dition to these, I presume, 6000 for young children and aged persons, who cannot attend at all, which will leave 6000 of our population as neglecters of public worship, and I fear openly irreligious persons. Out of the 18,000 attendants at the various churches and chapels, about 7500, or one fourth of the whole population, make a profession of religion. I am far from saying that all who profess religion are really possessors of it. But when it is remembered that little more than twenty years ago nearly the whole population of the parish were in a state of heathenism, utterly ignorant of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ; that seventeen years ago the work of evangelization, which had been recently commenced, was interrupted by persecution, and one, if not both of the missionaries (for there were only two, one Wesleyan and one Baptist), were driven away, and every chapel burnt or pulled down by the persecutors; and having witnessed the mighty change which has been wrought amongst the people during the last fourteen years, I cannot help exclaiming, with heartfelt gratitude, “What hath God wrought!" Were it not for the poverty which has smitten us, and which prevents the employment of the necessary agency, I should hope to see our churches flourish again; and even now I do not despair. God will not leave us. He can, and I believe he will, bless us again by pouring out his Spirit upon us, and reviving his work. HOME PROCEEDINGS. It is with great regret that we announce, that in consequence of the serious illness of his wife, Captain MILBOURNE has been obliged to resign the command of the "Dove," and to return to this country, on his way to Jamaica. He met the Committee, September 18th, and stated that while he was perfectly willing to fulfil his engagement with them, and return to Africa to navigate the "Dove," if necessary, he would prefer finally to terminate it. On which it was resolved, "That the Committee sympathise with Captain Milbourne in the relative affliction which has necessitated his return from Africa, and that they, under the circumstances, accede to his wishes." Captain Milbourne sailed for Jamaica on Tuesday, October 10th. We sincerely hope he may have a prosperous voyage, and that Mrs. Milbourne's health may speedily be restored. The mission in Africa has sustained a severe loss in the removal of one whose piety, fidelity, and zeal, have endeared him to his colleagues in the work. Arrangements for the management of the "Dove" have been made by the brethren on the spot, which there is every reason to expect will be satisfactory. YOUNG MEN'S AUXILIARY TO THE MISSION. The Annual Meeting of the members and friends of this important and interesting auxiliary was held in the Library of the Mission House, on Tuesday, October 9th, G. T. Kemp, Esq., in the chair. Appropriate resolutions were moved and seconded by Revs. R. W. Overbury, F. Trestrail, J. Curwen, J. Bigwood, J. H. Hinton, and M. Olney. There was a large attendance, and we hope the efforts of our young friends to diffuse the missionary spirit among the children in our Sunday schools, their teachers, and their parents, may be eminently successful. Already there has been some good fruit gathered. This is not a separate organization for raising funds, but simply an auxiliary, sanctioned by the Committee, acting in concert with them, in frequent communication with the secretaries, and secking to aid the funds of the Society by extending and deepening the missionary spirit among the young-a class of persons extremely difficult to work upon ordinarily, but easily accessible, we think, to those of similar tastes, sympathies, and age, and of earnest decided piety. The following extracts from the Report will be read with interest. The Association, whose first anniversary we have now met to celebrate, was called into existence by a few Sunday school teachers of this metropolis, who feeling a deep interest in Christian missions, were desirous that some organization should be effected to diffuse amongst Sunday school teachers, Sunday school children, and through them, the parents of the children, such information as would be calculated to awaken their interest and sympathy on behalf of the heathen. It was, therefore, resolved, in humble dependence on Divine assistance, to form the "Young Men's Missionary Association," with the view of inculcating that zeal and Christian devotedness so characteristic in the founders of modern missions. While the labours of the Committee during the past year have been much occupied in obtaining information, devising plans, and preparing for future efforts, they cannot review that portion of time without feelings of devout thankfulness to God for the success that has crowned their humble exertions. Being desirous to interest young men and Sunday school teachers in the Association, and believing that a more vivid impression of the wants of the world was needed, they sought, by means of lectures, to disseminate information calculated to deepen the missionary spirit in those who attended their delivery; and it is with pleasure they report the general good attendance at the first course of lectures, which were delivered by Revs. C. M. Birrell, F. A. Cox, D.D., LL.D., Joseph Angus, M.A, F.R.A.S., John Aldis, John Branch, and Francis Tucker, B.A., to all of whom they would tender grateful thanks for their kind and gratuitous services. It is hoped the second course will be as numerously attended, and prove a lasting blessing to the cause of Christ. The reading room is furnished with papers and religious literature, both European and American, not obtainable at other institutions. The library is well selected (containing about 2500 volumes), and is accessible to members upon certain conditions. The primary object of this department is to enable young men to furnish their own minds with missionary literature, and so to acquire information suited to prepare them for the delivery of addresses in sabbath schools and at juvenile missionary meetings. The importance of some well defined plan of operation, in connexion with juvenile efforts, has long been felt. The attention of the Committee was early called to this matter, and after careful consideration, they resolved to issue a circular containing suggestions for the formation and management of juvenile auxiliaries. This they have done, and have forwarded a copy of such circular to each Baptist minister and superintendent of Baptist Sunday schools throughout the kingdom, with the hope that the friends of the cause may more clearly see the great importance of interesting young people in Christian missions. They have also, through the secretaries of the Society, written to the missionaries for an account of all the schools under their superintendence. When such return is complete, it is the wish of the Committee to make it a ground of appeal to the Sunday school teachers and Sunday school children of the denomination. A museum has been commenced (which will be the property of the Baptist Missionary Society), to which the Committee hope to receive donations from friends throughout the country, as well as from missionaries in foreign parts. The Committee, in conclusion, would desire to express their obligation to the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society for their kind co-operation during the past year. They aim to diffuse missionary information, to deepen and perpetuate a true love to Christ and his cause, and to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. While pursuing their labours during the past year, one of their number, Mr. Samuel Nicholson, has been removed by the late pestilence. This visitation, the Committee feel, calls loudly upon them, and all young men, to consecrate themselves with renewed vigour to the service of God; and they would earnestly entreat the prayers of their brethren, that God would bless the Association, and raise up, qualify, and send forth young men to labour in the missionary field, that the "desert may soon rejoice and blossom as the rose." YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. In consequence of an engagement in the north of England and Scotland, the Rev. Frederick Trestrail will not be able to deliver the second lecture in the Mission Library, on Wednesday evening, November 21st; his place will be kindly supplied by Rev. JOHN ALDIS, of Maze Pond. Subject: "Ireland, its Malady and Cure." The Monthly Missionary Prayer Meeting of the Association will be held in the Mission House, on Wednesday evening, November 28th, to commence at eight o'clock. Young men are entreated to attend. WHY IS IT THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR YOUNG MEN This is surely an interesting inquiry, and at the present juncture a most important one. That they do so stand aloof will not be disputed by any one who has read the annual reports, visited the auxiliaries, or attended missionary meetings. And if it were otherwise, if the love, and the zeal, and the prayers of all our young friends had been consecrated to the mission cause, should we have had to mourn over the abandonment of fields ripe to the harvest, to sympathize with faithful missionaries languishing and almost desponding for lack of help; to behold, year by year, an ever recurring debt and crippled funds? Would not youthful energy and youthful enthusiasm have impressed their influence, powerfully, irresistibly, on every church, in every sabbath school, at every fireside? We fear it must be confessed that, with a few worthy exceptions, they are not thus consecrated, and therefore are not thus blessed. If such is the fact, what are the causes and what the remedies? The causes are probably numerous and varied, yet perhaps four may serve as types of the remainder. First. The missionary enterprise has lost the charm of novelty. There was a time when the mission work was new, its perils untried, its success problematical; and therefore its proceedings were watched, by some at least, with eager interest. But now it is an oft-told tale; the trials and the encouragements are supposed to be known to us all, and the whole subject is so simplified and systematized, that the romance and the excitement have disappeared. True, this ought not to interpose in the path of duty, and every child of God will strive against it, yet still our fallen nature is ever prone to prefer new paths and even new duties. Secondly. Our missionaries are not personally known to our young men. The names, indeed, of those honoured brethren who have been toiling for many years in the vineyard, are as familiar as household words in our churches, but that is all. Those who knew them on this side the ocean are now the fathers and the pastors; to the children their features and their voices, their gesture and their tones, are all unknown. And how great is the influence of these in winning sympathy and love, let those say who have watched the glowing eye and listened to the fervid tones of our beloved Knibb in some of his heart-stirring appeals to young men. Thirdly. The claims of the mission are not sufficiently enforced, we fear, from the pulpits. We would touch on this point with all delicacy and respect, but we shall surely not offend any of our beloved pastors when we assert that there are some churches who only hear of the mission on the recurrence of the anniversary services, and many where the allusions, though more frequent, are cold and formal, and without earnestness. In such cases it may excite regret, but hardly surprise, if the young feel actually as little interest as the pastor apparently does in the unaccustomed topic. Fourthly. The mission is too frequently forgotten in our public devotions, 'Restraining prayer we cease to fight;" and assuredly the enemy will triumph over us if we neglect a throne of grace. Yet if the pastor and the church habitually leave the mercy-seat without one prayer for the perishing heathen, for the toil-worn missionary, for his feeble, trembling converts, is it not probable that in the closet exercises of each member they will be equally overlooked and disregarded. And if not remembered then, how will they be likely to be cared for amidst the cares and distractions of daily life? The young men of such a church can hardly be expected to abound in missionary zeal. But if these are amongst the causes, they themselves suggest the appropriate remedies. 1. Let all our public intercessions breathe a missionary spirit; let every prayer-meeting be in proper degree a missionary prayer. meeting; and young men might assemble themselves together at stated periods, as is the case with the association in London, for special prayer on behalf of the perishing heathen. 2. Let the duties of the young be clearly stated and faithfully enforced from the pulpit; let our Saviour's great commission be often dwelt upon; let the promises be fully and affectionately pointed out. Every church should recognize the truth, that to be a pros perous, it must be a missionary church. 3. Let intercourse with our missionaries be commenced and maintained by affectionate Christian correspondence. Let us make our selves acquainted with their joys, their sorrows, their hopes, their fears; and though we cannot meet on earth, let our hearts be thus bound together in sympathy and love. 4. Let efforts be made to diffuse a more accurate and specific knowledge of the various missionary fields; their geography, climate, productions, scenery; their inhabitants, laws, customs, traditions, idolatrous worship, &c. Let the requirements of each be fully stated and understood, the progress that has been made and the remaining obstacles; and let there be a clear and full array of all the facts and incidents which elucidate these topics. Then might we hope to elicit the thoughtful, earnest sympathy of those whom we especially wish to interest, to enlist in the glorious cause their energy and their talents, their influence and their prayers; and, by the divine blessing, might ere long be permitted to mark the coming dawn of that bright day, when all the world shall become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ. JAMES. It is respectfully requested that where it is practicable the friends in the country ordering Missionary Cards, &c., will at the same time kindly mention the name of a country bookseller, and his London agent, through whom the parcels may be sent, or such other mode of transmission as may most economise the funds of the Society. FOREIGN LETTERS RECEIVED. AFRICA............ BIMBIA .....................Newbegin, W....June 18. Wyckoff, W. H..August 12. CHITOURA..................... COLOMBO ..Davies, J. MATURA........... MONGHIR SERAMPORE BAHAMAS......... GRAND CAY NASSAU ............................ .................... ..Allen, J. ......... August 14. HAITI ............JACMEL HONDURAS KINGSTON ...... CONTRIBUTIONS, Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, during the month Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by William Brodie Gurney, Esq., and Samuel Morton Peto, Esq., M.P., Treasurers, or the Rev. Frederick Trestrail and Edward Bean Underhill, Esq., Secretaries, at the Mission House, 33, Moorgate Street, LONDON: in EDINBURGH, by the Rev. Christopher Anderson, the Rev. Jonathan Watson, and John Macandrew, Esq.; in GLASGOW, by Robert Kettle, Esq.; in DUBLIN, by John Purser, Esq., Rathmines Castle; in CALCUTTA, by the Rev. James Thomas, Baptist Mission Press; and at NEW YORK, United States, by W. Colgate, Esq. Contributions can also be paid in at the Bank of England to the account of " W. B. Gurney and others." |