even of the common feelings of human nature. But how are we to provide for our aged fathers, and our broken down brethren-disabled in the service of God and of the Church by the superabundance of their labours? There must be a fund for this purpose, and as it would be injudicious and injurious to multiply funds, a Central Sustentation Fund would accomplish the object. Let a certain graduated sum be allotted to such cases, and the end would be answered. But without dwelling at greater length upon matters that must be obvious to all, we close with inculcating one point, which will soon force itself upon the attention of all our people, viz., that whether the fund be central or supplemental, a fund to meet the necessities of our present condition there must be, and that without loss of time. We have already said, that the want of some such fund must and does, as we know, operate to prevent ministers of the Irish and Free Church from joining us, and to induce some of our present ministers to return to Ireland, where there is a Regium Donum, and to Scotland where there is a Central Sustentation Fund. It is all very well for some to say, those ought not to be ministers at all, who are actuated by such motives? But that is not the question. We are not here concerned with what ought or ought not to be, but with what actually is. It is for this we are to provide, for actual existencies, and not for Utopian visions. And why ought not ministers to be actuated by such motives? Can any man say, that a minister ought to remain in England, with fifty pounds a-year, when he has only to go to Ireland or Scotland, where he can do as much good, and get three times the sum, at the very least? Or why look only at the minister's duty, but shut our eyes to the duties of the people? If it is the minister's duty to labour in the word, is it not the people's duty to support him? And if his own congregation are unable to do so, then the Church must step in and assist them. It is vain for men to talk, "Oh ministers should live as did the apostles." Ministers will have no objections whatever to do so, provided the people will act like the apostolic be lievers. We read that in the apostles' days, "those that had possessions went and sold them, and then came and laid down the proceeds at the apostles' feet," and received what the apostles were pleased to return them for their support. Would those who desire a return to the apostolic practice conform to this model? But to speak in solemn earnestness upon a serious enough subject, something must be done, and that right early too. Our ministers have too high a sense of propriety, too keen delicacy of feeling, too much regard for themselves and their office, to expose their difficulties, or dun men for their personal and domestic necessities. But we know their circum stances, we are acquainted with their sin in that matter required that they feelings, and as we have no personal interest to promote, no selfish feeling to gratify, in advocating their case, we ask any man to place himself in our position, and then say, whether he would not feel it his most bounden duty to call, in his loudest tones, the attention of the Church | to this most painful matter? And we are the more encouraged to proceed, that we know the more judicious, munificent, and influential lay members of our Church entertain precisely our own views, and are anxious only for some scheme by which our ministers' income may be augmented. We trust that before next meeting of Synod, some plan may be maturely organized for establishing a Sustentation Fund. We shall be glad to receive suggestions on the subject from any of our correspondents, and if they seem to us to deserve it we shall give them insertion in the "Messenger." GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRES- THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland closed its sittings before we went to press last month, but we had not space owing to a press of matter to notice any parts of their proceedings, and even now we can notice only two subjects that came before that venerable court. A memorial was presented, signed by some hundred individuals, praying the Assembly to repudiate its connexion with the State, and to renounce the Regium Donum. The Assembly refused to accede to the prayer of the memorial; and they did wisely and well. The matter being so far disposed of, it may be thought that we too should allow it to drop: and assuredly if we were indifferent to the maintenance of our principles, or to the well-being of the Sister Church, we would not write one more word about it; but as we conceive from the signs of the times that this is only the first of such memorials, and that year after year it is most probable the Assembly will be memorialized on the subject, we think it but an act of brotherly kindness, which our brethren are entitled to at our hands, that we should apprize them of the views which their friends on this side of the channel take of what is their duty in the matter. It is not necessary that we should enter into the argument on Church Establishments: that we regard as settled, at least so far as to justify those who hold our views in receiving a State endowment. Neither is it necessary for us to show that a sinful course on the part of the State does not necessitate the Church's repudiation of national support. Ezra and Nehemiah could not approve of the should reject his aid when granted for the dissemination of truth. The Scottish Covenanters could not approve of the State's endowment of "black prelacy," but they did not conceive that this furnished any ground why they should renounce their benefices. The Scottish Reformers, in the reign of James I., denounced many of that monarch's acts, and were not slow in telling him, his council, and his parliament, of their sins, but still they remained in their parishes. And why should Irish Presbyterians now refuse to follow the example of Ezra and Nehemiah, of Knox and Henderson, and Melville? In fact there is a fallacy and something worse in maintaining that if the State errs, the Church should at once renouncenot its patronage, for there is no patronage in the case-not an Erastian usurpation, for no such usurpation is here pretended, but that support which the State is bound by its allegiance to its great Sovereign to give, and the Church is entitled to ask. In relationships and alliances much more intimate than subsists between the Church and the State-that, for example, between husband and wife-the sin of the one does not warrant repudiation on the part of the other. But the proper illustration in this matter is not a husband and wife, but a trustee, and the parties for whom he acts. And will any one maintain that if a trustee errs in the mal-appropriation of a part of the funds committed to his charge, the parties entitled under the trust are to throw up the funds to which they possess a just claim ? That if the State errs, the Church is to renounce all connexion with it has never been a principle recognised or acted upon by the Church of Scotland. The only body we know of that ever put forward that principle are those commonly denominated Cameronians. But erroneous though we deem them to be on this point, they are at least consistent in "going through with it." They not only refuse, although maintaining the principle of an Establishment, to receive an endowment from what they consider a sinning State, but they also refuse to contribute to its support, except "for wrath's sake." They refuse also to accept of any Government employment, or to exercise any political rights, such as voting for a member of Parliament-and, in short, to do aught even in civil matters, which would tend to recognise even the civil rights of a sinning State. This, however erroneous, is at least honest. Granting the premiss, the conclusion is legitimate. Erroneous in political ethics it is sound in logic. In fact, there is no escaping from the consequence. If it is sinful for a Church to receive an endowment from a sinning State it must be equally sinful for an individual Christian. If it is sinful for the Church "Great King's" endowment of heathen- to perform her functions in alliance with ism, but they did not consider that his ❘ a peccant Government, it must at least be equally sinful for any of her members to perform any service which supports an erring Government and magistracy. And are our friends prepared to act out and out upon such principles? We hope not. But if not in one department, why should they in another ? We hope, therefore, our Irish brethren, so long as no Erastian interference is attempted with their spiritual affairs, will continue to receive their Regium Donum. Should the State, indeed, attempt to usurp their spiritual functions, or abridge their spiritual freedom, as she did with the Church of Scotland, then, but only then, our brethren ought to follow the noble example of the Free Church ministers. And we have no fear whatever but they would do so. But while we thus maintain that the Sister Church ought to retain her endowment, we as strenuously maintain that it is her duty to bear a loud and clear testimony against the sinful courses of the State. And this they have done. The Assembly has denounced in the strongest terms the recent endowment of Popery at Maynooth. This is as it ought to be. It is what we knew would be from the very first, for we know the character of our brethren too well to doubt them. The sin is flagrant: it cries to heaven for vengeance against a guilty nation. In the mysterious providence of God, even vital. But, if uniformity either of tenets or polity are essential to brotherly fellowship and friendly co-operation, we despair of ever seeing intercommunion of kindly feelings and action between the various branches of the Church of Christ. With our Wesleyan brethren we shall always esteem it a privilege to cultivate the closest fellowship, and co-operate in our common Master's cause. sures. In regard to the Scotch Church, is true there are points of difference be- with truth. Is it that these men wil- despotic states, the people suffer for the sins of their rulers, and how much more must this happen under representative governments? Our protests, therefore, and reclamations may not save us from our share of the national and secular calamities, but they will save us from personal guilt and future torments. Let us, therefore, continue to protest and use all legitimate and constitutional means to prevent further deviations on the part of the State from scriptural and Protestant policy; nay, let us put forth all our energies to undo the evil that has already been done. We are no politicians, and will neither by ourselves or others suffer the "English Presbyterian Messenger" to advocate any mere political measures. But we trust our friends will strain every nerve to strip Popery of all national support. Let the threatened consequences be what they may, the God who gave the victory to Gideon's expurgated, and therefore diminished band, will in our case also conquer by a faithful sacramental few, while he would discomfit a heterogeneous mass. "Woe unto them that go to Egypt for help." There is just one other subject that came before the Assembly, on which we intended to offer a remark, viz., the proposed Government Colleges in Ireland. But we perceive the Irish Church, as they well might, are not satisfied with the constitution of the proposed institutions. Indeed, the Government seem to be given over to a spirit of infatuation in all their educational and ecclesiastical mea fearfully as we anticipate the consequences of their acts, we have a Our Irish brethren disapproving of what appeared to be the intention of Government in regard to these new colleges, but hoping to induce our civil rulers to listen to the voice of truth, have appointed a Committee to endeavour to obtain proper adjustment of their claims. We wish them success, but dare not anticipate it. Men who have acted as Her Majesty's Ministers have hitherto uniformly and seemingly on principle done, can hardly now, even by the largest stretch of charity, be expected to pass any measure which can satisfy our Irish friends. In that case, the Irish Church must just adhere to principle at whatever cost, and the Belfast Memorialists who promised to provide so ample a substistute for the Regium Donum of the ministers, will have an opportunity of supplying an endowment to the professors, and bursaries to the students. The past history of Wesleyan Methodism proves that body to have been always distinguished for pre-eminent exertions in three great departments of ecclesiastical labour. First, the dissemination of the Gospel at home; secondly, the extension of Messiah's kingdom abroad; and, thirdly, the education of the young. The following condensed summary of the proceedings of the late Conference, which we extract from the "Witness," proves that the present generation of Wesleyans have not degenerated. One object we have, in giving the following document, is to stir up our own Church to emulate the exertions of our Wesleyan friends. We learn from the "Watchman," that the preparatory Committee of the One Hundred and Second Annual Conference have been in full activity, at Leeds, during the past week. This gives us an opportunity of learning, by official statements, the progress made by the Wesleyans in carrying out their spontaneous engagement to do all in their power to promote and improve the education of the poorer classes. These statements were made at the meeting of the General Committee on Educa tion, held Monday evening, when many on ministers and friends of education, not of that body, were also present. From the Report, which was read by the Rev. J. C. Pengelly, it appears that meetings to arouse an increased interest in this great object have been held in most of the circuits of the Society during the last year, and that the results of the appeals of Conference for pecu niary aid in its behalf, are as follows :Moneys promised in connexion with public meetings .£15,837 14 8 Still due, nearly £3,000 00 The Committee express a hope, now that the means are placed at their disposal, of proceeding early to vote grants towards the expenses of outfitting schools. Far the largest portion of the funds had been applied in the due selection and training of masters and mistresses. During the year 136 candidates had offered themselves for training,-44 had Glasgow WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE. | been accepted and sent to the Glas THE Annual Meeting of this body took seminary, 59 had been declined, 13 had withdrawn, and 20 remained under consideration. It was suggested that applicants should not be recommended who were destitute of requisite qualifications. There had been a decidedly increased demand on the Committee for teachers; and they had recommended to various Wesleyan schools 51 male and 7 female teachers, in addition to 4 trained at their own expense, and under the patronage 3,840 within the last few years in reducing chapel of the Society. All their candidates had been trained in the building connected with the Free Church of Scotland, and arrangements had been made provisionally for a large number. The project of the Normal seminary was not, however, abandoned. Sub-Committees would probably soon recommend to the schools a collection of works in the various departments of general knowledge which would be suitable to them; but a new series of lesson or reading books might be found desirable. The duty of having the school buildings free from debt was strongly urged in the Report on Local Committees. After announcing that the committee's agent had been engaged in visits of inquiry throughout the country, and in inspecting the training seminary at Glasgow and the schools near London, and that next year he would extend that inspection to other districts, the committee expressed a hope that the great work of scriptural education would be still more seriously considered and zealously pursued. Mr. Pringelly then furnished a variety of statistical details connected with Wesleyan education, of which the following is, we believe, a tolerably correct summary : SUNDAY SCHOOLS.-England the present year would not be less than 105,000l., and it was hoped that the income would reach that amount. There still remained an unliquidated balance for 1843 and 1844 of 4,7751., and there was also an outstanding debt of 3,000/., arising out of the extra expenditure for the Gold Coast. It was stated that there are new stations requiring eleven missionaries; none of these demands can at present be acquiesced in. There are claims on stations already formed for at least thirty missionaries, only fifteen of which can be now granted, without the prospect of involving the Society in further debt and difficulty." 100 to On Friday evening the adjourned meeting of the Committee for the review of chapel affairs was held. These concerns are exceedingly weighty, and of the deepest importance to the welfare of Wesleyanism. It appears that from 120 chapels have been erected annually for several years past; and the Chapel Building Committee, without whose permission chapel can be built or enlarged, during the last year gave permission for the erection of upwards of 130 chapels, the estimated expense of which is upwards of 50,000/. Nearly a quarter of a million of money has been expended no 35 3,875 403,061 3,776 406,837 following facts : "The receipts from January to June, 1844, were 23,6241. 10s. 1d.; those from January to June in the present year had been 31,7851. 16s. 4d.; an increase of 8,1611. 6s. 3d. The expenses during the first six months of 1844 were 53,8511. 6s. 1d., those for 1845 only 39,9721. 5s. 1d., a decrease of 13,879l. 18. The acceptances out in July last year, were 15,8247.; this year, 13,658l.; a diminution of 2,166l. The restrictive regulations of 1844 had operated effectually in reducing the debt, but no further reduction could be anticipated. It was calculated that the total expenditure of debts, which had become oppressively burdensome, and the great object of the Committee is to devise some means of preventing the recurrence of evils so detrimental to the progress of the work of God in this branch of the Church of Christ. CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS IN AID OF THE FUNDS OF THE CHURCH'S VARIOUS INSTITU TIONS. BEFORE these lines can reach our readers, we hope associations shall be formed in all the congregations. What now, therefore, remains is, that these associations be strenuously and systematically worked. The formation of such societies is worse than useless if they are not kept in active operation. It is an easy, and to some parties a very pleasant thing to meet together, draw up resolutions, makespeeches, frame regulations, and (so far as a mere waste paper constitution goes) form a society. But there the matter is very apt to "take end," just precisely where it ought to begin. Now what can be the use of such society manufacturing as this? The treasurer, where is he? What is the state of his accounts-his coffers? The collectors, what is their number-how employed-how succeeding? Is there life in the body, zeal, energy, enthusiasm? Do all parties really feel that they are engaged in a great and glorious cause? Do they realize the magnitude of their obligations, the dignity of their office, the sanctity of their avocations? Is it in the spirit of prayer they set out on their mission? Are they sensible that they are engaged in rearing the tabernacle of the Lord, contributing to the conversion of sinners, promoting the glory of their Divine Redeemer? And is it with a laggard step, a perfunctory spirit, an inanimate heart, that men and women should devote themselves to such work of faith and labour of love? Synod, at its last meeting, enjoined upon all Presbyteries: - " I. That Presbyteries shall take special care that associations be formed in all the congregations within their bounds, for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions and donations in aid of the funds of the Synod's various schemes. II. That Presbyteries shall give diligent heed that such associations are not only well organised, but kept in active operation; and for this purpose shall once a-quarter, at least, ascertain what sums have, since the preceding inquiry, been contributed by each congregation within the bounds, shall insert the same in their records, &c. [We hope this rule is observed throughout our Presbyteries.] VI. That inasmuch as the success of the various schemes must, under God, depend upon the manner in which the associations are organised and worked, it is a special instruction to all Presbyteries and congregations to have such associations organised without loss of time, and to see to their active and effective operation." It is also required by rule IV., "That each association shall elect its own chairman, treasurer, and secretary; shall, on the second Monday of each month, hold a meeting for associational purposes, and shall at such meeting pay such sums as may have been received during the past month, into the hands of its own treasurer, who shall, without loss of time, remit the same (according as each sum was destined by the donors) to the several general treasurers of the Synod's schemes, and shall also by next post communicate the amount to the Editor of the 'English Presbyterian Messenger,' in order to its being announced in the succeeding number of that publication." Now we really do hope that these regulations may not be allowed to remain inoperative. Hitherto our meetings of Synod have passed laws which have remained a mere dead letter. Ministers and Elders have had their hearts for the moment warmed, and have purposed great things when they should return to their respective localities; but the warmth seemed to have evaporated on the way homewards, and next meeting of Synod have found matters just as the last had left them; a good deal of very sensible regulations in the clerk's hand on the records, and that was all. But this state of things cannot continue. We are now in a better, a more hopeful condition. Our people are willing, nay, anxious to contribute; they need only to be called upon for their contributions, and occasionally stimulated to greater liberality. We hope, then, all our officebearers and members of committees and associations, will seriously ponder how much of our Church's success really rests upon their labours, and solemnly re alize their obligations to God and the Church. If this, only this, is done in the proper spirit, our success will be certain, instant, and glorious. into the communion of the visible Let it be borne in mind, that these It only remains that we exhort these associations to collect funds for all the schemes of the Church, the collectors entering each contribution under its proper head. There is no necessity for multiplying associations in a congregation: they would only jostle one another, and perhaps lead to worse consequences. One active association in each congrega- be at once acknowledged. tion is sufficient; but the association must feel that it acts for all our institutions-the College, the Home Mission, the Schools, and Foreign Missions. Each of these institutions may have a separate collecting card or book of its own, or what is perhaps simpler and better, one card or book divided into corresponding columns may answer for them all. If associations will apply to us, we shall be happy to furnish them with proper cards or books for the purpose. JUVENILE SOCIETIES. To the Editor of the Presbyterian Messenger. SIR, I felt pleased to find in the "Messen- tion, in connexion with St. Peter's Church, town fund of ten pounds Manchester, contributed the sum of ten pounds I think that example might, to a certain extent, be imitated by the juvenile friends of all the congregations connected with the Synod, were the minister, elders, deacons, or Sunday-school teachers but to make known to the children what our Church is doing, and the claims it has upon them for their assistance. At present I shall not enter into an enumeration of the benefits that might arise to our Church from having our youth educated in reference to her movements and her claims, for I know full well that many of your readers are much more able to write on this subject than myself. Hoping that they may do so, I remain, yours, &c., A SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER. [This is a very sensible letter. We hope our friend will immediately start a Juvenile Society in the congregation with which he is connected, and that the example will be followed by others. Our youth, our children, should be interested in the institutions of our own Church. Let a habit of giving to the cause of Christ be formed in them from their earliest years. May God give them grace to be more faithful than their fathers!-ED.] In the apostolic Church native converts were the pastors appointed to feed and preside over their brethren. The apostles, through the powers with which they were endowed, could furnish their converts with the requisite gifts for the due discharge of the pastoral functions. At present, however, missionaries cannot intrust the pastorate in the hands of their converts, who, though truly converted, are yet deficient in the necessary gift of teaching. But in the Free Church Institutions the students, while Heathens, are trained in all the branches of human knowledge. When, therefore, by the grace of God, they are regenerated, justified, and sanctified, they are at once prepared to become missionaries to their kinsmen according to the flesh, and thus minister, and sent forth to declare unto every convert may be ordained a native others the truths by which he himself was brought from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to the kingdom of God's dear Son. This proves the far-sighted sagacity of him who founded the Free Church India Mission Institutions, the enlightened principles on which they are based and conducted, and the vast importance, relatively as well as personally, of every conversion which happens within their walls. In other Missions a convert is merely a soul saved, but in the Free Church Missions there is in addition a minister prepared to preach the Gospel to others. The Mission Institution at Calcutta, previous to these conversions, was at tended by some twelve hundred pupils; and can any one rightly estimate the im portance of a seminary in which Euro- FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MISSION years to give the tone to native society? IN CALCUTTA. SINCE our last publication the most cheering intelligence has arrived regarding the success with which God has been pleased to bless the Free Church Missions in India. Seven young men, It has often excited our special wonder who had for years attended the Institu- in a Heathen community so constituted tion, and had made considerable progress was to be apprehended, and also that the in their studies, have received baptism, attendance at the Institution should, in and other two are under probation, of consequence, be diminished. Indeed, we whom there are no grounds to doubt that feared that, considering the powers which they too will, in due time, be admitted | Indian laws give the parents over their children, the pupils would be removed in a body. How much, therefore, did we feel our unbelieving fears rebuked, when we learned that only about three or four hundred had been forcibly withdrawn? And this notwithstanding an unparalleled panic excited by Pagan priests and Heathen devotees, and kept alive by the most false and fabulous rumours and aspersions on the Christian missionaries, and despite too of the opening of the rival Heathen Institution, to which we alluded in our last. We trust our brethren in Calcutta will thank God and take courage, and that their spirits will be cheered by the sympathy, support, and prayers of their brethren at home. That the present panic will soon pass away, that it has happened for the furtherance of the Gospel, and will be the means of drawing greater attention to the Christian faith and its Missions, we most confidently believe. MISSIONS IN CHINA. THE following paper is extracted from our able and pious contemporary, the "Border Watch," a journal which we take this opportunity of strongly recommending to such of our readers as take in only a weekly paper. It is published every Thursday by Mr. George Jamieson, Horse-market, Kelso, and has agents in most of the towns in the North of England. The "Border Watch" has strong claims the patronage of English Presbyterians. It takes deep interest in our affairs, and has done much to promote our prosperity.- [ED.] CONCLUDING REMARKS. In the former chapters of this series, we have attempted a very brief and necessarily imperfect sketch of the condition of the Chinese, and of the hopes and difficulties which are calculated to promote or to retard their evangelization. We shall now shortly review what we have already brought forward. Perhaps the scenes which we have scattered over so many pages, may excite more vivid emotions, if we collect them all in one picture, and make them visible at one glance. Before doing this, however, we must advert to the state of missionary operations in the Celestial Empire. We have already alluded to the Jesuits, whose zeal and unprincipled determination bore down all opposition, and established them in the very court of the Emperor at an early period. The varying favour of the emperors was insufficient to subdue their indomitable resolution, and in sunshine and storms they laboured on-unscrupulous about the means, but never, for a moment, forgetting the end they had in view. Success, extraordinary, came to reward their exertions, and to stimulate their zeal. Princes of the blood-royal became converts to their opinions, and though some of them were at different times put to death, yet they were never utterly extirpated; and persecution only added fuel to the flame (as a crown of martyrdom was far more ardently desired than the glory of success). But what conversions were theirs? Observing the similarity which existed between many of their own superstitions and ❘ of usefulness thus afforded, the Jesuits were | Gospel. All these circumstances are favour the religion of the Budhists, they came to the conclusion that their opinions were substantially the same. So, by demolishing a turret here, and raising a pile there; by making some alterations in one place, and consenting to not a few compromises in another, they brought the two religions within no great distance of each other, so near, indeed, as to denude conversion of its glory. They looked at the superstructures (which were both the works of men's hands), and judged entirely from them, while they forgot to examine the foundations on which each were raised. They adopted, for the name of God, the Budhist name of Tien (or Heaven)-forgetting entirely to dissipate, at the same time, the ideas with which that name was associated. However, let there rather be corrupted Christianity than no Christianity at all. The man who has emerged from the thick darkness of Heathenism, into the cloudy, yet to a certain extent, luminous, atmosphere of Popery, has made a great step. If his conversion be the result of conviction, the inquiring mind which has led him thus far, (if its workings are not trammelled by the mother Church, which arrogates to itself the exclusive right of saying what is to be believed,) will not be content to remain in the mist, and cease to think for itself. The same God who made Pascal a Protestant, in the midst of Romanism, may cause a beam of heavenly light to pierce the cloud, and create a day in the bosom of the night. But it is a fearful alternative-Popery or Heathenism, and we have to bless God that the Chinese are not absolutely reduced to the choice. At the commencement of 1807, Dr. Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to China, set sail for Canton. After leaving Romanism in undisputed possession of the scene for upwards of five centuries (for the first Popish mission was despatched by Innocent IV. in the first to take advantage. The English and American Protestants followed slowly in their wake. Scotland, with its sometimes criminal caution and deliberation, has, as yet, done little or nothing; and it was with the view of exciting within our little sphere some interest in China, and some pity for the souls of its numerous inhabitants, that we have written the chapters which have occupied our attention for so many weeks. Here is a country with three hundred mil able, and point out China as a more hopeful field for missions than most countries on the globe. That difficulties will be found, we must expect. The character and manners of the people are decidedly unfavourable. We have to do with a Government noted for jealousy and caprice, and we have little reason to hope that its conduct towards us will be different from what it has been in times gone by, when encouragement and persecution pursued each other in quick succession. The tating incessant labour, will also act unfavourably; but what are these difficulties compared with the insurmountable ones which are generally supposed to exist. As long as we have or no physical obstacles to contend with, to conduct missionary operations in China will be comparatively easy. few lions of inhabitants, of whom not many hun-over-populated state of the empire-necessidreds have heard the glad tidings of salvation, One would think that the mere statement of such a case were sufficient to rouse all to action, but this it has not done; we are met on every side by objections. The Government is so jealous, that an entrance into the country cannot be obtained; the language is so difficult, that the acquisition of it is next to impossible: intercourse with the natives is strictly prohibited; preaching is on no account allowed, and even the reading of the Scriptures is reckoned a crime by the Legislature. Such is a sample of the excuses made by many for their indifference to China. They say: "Our efforts at present would be vain: we will wait and see what God will do; perhaps he will cause some mighty revolution in the Government, or in the feelings of the Chinese, which will make the way open before us." Now, is such a consummation a reasonable object of expectation? Can we expect that God will put forth his power in a miraculous manner? Can we ever hope that, without some exertion on our part, the Chinese will become Christians? The conduct of the clown, who determined not to attempt crossing till the water in the river had rolled past, was wise compared with the behaviour of those who look on with indifference, while the "sea of death" is rolling its black waves over a mighty empire, and who lift not a hand to stay its progress or to neutralize its effects. They wait, forsooth, to see if its face 1246,) the sleeping zeal and energy of Pro-will not becoine more calm and smooth ere testantism were roused, and, to the everlasting honour of the London Missionary Society, the mighty empire of China was included in their schemes of holy conquest. Without entering into the historical details of this mission, (for which our limits are entirely disproportionate,) we may mention that Dr. Morrison was speedily joined by Dr. Milne, Mr. Medhurst, and others, who, though they were prohibited by the Government from occupying the same scene with the father of the mission, yet assisted him materially in another place; that, through the exertions of Dr. Morrison, an Anglo-Chinese College was founded, from which much good has resulted; that the Bible and many other books were translated into the language of the country; that a grammar and dictionary of the Chinese tongue were speedily composed, which has obviated a difficulty long and deeply felt; and that, in short, though many conversions were not made, the devoted men who founded the mission, by acting as pioneers, have conferred both on China and on future missionaries, benefits which are altogether incalculable. The war which was carried on between this country and the Celestial Empire a year or two ago, gave a temporary shock to the operations of the missionaries, but out of that evil there has resulted much good. The little stream that flowed slowly and with difficulty through the stones and rubbish which everywhere impeded its progress, was stopped, for a ime, altogether; but when the obstruction was removed, it rushed with its accumulated waters over a bed far more smooth and even than before. Of the increased opportunities they venture to throw a straw to the drowning wretches who cannot help themselves. Thus, even were the objections true, those who are indifferent to China would be inexcusable; but indifference must not only be inexcusable, but criminal, when it is known that the objections are not valid. However difficult it may be for any one to ance with its structure will convince any one Intercourse with the natives is not strictly but a feeble resistance. The Chinese are a thinking people, and the missionary has not, And now we appeal to all if something should not be done towards the evangelization of the Chinese. Three hundred millions of human beings perishing for lack of know. ledge! This should be sufficient to rouse the Christian's feelings; but there are circumstances connected with these myriads which would rouse to action the merely benevolent man of the world. Night after night a cart rattles through the streets of Pekin. It sets out empty, but as it passes on its conductor hears a faint cry, as if from some deserted child. It is what he seeks. With rude hands he tosses it into his vehicle, and proceeds on his way. Another and another experiences a similar fate, and when the load is completed, the whole are thrown with careless indifference into a pit prepared for them. Will a parent not feel for them? To take another example-the condition of the Chinese women. Although they are not called by the name, they are really slaves, and are treated in a far more barbarous way than are many in that condition, even in America. Suicide among them is an every day occurrence. It is the only resource left them of terminating their miseries. Have the ladies who compassionate the Hindoos no pity for those of their sex in China, who are a thousand times more wretched? An association is forming at present in behalf of Syria. Is there no one to pity the poor Chinese, and to form an association in behalf of them? Will the energies of the Free Church be contented with their present sphere of action? There are yet many countries to conquer, and if she has the missionary spirit which she appears to have, she will extend her lines, and endeavour to obey more nearly to the letter, the command of our Saviour, "Preach the Gospel to every creature." N. We intimated in our last number, that application had been made to a minister of the Free Church, specially qualified for the service, to become missionary to China. It is with very great concern we now state, that the party applied to has declined the office. Whether he may not yet be induced to consent, remains in the hands of God; but, at all events, the Committee will not be inactive in their efforts to obtain a fit man for this mission. We trust our friends will not relax their exertions in obtaining contributions for the Mission to China. Manchester, St. Peter's-square Church, we rejoice to hear, has contributed already upwards of 100l. by private donations in aid of the funds. Let all other Churches go and do likewise. 1 |