annual meeting, was not in vain; it awakened your anxious concern for the best interests of these your countrymen; and, distant as they are, you determined to go over and help them, and carry to them also the glad tidings of salvation revealed in the gospel." "As a mean by the blessing of God of effecting this purpose, you established Mr. Jeffery, who had previously visited -the islands, as your itinerant there for one year, at a stated salary, and your committee have the pleasure to learn, that your benevolent efforts have been seconded with zeal; and, that, even in this short space much has been done towards chasing away that moral darkness, in which these islands have so long been enveloped, and spreading over them the light and influence of the Gospek" every denomination in the United Kingdom, break forth on the right hand and on the left, and the villages of Britain and its neighbouring isles, to be inhabited by those who fear God, and love our Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity." The Meeting which was numerously attended was addressed by the following | Ministers, Mr. Edwards of Little Wild street, Mr. Upton of Church-street, Blackfriars-road, Mr. Shirley of Seven Oaks, Mr. Giles of Lymington, Mr. Weare of Ipswich, Dr. Steadman of Bradford, Mr. Chin of Walworth, Mr. Welch of Newbury, Mr. Humphrey of Collumpton, and Mr. Jones of Wolston, and also by Thos. Thompson Esq. of Brixton, and Lieutenant Buck. Several Resolutions were passed for promoting the objects of the Society, to one of which we particularly recommend the attention of our readers. have resulted from their past exertions cannot help expressing their regret at the inadequacy of its funds to pursue its benevolent plans with spirit, and being satisfied that nothing further is wanted to insure the support so much needed than the direction of the more general attention of the friends of Christianity in Britain, to these important objects; they therefore recommend to ministers and others, the immediate formation of Auxiliary Societies in town and country." Thanks were then voted to the ministers engaging in itinerating. To t the Treasurer, Secretary, and committee, to the friends at Walworth for the support rendered by their auxiliary society, and to Mr. Deakins, of Hockley, who since Christmas last had presented the society with donations of £20 and £40. The report concludes by calling for "That this Meeting while they corattention to the funds of the society as dially congratulate the Committee of the follow:Baptist Itinerant Society, on the happy Upon a perusal of the treasurer's, gene-effects which through the divine blessing ral account, the liberal donations received from one gentleman, will undoubtedly attract your notice, and you will also perceive that the ordinary resources of the society, deprived of the unexpected assistance, would have fallen far short of its expenditure. The support received during the past year from the Walworth auxiliary society, will not pass unobserved; as it shews how much may be done by a number of small contributions. And your committee would indulge the hope, that this society would not long stand as it now does, alone; but that others would be formed upon similar principles. | The claims of the society are numerous .and increasing. The field opened before | you is wide; indeed it is only limited by your means. Were larger funds at your disposal, what good might you not under the blessing of Heaven accomplish! And to what an extent diffuse the knowledge of salvation ! The object of this society is, to extend its influence not only over Great Britain, but to the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Man, Alderney, Sark, and Scilly; but your funds have not hitherto enabled you to extend your la- At 11 o'Clock of the morning of bours to any other of these islands than the same day, the friends of this Scilly and indeed even upon that mission Society held their first meeting for your committee would observe, that the means hitlerto placed at their disposal, public worship, at the chapel in Spahave not been adequate to the perfor fields. The service was introduced mance of the engagement made last | by Dr. Rippon, who gave out a hymn, year with Mr. Jeffery. Seeing then the good which has been done, and the claims there are for continued and increased exertsons, your committee would cordially invite the friends of religion in London and in the country, to come to the help of the Lord our God; and by their prayers, their influence, and their personal exertions, in aid of the good work in which the society is engaged. They long to see the churches of Christ of : Subscriptions received by Mr. Pritt, Treasurer, 15 Wood-street, Cheapside, and Mr. Gale, Secretary, 70, Basing hall-street. .. BAPTIST MISSION. and engaged in prayer. Mr. Griffin, of Prescot-street, read the seventy second psalm; and Mr. Kinghorn, of Norwich, delivered the Discourse from Psalm xcvi. 3. "Declare his glory among the Heathen, his wonders among all people." He began by remarking that the words of the text originally formed a part of an Ode which David composed to cele brate the praises of the Most High when the Ark of God was brought from the house of Obededom and placed in the tabernacle which he had pitched for it in the city of Jerusafem. The whole of that divine poem is still upon reco d in 1 Chr. xvi, and the words of the text are to be found in the twenty fourth verse. The contents of the ninety sixth Psalm were afterwards extracted from the Anthem which David originally composed in celebration of that important event-and thus the Psalm was consecrated to the use of the church of God in all ages. In it, all the inhabitants of the earth are called upon to sing unto the Lord-to bless his name and shew forth his Salvation: and in the text, to " Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people." Before the preacher entered upon the discussion of his subject, he took occasion to remark, that the Rabbins and Doctors of the Jewish church, had from time immemorial considered this Psalm as having a particular reference to the Messiah. He cheerfully availed himself of their concession heartily joined issue with them in this its application-and therefore regarded it as coming down to us, sanctioned by the authority of the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ, as sustaining a direct and immediate ...reference to Him whom we worship as our God and Saviour. Having thus settled the application of the text, the preacher proceeded to an illustration of it, by considering 1. What it it is that we are called upon to declare among the heathen; and, 2. The particular duty enjoined upon Christians, viz. to declare, or make those things publicly known. These were the two leading branches of his Sermon, and they wore both of them 1. considered with a particular reference to the object of Missions, and the special duties of those persons who are engaged either, directly or indirectly in Missionary undertakings. In illustration of the first head of discourse Mr. Kinghorn remarked that "the Glory of God" taken in an extended sense includes in it all that revelation has exhibited to the children of men concerning him-the display of his name and character; his majesty and greatness, his power and excellency, as the great first cause, the Creator of all things, and the moral Governor of the Universe, ver4-8. and in this view, all the earth are called upon to "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; to worship and fear before him, seeing that" the Lord reigneth"-that he is great and greatly to be praised, and to be feared above all gods." It must be a leading object, with the Christian Missionary more especially, to hold up the glory of God, in this point of view, among the heathen— by making known that there is only one living and true God, who is the sole object of worship, in opposition to all the false "gods of the nations who are only idols." The glory of God also includes a display of all the attributes of Deity-his eternal existence, his almighty power, his infinite purity and holiness: his justice, faithfulness, mercy and goodness, so that in the sublime language of the prophet, we may say "Who is like unto the, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders." Exod. xv. 11. Under this. particular the preacher animadverted on a manifest trait in the character of Polytheism, which, always including superior and inferior deities, represents them as not only separate in their counsels and determinations, but eternally waging war with each other! and he strikingly contrasted with this absurd view of things, the scriptural account of the unity of the Godhead-“ Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord." And though it reveals a distinction in the Godhead, it unformly represents Jesus Christ "the Image of the invisible God"—one with his divine Father, in purpose, and counsel, as well as in every divine perfection. as But to "declare the glory of God," also includes, a declaration or making known among the heathen the way of salvation by Christ Jesus: for it is in this stupendous work of redemption, whereby guilty rebels are rescued from everlasting destruction, and raised to the enjoyment of eternal felicity in heaven, that the glory of God is most illustriously displayed. Every part of the plan of salvation is replete with manifestations of the divine glory-his wisdom in devising it—his faithfulness, power and truth in executing it-and his mercy love and pity, in doing all this for objects who by their guilt and rebellion, had justly exposed themselves to his just displeasure. It is the great business of the Christian ministry and must constitute the leading object of a Christian Missionary to hold up to the view of the heathen, the glory of the blessed God as it is displayed in the work of salvation. Mr. K. now entered upon the consideration of the duty that was thus incumbent upon Missionaries and others, namely to " Declare this glory of the Lord among the heathen," and especially the motives and reasons by which this duty comes recommended. This led him to glance at the Commission which Christ gave to his Apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He adverted to the transactions of the day of Pentecost, when the divine promise was fulfilled in the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, conferring miraculous gifts upon the first Heralds of salvation, and qualifying them for speaking in various languages "the wonderful works of God" among people of all nations. Acts ii. 9-11. He took a rapid survey of tho progress of Christianity by the ministry of the apostles and primitive teachers: which naturally led him to enquire, why it became the duty of Christians in every succeeding age and generation, to declare the glory of God among the heathen, and his wonders among all people:" and here he dwelt chiefly on two particulars. But to declare the glory of God, also includes in it, a making known among the heathen, those grand and interest facts, by which this salvation was accomplished. This salvation was promised upon the fall of man— in the times of Moses this promise was enlarged and various institutions were given not only to confirm it, but types and shadows were added to illustrate the manner in which it was, in the fulness of time, to be accomplished. But the writings of the prophets," who testified before hand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow," was a light shining more and more unto the perfect day." In the fulness of time God sent forth his Son, made of a woman and made under the law to redeem guilty rebels from the curse of the law, and save them from impending misery. To declare the glory of God is to make known among the heathen, the facts which relate to Jesus Christ, his person, character, sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension to the throne of his glory in the heavens. From these facts emanate all the doctrines and duties of Christianity. Here the preacher made some very judicious remarks on the importance of ministers and missionaries not overlooking the external evidence of Christianity, such as the miracles that have been wrought in attestation of its divine authority -the astonishing accomplishment of prophecy, &c. &c.-nevertheless, he was free to admit that its internal was that which demanded more especial regard He descanted with glowing animation on the character of the Son of God-the grandeur of the economy of redemption-the mis-ed the preaching of the gospel with sion of the Saviour-his crucifixion resurrection-and ascension to heaven, in all of which the finger of God is to be manifestly traced. And the preacher finished this first head of his discourse by an appeal to his hearers on the absurd and shocking consequences that inevitably result from the bare supposition of Christianity being a cunningly devised fable. First, It is God's appointed way of bringing men to heaven. "Tis his own system, and therefore becomes entitled to our submissive and dutiful regard. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness-but it is the power of God unto the salvation of all that believe it. It is not in itself foolishness-it is the wisdom of God; and though men from their pride and the blindness of their minds may esteem it such, yet "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." It is "life eternal to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent❞— but this knowledge is no where else to be obtained, aside from the doctrine of the cross. No wonder then that the blessed God, who is jealous of his own glory, should have stamp peculiar tokens of his approbation, and of his displeasure against those who have set themselves to oppose its progress in the world. It was the rejection of the Messiah that brought wrath unto the uttermost upon the Jewish Temple and nation; and he will never fail to avenge the persecutors of his people, who have shed the blood of his saints. As there is has already crowned the Baptist Mission to India is the pledge of a inore abundant harvest, which its friends shall assuredly reap if they faint not. In the evening of the same day, the friends of the Society held their se no name under heaven given among men, whereby we can be saved but the name of Jesus Christ, so God will accept no sinner without faith, or the knowledge of the gospel, and hence we may learn the importance both of the gospel itself, and the pub-cond meeting for public worship at lication of it among all the nations of the earth. Zion chapel; on which occasion, after singing, and prayer, and reading the Scriptures, they were addressed by Mr. Winterbotham, of Horsley_in Glostershire, from Mal. i. 11. "For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of The particulars which he undertook to discuss from this passage were the state and condition of society manifestly supposed or implied in the text the important change to be produced in it—and the means by which that great change is to be brought about. Moreover; it is the design of Christ, in sending his gospel abroad among all nations, that his glory should be seen, in every age and in every land. "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call him blessed," Ps. lxxii. 17. As the reward of his obedience and sufferings, "the heathen is given him for an in-hosts." heritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession." Ps. ii. 8. "Every valley must be exalted, and every mountain and hill be made low-that the glory of the Lord may be revealed and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Is. xl. 4, 5. These When the text foretells a time in considerations abundantly evince the which the name of the Lord is to be duty that is incumbent upon Chris-great, it necessarily implies an awful tians to spread abroad the knowledge of Christ, to the utmost of their power, and hence the necessity of Missionaries to heathen countries. For as the uttermost ends of the earth are included in the Father's grant to his Son, the latter must of necessity have his people there, whom he will have to be saved and, for that purpose, to come to the knowledge of the truth. On these grounds the preacher ably pleaded the cause of the Baptist Missionary Society, and further enforced the object of the meeting, from a consideration of the exellency of the gospel, which contains in itself a powerful inducement to all who have themselves tasted that the Lord is gracious, to be the means of communicating its benefits to others. Wherever it gains access to the heart it always makes its friends. desirous of spreading it abroad, that others also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The difficulties that attend Missions to the heathen, though confessedly great, are not insuperable. It is now too late to say that God will not convert the heathen-the gospel is still attended with divine power, as at the frst; and the success with which he fact, that at the time the prophecy was delivered the general state of the world was widely different. To il lustrate this melancholy fact, the preacher adverted to the testimony of the oracles of God respecting the state and condition of mankind in general before they are enlightened by the gospel, and sanctified by its power. Their "understandings are darkened through the ignorance that is in them" their hearts alienated from Godand opposed to his worship. And this was the unhappy case with all his hearers, unless the gospel had found its way to their minds, and they had been thereby quickened from a death in trespasses and sins. This state of society exists universally, and is not peculiar to any age or any country. Here the preacher took a review of the state of the world from the period of the fall of man to that awful hour when God looked down from heaven and "saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, was only evil continually, and in his righteous displeasure he destroyed the earth with a flood. 'In the family of Noah, the world began to be re-peopled, but the deluge had not cleansed the earth from sin! When God called Abraham out front his country, and kindred, and father's house, the world had again sunk into idolatry: and to preserve the worship of the true God, the posterity of Abraham were separated from all other nations, taken into covenant with the Most High, favoured with statutes and ordinances, which were calculated to keep them a distinct people, and preserve them faithful in the worship of the true God. Yet such was the progress of sin during the continuance of the Mosaic dispensation, that all the Gentile nations became gradually immersed in idolatry. The vilest superstition prevailed universally-deities multiplied in rapid succession, until the author of evil became himself an object of worship, and the finest feelings and most amiable sensibilities of the human breast became so blunted, that the parent caused his own offspring to pass through the fire to Moloch; and in the days of our Lord and his apostles, the latter could affirm without a qualifying clause, "We are of God, and the whole world lieth in the wicked one." Philosophy was altogether inadequate to correct this horrid state of things: "The world by wisdom knew not God," and a more powerful antidote than any thing which learning, or science, or philosophy could unitedly furnish was found necessary to stem the torrent of iniquity, and restore fallen man to his rank in the creation. It is in immediate reference to this condition of the human race that the promise in the text was made " now shall my name be great among the Gentiles." more rose upon a benighted world." The gospel at first spread extensively, and Jesus himself testified, "I saw Satan fall as lightening from heaven." The primitive Christians doubtless anticipated the most splendid triumphs of their Redeemer's cross, in the universal extension of his kingdom-but the Antichristian apostacy speedily checked its career a horrible system of superstition and idolatry supplanted the Christian simplicity, and at the end of eighteen hundred years, five or six hundred millions of the human race are still without hope and without God in the world! Even to the present day sin reigns and triumphs; but shall we conclude that the promises of God shall ultimately fail in their accomplishment, and that the prayers of the pious shall never be answered? The preacher indeed would be tempted to despair, did not the Bible and the promise of God in the text forbid it. Mr. W. now came to consider the important and glorious change, predicted and promised in the text; when instead of the prevalence of infidelity, and idolatry, and superstition, and vice, the name of Lord should be great among the gentiles, from the rising to the setting sun; and in every place incense and a pure offering should be presented unto him. This mighty revolution in the state of society, will take its rise from the knowledge of God as reconciled unto sinners through the death of his beloved Son. The preacher dwelt with much energy and effect upon the importance of this view of the divine During the law, the knowledge of character-demonstrated that it is the true God was chiefly confined the only thing which can soften the within the circumscribed limits of one heart of man, and incline it to acfamily. Prophecy kept alive the ex- ceptable obedience, while at the same pectation of the promised Saviour-time it fully explains the mystery why and the faithful were from time to Philosophy has never been able to time, breathing out their ardent wish-convert a sinner from the error of es, "Oh that the salvation of Israel his way, or save a soul from death. were come out of Zion." At length The effect of this knowledge of the Messiah appeared. In his person, God, as reconciled to sinners through and work, and death, and resurrection, the atonement, will be an universal and ascension to glory the predic-submission to God, from man thus retions of the prophets received their covered. This is beautifully exfulfilment the law was magnified and pressed in the text, by their offermade honourable--the justice of Goding incense and a pure offering unto obtained satisfaction for sin-God was his name." "This striking similitude glorified in the highest-and complete seems to embrace the feelings of unisalvation wrought out for sinners of versal love and gratitude to God for all ranks, and degrees, and times, and all his mercies, and especially for his countries. The apostles preached the great love to sinners, expressed togospel, and the glory of "the Lord once wards them by the unspeakable gif |