to bring the natives within the pale of the Romish Church; and they have succeeded in several places. This is a source of indescribable grief to our minds; and we long to see a Protestant Missionary in every harbour on the eastern and western coasts, to counteract this wretched system of error, which appears to be spreading throughout the world. Our native Teachers frequently come in contact with their countrymen who have joined the Roman Catholics; and they often apply to us to arm them for the combat. Some were passing by the printing-office the other day, at the time a native lad, called Ebenezer, was printing off some books, when they saluted him with their derisions, and told him that they were the only true church; to which he at once replied, by quoting that awful passage in the last chapter of the Revelation, fifteenth verse: "Kei waho nga kuri, me te hunga makutu, me te hunga puremu, me nga kai kohuru, me te hunga karakia ki nga wakapakoko," &c.; and then they made off. This shows that the people are not ignorant of the Scriptures of truth; and we have been frequently interested by their somewhat diverting remarks on the unscriptural doctrines of the Romish Church. The Bishop has lately distributed a quantity of clothing among the heathen Chiefs, enticing them to cast in their lot with him and his adherents; and some of them have been thus bought over to join the "mother of harlots; but we trust that, ere long, they will discover the delusion, and cast off the yoke. There is also at this time considerable excitement in the purchase of land; and large tracts have been purchased from the natives in several quarters. Europeans increase on every hand; and towns are talked of here and at the Bay of Islands. But those who are emigrating hither will be disappointed, if they expect to find an elysium: and some are leaving, disappointed in their expectations. An increase of settlers must affect the aborigines; and if colonization is carried forward in its various ramifications, we fear that consequences will follow similar to those experienced in other countries, and that the people will soon be swept away. We are happy to state, that there has not been so much sickness among the natives as in former seasons; but several have died during the year, and are now, we trust, for ever with the Lord. Some are determined to remain under the influence of Heathenism, and will not embrace the truth. One old Chief was exhorted to join our cause the other day; but he wanted some gold and clothing as payment. Many of them look no farther than this world; and in their desires are like the beasts which perish. They know not the Saviour, nor do they feel their want of him. On the 24th of November last, we spent a very profitable day with the people in Mangungu; and they listened attentively to the word of life; and many, we believe, felt its saving power. In the evening, three of our native Teachers, Noah, Isaac, and William Barton, who are about to visit some tribes who are yet in darkness, addressed the congregation. They stated, that they had tasted that the Lord was gracious, and that they were desirous to make known the Gospel to their countrymen ; that they were not going to seek property, or any of the things of this life; but that they sought after their souls; and exhorted the people to remember them in their prayers. Thomas Walker also spoke, and encouraged them in their enterprise; requesting them to tell the people, in their journeyings, that he did not wish to eat his morsel alone; that he desired their salvation, and prayed that they might turn to God. In this way incalculable good has been effected, through the instrumentality of the native Teachers; and in this work of faith and labour of love they go forward, and brave all dangers. They are valuable helps to us. Our talented friend, the Rev. J. H. Bumby, has entered fully into the spirit of his calling: we greatly rejoice, that the Lord has enabled him to leave the endearments of his native shores, to preach among the Heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ; and we pray, that his valuable life may long be spared to the church of God. A few weeks ago, upwards of one hundred and eighty adults were baptized in our chapel here, and twenty-nine children; and the brethren have recently visited the northward, and baptized fifty adults and several children in Oruru. They visited the old Missionstation at Wangaroa, where the prospects are become encouraging; but we are sorry to state, that the Romanists have obtained a footing there. Some, however, connected with us, meet in class there; and we hope that they will be useful in diffusing the true light. There are upwards of one thousand five hundred meeting in class, connected with the different stations; and at the southward, in particular, the people are looking to us for instruction and help. I received a very interesting letter from a friend the other day, who has lately been voyaging along the eastern coast of this country. He states that he had called at several places, and visited several native fortifications, and had fallen in with two thousand people, who were all inquiring after Missionaries and books. He informs me, that he found several books from this place among the natives; and that they were most eager in their inquiries after them. Thus you see the truth wins its widening way; and we trust that, ere long, all the NewZealanders will hear, and possess the word of life. MISCELLANEOUS. WE earnestly recommend to the attention of our Auxiliary and Branch Societies the excellent speech of the Rev. Dr. Hannah, delivered, as stated in our Number for June, at the Anniversary of the London District Auxiliary Society, held in Great Queen-street chapel on the 18th of May. It especially deserves the serious and prayerful consideration of our younger Ministers; and we respectfully suggest, also, that it might be, with much propriety and advantage, publicly read at the monthly Missionary prayer-meetings, or meetings of local Committees and Collectors. THE REV. DR. HANNAH said,-I must content myself by offering a few brief remarks. We gratefully regard it as an especial honour which God has been pleased to confer on the Wesleyan community, that it is essentially Missionary; Missionary in its constitution, Missionary in its spirit, Missionary in its plans, Missionary in its proceedings. Professedly, and practically, we are a Missionary people. Can we fail, Sir, humbly to rejoice in this living mark of apostolical Christianity ? But permit me to put the question, respectfully to others, anxiously to myself, Are we Missionary enough? Are the candidates for the Christian ministry among us Missionary enough? I scarcely understand a distinction sometimes made, (or, at least, I cannot discover the scriptural ground for it,) a distinction between a call to ministerial service in Great Britain, and a call to the same service in other parts of the globe. I thought that the field was the world; and that, whenever the Lord of the field calls his servants into it, he employs them in any part of that field, according to his pleasure, not theirs. Regard must be had, undoubtedly, by those to whom the Lord Jesus has confined the general administration of his church's affairs, to circumstances, to the fitness of Ministers, and to the claims of the work at home; but ought not every candidate for the Christian ministry in our body to feel honestly, in his own heart, that he is willing to labour in the very ends of the earth, if the Lord shall so please? I do not mean that a candidare should say as much as this, only when he is urged to it by pointed questions. I do not mean to say that he should merely, even on a Missionary platform, profess, or seem to profess, as much as this; but, I ask, ought he not habitually to feel it? Is it universally felt? Is it the honest conviction and feeling of all who offer themselves for the ministerial service among us? O, would that it were! Some may think that I should name this subject in another place. I have named it in another place; and I give some who are here present this evening (they know whom I mean) public warning, that I shortly intend to name that subject again. I named it, about two months ago, especially; and I signified that I should allow my hearers a short interval for reflection; perhaps two months. That time has now rolled over; and I desire my brethren to be informed, that next week, at the very latest, I intend again to introduce this subject in one of our Theological Institutions, (perhaps in both of them, but especially in one,) and ascertain whether there really is, in every heart in those Institutions, the honest feeling of willingness to labour wherever the Lord Jesus shall please, either at home or abroad. I think there ought to be; and that we shall not be Missionary enough till we reach this point. Are the regular, and highly-esteemed, Ministers of our body Missionary enough? Missionary they are; but are they Missionary enough? I think of the excellent men, in maturer life, who have laboured in Canada and the West Indies. I think of Mr. Crowther, a man of rich and various attainments, now spending the prime of his days in India. I think of Mr. Waterhouse, who is now spending his strength, gratefully, and blessedly, near the antipodes. I think of Mr. Newton, who has just left us on a temporary Mission, and whose heart is all Missionary; who would, I dare say, if opportunity served, and you could or would spare him, be willing to labour still more extensively in the Missionary field. This kind of Missionary zeal is among us: is it enough among us? I do not now speak to young Preachers, who are offering themselves for the first time; but to Ministers who are of years and experience in the body. Is there not sometimes a disposition (it somehow creeps into and forms itself in the mind) to settle down rather too quietly, amidst the comforts of home Circuits; an unwillingness, if God and his church should see fit to call upon us to do so, to leave our Second Londons, as Mr. Waterhouse did, and our South Manchesters, as Mr. Crowther did; to quit our culled, and choice, and happy stations, the smiling circles of our friends, all the comforts, indeed, we here enjoy; to leave them cheerfully, if we can be instrumental in the cause of the Lord, and to go forth into the world to labour in the word and doctrine? Shall we be Missionary enough till every candidate for our ministry feels that he would be a Missionary if the Lord should open his way; and till those of us who, perhaps, are growing grey in the service of our God, shall experience the ripe, true, honest conviction and disposition, if it be judged expedient, to go and superintend societies abroad, and do something there for our Master? Are the members of our society Missionary enough? Is there sufficient exertion used? Why, then, (for we are many,) why do we complain so often of the want of Missionary Collectors? Is there suffi cient liberality exercised? If so, why have we this deficiency in our funds of £20,000 ? Talk what you please about Centenary contributions, and recent exertions! I know what's what; and I know that if we were Missionary enough in our liberality, we should shake off that £20,000 like dewdrops from a lion's mane, and afford our friends increased facilities to do what is in their hearts with respect to new fields which are opening for Missionary enterprise. Are we Missionary enough in prayer? There is our great strength. Prayer vanquishes the Invincible, and binds the Omnipotent; it offers a violence which is pleasing to God. Prayer brings the Spirit down; prayer strengthens every holy purpose; prayer animates and cheers us. Do we sufficiently abound, for Missionary purposes, in prayer in private, prayer in our families, and prayer in public? Are we, (permit me seriously to ask, in conclusion,) are we all, are we any of us, Missionary enough here? The Lord will save the world, but he has directed us to pray that he would save it; and he has instructed us to use means with prayer (never without it) to secure, as instruments, the great objects set before us. I am sure you, Sir, will agree with me, that all the church of Christ needs, at this time, a larger measure of the Spirit's pentecostal grace; a deeper, a more spiritual work in the heart; a religion more pure, more devoted, more active; the operation of steadfast principle, and not merely of passing excitement; the love of Christ himself, the charity which glowed in his bosom, and led him to the cross, to constrain us. Let us have this; may the Lord be pleased to bestow it upon us! and then, by his blessing, we shall hope to see candidates for the ministry, agents in the ministry, and all Christian people, Missionary enough. I beg to support the Resolution. POSTSCRIPT. Wesleyan Mission-House, 77, Hatton-Garden, London, June 18th, 1840. VISIT OF THE REV. THOMAS B. FREEMAN TO ENGLAND; AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASHANTEE MISSION. WE have much pleasure in stating, that the Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman, the senior Wesleyan Missionary on the Gold-Coast in Western Africa, whose Journal of his recent tour to Ashantee has justly excited so deep and universal an interest, arrived in London on Thursday last. Mr. Freeman is accompanied in his temporary visit to this country by Mr. William De Graft, a native Local Preacher, and a valuable assistant in the African Mission. Their stay in England is expected to be very short;-not exceeding, probably, four months, when Mr. Freeman hopes to return to the scene of his evangelical labours, accompanied by six other Missionaries. Four of these are intended to be his companions in the glorious enterprise of attempting to establish a Mission among the four millions of men who constitute the population of the powerful kingdom of Ashantee and its dependencies; and thus to introduce Christianity, education, and civilization into one important portion of that great continent, to which Britain owes so vast a debt of reparation for the wrongs and miseries of the accursed slave-trade. This Mission may now be considered as fully determined upon by the Wesleyan Missionary Society, in accordance with the Resolution of the late Annual Meeting in London; and it will certainly be undertaken as soon as the Special Fund, now raising for that purpose, shali have reached the amount of, at least, £5,000; being the sum deemed requisite for outfits, passages, the expenses of introducing and establishing a new Mission in a heathen country, and the support of the agents to be employed for the first three years. The General Fund of the Society being already pledged for other existing and older Missions, to more than the extent of its present ordinary means, the Committee have been obliged to have recourse to the formation of a Special Fund for Ashantee and the GoldCoast, as the only plan at present available for enabling them to meet this new and important opening in Western Africa. We earnestly commend it to the prompt and liberal support of the Christian public. The auspicious progress already made in this good work will be seen on referring to the List of Contributions, at page 712 of this Number. The Secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society deem it. necessary to state, with a view to prevent the trouble and disappointment of useless applications, that as the period of Mr. Freeman's sojourn in England will be so very short, and as the completion of the Special Fund above-mentioned will materially depend, under the blessing of God, on his personal applications, it has been deliberately agreed, that his public ministrations in this country must of necessity be limited, exclusively and sacredly, to those places in which a seasonable assurance can be given, that either considerable private donations, or public collections, for the Gold-Coast and Ashantee Mission specifically, will be connected with his visits and labours. DEATH OF MR. JUFF. THIS valued native Assistant Missionary expired at St. Mary's, Gambia, on the 1st of March, after a severe affliction of three months' duration. Mr. Moss, the only resident Missionary at the station, improved this event by a sermon, addressed to a very crowded congregation, on a passage applicable to the character and circumstances of the deceased, "The righteous hath hope in his death." Contributions to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, received by the Nathaniel Waddingham, Esq., Hull.. .... Legacy of the late Mr. Cockshott, of Addingham (in part) Legacy of the late Mrs. S. Simpson, of York; Miss Ann Lin- LONDON DISTRICT. 2000 10 0 0 HULL DISTRICT. £ s. d. Anniversary ...314 4 0 BATH DISTRICT. £ s. d. £ s. d. .120 ...... Harp-alley 2 7 6 Lambeth Silver-street Deptford 40 6 0. 7 0 0 2 18 0 5 5 6 Limehouse. City-road......142 0 10 Wilderness-row 8 5 5. lett... Weymouth 12 0 0. ... 8 8 Gainsborough 59 10 0 Patrington 25 0 0 86 0 0 Bridlington 22 0 0 ... 776 11 6 105 0 0 Camborne.. 58 17 0 St. Agnes.... 43 0 0 St. Just GUERNSEY DISTRICT. Guernsey ......129 17 0 Branch).....225 0 0 354 17 0 Croydon 5 0 0 0 St. Austell 110 0 0 FORD DISTRICT. Bodmin ..... . 12 0 0 Falmouth St. Columb S. Ives...... Penzance 30 0 0 237 0 0 Skipton...... 12 0 0 Middlesex ... Saffron-hill 10 15 9 ... Addingham 20 0 0 525 14 0 HIBERNIAN AUXILI- 430 0 0 349 4 0 KENT DISTRICT. ... |