moting Christian Knowledge," founded in 1698, established a connection with the first Protestant Mission to the heathen, the Danish Mission to the Hindus at Tanquebar, in 1709. The "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," incorporated in 1701, does not appear to have had any Missions to the heathen for many years after its formation. John Wesley did not acknowledge himself a Missionary of this Society when in America; nor would he receive a salary from them; but he furnished them with most valuable reports as to the state of the settlements and the proceedings of the clergymen employed by them. The journals of that eminent man show how his heart yearned over the heathen, and how willing he would have been to devote his life to their spiritual benefit. Divine Providence permitted his wish to be frustrated, and directed his course back to his native land for the accomplishment of a greater work than was possible, humanly speaking, among the scattered population of America at that time.

The circumstances connected with the introduction of Methodism into America are related at large in the pages of this work. Particulars are also given of the commencement of Methodist Missions to the heathen in the West Indies in 1786, as well as in other countries in after years. Many providential circumstances concurred to favour the benevolent work among the negroes at its commencement; and to the present day the blessing of God has rested upon it.

In reference to Missions, at this early date, Mr. S. D. Waddy is in possession of an original document of some value, and of more than usual interest. It is entitled, "A Plan of the Society for the establishment of Missions among the Heathen;" the annual subscription consti

tuting a member being two guineas. The General Meeting of the Society to be held on the last Tuesday in January 1784. A List of Contributions is published, amounting to £66 3s. Od., and a letter is addressed to the Rev. John Fletcher, of Madeley, requesting his co-operation. It is signed "Thomas Coke," who was no doubt the author of the following address::

"TO ALL THE REAL LOVERS OF MANKIND.

"THE present institution is so agreeable to the finest feelings of piety and benevolence, that little need be added for its recommendation. The candid of every denomination (even those who are entirely unconnected with the Methodists, and are determined so to be) will acknowledge the amazing change which our preaching has wrought upon the ignorant and uncivilised, at least throughout these nations; and they will admit that the spirit of a Missionary must be of the most zealous, most devoted, and self-denying kind: nor is anything more required to constitute a Missionary for the heathen nations than good sense, integrity, great piety, and amazing zeal. Men possessing all these qualifications in a high degree we have among us, and I doubt not but some of these will accept of the arduous undertaking, not counting their lives dear, if they may but promote the kingdom of Christ, and the present and eternal welfare of their fellow-creatures. And we trust nothing shall be wanting, as far as time, strength, and abilities will admit, to give the fullest and highest satisfaction to the promoters of the plan, on the part of

"Your devoted servants,

"THOMAS COKE,
"THOMAS PARKER.

"Those who are willing to promote the institution are desired to send their names, places of abode, and sums subscribed, to the Rev. Dr. Coke, in London, or Thomas Parker, Esq., Barrister-at-law, in York."

Animated by the spirit which dictated this "Address," Dr. Coke, encouraged by Mr. Wesley, never ceased his endeavours on behalf of Africa, the West Indies, and the

East. When nearly alone he had to bear the burden of providing means for the support of Missions, he was not discouraged. As a lover of humanity, and as a diligent student of prophecy, he looked forward with joy and confidence to the success of Missionary efforts; and the result showed that he had not been mistaken: he reaped a full and glorious reward.

In the year 1804, on the departure of the Doctor for America, a Committee was appointed to undertake the management of the Missions which had for more than twenty years chiefly devolved on himself, the Rev. Joseph Benson, president; William Marriot, Esq., treasurer; and Joseph Butterworth, Esq., secretary.

On Dr. Coke's appointment to India in 1813, the Society was reorganised, and in the course of a few years was placed upon its present permanent footing.

Many volumes of great interest relating to the Missions have been published, but in no case has an entire history of the whole been attempted, until Mr. Moister's publication of last year, addressed chiefly to youthful readers, which, meeting with much encouragement, has been improved and enlarged so as to form the volume now submitted to the reader. This undertaking has had the approval of the authorities of the Missionary Society, and its accomplishment is regarded as a fitting completion of the many works on Missions which the author's extensive personal knowledge and diligent researches have enabled him to publish, to the great advantage of the cause to which his life has been devoted.

WESLEYAN MISSION HOUSE,

Bishopsgate-street Within, London.

ELIJAH HOOLE.

IT

ISLES-FRANCE,

SWITZERLAND, AND GERMANY GIBRALTAR, SPAIN, AND ITALY-
MALTA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN.

T has been admitted by writers of almost every shade of political opinion, that, at the commencement of the seventeenth century, religion and morality were at a very low ebb throughout the length and breadth of ENGLAND and the British Isles. The clergy of the Established Church, with few exceptions, were notoriously addicted to the pleasures of the world, and manifested little regard for the spiritual interests of their parishioners; whilst the ministers and members of Dissenting congregations exhibited a fearful lack of spiritual life in their religious worship and church organisations. The result was a general disregard for religion among all classes of people, and the prevalence of infidelity and crime in almost every part of the land. It was at this juncture, and in this special time of need, that God, in His providence, raised up the Rev. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, his pious and devoted brother Charles, and other good men, who took a prominent part in that wonderful religious movement, which was