Herschel. 8. Moon passes the Urn of 13. Moon passes Saturn. debaran to the east of them. -Mercury, in respect of longitude, between the Sun and the Earth. 15. Moon passes Venus. 18. New Moon II. 1 aft. but she is too far north to cast her shadow upon the Earth. 20. The Crescent of the Moon passes Regulus half-past VIII Night. 23. Moon passes Mars. 28. Moon passes Antares quar. ter-past IX night. 31. Moon passes Herschel. THE more public services connected with the Annual Meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society were preceded, this year, by an open Meeting of the Committee, held at the Missionary Rooms, in Wardrobe-place. About fifty friends, principally ministers from the country, assembled on Tuesday morning, June 18, at eleven, when much information respecting the affairs of theSociety was communicated, and some important suggestions were thrown out. The beneficial tendency of this new arrangement was perceived and acknowledged, and we hope that, in a future year, it will be repeated, and that some place of meeting may be found, capable of accommodating a larger number. On Wednesday morning, at eleven, a very large congregation assembled at Great Queen-street Chapel, which had been lent, both for the Sermon and Annual Meeting, in the most liberal way, by the trustees. The first hymn and a portion of scripture were read by the Rev. F. A. Cox; prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Wilkinson of Saffron Walden; the sermon by the Rev. W. Jay of Bath; and the Rev. Mr. Morley, one of the ministers connected with the place, concluded in prayer, Mr. Jay is known by many to have been long in habits of friendship with most of the earlier conductors of the Mission; and has, on several previous occasions, advocated the cause of the Society, at different places in the country, with zeal and success. The promptitude with which he complied with the request of the Committee to undertake this service, entitles him to VOL. XIV. our warmest thanks; and we trust that these occasional interchanges of public labours, of which, we believe, our Wesleyan brethren first set the example, will serve to strengthen mutual attachment between the friends of the Redeemer of different denominations. * The passage selected by Mr. Jay/ was Isai. lii. 13-15. Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see: and that which they had not heard shall they consider. From which he took occasion to speak of the character and conduct of the Redeemer; of the eminence he should attain, the sufferings he should endure, and the beneficial effects which should ultimately flow from them. In concluding, he enlarged, with much animation, upon the necessity and usefulness of Missionary exertions in general, and bore a very strong testimony to the importance and value of the Institution for which he was pleading, in particular. We regret that we cannot give a more ample account of this able discourse, which was characterized throughout by the evangelical richness of sentiment, and energetic simplicity of manner, by which Mr. Jay has long been distinguished; but if, as we hope, he may be prevailed upon to comply with the earnest request of the Committee, and permit the sermon to be printed, our readers will then have the advantage of perusing it for themselves. At six in the evening, a numerous congregation assembled at Zion Cha By inviting Mr. Ward to preach at their Annual Meeting in 1820. Mr. Hall of Leicester is engaged, we understand, to preach for the Bristol Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society, in September next. 2 F its object was, to make proselytes to Christianity, not to our own particular tenets or denomination. Mr. Shaw proceeded to express the pleasure he had felt yesterday, in witnessing, what he considered a happy instance of Christian liberality, an Independent minister preaching in a Wesleyan Chapel for a Baptist Society; and after a variety of other appropriate remarks, called on the Secretary to read the Report. pel. A sericus and instructive sermon was delivered by the Rev. Micah Thomas of Abergavenny from James v. 20. He which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins, in which he insisted on the value of the soul-the awful nature of that death to which it is liable -and the means and felicity of its recovery from it. Some recent articles of Missionary intelligence were read at the close of the sermon by the junior The junior Secretary then read the Secretary; the hymns were read by Report from the pulpit. It contained the Rev. Wm. Shenstone; and prayer an interesting account of the present was offered at the commencement, by state of the Missions on the Continent the Rev. T. Middleditch of Biggles- of India, in Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, wade, and at the close by the Rev. the West Indies, &c. together with a Richard Davis of Walworth. A praystatement of the measures which had er-meeting was held at Eagle-street been adopted at home for promoting on Thursday morning, for the special the interests of the Society; and purpose of imploring the Divine bless-though nearly an hour was occupied ing on the Society, and its Missionaries. The venerable Dr. Ryland delivered a most suitable and animated address, from Acts xxi. 28, Men of Israel, help; and Messrs. Shirley of Sevenoaks, Hargreaves of Little Wild-street, and Elvey of Fetter-lane, London, engaged in prayer. Soon after the prayer-meeting was closed, a very large and respectable auditory assembled at the Chapel in Great Queen-street. A verse having been sung, the Rev. Thomas Blundell of Northampton implored a blessing on the proceedings of the day, and Benjamin Shaw, Esq. Treasurer to the Society, was called to the Chair. in the delivery, it was heard throughout with profound attention. In rising to present, as Treasurer, an account of the income and expenditure of the Society, the Chairman observed, that he felt some little embarrassment in bringing down the minds of the audience from the heavenly contemplations excited by the close of the Report, to a mere detail of figures. Such, however, was his duty; and he must proceed to discharge it, in the hope that his respected friends who would shortly address them, would revive, by their speeches, the pleasant and animating feelings to which he had alluded. From the statement of accounts then made by Mr. Shaw, it appeared that the receipts of the Society, in the year just closed, had been greater than in any preceding year, except the last, in which extraordinary Donations and Collections had been made to the amount of £2000. The amount now received was about £11,600; ex Mr. Shaw opened the business of the meeting by observing, that the audience was convened to hear the Report of the Committee for the past year. It would be for the meeting to decide whether they had conducted themselves as good stewards of their bounty, and whether their assiduity had been such, as to justify a renewal of their confidence, and of their sub-ceeding the expenditure by £1000; scriptions. He remarked that, by the blessing of God, we had arrived at what may be considered the thirtieth Anniversary of the Society; and that the satisfaction arising from a retrospect of the goodness of God towards the Institution, was much increasedby witnessing the deep and lively interest felt in the work of Missions by the Christian public at large; as shewn by the establishment of various other Societies of the same description. He congratulated his friends around him that, while the Society bore a distinctive name, and was called "The Baptist Missionary Society," yet that but as the Treasurer had immediately That the Report now read be adopted and circulated; and that this Meeting desires to offer a tribute of humble praise to the Great Head of the Church, who has graciously enabled the Society, notwithstanding its pecu uiary embarrassments, to main-places. They were like beacons on a tain and enlarge its operations during the past year, was moved by the Rev. JOSEPH KINGHORN of Norwich, who observed, that for the sake of order and regularity, it was necessary to ask the concurrence of the Meeting in the publication of the Report, but he was convinced there would be one universaldeclaration that the Report demanded to be received, with the most unbounded gratitude: not simply to those indefatigable and prudent labourers that have been employed; but especially to that GREAT BEING, of whom, and from whom, and to whom, are all things. It is unspeakably pleasing to see, that, wherever Christianity is convey ed, man not only becomes improved in moral and intellectual attainments; but that great principle strongly draws our attention: "The gospel is the power of God unto salvation,” to every one, who cordially believes it. Another remark he would make from the Report that had been read (and they had publicly expressed the interest they had felt in it,) was, that from a great variety of particulars and by infinite labour, a great deal had been done; and they would thank the great God of heaven and earth, for enabling them, to do it. Looking `at the maps of the Society, they saw here a station, and there another: thirty, or somewhere there-about, in the whole. In this view, these places looked wondrous pretty. But, they are 500 miles from each other. Some of them are more than double that distance. They are but a handful of corn upon the tops of the mountains.If there were only one minister here in London, and another 500 miles off, would you not call this an awful dearth? And this is the state of the heathen nations, all the world over. "Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." If any should ask, what have you done? Comparatively nothing. Don't object that against us, Christianity itself was liable to the same objection; for as Dr. Watts says: we pray. "So, when thy truth began its course, It touch'd and glanc'd on every land.” The apostolic age was not distinguished for multitudinous churches; But for small assemblies, in various hill, whose light was seen afar off. It was once the same, where thousands now know each other. This Country, this kingdom, London itself, was once heathen. There was but one late upon our own scale of twentysingle Missionary. When we calcu four hours in a day, in reference to this subject, we wondrously err We have to do with a being, whose calculations are very different: with whom," One day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years are as one day." The day with us is only beginning; the sun has not yet risen" to the meridian. "A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one it in his time." Go forward with high a strong nation: the Lord will hasten hope and with earnest prayer: and though we cannot do this great work of ourselves, the LORD shall accomplish it. That part of the motion, in which we desire to offer our humble praises to God, received his most hearty approval; and may He do a great deal more, first, in us; and then, by us! On his EDWARD PHILLIPS, Esq. of Melksham;--If I were called to select a motto for the Baptist Missionary Society, my motto should be, Have faith in God. For never, never was any Society set on foot and carried on, that required greater faith, or more earnest supplication to the Divine Being. He called to mind the solitary where he had witnessed the superstiMr. Thomas, returning from India,* tion of the natives, in all its revolting forms; where he had seen their cruelties; and where he had beheld infidelity, spreading like a torrent. return to Europe, he visited a much valued relative of his own, the late Dr. Stennett; to whom he expressed great concern, that more labourersi should be employed in India. At the time, it was unknown, how such measures could be undertaken;--not a gleam of light appeared on the horizon. their denomination at Clipston, or Being called to attend a meeting of some place in that neighbourhood, he accidentally, or providentially he might Dr. CAREY; whose mind, for a long rather say, met with the venerable time, had been much interested about the heathen. Mr. Thomas had just returned from India; and he engaged to accompany him back. They went, as going down into a well, where all was dark and deep; but they said to the venerable FULLER, you must hold the ropes. (Hear.) It was rather a mine, into which they descended; of vast riches, and of incalculable treasures. None could know the extent of the benefits conveyed, or of their obligations to the Divine Being, till they should rest from their labours and enter into the joy of their Lord. He would indulge for a moment his own feelings, and say, How much he was gratified on the platform, by being surrounded by his warm friends of the same denomination with himself, and by those other respectable persons of a different persuasion, for whose attendance they were obliged this day. To them, he was indebted for repeated acts of kindness and attention; and when attending some of their numerous meetings, he has asked himself; How is it, that we do not know each other better? Our grand cause is the same; our design, to diffuse the knowledge of God and of the Saviour, is the same; and we wish to spread it through the earth. How is it, we should not draw together? We are drawing together; and from this hour, from henceforth, he hoped, that all would give their unequivocal and decided aid to every Missionary Institution, for circulating the knowledge of God and of the Saviour. Mr. Phillips continued to remark; It was important to consider, that their work was not ended, but only beginning. It was only the dawning of Missionary labours; the brightness of the day will shine, for years and years to come. ing the kind assistance of Ministers, Auxiliary Societies, &c. &c. was proposed by W. WILBERFORCE, Esq. M.P. who said, he could assure the Chairman, and the assembly, that although he had not before had the honour of taking a share in their interesting meetings, yet he had long been deeply interested in their cause. From the very first of its commencement, he could truly declare, that his eye was fixed upon it; and he continued, from year to year, to watch its progress, and to anticipate its triumphs: while it now promises greater and better! things hereafter. He shewed his zeal by attending that meeting, when it! was manifest he was little able to express the feelings of his heart! It was natural, he said, for the Chairman, who had so forcibly addressed the meeting, to observe the striking difference between the origin and present state of the Society. They saw how a little seed, as a grain of mustard, elucidating the scriptural parable, had already grown into a mighty tree, expanding its foliage, and presenting its fertility as an object of unrivalled beauty and grandeur. He was exceedingly struck and gratified, when he saw that Almighty God was giving these indications of his special approbation, and he seemed to call to them, almost as with an audible voice, to go forward with earnestness, and con fidence, and energy in the path which he had opened before them. In the beginning of their efforts, he recollected how slowly they proceedWhen congregated in this favoureded, and he well remembered reading spot, they seemed thick and numerous; at the time when they made their first but, as was strikingly observed by his subscription in behalf of the Hindoos, highly respected friend* in his sermon that the whole sum amounted to little of yesterday: When our Missionaries more than Thirteen Pounds. But he had are spread abroad, they are like ships lived to see the day, when only three on the occean. Here, they were many; of their chief Missionaries themselves but, in the scene of actual labour few, (their once poor, as well as despised and they are very far distant from Missionaries) had contributed from each other, so that there was no dan- their joint labours, a sum of Fifty ger of interference there. Thousand Pounds! He mentioned this in that place, not as a proof of any extraordinary greatness of mind, or of Christian liberality, but he did so because God had honoured them to meet the spirit of the world in the language of the world. He mentioned it, not because they were not before generous, according to the ability they. He would not trespass on the time of that respectable meeting any farther than to congratulate them, that he was likely to be succeeded, and they to be greatly instructed, by one with whom he felt it an honour to sit on the same platform:-the friend of human kind and the liberator of Africa. He hailed the hour; he felt the felici-had; for the same men, who raised ty of the moment; and he blessed God for the opportunity. The second Resolution, acknowledg *Rev. William Jay. thirteen pounds, two shillings and sixpence, had the spirit to give the larger sums, had they possessed them. They have now redeemed the pledge then given, and they are pouring the |