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"April.-Heart-rending accounts of the famine are still pouring into Calcutta from the north-western provinces. At no period within the memory of man has the country been visited with an equally severe affliction. In the famous Chahee famine of 1783, which lasted for two years, the desolation was less than at present; the same distress did not prevail, because agricultural labour was not entirely stopt, and then wages enabled the people to procure food enough to support existence. The deaths by cholera, at Agra, amount to 150 daily." "The number of poor employed by Government in and about the city of Agra is 77,500. The sum actually paid into the Union Bank, for the relief of the sufferers by famine, amounts to 91,495 rupees, nearly 10,000l." In May it was stated"The famine continues to rage in the western provinces."

What is the duty of Britain towards her Eastern possessions? The Presidencies and different Stations are vigorously aiding the sufferers; let the cry of misery from the East be heard and regarded in the West. The writer recollects, when in India, in 1824, that more than 10,0007. were raised in that country, for the suffering Irish.-Let this sum now be returned, and "with high interest too."-In London and in the principal towns of the United Kingdom, let those who know and feel the evil, call the friends of humanity and of our common Christianity together; and their appeal will be liberally regarded. Her Majesty and the nation, if properly addressed, must respond to the cry of famine and death.-Remittances are readily made to public characters and Banks in Calcutta, and by steam or overland dispatch the communication is very rapid.-May our country exhibit the influence of its Divine religion, which declares-" It is more blessed to give than to receive."

AN INVALID MISSIONARY.

Sept. 11, 1838.

MISSIONARY AGENCY,

Or the best method of maintaining and increasing Missionary zeal.

It appears from a circular, lately put forth by the Directors of the London Missionary Society, that there is some difficulty felt in making arrangements for visiting the various districts of the kingdom, with a view to sustain and increase the interest which has been manifested in the work of Missions. It is hinted by the Directors, that the visits of Missionaries who have returned from foreign lands, have been found to be very beneficial in the effect produced on the churches; but there is every prospect of their number being soon so much reduced,

as to render it impracticable to secure a sufficient amount of agency of that description. Now, as this arises out of their health and strength being so much restored, as to enable them to return to their appropriate sphere of labour, while there are no providential circumstances in their connexions or situation to prevent their so doing, the fact itself is one in which we presume every real friend to the cause of Missions will rejoice; and no one will soberly wish that any Mis. sionary should be recalled from a post of labour which he is efficiently occupying, simply for the purpose of visiting the churches, and fanning the flame of their zeal. This is a principle which has never yet been adopted by the Missionary Society, neither is it likely to be.

It would seem, therefore, to be of some importance to try and discover what have been the precise and specific effects of the visits of Missionaries? how much of those effects is purely adventitious, and can be dispensed with? and how much is of so desirable and important a character, that means should be devised to perpetuate and strengthen the feeling.

Independent of the fact that the testimony of an eye-witness is always received with special regard, as being direct, rather than hearsay evidence, and that it is often more minute and circumstantial than the description of other persons; the emotions which were awakened by the actual contemplation of these scenes and occurrences, retain their place in the mind of the Missionary, and are thrown into his statements and descriptions, and will often have a greater degree of intensity, and a deeper feeling of devotion and sympathy, than the remarks which others advance on the same subjects, as expressive of what all ought to feel. Perhaps this peculiarity in the agency is one which it may be difficult to supply.

Again, the visits of Missionaries to the churches have been the means of awakening a stronger feeling of interest in the work which is actually going forward in different parts of the world. It has made the churches feel their own interest in the stations, and all its concerns; and their immediate connexion with those who are employed in carrying on the work. They seem, by sympathy, to have a direct interest and share in all that is going on; in the men sent forth, the means they employ, and the success that attends their exertions. Instead of considering themselves merely the constituency of the Directors of the London Missionary Society, and as having a connexion with the stations only through them, they feel that the stations and the Missionaries are their own, and they identify themselves with the men, and with their proceedings. This has had the effect of increasing

their confidence in the Society and its Directors, by whom the Missionaries were selected and sent forth, and of augmenting their attachment to the great Institution which God has so honoured with the tokens of his approval. And they have been led to pour their contributions more freely into its treasury, from becoming more precisely acquainted with the men and the measures the Society has patronised. There has been also an improved feeling as to the prayers of the churches. Minute and circumstantial knowledge is highly favourable to enlarged, fervent, and effectual prayer on any occasion, and the remembrance of facts and incidents connected with particular parts of the Missionary field, has called forth appropriate intercessions for those for whom such supplications were specially needed.

Now, these are some peculiarities connected with the visits of Missionaries to the churches, for which it may be difficult to provide a substitute. At the same time, every one must see that there is not any thing essential in them, though they are in a very important sense valuable and auxiliary. The more essential advantages which have been realised, are such as may, perhaps, be fully enjoyed in the absence of that agency, if they are but correctly perceived, and steadily sought by the use of appropriate means. Let us attempt to define what they have been, and we shall find they are

Correct and enlarged information respect

ing the actual condition of the heathen. Full and specific statements, and incidents, illustrative of the precise kind of means employed, and the exact effects which follow where they have been used. Clear accounts of the favourable and wonderful openings which God, in his providence, has presented for our entering on fresh fields of labour, or increasing present exertions.

And an urging of the privilege which there is in being admitted to the high honour of becoming workers together with God, and the various ways in which our responsibility may be fulfilled. These, we think, are some of the principal topics which have been insisted on, and by urging which so much good has been effected. And we think we need not despair of continuing to see these effects produced, as the means for securing them are within our reach.

What is then to be done with this view? What, on the part of the Directors of the London Missionary Society? what, on the part of its various auxiliaries? what, by the ministers of Christ throughout the kingdom? and what, by the churches and congregations, or the various members which compose them?

I. We will begin with the esteemed and honoured friends from whom the circular has emanated-the Directors; and remind them of the propriety of their considering whether it is not possible for something more to be done in the department of publication. We do not disparage the Monthly Missionary Magazine. It is a publication with which the public are evidently gratified, and we hope it will become increasingly interesting, and be more widely cir culated. At the same time, it cannot be denied that the correspondence from the stations, and the other resources of the office of the Foreign Secretary, afford much more ample and specific details respecting the condition of the heathen, and the labours of Missionaries among them, than the limits and price of the publication alluded to will contain. The journals of Missionaries, which form the record of their daily labour, of the incidents they meet with, and of those varieties of fact which they are in the habit of bringing forward in their addresses from the platform, very rarely appear in print. They have often been written with considerable care and labour, and sent home for the information of the Christian public, while that public has never seen one line which they contained; and they have never been read by any one except the secretary of the society.

Such is the effect of this omission, that Missionaries will, we fear, soon cease to transmit their journals, or extracts from them, as they can employ valuable time to much better purpose. It is by no means necessary or desirable that the entire journal should be published; but a judicious selection made by competent persons would afford the means and materials for forming a more correct idea of the situation, la bours, and difficulties of Missionaries, than any general description which can be furnished. The Quarterly Chronicle once afforded a medium for publishing these documents, and its publication was discon tinued from motives of economy; but it may be justly questioned whether the economy was wise; whether it was not the curtailing a branch of expenditure which more than repaid itself.

This then is all that we will suggest at present, so far as the Directors are concerned, that they give forth more freely to the public those details (which they pos sess so largely) of the state of the heathen, and of the various occurrences which at tend the carrying on of the work of God among them.

II. Let us next inquire, what is to be desired from county and auxiliary societies? It would certainly appear reasonable that the secretaries and committees of auxiliary

societies should exert themselves to circulate the publications of the society; to induce persons to obtain and read the accounts which are published, or no great benefit can result from these publications being on a larger scale. In some places considerable exertions are already made to circulate the Missionary Magazine and other publications, and very happy results have follow ed. A more solid foundation is laid for missionary zeal and missionary effort, than can be produced by merely listening to a speech or address, of which but a small part will be remembered. If pains were taken to excite and maintain this attention to missionary publications, the interest of the people would be awakened from month to month, zeal for the conversion of the heathen would form more an element of daily religion, and both the reasons and materials for prayer would be more abundantly suggested.

Perhaps it may be added, that they would do well to encourage the introduction of larger works on Missions, such as the wellknown narrative of Mr. Williams, or the work on China by Mr. Medhurst, into reading societies; or they might suggest to the wealthier members of the congregation to obtain such works, expressly to lend and circulate among those who are unable to purchase them. They would awaken not merely a pleasing, but an intelligent interest in the cause which these works are designed to promote.

It is to be feared that there is in some instances a want of regularity and promptitude in distributing Annual Reports, Quarterly Sketches, &c., through the smaller towns and associations connected with the country auxiliaries. A complaint was lately heard in one town, that no Report of the Society had been seen there for more than two years. What may be the cause in that particular instance we know not; but, we apprehend, it is possible that Reports are sent to a country town, or to some central position, with a request that they may be forwarded to places around, but that from a want of proper system they have been long detained, or perhaps not sent at all to their proper destination. In some quarters, there is a similar want of a system in reporting particulars of contributions, so as to admit of their being duly and properly acknowledged in the account annually published by the society; and such omissions have an injurious effect on the minds of those concerned.

A more definite and complete organisation of the smaller societies or associations would also be advantageous. Let each have its treasurer, secretary, and collector, and a small committee if possible. There would then be persons who felt themselves not

VOL. XVI.

only morally, but officially, responsible for the regular and vigorous conducting of affairs; and by corresponding with the county secretary, they might arrange all their concerns much more satisfactorily than is now practicable.

These are a few observations which occur in reference to auxiliary societies, and may all be included in two things: first, some systematic effort to extend their operations, and to perfect the local machinery of their different branches; and, secondly, a greater effort to diffuse the information which is the legitimate and efficient nutriment of missionary zeal. To those who are acquainted with peculiar local circumstances, some other hints may occur, to which they may be willing to give publicity through the same channel as that adopted for the present communication.

III. It must, however, be admitted, and felt by all, that it is to the ministers of Christ our attention is specially directed, and by them that our expectations can be most effectually carried out. If missionary

zeal is only the spirit of Christianity in lively and benevolent exercise, it would seem to be even the professional duty of the ministers of religion to maintain it; but if it is seen that this spirit invariably prepares the way for more extensive good in the immediate neighbourhood of the church and minister, there is an additional reason why the ministers of the Gospel should consider it their interest, and the interest of their people, in the most important sense, to maintain and cherish that spirit. Most anxious are we then that our beloved brethren in the ministry should feel that this is a work which must devolve especially on them, and one for which they have special facilities. The inquiry which now forces itself upon us is, what can ministers do with this design? and we would answer

1. They should make themselves more fully and thoroughly acquainted with the exact state of the different Missions, and the positions of the cause in general. The pages of ecclesiastical history most important for them to study are those which are now being placed upon record. If the devout man, even when he reads a newspaper, does it to see how God governs the world, the mind of the Christian, and of the Christian minister, would read the records of the work of Missions, that he may see how the Lord Jesus Christ is extending his church. Without wishing to imply any direct censure by such a remark, it may, we fear, be said, truly that many of our brethren in the ministry do not take the pains, which the importance of the case not only justifies, but seems to require, to know distinctly what is going on, and to treasure up those facts and incidents of

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which so great an abundance is furnished by the records of the Church, in its various Missions; and in consequence of this deficiency, their statements are sometimes superficial, and sometimes incorrect: not because there are not sufficient means of information, but because sufficient pains have not been taken to treasure in the mind the facts of the case. As immediately connected with this, may we suggest

2. That their addresses to the people, whether from the platform or the pulpit, should in a large measure be made up of fact, and less of general and abstract reasoning. Is not a missionary told by ministers and other speakers on such occasions, that from him the people expect fact? might it not justly be retorted, "Yes, and from you too. Facts in abundance have been given forth to the public, why do you not take them up in your addresses, make them your illustrations, found your appeals on them? They would give an interest and a power to your addresses which the mere reference to general principles can never have."

An appeal founded on facts seems like the language of God, while general reasonings are more likely to be regarded as the fallible speculations of man. When there

If

fore we hear any one assign as a reason why he should not take part in a Missionary meeting, "Oh, they have often heard me: I have spoken to them every year for seven years past;" we cannot help inquir ing, whether the history of Missions has ceased to be productive of new facts; whether every successive year has not had its own peculiar incidents, its painful and its pleasing facts; its occasions of discouragement, and its instances of success. the speaker has always kept on general grounds, and confined himself to abstract reasonings, no wonder he feels comparatively little interest in speaking, and the people but little in hearing his addresses; but if with every returning year he has thought, what has occurred since our last meeting? what is there at the present time of important, urgent, and commanding interest? what that specially calls for the sympathy and prayers of the church? If he has cherished a spirit and habit of observation, in reference to the facts recorded and brought forward from month to month, he will be prepared to adduce new proofs of the need of the Gospel, and new illustrations of its power on heathen hearts; and to refer to new scenes where the same great remedy may be applied, and the same beneficial results expected.

These two points therefore go together, and are closely connected; and we would entreat ministers of the Gospel to bear in

mind the necessity of storing their minds, and perhaps of taking memoranda of facts and occurrences which may be thus efficiently and successfully made use of to inform the minds, and stimulate the zeal of their people.

3. It seems important also that this should be a constant, or at least a frequent practice. There are indeed many instances in which in the ordinary instructions of the Sabbath, ministers delight to illustrate their stated preaching by a reference to what is going on among the heathen, and pass instinctively from the explanation of Christian doctrine and Christian privilege, to the obligations thence arising to shed abroad the sweet savour of Christ among the heathen. Their hearts are warm in the cause of Missions, and from one week, or month, to another, their people hear of the subject, and it becomes a welcome part of the general instructions afforded.

But, are there not many churches in which scarcely any thing is heard on the topic between one anniversary and another? The genius of Christianity seems then awakened for a special purpose, and kept awake during a few days, or a week, till the Missionary festival has gone by; and then the spirit is deliberately laid to sleep again, as though it were a particular species of garment only to be worn on high days, a standard only to be display. ed on peculiar festivals of the church. A very slight observation would suffice to show which of these two modes of proceeding is most likely to maintain a missionary spirit; and we think it would show also which is most consistent with the real spirit of the Gospel, and most conducive to the life and power of religion in a church.

4. Would it not have a powerful and similar effect if the devotions of the sanctuary were in like manner made to bear frequently and directly on this subject? We do not now refer to the prayers offered at professedly Missionary Prayer-meetings, which it must be confessed are sometimes exceedingly barren of all full and distinct reference to the subject which is professedly before the congregation, but to the prayers on the Sabbath. How much life and enlargement, how much elevation and fervour, would they derive from being directed in a larger degree to the wants of a perishing world, and the revealed will and designs of the Lord Jesus Christ in reference to those who have not yet heard of his great salvation! This would at the same time be the best possible method of interesting the devout and prayerful feelings of the congregations in the great subject. Surely at no time does it assert so powerful a claim, and exert so commanding an influ

ence, as when the glory of the Mercy-seat is in full view, and all those holy emotions are called up in the minds of the congregation, in connexion with the work which God is carrying on among the nations, which tend to sanctify and invigorate the practical efforts of the worshippers for the advancement of that cause. Constantly brought before them in the prayers and instructions of the sanctuary, it would blend itself with all their recollections of spiritual enjoyment, and all their contemplations of Christian privilege; and both would form cogent motives and a prompt stimulus to increased zeal and more enlarged contributions.

5. Perhaps it may with propriety be recommended, that ministers make a more conscientious point of attending each other's meetings, and of exerting themselves to render them efficient. There is, generally speaking, no deficiency in large towns, and the places of worship of large churches; but in smaller and somewhat more obscure situations, systematic and efficient help would often be almost invaluable. And, it may be observed, this is a kind of agency attended with the least measure of expense, and can be brought to bear with least of practical difficulty.

When ministers are making arrangements previous to the meeting, their resolutions might have such a distinct reference to some part of the world, or to some feature of the work, as would direct the thoughts and remarks of each speaker in a specific channel; or those who are to address the meeting might advantageously agree among themselves what part of the world each will refer to, or what particular facts each will adduce and urge on the people. A considerable number of speakers, guarding against length in their addresses, taking on an average not more than a quarter of an hour, would give life, animation, and efficiency to our meetings, which would form a pleasing contrast to the tedium and unprofitableness that now sometimes mark the lengthened and comparatively irrelevant addresses by which the time of a meeting is occupied. Let us follow the example of a legal advocate, bring all the facts we can to support our views, and so direct the whole scope of our remarks to giving preeminence and effect to those facts, and insure the conviction and compliance of our hearers.

Other particulars of the same tenour and tendency might be added on this head.

But we have yet to notice an essential branch of the subject, viz. :

IV. What is required of Christian churches and congregations, and of the body of Christian people generally to secure the liberal and permanent support of Christian Missions ? We reply

1. That they distinctly view the matter as one of principle; that they depend less on the appeals made to them by others, and seek out those great practical views of their own character and obligations, which will prepare them to give heartily, and in a measure proportioned to their ability. It may be justly doubted whether there is any thing like a careful and conscientious estimate of personal responsibility, in reference to pecuniary contribution, on the part of those to whose stewardship a large measure of this world's goods is intrusted. utter disproportion observable between what is spent on themselves, their own indulgence and gratification, and what is laid out for the good of men and the glory of God, is a manifest and painful proof of this.

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It can scarcely have escaped observation, how freely, and even cheerfully, a large sum is expended on a trip or journey of pleasure, not at all required for the sake of health; and yet how very slowly, and in what small measure funds are applied to objects connected with the promotion of the cause of Christ. A person may be met with who gave his guinea a year, when his annual income did not exceed 2007., and who has now twice that amount at his dis... posal, but has made no adequate increase in his contributions. He has expended more in beautifying his house, in the improvement of his premises, in the purchase of ornamental furniture, and the improvement of the general style and appearance of his establishment; but he has never deliberately considered what was required of him by the great Proprietor who has intrusted to him this increase of wealth. Nothing can be a stronger proof than this is, that Christian principle has had very little to do with adjusting the proportion or amount expended relatively on these objects.

What is needed then but that Christians generally, and every Christian for himself, should settle it well in the mind that this is not the cause of man but of Christ, and has a claim upon him, not only for all that can be done without curtailing other branches of expenditure, but for all that conscientious self-denial and careful economy could enable him to spare? Such a person does not need to be roused and excited by the circumstances of time and place: his mind is made up, and he is prepared to act decidedly and liberally, "as to the Lord, and not to men.' Nothing would more effectually abate the necessity of a laborious and expensive agency than this; and we trust it is a view of the case that will increasingly prevail, a motive which will more and more be felt by the Christian public.

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2. It will be much more easy for private Christians to make their contributions large

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