The missionaries* at Belgaum have widely dispersed numerous copies of the Scriptures and tracts, in five different languages; and have been delighted to witness many pleasing and useful effects of this happy mode of disseminating Christian knowledge. Beside frequently visiting the Hindoo fairs, in the country immediately surrounding Belgaum, for this purpose, they have also availed themselves of many opportunities for distributing books during the course of several extensive journeys. In these journeys they have derived much encouragement in their work, from their personal reception by the natives, the attention with which their addresses have been listened to, and the evidence which has been afforded, from time to time, that the Scriptures and tracts circulated are read by the natives. The number of portions of Scriptures and tracts distributed, during the year 1830-1831, exceeded 11,000. From the commencement of the mission, Christian worship has been statedly performed in English, for the benefit of the Europeans. Services held on the Sabbath, both in the Fort and in the Camp, have been well attended by the military, some of whom have acknowledged the benefit they had received, and have adorned their profession of Christianity by a holy life. In 1822 twenty Europeans, chiefly belonging to the British army, were united together in church-fellowship. When the chapel was erected, in 1829, English, as well as native services, were performed therein; but the European congregation, being composed chiefly of the military, still retained the fluctuating character by which it had been previously marked. If some, however, by removals, to which the military profession is constantly liable, were deprived, for a time, of the privileges of the gospel, others, who came to occupy their places, were admitted to the enjoyment of them. In 1821 an institution was established in Belgaum, called the Belgaum Association; the object of which was to aid the funds of the Society, in conjunction with those of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the Religious Tract Society. The sums contributed to the Association, and annually distributed among these different institutions, have been on the aggregate considerable, the contributions having been well kept up, year after year, from the commencement to the present time. As the general result of the labours of the missionaries in this part of India, we are able to state the conversion of not a few to Christ-the moral and spiritual benefit of many-the extensive diffusion of Christian truth-the decline of prejudice among the people-that even the Brahmins and Gooroos themselves shrink from argument, and cease to defend their system-conceding that Hindooism does not provide for the pardon of sin, and is not fitted to become an universal religion: In considering the results of this mission, thus briefly described, may the members of the Society be led, while they offer praise to God for what, by his providence and his grace, has been already effected, earnestly to supplicate the continuance of his blessing, so that this people of many languages may, like those assembled at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, become, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, united in mind and heart, "in one accord;" the Lord adding daily to the church at Belgaum, as he then did to the church at Jerusalem, such as shall be saved! Amen. Austin Friars, 9 July, 1832. During the last two or three years, Mr. Beynon, who was at first stationed at Bellary, has laboured in connexion with the mission at Belgaum, to which place he finally removed in about June, 1830. ANNIVERSARIES, &c. PEMBROKESHIRE ENGLISH AUXILIARY. The anniversary meetings of this Society tommenced at Haverfordwest and Milford, on Sunday, the 10th of June, when the cause of missions was ably pleaded by George Bennet, Esq., of London, and the Rev. S. Curwen, of Frome, aided by the Rev. W. Warlow, of Milford, and the Rev. E. Shadrach, of Aberystwyth. On the following Tuesday a public meeting took place at Milford, where J. L. Morgan, Esq., M. D., of Haverfordwest, presided. On Thursday the public meeting at Haverfordwest was held in the Tabernacle, when Mr. Bennet was called to the chair. On the preceding Monday and Wednesday, Messrs. Bennet and Curwen, accompanied by the secretary, visited Rosemarket, and Tiers Cross, and Keyston, and Walfsdale, where, notwithstanding the very unfavourable state of the weather, and with the exception of one of the morning services, the places of meeting were well filled, and the country people much impressed and gratified with Mr. Bennet's communications. On the following Friday evening a public meeting was held at Pembroke Dock, when John Lewis, Esq., of Henllan, took the chair; and though this meeting was thinly attended, in consequence of an illumination in the town, the liberality of the people, in the cause of missions, exceeded that of former years. On Sunday, the 17th, sermons were delivered at Pembroke, by the Secretary, Rev. J. Bulmer, of Haverfordwest; after which Mr. Bennet addressed the congregation, morning and evening. At the same time, the Christian liberality of the friends at Tenby was excited by the appeals of Mr. Curwen, which were renewed at a public meeting, held on the Monday evening, at which Mr. Bennet presided. On the following morning Mr. Bennet met a considerable number of ladies, and some gentlemen, at Pembroke, who were gratified by the inspection of several curiosities relating to missionary enterprise, and in listening to descriptions and remarks connected with them. In the evening the public meeting was held, as usual, at the Town Hall, where Dr. Morgan again presided. On this occasion, the Missionary Association, recently formed at Pembroke, was recognised; and, in addition to the other speakers, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. Thomas Harries, the Rev. Mr. Smith (Wesleyan Minister), the Rev. Mr. Warlow, and Mr. Joseph Thomas. concluding services took place on Wednesday, at Narberth, where, after a Welsh ser The mon in the morning, Mr. Bennet spoke at some length, and produced a highly favourable impression. In the evening, Dr. Morgan was once more called to the chair, and the chapel soon became crowded with a very attentive audience. Mr. Bennet's communications were then resumed, and chiefly occupied the time of the meeting. On his account, indeed, the customary resolutions were generally dispensed with, that more time might be given him, under the impression that an opportunity of listening to so extensive a voyager and traveller was not likely to occur again. The whole of the above meetings, it may be truly added, were such as to exceed the expectations of those concerned in the arrangement of them; and it is hoped that the good feeling excited will not speedily subside. NOTTINGHAM. On Sabbath-day, June 17th, sermons were preached in behalf of the Nottinghamshire Auxiliary Society, at Castle-gate, Friar-lane, James'-street, and Barker-gate Chapels, by the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, J. Clayton, Jun., and W. Scott. On Monday morning, about two hundred friends of the Society breakfasted together in the Exchange Hall; and on Monday evening the anniversary meeting was held in the same place; after prayer by the Rev. R. Weaver, of Mansfield, the report was read by the Rev. R. Alliott, Jun., from which, and from a very interesting statement afterwards made by the Rev. J. Clayton, it ap peared that there are 144 different stations and out-stations where missionary operations are carried on; that 54 Christian churches have been formed, consisting of 4,771 communicants; and that 391 schools have been established, in which about 22,000 children are educated. The various resolutions were moved and seconded by Rev. R. Alliott, J. Clayton, Jun., J. Gawthorn, Dr. Wardlaw, W. Scott, J. Edwards, W. Pickering, and Messrs. Boothby and Wilson. On Sabbath afternoon, the members of the different religious societies celebrated together the ordinance of the Lord's supper, on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw presided, and the Rev. J. Clayton, and W. Scott, addressed communicants and spectators. On Tuesday evening, the peculiarly interesting services connected with this anniversary closed, when the Rev. J. Gawthorn and J. Gilbert prayed, and Dr. Wardlaw preached in Castle-gate Meeting-house. The collections after the various services amounted to £137, being £37 more than on the last occasion. MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS. The Officers of Auxiliary Societies are earnestly requested to accompany their Remittances with correct Lists, having the Names of Places and Persons alphabetically arranged, as in the Society's Annual Report. Collections, Anonymous Donations, and all other Donations of £5, and upwards, received from 3rd April to 31st May, 1832, inclusive.] |