Rev. A. Hanson (Gold Coast), and Milsom, Esq. (Lyons); the Earl of Chichester, and Rev. Dr. Steinkopff. In CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE forty-third annual meeting of this society was held on Monday morning at Exeter hall, the Earl of Chichester in the chair, supported by the Lord Bishops of Winchester, Norwich, and Chester, the very Reverend the Dean of Salisbury, the Hon. and Rev. the Dean of St. Patrick's, Viscount Sandon, M.P., Mr. J. C. Colquhoun, M.P., and a large number of gentlemen. The Earl of Chichester briefly addressed the meeting in support of the objects of the institution, the forty-third anniversary of which they had met to celebrate; he looked upon it as an ornament to the church and a blessing to mankind. The Rev. R. Davies, M.A., read the report; it stated that the income during the past year had exceeded £115,000, a sum unprecedented in the history of this or any other religious society. The Lord Bishops of Barbadoes and Guiana had become vice-presidents, and the King of Prussia a member of the society. His Majesty had presented the society with a donation of £100, and had become an annual subscriber of £25. New Zealand, Eastern and Western Africa, Greece, India, and elsewhere, the missions were encouraging, and the call for mission. aries was more urgent than ever. In a short time the society would turn its attention to China, towards a mission in which country an individual, who wished to be unknown, had presented the munificent sum of £6000. Upon the motion of the Lord Bishop of Winchester, seconded by the venerable Archdeacon of Derby, the report was agreed to. A variety of resolutions were subsequently adopted, in the course of which Lord Sandon, M.P., the Reverend Augustus Hanson, government chaplain at the Gold Coast, the Hon. and very Rev. the Dean of St. Patrick's, the Rev. J. J. Neithecht, Mr. J. C. Colquhoun, M.P., and the Rev. F. Close, addressed the meeting. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The forty-ninth anniversary of this institution was held at Exeter hall, on Thurs. day, the 11th inst. The weather was propitious; and, at an early hour, the large hall was occupied by a highly respectable audience. At a quarter to ten, Sir George Grey, Bart. chairman, entered the hall, and was loudly cheered. The Rev. A. Tidman read an abstract of the report, which commenced by noticing the society's proceedings in the South Sea islands. After referring to the French ag gression upon Tahiti, it stated that in the islands were the gospel had been introduced in later years, and which had hitherto been preserved from the evils of popery, the rich reward already realised had been abundant, and the prospects of extended success were most cheering. In the island of Tanna, the spot on which the enterprising Williams planted the christian standard on the day before his martyrdom, two missionary bre. thren from England were now stationed. In South Africa the desert had begun to blossom as the rose. The stations north of the colony had been visited with gracious manifestations of divine mercy. Madagascar still remains under the cloud of that dark and mysterious dispensation which deprived the people of their teachers, and exposed them to the cruel vengeance of their inveterate and powerful enemies. Five additional martyrdoms had taken place during the year. The directors had sent forth during the past year, to various parts of the world, missionaries with their families, amounting (exclusive of children) to 23 individuals. The total amount of receipts during the past year had been £78,450 18s. 8d.; the expenditure, £85,442 5s. The speakers at this meeting were, the Revds. Dr. Chapman, A. Tidman, E. Bickersteth, J. J. Freeman, W. Bunting, James Parsons, Joseph Angus, J. B. Condit, J. Sherman, A. F. La Croix; C. Hindley, Esq., M.P. The following was one of the resolutions: "That this meeting hereby records its solemn protest against the violent and unjust proceedings on the part of France, by which the Queen of Tahiti and the native government have been deprived of independence. It reprobates, -as it deploresthe forcible establishment of popery among an unwilling but defenceless people, and it presents to the missionaries and churches in the island the assurance of its deep sym. pathy and fervent prayer under this severe trial of their faith and constancy." An Adjourned Meeting was held in the evening at Finsbury Chapel, which was ad dressed by F. Smith, Esq., Revds. J. J. Freeman, S Thody, J. Alexander, S. Haywood, W. Buyers, J. Arundel, G. Christie. G. Gogerly. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE annual meeting of this society was held May 1. The chair was successively occupied by J. P. Plumptre, Esq., M. P., and Thomas Farmer, Esq. The report was read by the Rev. E. Hoole, and the Rev. John Beecham. It began by stating that the committee deemed it expe. dient as in former years, to call the atten tion of the members and friends of the society, in the first place, to the financial statement, premising that it was necessarily made up only to the close of 1842, whereas in reporting the state and prospects of the missions, the committee availed themselves of the most recent information. The gross income received for 1842, from all sources, was 98,2531. 12s. 8d., being a decrease of income, as compared with 1841, of 3,4341. 9s. 8d. The gross expenditure of 1842 was 100,6631. 13s. 9d., being and increase of expenditure, as compared with 1841, of 1,9097. 6s.; and leaving a deficiency in the year 1842 of 2,410l. Is. Id. To meet this deficiency, there was the surplus of income over expenditure in 1841, 2,9331. 14s. 7d. By this addition of the surplus of 1841 to the real income of 1842, the deficiency of 1842 was wholly liquidated, and a surplus yet remains, towards the expenditure of 1843, amounting to 5231. 13s. 6d. After a very lengthened detail of the operations and prospects of the society in various parts of the world, it presented the following general summary :- Principal or central mission stations, called circuits, occupied by the society, in the various parts of the world enumerated in the preceding report Missionaries and assistant missionaries, including supernumeraries, and others who have for a time returned, or are returning, home.... Catechists, interpreters, school-teachers, &c., wholly employed at the expense of the society Sunday-school teachers and other agents whose services are only occasional and gratuitous, upwards of Full and accredited church members Scholars.. Printing Presses.............................. stract of the report. It briefly referred to the operations of the society and its auxili. aries in China, Java, Burmah, Assam, India, Ceylon, Australasia, New Zealand, South Sea Islands, West and South Africa, Spanish America, West Indies, New Providence, the United States of America, British North America, Newfoundland, Labrador, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Carintha, Lower Saxony, Wirtemberg, Iceland, Denmark, Russia, the Mediterranean, and adjacent countries. In noticing the home proceedings, the commitee expressed their regret at the retirement of Mr. John Davis, the Society's su. perintendent, the duties of which office he discharged for nearly twenty-four years, in a faithful and conscientious manner. The following grants of publications were reported :-For Sabbath day circulation, soldiers, sailors, and riverman; Home Missionary, District Visiting, City and Town Missions, Christian Instruction, and other kindred societies; British emigrants, prison. ers, hospitals, workhouses, railway work. men, fairs, races, foreigners in England, special occasions, public executions, convict ships, and other important objects, amounting to 1,677,936. Grants to Soctland, Wales, and Ireland, 302,557. The value of the foregoing grants is £2,668 18s. 106 libraries have been granted during the year to schools, destitute districts, and union 360 houses; also a grant of books value £60, at half-price, has been made to form libraries 590 for the police. The report further stated the proposals of the commitee for the forma. tion of factory libraries, and the issues of 93,680 cheap books, and their efforts to counteract 60,396 those principles which are opposed to the 7 Reformation. The new publications of the year were 218. Publications circulated amount to 16,469,551; making the total circulation of the society, in nearly 90 languages, including the issues of foreign societies assisted by the Parent Institution, to amount to nearly 377,000,000. The total benevolent income of the year amounts to £4,980 15s. 10d.; special donations received for China, to 31st March, £1,747 4s. 4d.; proceeds of sales, £43,064. 14s. 9d. Gratuitous issues amount to £6,649 7s. ld.; being £1,668 11s. 3d. beyond the amount of benevolent contributions, without any charge or expenses whatever thereon. Legacies, £999 19s. Total receipts, £52,605 7s. 9d. 265 4,500 The report concluded with an eloquent and affecting appeal on behalf of Protestant missions, in the new and trying circumstances in which they now seem likely to be placed by the efforts of Rome, aided by the power of France. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Drs. Hannah, Alder, Leifchild; by the Rev. Messrs. Jacobs (Pah tah-se-gay), Mortimer, Smith, Newton, Boyce, Huston, Turner, Stinson, Reece, and Jackson; also by M.A. Campell, Esq., M. P.; C. Hindley, Esq., M. P; Captain Woodward; and R. Wilson, Esq. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. This society held its Forty-fourth anniversary on Friday, May 5th. John Labouchere, Esq., presided, and the Rev. Dr. Hendersou offered prayer. William Jones, Esq., the corresponding secretary and superintendent, read an ab Addresses in proposing and sustaining the resolutions, were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. D. Wilson, J. Clayton, W. C. Wilson, J. B. Condit, (Portland, America,) A. W. Hanson, H. Hughes, J. Angus, T. Mortimer, G. Smith, and the Rev. Dr. Krummacher. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL sidered and amended [cries of "no, no, not SOCIETY Held its thirty-eighth anniversary on Monday, May 8th. Lord John Russell presided. Henry Dunn, Esq., read an abstract of the Report. It commenced by noticing the decease of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex. It then stated the general proceedings of the society. The new normal schools were opened in June last, when Lord John Russell presided. The female establishment is now approaching comple. tion. The amount raised is £17,087. The sum required to defray ail expenses, £21,500; £4500 must, therefore, yet be provided. The ladies' committee have raised £1045, and the teachers of the society have presented a donation of £250. During the year 207 candidates have been in training in the normal school; fifty-eight have been recommended to boys' schools; sixty two to girls' schools; thirteen have sailed for foreign stations; twenty-one have withdrawn; and fifty-three are now on the list. Owing to difficulties on the question of inspection, only fifteen applications have been made to the committee of council. The aid granted is £1577. The schools thus aided will accommodate 2504 children; and the cost of the buildings will be £5573. Forty-five schools have also been established, which have received no aid whatever from Govern. ment. The resolutions of the committee on the Factories Education Bill, the foreign operations, and financial affairs, were then noticed. The amount expended during the year, for general purposes, was £6863 13s, 2d.; the amount received, £6777 15s. 9d. Balance due to the treasurer on the expen. diture of the year, £85 17s 5d. The usual resolutions were moved and seconded by Earl Fitzwilliam, Lord Monteagle, the Rev. Drs. Reed and Alder, the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, the Rev. Messrs. Green and Burnet, Colonel Fox, M. P., and J. Barton, J. Cheetham, and J. Beldam, Esqrs. amended"], or rather he would say it had been altered [hear, hear]; and he had a right to assume, that as it now stood, it embodied the calm and mature determination of government on the subject of general education. The whole bill was illiberal and unjust. It was playing a game with the country with loaded dice. He would rather see the government come forward at once, in the manliness of an English spirit, with a direct and open measure to deprive the dissenters of the right to educate their own children. But by the altered bill the teachers must all be members of the Church of England. The bill, as it now stood, was, in fact, worse than it was at first. It was essentially illiberal, too, as it regarded the rate payers. It could not in this respect work as honest Englishmen would wish it to work. What he deemed most afflictive in the bill remained still unaltered-he meant its compulsory clauses. They had been told by the noble lord who had preceded him, that on the question of compul. sory education the public mind was not properly made up. His own mind was fully made up on that subject. He denounced all compulsion [long and reiterated cheering, with waving of hats and handkerchiefs]. It degraded education, and was contrary to the genius and spirit of the British constitution. The government bill was altogether compulsory, and its compulsory provisions were of a most hateful and abominable character. He was desirous that all that should be said there upon the subject should be said also in the house of Commons. It was alarming to him that there seemed to be so little sympathy on this question between the people's house and the people themselves [cheers]. He would charge the noble chairman to represent them and their opinions in parliament [great cheering]. The reverend gentleman here intimated, that all who were in favour of Lord John Russell thus becoming their representative, should signify the same in At this meeting the Rev. Dr. Reed de- the usual way, when the vast audience silivered an energetic speech: "They were all met there at a great crisis, on the important question of education, and not only so, but also at a crisis in the civil and religious liberty of the country. The proposed measure of the government, in reference to education in the factory dis. tricts, was designed to be experimental, and should it be found to succeed there, would become general throughout the country. It had now been before the country for some weeks, and had been emphatically answered by 13,000 petitions [cheers.] In deference to these petitions, the bill had been recon multaneously rose up, and responded with loud and reiterated cheers. He would ask his lordship to say, in his place in the house, that they would not have the bill [renewed cheering], that they wanted schools for all, without offending the consciences of any, that they would not trust the interests of religion to any particular denomination [cheers], especially to a church in whose bosom such dangerous errors were now springing up." HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. This society held its Twenty-fourth Anni versary, May 16, W. Alers Hankey, Esq. occupied the chair. now sets in upon our country, on the best means for resisting Sir James Graham's mischievous Education Bill, on the importance of a cheap denominational magazine, and on other measures connected with the progress of the denomination and the cause of Christ. There was an unusual feeling of solemnity thrown over the assembly, by the circumstance that, at the time of its sittings, the respected chairman's near connexion, the Rev. Dr. Fletcher, a brother beloved by all, was lying in a state of almost hopeless indisposition. When his former activity in the cause of Christ was called to mind, the lesson on every heart was peculiarly impressive. The Rev. Dr. Matheson read the report, from which it appeared that there were 150 principal stations under the care of the society. There were eighty missionaries, and seventy pastors preaching in villages; making 150 agents, the largest number ever connected with the society. The educational department had been much improved. A determined and persecuting spirit was directed against the Home Missions in almost every part of the country. In nearly every department of agency there had been an improvement, and an increase of numbers. Last year the number of schools was 204; they were now 210; the number of teachers, 1476, now 1700; the scholars 11,800, now COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 13,000. There had been opened, during the year, 61 new places. The agents preached the Gospel in 655 towns, villages, and hamlets, to nearly 50,000, in the midst of a population of nearly one million of souls. Last year the Bible classes amounted to 84, containing 1,150 persons; this year to 110, including 1,429 pupils. Upwards of 600 persons had been united in Church fellowship, nearly all the fruits of missionary labour. Last year the net income of the society was £7,169; this year, £7,788; but the expenditure during the same period was £9,334. The resolutions were moved and seconded by the Rev. Drs. Morison, Leifchild, and Matheson; by the Rev. Messrs. Stoughton, Stratten, Burnet, and Jackson; and by M. Fisher, Esq. CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND WALES. The meetings of this union of pastors and Churches was held at Crosby-hall, Bishops. gate, on Tuesday and Friday, the 9th and 12th of May. The Rev. J. Reynolds, of Romsey, in the chair. The attendance, especially of ministers, was highly encourag ing, and the spirit pervading the assembly was such as to indicate the cordiality and affection which obtain in the Congregational body. Deputations from Scotland, Wales, and America, were received by the union with demonstrations of lively joy, and the presence of the Rev. J. B. Condit, (the successor of Dr. Payson) from Portland, in the state of Maine, added greatly to the interest of the assembly. The annual letter, on Christian Love, drawn up and read by Mr. Stratten, of Hull, was full of holy counsels, richly illustrated by an appeal to the Word of God. Much interesting matter was laid before the union, on the subject of British missions, on the necessity of taking vigorous steps for resisting the tide of Puseyism which This Society held its seventh anniversary on May 13th. The chair was occupied by Lord Morpeth, and after singing and prayer, the Rev. A. Wells read the report, which gave a concise history of the society's labors at its various stations in Canada, New Zealand, and South Australia, during the past year. Such had been the depressed state of the colonies, that considerable aid had been required by the missionaries from the parent society. There were, however, indications of renewed prosperity in the colonies, and it was therefore hoped that the demands during the succeeding year being decreased, fresh scenes of usefulness might be occupied. There had been a very serious decline in the amounts of funds received; and had it not been for a legacy of £500, bequeathed by the late Mrs. James, of Birmingham, the institution would have been £1000 in debt. The meeting was addressed by C. Hindley, Esq., M. P.; the Rev. Dr. Vaughan; the Rev. Messrs. Binney, Burnet, Adkins, Freeman, Hill, and Smith (Sheffield); and by the treasurer, J. R. Mills, Esq. IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. The twenty-ninth anniversary of this society was held on Tuesday, May 9th. The chair was occupied during the evening by C. Hindley, Esq., M. P., and T. M. Coombs, Esq. Prayer was offered by the Rev. G. Rose. The Rev. G. Smith, one of the Secretaries, read the report. It gave a brief account of the labours of the agents of the society, and presented an encouraging view of the stations occupied by them. These stations are found in different parts of the country, some of them in districts in which the native Irish language is spoken. these latter the efforts of the missionaries are especially acceptable. Especial reference was made to the labours of the Rev. J. Godkin, whose talents as a lecturer on Popery and Puseyism are well known, and the In in its resources or usefulness. In Nottinghamshire the stations were for the most part healthy and vigorous. From the northern auxiliary cheering accounts had been received. From Pembrokeshire, Rutlandshire, Sussex, North Wilts, and East Somerset, and from the West Riding of Yorkshire, the reports were, upon the whole, highly satisfactory. The labours of Mr. Pulsford, the evangelist, had been greatly blessed. The report concluded by pressing on each auxiliary the importance of setting apart some one Sabbath in the year, most convenient to itself, for simultaneous Baptist Home Missionary collections through. out the district. effect of whose efforts are most gratifying trade, the auxiliary had not declined either and delightful. Crowds of listening auditors are attracted, amongst whom are to be found Protestants of all denominations, and often many Roman Catholics. The report al. luded to the great lack of books universally found, and the intention of the committee to attempt the sale of useful and religious works on a plan similar to that pursued by the colporteurs of France. The state of the funds was reported to be, upon the whole, such as to demand the grateful acknowledg. ments of the committee to their constituents, and to awaken confidence and hope for the future. But still, as extensive fields of labour present themselves in every direction, a considerable augmentation of the amount contributed must be realized before the efforts of the society will make that impres sion on the great mass of people which is so much to be desired. The report concluded with a powerful appeal to the friends of evangelical truth for larger contributions, to enable the committee, during the ensu. ing year, to carry out the more extensive operations contemplated. The resolutions were moved and sustained by the Rev. Messrs. Adkins, Blackburn, Sherman, Burnet, Gawthorne, T. James, and Dr. Morison. BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PRO. The first public meeting of this society was held April 24th, J. D. Paul, Esq. in the chair. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. A. Miller, and a report read by the Rev. Dr. Henderson; after which, resolutions were BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY The forty-sixth anniversary of this society was held on Monday, April 24th. John Heard, Esq., in the chair. The Rev. S. J. Davis, the Secretary, read an abstract of the report. The accounts from the Berkshire auxiliary were encouraging. The Cam bridgeshire auxiliary, in proportion to its means, had proved itself both vigourous and efficient. The accounts from Devon and Dorset were some of them highly in teresting. In the Isle of Wight the prospects were encouraging. In the Scilly Islands the lessee had caused notices to quit to be served at the chapels. In Lancashire, notwithstanding the general depression of From the treasurer's accounts, it appeared that the total receipts of the year were £5270 1s. 4d.; but the disbursements had so far exceeded the receipts, as to leave a debt of £526 17s. 9d. against the society. The speakers were Revs. Messrs. Barnes, Elven, Frazer, J. Edwards, (Nottingham,) Angus, Stovel, and Messrs. Robinson and Barker. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MISSIONS. The tenth London anniversary was held, April 27. W. Hamliton, Esq. presided, and after prayer had been offered by the Rev. Mr. Ferguson, the Rev. J. C. Burns made some interesting statements as to the operations and success of the society, and addressess were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Hamil. ton, Redpath, Scott, (Sweden,) Smith, (Greenock,) Cumming, Bunting, Burns, Lorimer, and the Rev. Dr. Stewart. LONDON CITY MISSION. The eighth anniversary of this society was held May 4. The chair was occupied by J. P. Plumptre, Esq., M.P. The report stated that the population of the metropolis, within eight miles of St. Paul's cathedral, amounted to 2,165,864 persons, for whom there were 350 churches and chapels belonging to the established church, providing sittings for 351,290 persons; and 447 places of worship not connected with the established church, providing accommo. dation for 250,228 persons; making a total of 601,518 sittings. The number of missionaries employed by this society at the present time is eighty-two. Since the last meeting, through the instrumentality of their missionaries, 163 persons had become members and communicants of the church of Christ. The gross receipts for the year amounted to £6741. 5s. 5d.; and the expenditure had been £6092. 12s. 9d. |