The Christian Witness, and Church Member's Magazine

The regulations and forms, under which this fund is to be administered, are to be prepared, and submitted for consideration to the next Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union. The fund, from which this assistance is to be dispensed, will be Invested Capital, the interest of which alone will be annually employed in aid of payments for effecting insurances; thus securing, as far as earthly affairs can be made certain, not only the punctual payment of the assistance once commenced to a minister, as long as it may be needful for him, but the immediate reception of a successor in his place, as soon as his term for payments shall end, and his term for receipts shall have commenced. It is most desirable, not to say necessary, that the Invested Fund should be, from its commencement, ample. The excellent minister, whose enlightened zeal led him to make the first appeal on the subject, proposed that not less than twenty thousand pounds should be expected and sought. Even this large sum would not exceed what the object deserves and needs; and whether completely attainable or not, something great should be in the minds of all promoters of this most important scheme.

The appeal is, to solicit generous and liberal contributions for the commencement and increase of this fund. Donations, Subscriptions, Collections, and Bequests are invited. Whatever is obtained will be invested. Every two hundred pounds of Stock in the Three per Cents., purchased for this object, will secure in constant succession the insurance of an Annuity for the old age of a faithful minister of Christ. Future generations will drink with joy of the streams flowing from the fountain now to be opened. Generous, opulent Christians! here is an object worthy of your liberality! Aged Christians! you know the heart of an old man; pour comfort into the bosom and cup of brethren whose hoary hairs, found in the ways and labours of righteousness, are a crown of glory. They cannot acquire competency for old age out of a scanty income, all too little for the wants of active life. They have sowed spiritual things, and reasonably look that those who have reaped the same from their own or their brethren's labours, should minister to their temporal interests, wants, and comforts.

The profits of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, and of the FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE, will powerfully augment this fund. It is expected that at least FIFTEEN HUNDRED POUNDS WILL, AT THE AUDIT," IN MAY NEXT, BE THE DECLARED CONTRIBUTION from their undistributed profits to that date, towards the beginning of the proposed fund.

And while annual distribution to brethren already aged, shall hereafter proceed as now, a gratifying surplus for yearly investment may be reasonably expected.

Readers and friends of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, and CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, here is a powerful stimulus on your continued, your increased exertions to extend their sale still more than ever! It is a subordinate consideration indeed, but a very powerful one. The sale of these works extends, monthly, far and wide into tens of thousands of minds and hearts, impulse, intelligence, and edification. This spiritual stream runs in an earthly channel, and deposits in its course the golden sand of money profit. And what becomes of this earthly gain? It reaches and cheers the dwellings, the firesides, the boards of aged Christian Ministers, amidst their infirmities and failing resources! Can any thing be more delightful and blessed? And why should not this circulation, this spiritual good, this earthly profit, this true benevolence, be far increased, and long continued? cheering example is before us, of a venerated religious journal, at the end of more than a half century's existence, still increasing its circulation and its benevolence. Years will roll onyour magazines will still increase in power and sale-many of you will live to see them build up an ample, a noble fund for aged ministers. Aid, then, their circulation to the utmost of your ability and influence!

One

The investment principle presents the immense advantages and recommendations, in such an undertaking as this, of safety and growth: entire safety, constant growth. To spend the principal in this work would be to advance into ever-growing difficulties; to spend the interest only, will be to advance out of difficulties into ever-growing strength.

The insurance system throughout is one of the noblest and most important of all modern improvements. It is a wonderful discovery that uncertainties, blended and multiplied in sufficient numbers, give a product of certainty-that the contingencies of life neutralise each other, when made to balance together in one common scheme and interest-that if men will work the insecurities of life and health in the economy of society, as God works them in the disposals of providence, they will have a like result in the safety of individuals as He in the permanence of nations, and in the indestructibleness of the human race. Short lives will help the long: the health of many will provide for the sickness of the few; distributed burdens will be light; all may not suffer, but all will be prepared for

suffering, and all will help the actual sufferers. What a bond of charity and security! What a blessed benevolence in which all both give and receive! What a sure and uncovetous saving! What a vast, secure asylum is here for the exposed, the feeble, the poor, would they but enter. All should insure. For safety, for honour, for comfort, some provision should be made by all, by every one, for the unknown day of future necessity. Of all men, Ministers should insure. They can gain no profits; very rarely can they effect any savings. Their work wears out their energies. It is such a work as the failing powers of old age can seldom effectually perform. Dissenting Ministers must always find their resources diminish with their Dear Brethren, whenever you can, insure! Insure for old age, insure for your widows and orphans, insure for times of sickness, as far as is in your power. Christians not in the Ministry, both insure for yourselves, and lend a helping hand for the insurance of your beloved pastors!

powers.

Contributions, or announcements of intended contributions, will be most thankfully received by Joseph East, Esq., Abchurch-lane, London, Treasurer of the Aged Minister's Fund; by the Rev. Algernon Wells, Congregational Library, Blomfield-street, Finsbury, London; and by Messrs. Hankey, Bankers, 7, Fenchurch-street, London. JOSEPH EAST, Treasurer. ALGERNON WELLS, Secretary.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE year that has passed away has been an eventful one to this Society. Many circumstances have occurred, which have awakened serious reflections in the minds of the Directors. At its commencement they were powerfully affected by the unexpected death of their late friend and fellow-labourer, the Rev. Dr. Matheson. During the entire period of his official connection with the Society, he devoted himself with unwearied assiduity to its improvement. Many and great were the advantages which resulted from his administration of its affairs. Had it pleased the all-wise Disposer of events to have spared him a few years longer, the Society, under the Divine blessing, would, in all probability, have been brought into a state of efficiency to which it has never yet attained. The Directors, though empowered by a vote at the general meeting to fill up the vacancy, have hitherto been unable to effect so desirable an appointment. This delay has been occasioned not only by the difficulty in finding a suitable successor to their late friend, but also by the consideration of certain changes which have been suggested in the Executive of "British Missions," which, it is confidently expected, will prove, in many important respects, highly advantageous to the three Societies included in that general designation. In the mean time, the duties of the vacant office have not been neglected, but

have been assigned to three brethren, who, with the Cash Secretary, the Rev. E. A. Dunn, have devoted their best energies to the faithful discharge of the work entrusted in their hands. They constitute an ad interim "Executive Committee;" considering every case, reading every letter, and maturely preparing the business to be brought before the Board. They have carefully investigated the circumstances of every station, wholly, or in part, sustained by the Society; and will be prepared, in due time, to recommend such arrangements in the conduct of the affairs of the Society, as will, they trust, be approved by all its friends and supporters, and essentially promote the great object for which it has been called into existence. In their correspondence with ministers and others in different parts of the country, they have been more than ever convinced of the necessity and paramount importance of such a Society. Considerable towns, large parishes, and extensive districts have been brought under their notice, in which, it may with truth be affirmed, the people are perishing for lack of knowledge. Were the resources of the Society adequate, its agents would be multiplied almost indefinitely. Our cities and larger towns, which are abundantly supplied with the means of spiritual instruction, must care more for those districts of the country, which, unless help be rendered in a greater measure than has ever hitherto been afforded, will never be enlightened at all. The Directors would respectfully, but earnestly, appeal to their rich friends to aid them with contributions more adequate to the necessities of the case. Last year the expenditure of the Society exceeded its income by more than a thousand pounds; and this year, there is reason to apprehend, a still further diminution must be made in the amount of stock bequeathed to it by deceased friends. Unless, therefore, a considerable augmentation in the regular annual income of the Society is realised, a very short period only will elapse before the "joyful sound" must cease, and the faithful missionary be withdrawn from many a region in which now the ordinances of the gospel are constantly dispensed. The Directors cannot bring themselves to believe that British churches and British Christians will ever allow so distressing an apprehension to become a reality. Love of one's country, care for the souls of men, concern for the honour of Christ, and solicitude for the coming of his kingdom, all forbid it; and the Directors, therefore, will go forward in their work, confidently expecting their friends will sustain them, and fervently praying that God will bless them.

The Directors have found it necessary to discontinue the Home Missionary Magazine. The last number was published with the expiring year. They were reluctant to do this, until they had ascertained beyond a doubt that the step was unavoidable. They always apprehended that the establishment of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, and subsequently of the CHRISTIAN PENNY MAGAZINE, would interfere with the circulation of their own. This has been found to be the case to such a degree, that the continuation of the magazine would have involved an expense of little short of £100 per annum, without any editorial charge whatever, none having been incurred for some years. This was felt to be too serious an outlay for such a comparatively

small amount of benefit, which the limited circulation of the magazine could even hope to obtain. The regret the Directors feel in the discontinuance of their own organ of communication with the public, after it had been carried on for a period of twenty-six years, is, however, considerably lessened by the gratifying fact, that information concerning the operations of the Society is circulated through the pages of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, to an extent and in circles which their own magazine could never reach. Still as some medium of communication with their agents and others is absolutely necessary, it has been determined to issue a Quarterly Chronicle, which, being printed on sufficiently thin paper, will be transmitted by the penny post to all parts of the kingdom; and it is hoped and believed will more essentially serve the interests of the Society than the continuance of the magazine could possibly do. Whether the proposed publication will be a chronicle of the transactions of the Home Missionary Society exclusively, or of British missions generally, has not yet been determined. But in either case the greatest pains will be taken to render it worthy the perusal of all who feel concerned for the spiritual welfare of their fellow-subjects at home, in Ireland, or the colonies.

The Directors have occasionally, at this season of the year, appealed to their friends for special contributions to enable them to assist the poor members of the mission churches, especially in the agricultural districts. Having a balance in hand, it is not intended to make such an appeal at the present time. Not that assistance is not needed; but they think it their duty first to expend the amount with which they have already been entrusted; and should not that be found adequate, then to make the case known, not doubting that all who have hearts to pity the poor and the distressed, will gladly assist them to mitigate their sorrows and lessen their sufferings.

The following extract from the journal of one of the agents, just received, will show the distress which prevails on a station, otherwise very encouraging:

"You are aware that nearly all our hearers are agricultural labourers. You were informed of their distress during last winter, and kindly sent them relief; but their sufferings then were comparatively small to those they will endure for many months to come. Before they had recovered from the effect of last year's solemn visitation, another and heavier scourge has fallen upon them. The disease has well nigh swept away the whole crop of potatoes. It will give you some idea of its extent, when I tell you that 30s. per sack has been refused for the same quality which we have, in former years, purchased for 5s. 6d. We ourselves have not tasted a potato for weeks; nor, indeed, do we expect such a treat for months to come. We have many who are called Croppers,' i. e. those who reut a piece of land for one crop. They generally do so for the purpose of raising potatoes. There are many of such with large families, who have lost their all. Neither is there any hope for another year; for there is neither 'seed for the planter, nor food for the eater.' To any one who has one spark of feeling in his breast, it must be heart-rending to hear the complaining in our streets.' I could give you facts and figures which could tell a doleful tale;

but there is no need, as we have no expectation that relief can be afforded to the extent we require. We held a special prayer-meeting the other evening, on behalf of the Raratongians; and, from our own circumstances, we could most fully sympathise with them. I must now conclude with the sincere prayer, that the inhabitants of the islands of the South Seas may be restored to their former prosperity; that the people of our sister island may be satisfied with bread; and, at the same time, that the suffering poor of England may be sustained by Him who hears the ravens' cry."

With such an appeal before them, the Directors, notwithstanding the balance in their hands, will thankfully receive any sums which may be entrusted to them, and will use their best efforts to remit them to those stations where the extent of the suffering renders prompt relief most needful.

It is gratifying to find that, amidst the great temporal distress which prevails, considerable spiritual prosperity is enjoyed. The following statement refers to the same station, the distress of which is described above:

"In again writing to the Directors, I feel great pleasure in stating, that, on some parts of this station, we have still the outpouring of the Spirit. Two more are, I believe, labouring under deep convictions of their sinful state, and inquiring with much anxiety, what they must do to be saved.' Our people are watching

To catch the teeming shower,

And all its moisture drain.'

They are holding prayer-meetings nearly every night in the week, and actively engaged with those on whom the Spirit of God appears to have made an impression. We had a noble gathering at the Lord's table last evening. Tears of penitence and gratitude fell while the ransomed of the Lord partook of the emblems of a Saviour's dying love; while many waited around, who could adopt the language of the poet, and say

'Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord,

Whose hope, still hov'ring round thy word,
Would light on some sweet promise there,
Some sure support against despair.'

Such things as these I need not say are a source of joy to a missionary's heart. We have recently been holding the anniversary of the opening of a little sanctuary, and establishment of a Sabbath-school, in one of our out-stations. We held a public examination of the children in the chapel, on Sabbath evening, Nov. 1st; and on the Tuesday following we had a teaparty of about 100 persons, on behalf of the school, which was succeeded by addresses from ministers present. While contrasting the present with the past, we were constrained to erect our Ebenezer, and with gratitude to inscribe on it, Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.' How thankful is my heart when I think of what God has wrought. A comfortable little chapel, quite free; sixty children, gathered from the wide world, for Christian instruction; a Bible class formed of sixteen young persons; and, what is best of all, ninety souls translated from the power of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, and united together in holy fellowship. Blessed be his name! This is the finger of God!"

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

EXTREME DISTRESS, BORDERING ON STARVA

TION.

THE Committee of the Irish Evangelical Society applied last year to their friends to aid them in relieving the distress consequent on the potato blight. They were gratified by the liberal response to their appeal from different churches and benevolent individuals. Rather more than £300 were contributed, by which they were enabled to administer substantial relief to the members of the churches and attendants on the ministry of the agents of the Society. Many a widow's heart was gladdened, and numerous families were made to rejoice by the timely assistance afforded them in the period of their bitter sufferings. Under the pressure of their trials, the poor were then cheered with the hope that the return of summer would dry their tears, and furnish them, by the providence of God, with a sufficiency of food for themselves and their children. How bitter was their disappointment when, at a much earlier period than last year, and in a far more extensive degree, the same calamity appeared. "The effects of last year," one of the agents writes, "when compared with the present, was but trifling indeed. Then the disease did not affect the crop until it had reached its perfection, or nearly 80. But this year it attacked it before the potatoes were much more than formed." This excited universal dismay, and occasioned the deepest distress. All the communications recently received by the Committee, give the most heart-rending statements of the suffering of the people, and bear full testimony to the unmurmuring spirit with which they endure them. The following extracts will give some idea of the fearful nature and extent of the calamity, and of the patience displayed by the halfstarved and half-clothed sufferers. From a county in the west an agent writes as follows:"The state of this county is truly alarming, and melancholy to witness-gloom in every countenance, sadness and squalid want depicted in almost every face; the people know not what to do. Few, if any, have a sufficiency of grain to supply their own wants-thousands upon thousands very little or none at all. Markets are now up to what may be considered famine prices. Formerly, the towns chiefly suffered in periods of scarcity; now, the country is in equal distress. Should the landlords exact their rents, the grain must be sold away as usual; the poor have no other means. Who can contemplate the issue of such a state of things without shuddering? The suffering of the people is already very great; their patient endurance beyond all praise. I have seen thousands assembled in this town: they came merely to make known their wants-to supplicate for employment; and, although many had come from a distance, and must return without tasting food, they dispersed without tumult, and without taking the value of a biscuit by force. The tales of want and scenes of misery which daily come before me are heartrending. Multitudes who were looked upon as comparatively com. fortable, are now plunged in deep distress.

Oh!

it is a most painful task to visit cases of sorrow and sickness without being able to afford any

relief. To be compelled, at such a moment, to weigh duty to self against duty to one's fellowcreatures is trying indeed. I seldom return home without a heavy heart and dejected spirit, The following are a few of the cases which came before me; they will give an idea of the distress of the country: -On my way to hold a meeting, mistaken for a doctor, I was asked into a Roman Catholic cabin. A woman lay dangerously ill, had no drink but water-no food in the house nor money. A group of half-starved,

half-naked children stood around her. A word of instruction and consolation, something to procure drink, and a note to Mr., requesting his interference to have her admitted into the Infirmary, were thankfully received.' I am deeply indebted to Mr. for the truly

Christian and prompt manner in which he responded to my call. On my way to preach, I met one of the congregation going into town. I found that the poor woman was taking advantage of the lateness of the hour, to sell, unobserved, one hen, the only thing she had to dispose of, for the purpose of procuring food for the children.'"

The following is from a county towards the north, and serves to show the distressing privations which some of our fellow Christians have to endure:-"Want is pressing sorely in this village on multitudes. How they manage to subsist I cannot understand; but what above all surprises me is, the patience with which they suffer. Not only is there no disturbance, but no murmuring amongst the people. They are suffering with a quiet submission that is perfectly astonishing. Mrs. and myself have succeeded in getting employment for some; but they are few in comparison of the many, who are on the very brink of starvation! There are in some families numerous little children, and but one person who can work for their support. As, for instance, the family of J. P.; he has a wife and eight children. Two are employed, but there are six little ones at home,and what is for their support? Five or six shillings a week. Now that man is an humble, steady, devoted Christian, and a member of the church, has never uttered a word of complaint, -has never asked, as I believe, any one for assistance, and, with the exception of the present year, paid most faithfully and punctually five shillings annually for the support of the gospel. Again, there is H. J's family. He has a wife, a woman of but feeble health, and nine children. He has a small piece of dear land. His potatoes were all rotten in the ground. He has a little grain, but his landlord insists upon getting his rent. He has one loom, on which he weaves. Such are the means of support for himself and family. He is a steady and honest man, though not a member of the church. There are three other families in the congregation, having a good many children, who are in considerable difficulty. My dear brother, can anything be done for them? I am not able to do much; I think we are doing what we can."

The following is an extract from a letter written by a Scripture-reader in another county: "Whilst I am writing, there are three individuals dead for want of food, and the lives of four others despaired of, within two miles of this town; the names of those dead are and

This is heartrending, and God only. knows where it will end. The Government, too, have only a partial supply of food, and have

closed their store here."

The subjoined is an appeal from one of the agents employed by the Society on the Connaught Mission:

*." The distressed condition of the poor in this part of the country, arising from the failure of the potato crops, is most distressing, especially to the Christian missionary, himself destitute of means to afford relief, even to those attending the ministry of the gospel. Some poor families have come under my personal observation, in a condition bordering on starvation, and reduced almost to a state of absolute nakedness, having been compelled to sell or pawn their garments to keep their children from dying of hunger. A poor family named I-, consisting of five persons, had to subsist three days on 3lbs. of oatmeal. Other families that attend the chapel, consisting of from six to eight souls, I found in similar distress. My slender means necessarily prevent my doing much in ameliorating the misery of these poor creatures. But it occurred to me, that my application on their behalf to Christian brethren in England would not be in vain. Those whom the Lord has favoured with affluence, and to whom, with the blessings of his providence, he committed the care of the poor, (many of whom are poor saints,) will not surely permit them to starve with hunger, which they must do unless some kind hearts will pity and relieve them. Brethren, shall I plead for the poor with you without success? Will the dying cry of poor women and children, to whom one pennyworth of bread would be a boon that might prolong or save life, not move your charity towards your perishing fellow-subjects ?"

I shall give but one other extract from a letter just received from the pastor of one of our churches in the north:-" To poor J. M'C, Mrs. B- gave some things from the clothing sent last year, which enable her to attend the preaching of the gospel. She has been compelled to sell her all, to satisfy the demands of her landlord. At present, she lives on one meal in the day, and says she shall be thankful if she can continue to get that. She is still cheerful, and says,-"Whilst the crow gets food, old Jenny will not want." I called to-day on a family near us. When seated, and the usual inquiries past, I saw something in the manner of the mother, that led me to be more anxious to know their situation. Being the hour of dinner, I said, 'Have you taken dinner?' For a moment none spoke, till one of the children said, Mr. B-, we have no dinner to take, and we have gotten no breakfast. Father has been working all night to finish the web to get meal.' Here the mother burst into tears, and said, 'Gis trying to get out his web to get meal. He has been working all night. We have gotten nothing since yesterday morning, when we ate some boiled turnips; and I don't think he will be able to finish it.' I felt for a moment unable to speak. Taking one of the sons with me to a neighbouring house, I purchased some meal, with which he soon returned. I followed him to the house, and there I felt and heard the blessings of those who were ready to perish poured on me. The sequel I will not attempt to describe."

I could multiply instances of this kind to an almost indefinite extent, but I fear to trespass on the patience of your readers. Enough has been stated to show the necessity for prompt and energetic efforts to mitigate the sufferings of these poor famished people. If it be asked, in what way can relief be afforded? I reply, let all who read this appeal, who can themselves contribute anything, or who can obtain dona tions from others, remit the amount without delay. In a greater or less degree the distress described above prevails in most, if not all the 150 stations and out-stations of the Society, for universally is the potato crop destroyed. Let those churches, who think it right to do so, and who have few or no poor to whom to minister the sacramental offerings, send us the proceeds of one sacramental collection-the church is one, and Christians in Ireland are the brethren of believers in England. Let ladies who have leisure set themselves diligently to work, like Dorcas of old, to make garments for mothers and their children, especially of flannel. At Union Chapel, Islington, Royston, Wisbech, and some other places, this has already been done, or is now doing, with the most gratifying effect. And let our rich friends send to us of their abundance, that we may be able to preserve from death those who, literally, are "ready to perish." The amount contributed last year, though not very large, was productive of an amount of good that can scarcely be over-rated. A part of the sum entrusted to our care was reserved for the purchase of seed potatoes. I have before me a minute account of the wise appropriation of this by the agents. But for this second blight the poor would have been in comparative comfort. The gratitude displayed by the recipients of the bounty is expressed in most touching accents, and evinced in various ways of the most interesting character, affording an ample reward for the effort put forth, and illustrating the saying, "It is more blessed to give than receive." I leave these statements to make their own impression, with the confident expectation they will not be made in vain. "Christians! be gentle to this one appeal, Want is the only woe God gives us power to heal." THOMAS JAMES.

Blomfield-street, Dec. 7, 1846.

Contributions will be thankfully received by T. M. Combs, Esq., 14, Ludgate-street; by the Secretary, Rev. T. James, 7, Blomfield-street, Finsbury; or at the Bank of Messrs. Hankeys, Fenchurch-street.

Contributions already received.

£ s. d. Rev. J. Bristow, and friends, Exeter. 5 0 0. Rev. E. Giles, and friends, Newport. 5 0 Friends at Robert-street, Rev. W. B. Leach

Post-office Stamps, Accrington Post

mark