With reference to the Missions in the Presidency of Madras and the Mysore, the Report states:-The records of the Madras District for the year are, in miniature, those of the Christian church. The Missionaries have been diligently employed in the various departments of the work, and with such results as might have been anticipated. The flocks that have been gathered have been watched-the indifferent have been admonished-the disheartened encouraged-the wanderers sought and brought back; some have been removed from earth to heaven, leaving behind them a testimony full of comfort and hope to their surviving friends; and their places have been supplied by new converts from the world of the ungodly and idolatrous people around.

The operations in Australia and Polynesia then pass under review. The Missionary work in Australia, as prosecuted among British settlers and their descendants, does not present such a variety of details interesting from their novelty, as is exhibited in the proceedings of those who are engaged in evangelizing the barbarous aboriginal tribes of distant lands. The Committee, however, report, in general terms, that the prospects of the Society are very encouraging in the colony of New South Wales. The Rev. WILLIAM B. BOYCE, whose appointment as General Superintendent of the Missions in Australia and Van Diemen's Land, was last year reported, has zealously entered upon his work; his appointment, with the means placed at his disposal for advancing the interests of the Missions, has excited animation and hope; and the blessing promised to the faithful ministers of the gospel has not been withheld.

In Van Diemen's Land, the Missionaries are laboriously prosecuting their work, and cheered by tokens for good. As to New Zealand,

the state of the Society's Missions is such as at once to excite in the Christian philanthropist feelings of gratitude towards Him who in the midst of wars and tumult, has to so great an extent preserved in peace the infant churches gathered, after many years of patient and prayerful exertion, from amongst a people who were sunk in ignorance and cruelty,-and of anxious solicitude that, in the new circumstances in which the native converts to Christianity have been placed, through the extension of European colonization, and the introduction of the arts and sciences of civilized life, they may hold fast their profession, and successfully resisting the force of the habits and associations of the debasing superstition and error which till but recently inthralled them, and impelled them to acts of ferocity and blood, they may escape uninjured from the dangerous influence of a kind of civilization which, producing indeed a change of manners, and creating in some measure a taste for the decencies and comforts of more enlightened nations, yet leaves the mind without the illuminations of revealed truth, the heart unchanged by Divine grace, and the life uncontrolled by the requirements of religion. It is cause of thankfulness to the great Head of the Church, that so many of the Christian Natives, who have been exposed to the evil influences attendant upon a state of warfare and one of incipient civilization, have proved faithful in the hour of temptation and trial; that those of them who have actually engaged in the war have generally been found arrayed in defence of the Government, and of their country, against the

evil designs and rebellious movements of lawless men; and that, although in some few instances the immoralities and irreligion of professedly Christian Europeans, and the efforts of the emissaries of the Romish superstition, have had an injurious effect upon the natives, there are encouraging indications of the progressive diffusion of the knowledge and power of Christianity, and of the successful prosecution of measures which may be expected, under the blessing of God, and in His own appointed time, to dispel the moral darkness still covering so large a portion of the land.

A few notices of some of the principal stations furnish a satisfactory view of the state and prospects of the cause.

The Native Institution at Pehiakura continues in useful operation. The General Superintendent recently reported, that "The gradual developement of the Institution is daily becoming more satisfactory and delightful. The scholars become truly religious, and are well trained. The results are being felt far away; and when we have the first race of youths mature for their future work, we may be sure of happy fruit from these plants in the Lord's vineyard."

The District of the Friendly Islands supply some interesting facts. During the past year intelligence has been received that Josiah Tubou -the aged and Christian King of the Friendly Islands-has been removed by death. He was seized with illness as he was on his return from the Island of Eua, which place he had visited for the purpose of attending the opening services of a new chapel; and after lingering for some time, he died in the month of November, 1845. In the hour of death he was graciously sustained by the consolations of religion, and died with the name of Jesus on his lips. the 4th of December, King George Taafaahau, of Habai-the legitimate heir to the Government-was appointed Tuikanokubolu, or King, over the whole of the Friendly Islands. He is the first Tuikanokubolu who has been a preacher of the gospel of Christ.

On

Upon the Societies and congregations of Vavau the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit have been vouchsafed in the ordinances of religion. Greater attention has been paid during the year to the education of the young. Twenty-two Infant-schools are reported as in operation in this circuit. It is matter of deep regret, that, through the indisposition of the Rev. George Kevern, and his consequent removal from the district, the Press is at a stand. Additional Missionaries are earnestly requested.

In Feejee, during the past year, there have been printed at the Mission Press, three thousand copies of hymns, for the Lakemba Circuit; Almanacks for Four Years, and sixty thousand Society tickets. . . . . The Missionaries are all engaged in preparing a correct Translation of the New Testament in the language of Feejee.. A further increase of Missionaries is greatly needed in this extensive district... The District Report gives a general view of this Mission at the close of 1845:

....

"Our Reports from the various circuits in this district will furnish you with a correct and encouraging view of our success and prospects. In this Report we may be allowed to take a more extensive view of the state of things in Feejee, regarding, as we do, the whole group as our district. In the name of the Lord we have

We

taken possession of the whole; and, according to our opportunity, we have endeavoured to warn every man, and teach every man. cannot but rejoice that the truth has been so widely disseminated, partly by our visits to the people, and partly by their visits to us. The fact that we have three thousand three hundred whom we consider as our stated or occasional hearers, is a gratifying proof that we do not labour in vain. About one thousand eight hundred and seventy of these are under school instruction; one thousand two hundred and seventy-eight are full and accredited church members; and one hundred and twenty-eight on trial for church membership. The word of God is preached every sabbath in fifty-three places, and these places are widely scattered throughout the group, so that in many parts of the valley of death there are prophets proclaiming the word of life. Still these are only solitary positions taken in the midst of the country of the enemy, who, whether we refer to numbers or political influence, has still possession of the field; all the leading chiefs being heathen, and also the mass of the people. Three thousand have been induced to abandon his ranks; but what are these out of three hundred thousand? We are thankful for these as the first-fruits, and pray that God may use us in reaping the harvest. We feel ourselves identified with this generation which is swiftly passing away,-passing, alas! by thousands in the blood-stained track of their ancestors-passing to the hell of murderers and cannibals,many of them unwarned though not unpitied. * * * The gospel has been introduced into twenty-four islands, including the two large islands. Nine are wholly or mainly Christian; and though we have none of the leading chiefs among our members, we have several very influential chiefs, and some who have been famous, even in Feejee, as murderers and cannibals."

Attention is then directed to Southern Africa, beginning with the Cape of Good Hope District. A report is given of the Damara Mission, including the Ameral and Afrikaaner tribes.

Mr. Haddy is thankful that, after passing through so many and various scenes in South Africa, he has been permitted to assist in the establishment of this mission also; and although he has little rest except that which consists in a change of labour, his strength as well as his life has been mercifully preserved. It is with pleasure we state that valuable assistance has been rendered to the Mission by Timotheus Sneeuea Christian native from Khamies Berg-who when called, came promptly to our aid in the spirit of self-denial, leaving his family behind him as he had not the means of bringing them 80 far. He is a credit to the Institution where he was born, converted, and trained.

The Albany, Kaffraria, and Bechuana Districts stand next in rotation.

The Society's Missions on the South-Eastern border of the Cape Colony, in common with others, have been placed in circumstances of deep and painful interest. The storm of war has swept over the country; and the beneficial labours of the ministers of the gospel of peace have been rudely interrupted. It is cause of lively gratitude to Almighty God that the mission-families have been mercifully preserved from personal violence. Many of them have been exposed to much privation and alarm;

under which, the health of one excellent Missionary female-Mrs. Thorneley Smith-was so seriously injured, that she died on her voyage to England. A devoted missionary-Mr. Palmer -while conducting a body of fugitives to a place of saftey, was also suddenly removed by death from the midst of the exciting scene. Their reward is on high. The faithful band of fellow-labourers and fellow-sufferers whom they have left behind are still in circumstances which powerfully appeal to the sympathies of all the friends of the Society, who are especially called upon to offer renewed and fervent prayer that the dark dispensation which has involved the interesting missions in this part of Africa in such great difficulty and trial may be eventually overruled for good.

A review of the events of the year serves to explain the existing state of the missions in Albany and Kaftraria. Notwithstanding the calamitous war, the missionaries had, for the most part, kept up the ordinances of religion in the principal towns. Passing events had led some to greater devotedness, and awakened others to a sense of the importance of their eternal interests, so that, in the midst of tribulation, there had been cause to rejoice. The coloured people had, generally, proved faithful, and maintained their Christian character. It is gratifying to observe, that, in Albany and Kaffraria, there are 1,713 members in full communion; an increase of 120, besides 221 candidates.

The Port-Natal Mission, not having been disturbed by this sad calamity, is, on the whole, in a very prosperous condition. A Missionary was appointed, at the District Meeting in 1846, to Pieter-Mauritz Berg, and he has entered upon his labours under very encouraging circumstances. He has already obtained excellent congregations, to whom he ministers the word of life. In this new colony an additional number of labourers is required; and among that large and powerful people-the Zulus-whose country is adjacent to the Natal territory, there is a vast field as yet wholly unoccupied by the messengers of the gospel of Christ.

The stations in the Bechuana district have been unvisited with the scourge of war, and remain in a prosperous and satisfactory state . . . . Of the new mission in the Baraputsa country, the following discouraging facts are reported:

Mr. Allison had established the mission; and at Mount Mahamba, the mission station, he had obtained a congregation on the sabbath days of thirteen or fourteen hundred people. About thirty of the Baraputsa people had embraced the gospel, and to a considerable extent realised its saving power. Everything wore the most pleasing aspect, and the mission promised to be one of the most successful and important in which the Society has ever engaged in Southern Africa. But the great spiritual adversary has been permitted to hinder the promising work. Mosuase, the chief of the country, having given offence to some subordinate chieftains, the latter with their people fled, and came to reside in the neighbourhood of the station. Mr. Allison endeavoured to reconcile the parties, but in vain. The chieftains were obstinate, and refused to return to their allegiance to Mosuase. The consequence was that a commando was formed, headed by a party of Boers. This commando

came to the station one sabbath morning, just as the bell rang for Divine worship. On its first approach all the people in the neighbourhood flew to the mission-station,-and there no less than fifty of them were murdered before the eyes of the missionary, who was wholly unable to do anything to save them. Mr. Allison and his family were not molested; but he has deemed it proper to leave the station for the present, and at the date of the last account was at Pieter-Mauritz Berg, in the Natal territory.

The missions in Western Africa are then alluded to.

The local reports from the several stations in the colony of Sierra Leone furnish a variety of details respecting the prosperity of the mission work. The General Superintendent, in giving a summary of the whole, remarks, "I consider it my duty to visit the stations as often as I can ; and as I have done so on all convenient occasions, I would express my conviction that the work of God is prospering in every place; while the very orderly state of things in all the circuits speaks well for the brethren who are there employed." . The schools and the institution for training native teachers form one of the most interesting features in this colony, and the reports relative to them are given at length,

The Committee regret to report that the operations of the Gambia mission have been again seriously interrupted. Early in the year Mr. Lynn, the very devoted and laborious manager of the schools at St. Mary's, was removed by death to his eternal reward; and subsequently Mr. Chapman and Mr. and Mrs. Goodman were compelled by severe affliction to return to this country, where Mrs. Goodman shortly sank under the disease which had necessitated her removal from the mission. Mr. Parsonson was thus the only English missionary left at the Gambia. Mr. and Mrs. Davie have since been appointed to assist more especially in the school department; but a further reinforcement will be necessary before the mission can be placed in a state of efficiency. It is satisfactory to learn that the native teacher, sent from the Training Institution at Sierra Leone to Macarthy's Island, is very laboriously and usefully employed.

The following extract from the Report of the General Superintendent of the mission on the Gold Coast, Ashanti, &c., furnishes proofs of the advancement of the work which cannot fail to be interesting to the friends of missions:"The social state of the people is undergoing so extraordinary a change, that it is now very much unlike what I found it on my first arrival here in 1838. Many natives, who at that day wore no kind of clothing save a piece of Manchester cotton thrown around them, may now be seen respectably dressed in European clothes; while the dirty hut is now exchanged for the neat cottage supplied with European articles of furniture.

Since my return from

England I have once visited all the stations which this Report embraces. To some I have paid a second visit; and my mind is deeply impressed with the vastness of the work which Almighty God is carrying on by the instrumentality of his servants in this part of the world. Who can contemplate the tens of thousands of precious souls at, or within the reach of the stations in these circuits-their moral degradation

and destitution-their teachable and inquiring minds their readiness to hear the everlasting gospel-the friendly attitude of all the chieftains towards the mission-the heavy toils, the appalling dangers which have been encountered, the tears, the groans, the deaths, associated with these moral conquests during the last ten years and upwards, without being sensibly affected with a consideration of its moral magnificence! A few years careful and zealous application on the part of the various agencies put into operation by the mission, cannot fail, under God, to bring about the most glorious results."

Of the state and prospects of the important mission in Ashanti, Mr. Wharton reports,-" In taking a retrospective view of the work of God in Ashanti during the last quarter, I feel happy in being still in a position to report success; which, if not so ample as could be desired, may nevertheless be regarded as indicative of a much wider extension of the kingdom of our Immanuel, and that at no distant day. Our small society of six Ashanti converts, exclusive of about twenty members from Cape Coast, has now risen to the number of fourteen. These have voluntarily come forward from time to time since the month of August last, and have alike professed an earnest desire to flee from the wrath to come-to be saved from their sins.""

In the oldest missions of the Society-namely those in the West Indies, and British North America-there is much that calls for thankfulness, and affords encouragement to continued effort. But it is matter of regret that in some of the districts a diminution in the number of church-members has taken place, as the result of various unfavourable influences which are at work in those localities. The mission in Jamaica, especially, is the occasion of much solicitude. The transition state through which society is passing in that colony appears to be unfriendly, in some important respects, to the cause of piety; and, although this Society may not have suffered, in consequence, so much as some other religious bodies,-the Committee have nevertheless the painful duty devolved upon them of reporting a considerable decrease in the total number of communicants, as compared with the returns of the preceding year. This diminution of numbers is not, however, in the case of the Wesleyan Mission, to be solely ascribed to those general causes from which other societies also are suffering; but very much to the want of an adequate number of missionaries. Be it so, that the minds of the people emerging from the condition of slavery have been so much engrossed by the secular affairs which solicit their attention, now that they are freemen, as to endanger their higher interests-then does it follow, that they need the increased vigilance and watchful care of their spiritual teachers and pastors. Have religious societies and congregations been broken up and many of the members thereof been scattered over extensive localities in the prosecution of plans for promoting their worldly advantage?-then is it equally apparent, that a greater number of missionaries has become necessary to follow them and supply them with the ordinances of religion in the new neighbourhoods where they have fixed their habitations. But, instead of corresponding exertions having been made to meet the emergency created by this new state of things, owing to

the financial difficulties of the Society, even the vacancies occasioned in the missionary ranks by affliction and removals have remained so long without being filled up by the appointment of new missionaries, that chapels in some places have been entirely closed for a time, and the means of grace suspended, while, in other instances, the people emigrating to distant places of abode have wandered as sheep without a shepherd, because the attention of the missionary, left to his own unaided exertions, has been wholly occupied with that portion of his charge which remained behind. It is not to be wondered at that, in such circumstances, a defalcation of numbers should be the result. Notwithstanding the difficulties and temptations incident to the new state of things in Jamaica, there exists good reason to believe that, under the blessing of God, "had our Societies been favoured with sufficient ministerial help and pastoral care they would have prospered abundantly." This is the confident opinion expressed by the missionaries in one of the local reports; and the remark will more or less apply to the other stations in that colony as well as to that to which it more particularly refers. Jamaica, however, is not the only mission which has suffered. The injurious effects of the restrictions, which were rendered necessary by the want of a larger amount of funds, are now clearly manifest. But that loss would be sustained, as the consequence of those restrictive measures was to be apprehended, on the principle that God requires the employment of means for the accomplishment of his beneficial designs. The bounty of Providence may indeed clothe the fields of the husbandman with corn, but if he have not the means of employing a sufficient number of reapers part of the precious fruits of the earth must perish. So, in like manner, the spiritual harvest, whitening in the mission-field of the world under the fostering smile and influences of the God of grace, will not be fully gathered into the garner of the church, without the requisite toil and endeavours of a band of missionaries equal in number to the task to be performed. But the enlarged income of the Society, which the Committee now gratefully report, affords encouragement and hope as to the future. Let the ardent and increasing zeal of the friends of the Society thus continue to provide the means for multiplying the agencies required for the effective working of the various missions; let more fervent and importunate prayer be offered to Almighty God for a still richer measure of his furthering blessing-and it may be confidently anticipated, on the ground of the Divine promise, that the work which has been so auspiciously commenced in this latter day will more rapidly advance, and the gospel of Christ still more extensively multiply its peaceful conquests in heathen lands.

115,762 3 2

111,534 8 8

4,227 14 6

766 14 10

4,994 9

4

Making a total balance in the hands of the Treasurers of If the income of the year be examined, it will be found that there is an increase on the whole of £2,838 13s. 8d., and that this advance has arisen from an increase in every general source of income. The increase on the Home receipts is £2,067 15s. 9d.

The Home receipts amounted to £82,950 78. 5d.; the Juvenile Christmas and New Year's Offerings for 1846 (received in time), and balance of those for 1845, £4,770 19s. Sd. The receipts in Ireland, (including expenses, &c., £489 148. 6d,) to £6,552 0s. 4d.; making a total of £94,183 128. 11d. The total receipts from Foreign Auxiliaries, &c, were £11,788 6s. 5d. The miscellaneous receipts (including grants) were £9,790 8s. 10d,-making, as before stated, a total amount of regular and miscellaneous receipts, from all sources, of One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-two Pounds, Three Shillings, and Twopence.

*** The length at which we have set forth the elements of this Report sufficiently indicates our sense of its importance. The Methodist Mission forms a magnificent spectacle.

Were

it the only institution of the sort in our world, it would form the ground for a rational hope of the world's ultimate conversion. For system, for energy, for administration, Popery itself, in its palmiest days, with the aid of the Jesuits in their meridian power, never presented a movement to be compared with the Methodistic Mission. Pity it is that an institution fraught with so much excellence should be pervaded by a principle of so much evil-a principle of despotism! And pity, too, it is that a treasury so amply replenished by the free-will offerings of a generous people should be polluted by the vile admixture of monies extorted at the point of

the sword! The Report of 1816 fearfully testifies against the Conference all over the world. In New South Wales, in Western Australia, in Van Diemen's Land, in Gambia, in Gibraltar, in South Africa, in Ceylon, in Newfoundland, and in the West Indies, we find them everywhere receiving Government money. The New South Wales Missions received no less a sum than £1,150! The Missions in Van Diemen's Land received £1000! Such things are deeply to be lamented by all enlightened lovers of Christ's kingdom, and call for the immediate interference of the Wesleyan community. We find Sir C. E. Smith, as Chairman at the above meeting, extolling the excellences of this said Report of 1846, but not a word of the Government money! No; on that point profound silence was observed even by the parent and president of the late Evangelical Voluntary Church Association! From the worthy Baronet and the following speakers we had abundance of the Evangelical Alliance, but not one breath on the true kingdom of Christ! Man praised man; the strangers extolled the Methodists, and the Methodists the strangers; but not a sentence on this momentous question. Is this the fruit of the Evangelical Alliance? Sir C. E. Smith, in his opening speech, said, "I have great pleasure in seeing in your Report that the excellent Rector of the College (Methodist Native Normal Institution, under Government) in Ceylon, cooperated with the Bishop of Ceylon in examining that College together." Sir Culling raises the school to a "College," and perfects the piece by stating, that the "Rector co-operated with the Bishop;" whereas, in fact, the Bishop co-operated with the master.

The Report runs thus: "The examination of Mr. Kessen's Normal School at Colombo, a few weeks ago, was one of the most pleasing exhibitions I have seen in the Island, and elicited applause not only from the Bishop, who examined the students, but from all who were present." Sir Culling adds: "It is a fine specimen of Catholicity; and I hope to see the day when Bishops and Methodists will be united all over the kingdom, and will meet together more frequently on Evangelical principles. (Hear, and cheers.") Why not also specify the reception of the Government grant from the Ceylon Treasury as "a fine specimen of Catholicity ?" Why separate them? Was not the reception of Government gold the price of Episcopal patronage? As to England, seeing that Sir Culling is still a young man, it is not improbable that he may live to witness this union of "Bishops and Methodists." Other and very sagacious men share in the hope or the fear. Some three days ago was issued from the London press a book now before us, "Recollections of England," by Dr.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

To our fancy this is the most captivating Assembly of the season. The whole family of European kingdoms together could not présent such a spectacle-such a multitude of enlightened, religious, zealous, and laborious people, chiefly young people, of both sexes. After the opening exercises were concluded, Mr. H. W. WATSON read an abstract of the Report.

It commenced by referring to the foreign operations of the Union, and touched upon the progress of Sunday-schools in France and Switzerland. In the latter many of the scholars manifested much interest in missionary enterprises. From Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, interesting communications had been received. The accounts from the West Indies and Nova Scotia were, upon the whole, encouraging. In reference to home proceedings, the Report stated that eight grants had been made during the last year in aid of the expense of erecting or enlarging school-rooms, making the total number of grants, up to the present time, 269; amounting to £6,157. The number of libraries granted during the year amounted to 150; making a total of 1,703. The schools thus assisted this year contained 24,613 scholars; of whom 13,265 were able to read the Scriptures. The funds had thus suffered a loss to the extent of £253 2s. 9d.; but so fully convinced were the Committee of the importance of encouraging libraries, that they had resolved upon supplying all schools connected with the Union at half the selling price, in quantities of not less than £2 worth. The system of visitation had been pursued with advantageous results. The following are the number of schools, teachers, and scholars, within a circle of five miles from the General Post-office: