LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

NECESSITY FOR INCREASING THE PERMANENT INCOME OF THE SOCIETY TO AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ITS ORDINARY EXPENDITURE.

Extract from the Annual Report of May, 1848.

"THE state of the Society's Funds has demanded the most serious consideration of the Board. For seven years past, the average Expenditure has exceeded the ordinary Income by £9,000 per annum. This large and continued excess in Outlay has arisen chiefly from the extension of the Society's Missions in Polynesia and the West Indies-the former under the delightful and stimulating details of the devoted Williams; the latter from the urgent claims arising from the Abolition of Slavery throughout our Colonies. Although these enlarged efforts have involved a degree of financial embarrassment, which has sometimes awakened the painful anxiety of the Directors, the blessed results not only forbid regret but demand thanksgiving. Thousands of miserable Savages in the Isles of the Pacific are now rejoicing in the love of God, and living in love with one another; and thousands of Emancipated Negroes in Jamaica and British Guiana are triumphing in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free.

"This large and continued excess of Expenditure, amounting during the last seven years to more than £63,000, has been met-as every Annual Report and Balance Sheet of the Society shew-by the sale of Funded Property, the amount of the Jubilee Fund, and the produce of occasional Special Efforts. But these sources of extra supply are nearly exhausted; and this fact, accompanied by the unprecedented commercial vicissitudes of the past year, induced the Directors to adopt precautionary measures, in order to maintain the high credit of the Society, as well as the comfort and efficiency of its Missionaries.

"The recent Special Appeal of the Directors to their more affluent Friends was, however, made with great reluctance: such a measure, they think, can only be justified on rare occasions, and by the strongest necessity; and while they are gratified with the issue, they are constrained to state-as the result of deliberate calculation—THAT TO CONTINUE AND CARRY OUT, ON THE PRESENT SCALE, THE EVER-EXTENDING OPERATIONS OF THE SOCIETY, A PERMANENT AUGMENTATION OF ITS INCOME, TO THE AMOUNT OF FROM £8,000 To £10,000 PER ANNUM, IS INDIS

PENSABLE.

"Such an amount, though large in itself, would not press heavily, if divided among the numerous Auxiliaries throughout the country. An increase of one-fifth only on the present scale of Contributions is required. Let the wealthy give as God hath prospered them-let the poor do what they can'-and especially let an improved system of Missionary Organization, that shall include all classes, be adopted, and the Directors trust that the requisite increased amount may yet be realised. But, if this be not accomplished, the alternative is inevitable: faithful Labourers, ready to spend and be spent in their Redeemer's service, must be recalled; and fields already white unto the harvest must be abandoned."

To the importance of the case presented in the foregoing Statement, the Directors most urgently invite the serious consideration of the Friends of the Society, both at home and abroad. The recall of Missionaries and the abandonment of Missions would be an unparalleled event in the Society's career, and the possibility of such an occurrence it is most distressing even to contemplate; but

the Directors are compelled to repeat their statement, that such a measure must become a painful reality, unless the Funds of the Society can be permanently augmented.

To avert this dreaded necessity, nothing however is required but the adoption of the means suggested in the preceding extract from the Society's Report. The addition of one-fifth to its ordinary Income, the Directors believe to be practicable, and not difficult, if the effort be made by all classes of its numerous and devoted supporters. It only requires that every Friend of the Society should augment his contribution in that proportion-that the Subscriber who, from the fruit of his industry, has hitherto given a Penny per week or one Shilling per quarter, should add one Shilling more to his offerings for the year, and that the Annual Subscriber of a Guinea should advance to 17. 6s., or as much beyond that moderate limit as his means may permit.

In the case of Annual Subscriptions, the Directors are indeed strongly convinced that it behoves the Friends of Missions seriously to review their scale of contribution. A large majority of this class of contributors have hitherto satisfied themselves with the very inadequate sum of a single pound or guinea. The wealthy often give no more, while the names of their humbler neighbours are found in the same list as equals in contribution; and this measure of support, which might be suitable in aid of a school or some other local charity, is all that is afforded to a cause involving the Christian education of multitudes and the salvation of the heathen world. If the Scriptural rule of proportion were uniformly honoured by the friends of the Society, and every contributor gave weekly or annually as GOD HATH PROSPERED HIM, the dread of recalling faithful Missionaries would never be entertained, but, on the contrary, more Labourers might be sent forth to reap the fields already white.

To accomplish the necessary increase, however, regular and systematic efforts are indispensable, and if the effective measures applied by some of the Pastors of our Churches were adopted by all, the result would prove no less surprising than delightful. An inspection of the Society's Report will prove that several Congregations both in London and the Country, neither distinguished by wealth nor numbers, contribute annually a larger amount than all the Churches of a County; and this applies not to a single County, but to several. Now, it cannot be doubted, that in these districts the aggregate number of Friends of the Society is tenfold that of each of the particular Congregations referred to, and their amount of resources is unquestionably also much greater; but, in the one case, there is an Association including all classes, wisely formed and zealously worked by the Minister, from the beginning of the year to the end of it, while the contributions of the other are restricted to an occasional, or at most an annual effort.

Most respectfully and earnestly, then, the Directors entreat the co-operation of their Ministerial Brethren and others in this effective form of operation, and it will afford them peculiar gratification to aid in the formation of such Congregational or District Associations, by a supply of suitable Publications, Collecting Cards, and Missionary Boxes, on receiving applications to that effect. Or should the assistance of one of their Officers or Agents be deemed desirable in commencing such a course of regular operations, it will be cheerfully and promptly rendered whenever requested.

DEATH OF THE REV. JOHN LOCKE.

In addition to the announcement of this deeply lamented event contained in our last number, it affords us a mournful gratification to present the annexed details, derived from correspondence since received. A Christian friend, Mr. Tudhope, one of the members of the Church at Graham's Town, addressing his brother-inlaw, Mr. George Gray, of Hackney, who also held the same relationship to our deceased brother, writes, May 13, to the following effect :

MY DEAR BROTHER,-I have the painful task to inform you that dear Brother Locke departed this life at Port Elizabeth, on Sabbath morning last, and was buried here yesterday. I believe you have already received letters, informing you that his proposed voyage home was interrupted by the wreck of the vessel, in which he had taken his passage for his native country. His luggage was on board, and he himself had made all arrangements for departure on the following day. But God's ways are not our ways. A violent storm arose, the ship was driven on shore, and soon became a wreck. During this time poor Mr. Locke, and other friends, visited the spot with a view of saving his goods, when, I believe, he caught cold, as he was shortly afterwards attacked with dysentery, and, after suffering for about three weeks, he left this world in the full hope of a glorious resurrection.

On hearing of his illness I hastened to Port Elizabeth, a distance of about one hundred miles, and found him much worse than I had expected. From the time he was taken ill, he never entertained the smallest hopes of recovery; and from the report of his medical attendants, after a post-mortem examination, little hopes could be entertained of his reaching home, had he been permitted to embark, in the state of his health on leaving Graham's Town. This affords a melancholy satisfaction in reviewing all the mysterious providences connected with our departed brother, and his dear family. During the whole period of his illness he manifested the greatest tranquillity of mind. Never have I been more impressed with the infinite value of the glorious Gospel, than in observing its effects on the mind of our beloved Brother. On one occasion he said, "I have no rapturous feelings, but the same confiding reliance upon the merits of my Saviour that I have been accustomed to enjoy." On first seeing me after my arrival at Port Elizabeth, he said, "You have come to my funeral." hope not," said I, "we cannot spare you yet; but if so, is it not all well?" he exclaimed," long ago. I repose on Christ as my foundation. I have exhorted my people to do so. I exhort them to do so still." He left his family and friends without regret, having again and again committed us all to the care of our Heavenly Father. He died, at last, without a single struggle, literally falling asleep in Jesus. O blessed, blessed indeed are they who die in the Lord!

"I "All well,"

This event has excited universal regret throughout the whole Colony, for Mr. Locke was very much beloved. Mrs. Locke does not think now of leaving Graham's Town. She is surrounded by many kind friends, who will allow her to want nothing that can in any degree alleviate her sorrows. Supported by the rich consolations of the Gospel of peace, she bears her trial with the most exemplary resignation and fortitude.

The next communication, dated July 27, is from a medical friend, Dr. Minto, late of Graham's Town, but now residing at Maidstone, Kent, also addressed to Mr. Gray :

MY DEAR SIR,-Yesterday afternoon I received a letter from Dr. Chalmers, the gentleman who attended my dear friend Mr. Locke in his last illness at Port Elizabeth, giving me an account of that illness, and I regret to say, of its fatal termination. Dr. Chalmers is a man of exalted piety, and he had a great esteem for Mr. Locke. Mr. L.'s disease was dysentery, which Dr. Chalmers says was epidemic, at that time, at Port Elizabeth. You have most

probably received an account of the particulars, but lest this should not be the case, I will give you the non-medical part of Dr. C.'s letter :

"We were all led to say how mysterious are the ways of God, when the Johanna was wrecked; and again, when Mr. L. was taken ill, three days before the steamer was to sail-the baggage all on board. On the 19th of April, symptoms of deranged stomach came on; and, after taking a common dose of rhubarb and magnesia, dysentery set in, ushered in by faintness and a feeling of mortal depression, and from that time he seemed impressed with one idea, namely, his last illness."

Then follows a description of the treatment, which Dr. C. thus concludes-" At threeand-a-quarter A. M. of the Sabbath, he quietly breathed his last breath, without a sigh or groan; Mrs. Chalmers, Mr. Robson, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Campbell, and the faithful servant Elizabeth, being present."

On the third day of his illness he had been moved from Mr. Campbell's house, nearly a mile out of town, to the Rev. Mr. Robson's, for the purpose of being near Dr. Chalmers. In allusion to this Dr. C. goes on to say, "I was thus enabled to give him my constant attention he had many friends, who, night and day, attended to his wants, and he was a pattern of patience and resignation. On the Sabbath previous to his death, he was seized with hiccup and great lowness, and all became alarmed: he rallied, however, and, during the week, had but a slight return of these symptoms. Stimulants seemed to do him harm, and he only took a teaspoonful or two of food at a time, and this no doubt was against him; but how patient, grateful, affectionate, and tractable he was the whole time! His expressions frequently were full of faith and joy. On Saturday, (the day before his death), he said to me in the morning, Still here you see.' At 1 P. M., the pulse sank, and on being summoned, I found him feeling faint and depressed. I saw the change, and told him (after he had remarked, that he should like to have passed another Sabbath in the house of God), that he would most likely be in God's own temple-'Ah, well, be it so! I wait the conflict with joy. I commend you all to God-commend me to Him-and thank you for all your kindness!'

"Mr. Tudhope had made arrangements for the immediate removal of the body to Graham's Town, and measures were taken to prevent decomposition, so that his numerous friends might see his face once more. The coffin was suspended in a wagon, and Mrs. Locke and family, with Mr.Thompson as their companion, left this place in another wagon, at 10 A.M. to-day, (8th May), followed by a large procession of friends and acquaintances; the Commandant Brown, and the soldiers of the 91st regiment stationed at Port Elizabeth; as far as the outskirts of the town. A hymn was sung, and the Rev. Mr. Robson having offered a prayer, we parted.

"It was a solemn scene. He who had but three Sabbaths ago preached to us; whose lips and mouth addressed us on the last communion-season; were yesterday sealed by death. One of his sermons, preached a month ago, was-The hour of my departure is at hand.' The last text was Matt. v. 4.-' Blessed are they that mourn.'

We cannot omit this opportunity of expressing our very grateful sense of the generous and unwearied services rendered by Dr. Chalmers of Port Elizabeth, to our departed friend and brother, as well as the similar disinterested kindness he has uniformly manifested towards many of our Missionary brethren in that part of the colony, who from time to time have needed medical advice and treatment for themselves or their families.

The concluding statement is from one of our Missionary brethren at Port Elizabeth, Mr. Passmore, who adds some very interesting particulars of the last hours of our lamented brother, and bears the most gratifying testimony to his Christian graces under suffering, and the holy calm which marked his departure :—

You will doubtless have learnt from some source that Mr. Locke had intended to proceed with his family to England. We were all indulging the hope, that, with the blessing of God,

he would shortly return to his flock, and to his work, with recruited health and re-invigorated powers; but God has otherwise ordained. His work is done-his labours are ended-he has entered into his rest. There seems to have been a mysterious Providence in all the events which have recently taken place. Almost every link in the chain seemed inexplicable, till the last and concluding one, which explained the rest.

A few months ago, two of his little ones were taken away, and his own health was so shattered that a voyage to England and entire rest appeared absolutely necessary. But, two days before the time fixed for sailing, during a gale of wind, the ship parted her cables, and came on shore a complete wreck-this caused two weeks' detention, the next arrangement being to go to Cape Town by the Steamer, and take a vessel from thence to England. A second time were his goods embarked, when, within a day or two of sailing, he was seized with dysentery. Still we hoped that, by the return of the Steamer, he would be so far recovered as to be able to prosecute his original purpose: such we hoped with regard to him; but he, on the contrary, from the first, said that he should not recover. His presentiment was verified, although everything that affection or medical skill could suggest was done for him; yet nothing could stop the progress of the disease, and on the Sabbath-morning of the 7th instant, eighteen days after he was attacked, he breathed his last. From a post-mortem examination, it appeared that his system was so much diseased, that, in all probability, had he not been attacked here as he was, his voyage would have been to no purpose, and, in the event of his being seized with illness on board, that, most probably, he would not have lived to reach England.

This appeared like a solution of much that had before been difficult to understand. His family was saved an useless and expensive voyage, and he had the satisfaction of spending his last moments, surrounded by Christian friends, with the expectation that his remains would be placed by the side of his little ones, near to that place which had been the scene of his labours. It is quite possible likewise that God had a gracious intention in his occasional labours amongst us, while waiting for the sailing of the vessel. There was something very marked in these services, and a deep impression appeared to be made on many. His choice of subjects was likewise peculiar, and almost prophetic, considering that, at the time, he had had no intimation of the illness which removed him. His texts were- "Wherefore do the wicked live?"-Job xxi. 7. "For I am now ready to be offered," &c.-2 Tim. iv. 6, 7. "Paul's address to the Corinthian Church."-1 Epis. xv. 58. And his last sermon was from our Saviour's words-" Blessed are they that mourn," &c.

His patience under his extreme sufferings was very great. He was not able to converse much; but we could often hear him repeating some of the promises, or parts of hymns which contained some cheering truth. As he leant on me for support, during one of his intervals of suffering, I could just catch the following words :

"His love, in times past, forbids me to think
He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink."

At another time :

Once, when he appeared

"When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee." almost overcome with the pain he endured, I said to him, "What must be the condition of those who, equally afflicted with you, have no God to whom they can look for support ?" when, turning to me, he replied, "Awful, awful indeed! mine is nothing to theirs." Sometimes he would say "It will soon be over-it can't last long." At an early period of his illness I suggested to him, that I hoped, with God's blessing, soon to see him raised up again, and that I could not think but that God had much work for him to do yet among his people. He immediately shook his head, and for some time I heard him repeating-" My poor people— my poor dear people," as if he were expressing his earnest desires on their behalf.

He daily grew weaker, and, on the Saturday, it was evident that his hour was approaching; but, while his friends were distressed and concerned, he appeared himself to look with satisfaction on his anticipated removal. He evidently had a desire to depart and be with Christ.