earnest request of the Committee, kindly consented to take the chair to-day; (hear, hear;) and I have no doubt but that he will be effectually supported by this Meeting in conducting the business which may be brought before it. (Hear, and loud cheers.)

and gentlemen, that in all quarters of the world, in every clime, and under every dispensation, your Missionaries are to be found holding up to the Missionaries of all other churches an example of zeal, of courage, of fidelity, of purity of doctrine and of character, (hear, hear, and cheers,) in spreading that Gospel of which they are the humble followers and servants in all parts of the globe. (Hear, hear.) I congratulate you that their endeavours are reported to have been successful under the greatest difficulties; and I am happy to find that whilst they have been labouring at a distance, your own exertions at home have been such as to increase the funds for their aid and support; and that, at the same time, you have succeeded in reducing your debt, and rendering your hands freer for carrying on this great work. In such an assembly it would be presumptuous in me to enter upon the great question of Missions. Suffice it to say, that I rejoice to find the testimony borne in such a Meeting as this, that one of the first duties of Christians, and of a Christian church, is to extend to their less fortunate brethren of mankind those inestimable blessings which they themselves enjoy. If I were asked what was the first step towards civilising the barbarous races of men, my answer would be, "Send among them the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Hear, hear.) If you wish to humanise those who, pretending to be civilised, scoff at religion, and hold everything that is sacred at nought, I say, "Humanise them by endeavouring to win them to the Author of the everlasting Gospel." If, going to those lands upon which the knowledge of Christianity has never shone, you wish to reclaim the savage, and to render him a member of the civilised world, send to him your Missionaries; and by their Christian precepts and doctrines you will pave the way towards civilising the most barbarous. We have heard, within the last few weeks, much talk upon a subject which I know has the warmest interest in the heart's core of all your body,-I mean the slavetrade. We have heard it contended that those squadrons must be withdrawn which are maintained to prevent the deportation of human flesh from Africa to other parts of the world. So long as you keep the Africans in ignorance, in their present state of blind and darkened ignorance, squadrons you may have, and perhaps squadrons you must have, but even these may be of little avail. If you would put an end to the slave-trade, you must open up a passage into the heart of the

MR. FOX MAULE, having advanced to the chair, said,-Ladies and gentlemen, before I commence the few observations which it will be my duty to make with respect to the business that has called us together this morning, permit me to thank you most cordially for the kind reception which you have given to my name on the present occasion; and believe me that nothing affords me more satisfaction than testifying publicly, from time to time, the deep sympathy which I feel in the prosperity of the Wesleyan body, (hear, and cheers,) and the interest I take in all their proceedings, as well as the gratitude, which it is my duty to express to them, for the warm interest they took in the Church to which I have the honour to belong, (hear, hear,) at a time when the countenance of such a body as the Wesleyan Methodists was a matter of deep moment to that infant Church. Ladies and gentlemen, I congratulate you upon the return of this season, the season when all Christian churches assemble to compare notes as to what they have respectively been doing in their different spheres during the past year, to exchange in this Hall the right hand of fellowship, and bid each other God-speed for another year. (Hear, hear.) On this occasion, you take a lead in these good works; and I am happy to find that you are again assembled here, with the same prospects which have before attended you, with the same prevailing unanimity by which you have always been marked, although at times some slight ruffles may have come over the smooth surface of your great body. (Hear, hear.) Yet these trifling breezes have passed away; (loud cheers, and some cries of "No, no," from different parts of the Hall, which elicited renewed and continued cheering;) and the test by which a stranger must judge of the unanimity and prosperity of such a body as yours, namely, the great balance-sheet of charity which you present at such a season as this, (hear, hear,) convinces me that for all the purposes, Missionary and other, connected with your body, the heart is sound, as it ever was, (loud cheering,) and as it will ever remain. (Renewed and prolonged cheering.) Permit me also to congratulate you, ladies

natives of Africa for your Missionaries; teach them the sin of man trafficking in his fellow-men; show them the true ground on which they should stand; and then you will not only promote the great object which a Christian country should always have in view,-that of Christianising the whole world, but you will also effect that object which, as subjects of this realm, you should always have in view, that of economising, in a most legitimate way, the burdens which are imposed upon us. (Hear, and cheers.) Then look to the other point to which ĺ alluded just now. Look abroad, at France; look at the state of Europe. To what may we attribute all the convulsions that have taken place on the Continent? To what may we attribute the state of society existing there at present, but in a great measure to this,that there religion, and every kind of religious opinion, are sneered at. A low standard of religion leads to a low standard of morality, and weakens every tie that binds man to man; and until religious feeling revives, and pure religion takes its hold on those countries, we cannot hope to see them return to a fixed and peaceful state. (Hear, hear.) I say, then, it is by our Missionaries carrying the pure truths of the Gospel to the countries of Europe, as well as to the rest of the world, that we must achieve, perhaps slowly, but I trust effectually, some good in this direction. (Hear, and cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, you will hear to-day, from abler lips than mine, the details of all that most interests you in your own transactions. I will only detain you at present to congratulate you once more upon the immense sum which has been realised for your Missionary purposes during the year, amounting, as I understand, to very nearly £112,000. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) When we see such an amount emanating chiefly from one body, it is indeed a source of encouragement to all those who take an interest in your proceedings. It is an encouragement to us to look at your perseverance, to that spirit of purity and simplicity which characterizes your proceedings, and to that zeal by which you have been distinguished. I trust it will please Almighty God long to protect and comfort a Society which does so much good, and has done so much good, in carrying on His work, and which sets an example of Christian humility and of Christian zeal to the rest of Christendom. I may say that the Church to which I belong follows in smaller numbers, and in hum

bler array, in the wake of your body. We shall be happy, if we can arrive at anything like the success you have already reached. Yet, the more we succeed, the more there is for us to do; (hear, hear;) the farther we go, the more dangerous it is to go back,-the more honourable to go forward. (Hear, and cheers.) The cause of Missions is always an on-going cause. It may be compared to the case of a man going into a wild country grown over with all kinds of rank productions of nature. He finds that if he reclaims the land by cultivation, it yields him an ample return for all his labour; and the greater the labour the greater will be the return. (Cheers.) So it is in the case of Christian Missions. The field of infidelity is wide; it may be in some instances difficult to take in; but rely upon this, that, when taken in, it will amply repay all the toil you may have expended upon it; while if you neglect to take it in, its rank weeds, left unchecked, will tend to overgrow yourselves. (Hear, hear.) Depend upon it that, as society is now constituted, if we do not succeed in Christianising the world, we shall run some risk of the world over-running us. (Hear, hear.) Let us, then, my friends, show a bold face to the enemy of Christianity; let us endeavour to put him down in all directions; let us endeavour to extend the light of the Gospel by means of our Missionaries wherever darkness now prevails; let us endeavour to reclaim those countries where light has shone for a time, but where darkness, to a certain extent, has resumed its sway; and depend upon it, if we are zealous, if we are earnest, if we are hearty in the cause, God will bless the means which we employ; He will open the hearts of the people to lend to Him, and He will repay those who do lend to Him a thousand-fold into their own bosoms. (Loud and continued cheering.)

The REV. ELIJAH HOOLE read the FINANCIAL STATEMENT. It was the grateful duty of the Committee to announce an improvement in the financial condition of the Society, when compared with its circumstances at this time last year. The debt was then stated to

be £13,358. 16s. 1d., from the deficiencies of the income compared with the expenditure for 1847 and 1848. The debt of the Society was now reduced to £10,841. 13s. 2d. This reduction had been effected, in part, by a diminution in expenditure; but chiefly by a very large augmentation in the income. In the order usually observed, a statement of

The REV. DR. BEECHAM next read an abstract of the GENERAL REPORT. The state and prospects of the Missions were reviewed in order :

In Ireland the Society's Missions are eighteen in number, scattered throughout the kingdom. The Reports abundantly prove that the Society's operations are instrumentally productive of a large amount of benefit. The promised blessing of the great Head of the church renders the labours of His servants effectual in the conversion of sinners from the error of their ways, and in the edification of those who had previously been united together in church-fellowship, in connexion with the Society. The pure truth of the Gospel has not access to the mass of the population of Ireland; but it is a gratifying fact, that in many places there is an increasing desire for religious instruction manifested by the Roman Catholics. At the last Conference, sixty schools were reported as in successful operation, and the number of children amounted to nearly four thousand. Trained Masters are supplied from the Model School in Dublin, which continues to prosper.

Adverting to the Missions on the continent of EUROPE, the Report, commencing with Germany, states, that at Winnenden, in the kingdom of Wirtemberg, the operations of the Society are still prosecuted by Mr. Müller and his Assistants, in the midst of many difficulties. Much political excitement continues, and opposition is offered, in various ways, to the spread of pure evange. lical truth; but the spirit of religious inquiry extends, and many experience the saving effects of the Gospel. Weekly religious services are held at about sixty places, at which upwards of one thousand individuals are now united together in church-fellowship.............France and Switzerland come next in order. At Paris, a considerable improvement in the English congregation has taken place during the year; but the French department of the work has not recovered from the shock which it received from the late

political convulsions. The Teacher whom the Committee were enabled, by the liberality of the esteemed Treasurer of the Society, Thomas Farmer, Esq., to place at Bar-le-Duc, is prosecuting his labours under circumstances of considerable interest. A great sensation bas been produced in the neighbourhood. Several Roman Catholic villages are welcoming his ministrations. In some instances, the municipal authorities place themselves at the head of the movement, and offer the parish schools, and even the mass-houses or churches, for Protestant worship. The Priests have become alarmed, and are endeavouring to excite opposition. Complaints have been made to the Government against the proceedings of our Agent, and a struggle is likely to ensue. The importance of this new Station is increased by the consideration that it is the only Protestant interest in the extensive department of the Meuse. The French and Swiss Circuits generally are efficient, or present indications of improvement....... At Gibral tar the schools are (Mr. Alton reports) in efficient operation, and well answering the design of their establishment. The foundation of an extensive Spanish work, it may be reasonably hoped, is being silently laid, by the religious training of so large a number of Spanish children. The process may be comparatively slow; but succeeding generations will witness the beneficial effects.

CEYLON and CONTINENTAL INDIA were then referred to:-In the Singhalese District, South Ceylon, the return of two Missionaries has reduced the number of European labourers, but has also developed the value of native agency. The members in the Society have increased to twelve hundred and fourteen, chiefly native converts; and the schools have received considerable additions to their number. Four new chapels have been built during the year, and four more are in the course of erection. Considerable activity has been excited among the Budhists in behalf of their own system, and in opposition to Christianity. This circumstance is viewed as a sure indication that the truth is felt to be powerful, and that the interests of the Gospel are advancing.......... The manifold labours of the Missionaries at Jaffna, in the Tamul District, North Ceylon, have been continued with encouraging results. The opposition of the Heathen has been aroused by the diligent and multiplying agency of the Mission. Lectures on Hinduism have been delivered in the temple of Siva, and some

devotees of the prevalent superstition have become more ostentatious in their idolatrous worship. But the truth is winning an entrance into the minds of both old and young. The Educational and School Report of this District is very full and satisfactory.........After alluding to the lamented death of the Rev. Joseph Roberts, late General Superintendent of the Madras District, it was stated, that the aspect of the Mission in Madras has varied little during the year. The congregations and societies remain in the same state, but would be much improved if a more efficient subordinate agency should be raised up. ...... ......In the Mysore District, there has been a small increase to the number of native members in the Bangalore Canarese Station. They are all believed to be living in the fear of God; and their outward walk and conversation during the year have been consistent and exemplary. The Missionaries in the District are bestowing much time and labour on the revision of the translation of the holy Scriptures in the Canarese language, in which they are co-operating with Missionaries of other denominations.

The AUSTRALIAN and POLYNESIAN Missions came next in order. The local Reports from the Stations in Australia cominunicate a great amount of encouraging information. It has been found necessary to enlarge the Yorkstreet chapel, in the Sydney North Circuit, by the erection of a gallery. The chapel now contains sittings for twelve hundred persons. The cause at SurreyHills has increased so considerably in importance, that it is deemed desirable to constitute it a separate Circuit. A large place of worship is requisite to provide for the rapidly increasing population.........The general aspect of the work in the Melbourne Circuit, in the colony of Australia Felix, or Victoria, is reported as very encouraging.'

66

......

The Society's Missions in South Australia are rapidly rising in importance, and extending their beneficial influence throughout the colony..........In Western Australia the Mission embraces as large a sphere as could well be occupied by a single Missionary... .The Hobart-Town and New-Norfolk Circuits, in Van Diemen's Land, are in a prosperous state...... The review of the operations of the Society's Mission in New-Zealand, during the past year, affords much gratification. In every department of the work there is activity and progress. The Missionaries have been greatly cheered by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher to take

charge of the establishment for the education of their children; and Mr. and Mrs. Reid have made a very encouraging commencement of their duties at the Native Training Institution, and the Central School. The influence of Christianity is more decidedly manifested among the people generally within the influence of the Mission, in the gradual enlightenment of their minds, and the elevation of their character; and, as a consequence, a growing improvement is taking place in their temporal condition. Nor do these views of the state of the work depend exclusively upon Missionary evidence. They are amply supported by the independent testimonies of others, who, from their position, have the means of examining the subject for themselves, and are placed in circumstances which shield them from the suspicion of allowing their judgment to be warped by any undue bias or partiality. One of those independent testimonies in favour of the great Missionary work in New-Zealand, in which it is the honour and privilege of this Society to take a leading part, the Committee are happy to adduce. In one of the Despatches of the Governor of New-Zealand to the noble Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, presented during the last Session to both Houses of Parliament, by command of Her Majesty, His Excellency remarks:"This short review of the present state of the principal settlements in New-Zealand, will, I think, satisfy your Lordship of the general state of prosperity of this colony. It only remains for me to add that the exertions of our most excellent Bishop and his Clergy, together with those of the numerous, and I may say admirable, body of Missionaries of different denominations, have secured to this colony a greater amount of religious supervision and of religious instruction than any other young country has probably ever enjoyed; and this circumstance cannot fail ultimately to produce a very powerful effect upon the future population of the country; while at the present day it secures to New-Zealand advantages which may be readily imagined, but which it would be difficult to describe in detail, as they enter into all the ramifications of the society of the country, and the domestic life both of the natives and Europeans. However, there can be no doubt that the present state of tranquillity and prosperity of this country, and the rapid advances which the native population are making, are in a very great degree to be attributed to the exertions of the various religious