WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 17, 27 September 1845, Page 2

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

On Monday evening, the 22nd inst., the Annual Meeting of the Auckland Auxiliary Missionary Society was held in the Wesle> an Chapel. The platform was occupied'by the Missionaries, who we're convened together from various parts of the island, to transact 'the usual business of their district meeting ; and the numbers and respectability of the audience evinced the increasing interest which missionary operations still exert over the minds of the enlightened and humane : indeed, the crowded slate of the chapel gave evidence, that even a much larger building would have been well filled. The chair was taken by the Reverend Walter Lawry, the General Superintendent of the Society's Missions in these seas,— who commenced the busin'ess'of the evening by singing and prayer. The chairman then alluded briefly to the objects of the meeting, and expressed his gratification at witnessing so numerous an assem-. blage of the friends of missions ; and he felt assured, that the fruits of missionary labour, which would be witnessed by the meeting would enlist their sy mpathies, and excite their gratitude He wished it to be understood that the meeting was not a political one, and hoped that they would confine themselves to the business in hand. No person could form a coirect idea of what missionary labour had really effected, unless he had witnessed the condition and character of this people twenty years ago. He could bear his personal testimony to the fact, that the change was so great, that it was the source of wonder and admiration, while it filled his mind with the most lively emotion of gratitude. He then alluded to the painful bereavement which himself and the society had suffei ed, in the sudden death of the Rev. John Skevington ; but while he sorrowed, on account of the loss which he, the natives, and the colonists at large, sustained— he also rejoiced, in the conviction of the eternal happiness of the deceased, who had been cmi- ' neatly blessed hi Ins woik— had witnessed the

fruit of his labours— and had now entered upon his everlasting reward. He would detain the meeting by any protracted remarks: he had an aversion to long speeches and long services, unless they were very extraordinarily interesting, and should, tlieiefbre, call upon the Secretary to read a few extiacts from the Report of the Society's proceedings. Mi. Henry Lawry then read a few brief extracts, embodying astatistical account of the operations of the Society. There were, he said, 277 central, or principal stations, called circuits, occupied by the Society in vaiious parts of the world; 1656 chapels and other preaching places, at the above mentioned central or principal stations, as far as ascertained ; 385 missionaries and assistant missionaries j 1763 paid agents— such as catechists, interpreters, teachers, &c ; 4961 unpaid agents— such as sabbath-school teacneis ; 10 1,527 full and accredited church members $ 5268 on trial for shurch membership, as far as ascertained ; 65,088 scholars— deducting for those who attend both iay and sabbath-schools ; and seven printing establishments. To defray the expenses of this extensive moral machine, the income of the Society' during the past year was— £loB,7o4 7s. 3d; and its total expenditure, £112,908 ss. 2d. The Chairman then introduced Wei eta, a converted native, from the Taianaki (smith) district, the scene of the late Mr. Skevington's labours, and requested Mr. Whiteley to interpret for him to the meeting. He (the Chairman) would remind the meeting that this was not a person tutored for the occasion, but a simple-minded New Zealander, who would state to the meeting what God had done for his soul. Weretathen spoke to the following effecteach sentence, as he delivered it, being interpreted by the Rev. J. Whiteley of Kawhid : My Friends and Fathers— my Brethren and Sisters— my Ministers and Pastors, lam glad to see you. The gospel was not formerly known by us: we knew nothing of the grace of Godall that we knew was the work of Satan, which was destroying us— when God sent his servants to teach us the way of salvation The work was commenced at the Bay of Islands, and at Mangungu, and then carried to Waingaroa and Kawhia, by Mr. Whiteley and Mr. Wallis. The seed was first sown in my heart by Mr.Whiteley, when I was in captivity at Waikato. The seed was buried in the ground, and long remained hidden. Afterwards, I returned to my people, being liberated by my old masters, who had received the gospel j and, more missionaries arriving, the good news was brought by Mr. Skevington to my people— to the Ngatiruanui. | The missionaries did the work, but they could not make it prosper : God, by His Spirit, gave the increase — the power was of God. Mr. Skevington pieached to us, and constantly urged us to obey the injunction of Christ— " Enter into thy closet, and shut thy door, and pray to thy Father which seeth in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall'reward you openly." Then I began to pray to God, by night and by day: for twelve months I continued , praying, but could not obtain -what I sought, until one Sunday, in the beginning of this jear, Mr. Skevington preached from those words of St. Paul,— "Receive not ihe grace of God in vain :" — then my heart became exceeding dark— dark as the night, and I said—" I anrthe man that has leceived the grace of God in vain"; and sorrow for the sins which I had committed filled my heart. i remembered' all my thievish actions, my uncleanness, and my guilt, and I saw " hell moved from beneath, to meet me at my ooming;" and I felt that hell was my place— that it was a fit place for me, the man who had received the grace of God in vain. Then I cried earnestly, and prayed continually, for mercy, and cast myself upon Christ, and my heart palpitated with hope and fear, until I rested upon him, and I felt His Spirit bearing witness with mine, that I was a child of God. Then I became anxious for the salvation of my fiiends. ,1 said to my relations— my fathers, and my brethren, and my sisterspray to God— be earnest in prayer, that you may become the children of God. And Mr. Skevington, my father, kept preaching to my people, and many of them turned their hearts to God: and the work of Satan was destroyed. And now lam come here, though lam a stranger to you, and you are strangers to me, yet 1 am a child oi God, and am happy. And my father is gone— but Ido not sorrow for him: he was uot taken before he saw the fruit of his labours — he has seen the fruit of his labours among my people, and now he has gone' to the good home. — And we, my brethren and sisters, are on the road. We have not arrived at the good place like him, but we are in the way ; therefore let us pray to God to give us His Holy S pint, and a new heait, that we may all arrive together at the same good place. 1 have one word mote to say : let us get the grace of God in our hearts $ and let us pray to Him by night and by day, to send His Holy Spirit, to* make this Island, a holy Islandthat all men may know the salvation of God.— Wereta then sat down, amidst the unequivocal indications of the deep interest his statement had made upon the meeting. The Rev. J. Whitele'y then rose to move the following resolution. "That the preaching of the Gospel, to all nations, is a duty enjoined by Christ ; and that his disciples, in all ages and places of the world, are both honored and improved by their Lord and Master's call, to engage in any way, no matter how humble ii may be, in spreading abroad His truth, so that it shall, by His blessing, be understood, and practised, and enjoyed." Theßev. gentleman said — The expei ience of the Native who has just sat down is the best comment that can be ottered in illustration of this resolution ; he understands, he practices, he enjoys the gospel. The command of Christ was, "Go y< into all the world and preach the gospel to everj creature," and I stand before you as one of the feeble agents in this great woik — as one of those engaged in fulfilling the divine commission, b] preaching the gospel to the careless, the degraded the formerly cannibal New Zealander ; and w< should remember, that however low they ma; formerly have sunk in vice, in sin, and in wretch edness, they are equally capable of receiving tin gospel. They have as much right to the gospel; and have as deep an interest in the gospel as our selves. Some of us have been labouung in tin field for 6ix, ten, and twelve years, and years o deep anxiety and sorrow some of them have been Careless and indifferent theNewZealanders loiij remained, insensible to all our appeals, and unim

proved by all our labors : and had it not been for our firm reliance upon the promise of God, that his word should accomplish his gracious purposes, we should hare been weary and faint in, our minds. But the gospel has triumphed. What but the gospel I would ask has broken the power of the native" fapu,' T ( taboo) ? What but the gospel has so far dispelled the superstitions of "Maori Karakia, " (worship,/ and' undermined the influence of the Maori Atua* (god) ? And why this success? Why? Because of the promise, "Lo am I with yon alwajs, even unto the end of the world ! " Twelve years ago, very few of the natives either cared or thought about Salvation, but now we have thousands among them who are not only able, but are devoutly eager to read and study the scriptures; which, they are enabled to do through the munificence of that noble institution, the British and Foreign Bible Society ; and which they not only read but learn, and are able to repeat whole chapters and books, and cau be compared in most instances with European Christians in knowledge of the scriptures. The resolution speaks of the honor, and improvement connected with this work ; and I would say* have not England, apd the churches of England, been honored and exalted in this work? God has eminently blessed the efforts of his people, and on this account our beloved country has been raised to a station of pre-eminence amongtt the nations of the earth. She stands conspicuous for her efforts to evangelize the world, and; the churches at home, while watering others have been watered themselves. Yes, it is an honorable work, and while we admit, and sometimes tremble at the responsibilities of our office, we will not yield our ground, though assailed by calumny and misrepresentations. We are honorable men, and we mean to maintain our character. We boldly assert that you have no friends more honest and true, no well-wishers more.sincere and affectionate; and as it respects human protection, no defenders more powerful and effective: we make interest with heaven and earth in your behalf, and by our prajers, we lay hold of the strong arm of Omnipotence for your defence. We are the true friends of our country and our countrymen. Think not, that we do not sympathize with your sufferings and your trials. In the contemplation of the present state of our land we are often found exclaiming with the prophet, "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears j that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my f people;" yet, my friends, we hope better things concerning you than areat,pies>entanticipated,-j-we hope better things of the country and of the natives. We cannot believe" that" the prayers of God's people, which have besieged the tin one of grace, for New-Zealand, for many years; will be totally unanswered. We cannot believe that the vast amount ol money, time,influence, talent, and self denying labor, shall prove all in rain. We cannot believe that. God will allow His own. word to fall to the ground ; biifwe look forward to the [day, when the influence of the gospel we ■now preach and advocate, will be paramount ; and this land* be blessed" with? prosperity and peace." — The Rev. gentleman" novv sat ' down amidst protracted applause. The Chairman then introduced John Fisher, a converted native, and requested the Rev. T. Buddie to interpret for him. John Fisher said—My friends, lam glad to see you sitting thus in grace and love, the grace of God isgreat among you. Formerly you were a different people, — w e were a different people, now we are " brought nigh by theblood of Christ," therefore I love you. The heart of man cannot com prehend the grace of G od, it is so great ; therefore I am thinking of his servants who are flying through the world like angels, to sow the seeds of his gospel among every people. 1 say, there are no riches to be compared with the riches of grace 5 the riches of this world are nothing, no, nothing;, but those endure unto eternal life. The word of God commands all men to repent, that they tany be saved. 1 have felt the darkness of my heart, and have sorrowed, but not according to the sorrows of this world. I have sorrowed for my sins, and I am now thinking of Christ's word in the third chapter of Revelation,— " Be faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life," and I say, let all those who repent and are sorry for their sins, be faithful unto death that they may all receive the prize. The riches that God hath, given us are great indeed, but for his grace' we should have all been swept off long ago, but I will not say any more, only this word ; it is a word to you, the grace of God hath come down to us, and will save all who believe. The Rev. James Buller of Kaipara, rose to second the resolution. He said :— Every Missionary effort was a compliance with the command of Christ, and a carrying out of the practice of Christ and the Apostles, — in recognition of the same principle the Apostles went forth every where preaching the word, like the " augel flying in the midst of heaven, haviug the everlasting gospel to preach to all the nations that dwell upon the earth ;" and the Society whose interests I now advocate, are endeavouring lo follow the bright example set before them, and like their venerable founder Wesley, and his coadjutors, make it the business of their lives " to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land." But, Mr. Chairman, we do not expect to accomplish this without opposition ; like our Divine master we are prepared to go through '• evil as well asgood report"; and we are content to do so,"for the disciple is not above his Lord." But, sir, we can well afford to smile at the opposition of those, who, with presumptuous arrogance, dare usurp the seat of God, and call in question the validity of our ministry, while we can point to a goodly number in our churches, like those who have been produced to night, and can say, " Ye are the seals of our ministry — living epistles read and known of all men.'* Others there are whose opposition is dictated by malevolence towards God and enmity to His gospel. These we caunot condescend to notice. We have a great work to perform and cannot come down to them ; let them ceaselessly endeavour to load our name with obloquy and reproach ! It was the same aforetime, and we are willing to endure it. Their censure is our praise. The great Apostle would stand forth before the gates of the polished heathen, haughty Rome, and say, ( 1 am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,' and were it possible to couvene the world within these walls, I would not be ashamed, this night, to avow myself a standardbearer of the cross. But there is another class of oppositionists, who are more worthy of respect, and whose objections demand attention. They acknowledge the utility and duty of Christian missions in general,

but they ask, have these missionaries in New Zealand kept to the legitimate duties of their office ?— have they not proved themselves agitators and abusers of their influence over the Native mind? —and are they not inimical to the interests of colonization ? I answer, No! and I defy any one to invalidate the position which I take; missionaries came first and prepared the way for the colonists, — who, but for them, could not have remained on the island. This is not a mere assertion. The experiment has been tried. Manyyearsago,a Scotch company wa's formed, and a settlement attempted in the northern part of this island ; but they could not effect a landing, they dared not to admit the natives to traffic without the greatest suspicion and care, and were ultimately compelled to abandon the design. Now, I would asli, If missionary influence is so much against colonization, and if they are the authors of those calamities under which the land is at present laboring and writhing, — how came the colony here at all ? Missionaries have influence, and their influence has been coeval with their labours ; and if this influence had been exerted against our countrymen, would it not have prevented the establishment, or have led to the overthrow of the colony ? Yes, but here are the natives fighting against us, and they are natives who have been under missionary instruction. We admit, and we lament the fact; but does it lollow that this is the result of missionary teaching ? It would be very easy to shew that this evil may be traced to other and diversified causes; but, I ask, is it not fortunate that those natives now at war with us, have most of them been under Missionary influence ? Has not this circumstance tended to mitiga'e the evils consequent upon war ? When I think of the scenes of by-gone days, of the massacre of the crew of the Boyd,— and various other enormities that might be mentioned, I shudder at the thought that the^e barbarities might have been re-acted on a larger scale but for missionary influence. And let it be remembered that there are also missionary natives who have taken up arms for the government '.—and in defence of the white population ! Auckland is at this moment indebted to missionary influence for its existence.— When the destruction of Kororarika, (that sad event which will never be effaced from the annals of New Zealand history) was effected,and the natives, flushed and intoxicated with their success, expressed their wish to be allowed to pass on by way of Kaipara, to add Auckland to the number of their conquests, they were denied the liberty of passing through that district It would ill become me to say how far this denial was prompted hy missionary iufluence; but a boundary line was drawn, and the loyal natives of Kaipara dared the rebels to tresspass it. And loyal they are to this day, and let me add, so long as missionary influence can direct them, loyal they shall continue, (great applause). A Missionary disloyal! No, sir, I repudiate the charge : as a free born Englishman, as a British subject, I repudiate the charge ! As a follower of Wesley, as a servant of the Wesleyan Conference, and as an agent of theWesley an Mission, ] cannot be disloyal ! When I forget the obligation I owe to my country, and my duty to my countrymen, then may my " right hand forget its cuuning." (applause). But we look not for the applause of men, we do uot want it ; our record is on high, and our rejoicing is this, "the testimony of our own conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not by fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have our conversation in the world." In support of what I have advanced, I may tell you, sir, whatTirarau said to me the other day, when speaking of the conduct and character of the Parawhao tribe, who drove the unfortunate settlers from Wangarei. I should however first apprize you, that Tirarau had been to see the Governor, to disclaim all future interest or sympathy for this rebel tribe, and to state his perfect acquiescence in any measures that His Excellency might adopt agaiust them, notwithstanding they were his intimate relations. Speaking of this people he said, " I'll tell you why these people are rebels, — it is because you have not sent them a missionary ! (hear, • hear). If they had a missionary, they would stay at home, they would not have gone to the Bay, and there joined with Heke, neither would they have driven away the settlers ; it is because they have no missionary that they are disloyal !" (hear, hear). Now Sir, I would remind you that this is not the testimony of a missionary, but of a heathen chief, — a man of rank, influence, and intellect! In conclusion, I would observe, that time is short and life uncertain ; — (here the Rev. gentleman made some pointed allusions to the sudden death of his brother missionary)— and as we are called upon by the Divine command; as we are called upon by the heathen perishing around vi ; as we are called upon by the mouldering remains of our departed brother, to be instant in season, and out of season, — we would *' work while it is called to-day;" and if, like him' we should be suddenly called from a scene of warfare to a state of rest, we shall die honourably in the field, svvord in hand, and deem it an honour to be thus dismissed : " Our bodies with our charge lay down, And cease, at once, to work and live.' 1 The resolntion was then put, and carried unanimously. The Chairman then called upon the Rev. James Wallis, of Waingaroa, who moved — "That as no efforts of men can be of any avail, in this holy •work, without the Divine blessing thereon, we recognise the duty of Christians to look for the eftu&ion of the Holy Spirit in answer to our prayers, that when—' Pdul shall plant, and Apollos water, God may give the increase.' " Mr. Wallis said,— l thank you, sir, for the hint you have given about long speeches, for it is very convenient to be brief when one is not prepared to say much. The resolution I have just read, designates our work— a " holy work." Yes, it is a holy work ; it is saving men from death ; converting them from the error of their ways ; turning them from sin to holiness ; from Satan unto God, But there are also minor objects connected with the welfaie of our fellow-crea-tures, embodied and comprised in our work. We do not bring the Gospel exclusively — we bring it with all its holy, elevating, civilizing, and instructive associations; and that which we have heard this evening, is calculated to make us gird up the loins of our mind —to recombineour energies, and proceed with thankfulness in our work of faith, and labour of love. But great and holy and important as is the work, we know that it cannot be carried on independently of the Spirit of God. Where that Spirit is not, there is night,dark midnight, " darkness binding as a spell." Who can tell the darkness and depravity of the human heart in its best estate t — but who can tell the thickness of that darkness, and the depth of that depravity which existed in ihe hearts of those whose interests we are advocating? But notwithstanding, we are not discouraged, — we have seen instances to-night of the power of the Holy Spirit, to enlighten, and sanctify and save ; and this is the reward of our labor, for we do not come merely to civilize, but to turn them from, darkness to light j and while

we labour in faith, we must, we shall, succeed. I might allude to many instances of the power of I the Spirit of God, in making effectual the truths of His word, to the salvation of the New Zealanders. — but one will suffice. A few mouths ago, a woman ofWaikato, the wife of a chief of rank, whose name I dare suy is familiar to many in this assembly, (William Naylor), died under jvery encouraging circumstances. She had formerly been convinced of sin, and was desirous of being made acquainted with the Way of Life. She was put under a course of instruction, and, after giving satisfactory evidences of a change of heart, admitted to full communion as a child of God, a" new creature in Christ Jesus 5" and she continued a consistent and exemplary character. She was not old, but was lately seized with sudden illness, and it was my privilege to witness her dying moments, and to listen to her parting words. When asked how she felt in the near prospect of eternity, she replied, " that she was conscious of the impurity oi her heart, and the many imperfections of her life, but, while one side of her heart was dark on account of her many offences, the other side was light, because she knew that her Saviour, Jesus Christ, had forgiven all her sins, she was not afraid to go to her Father." Well has the poet sung the confidence of the dying believer, and his description is ap- '■. plicable to the scene I witnessed ; " The chamber where the good man meets his fate, Is privileged beyond the common walk j Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven." j I asked her if she had any thing to communicate, or any final directions to give. She answered " No, excepting to thank you for all your kindness towards me." The New Zealanders have be endescribed as uniformly ungrateful, — but, sir, we have here an exhibition of the purest gratitude, for she had received no obligation from me, beyond those connected with my relationship to her as her pastor : and it was for the kindness ol having been taught and instructed in the gospel of Salvation, that this New Zealand woman gave her dying thanks ! Casting her arms upwards, she exclaimed — " Now lam going to the kingdom of Glory," and sinking into the attitude of death, without a strug- J gle, she expired. Such was the end of a New Zealand woman. Now Sir, I have no doubt, but this woman is before the Throne of God, and what has been done for one, may be done for thousands. But we do not arrogate to ourselves the credit of the work. Of ourselves we can do nothing, — all our sufficiency is of God, and we fully recognise, and desire constantly to live under the impression of the sentiment contained in the resolution,— that Paul may plant, and Apollos may water, but God alone can give the increase. The Rev. G. Smales, of Aotea, seconded, and the Rev. T. Buddie supported the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Rev. H. Hanson Turf on, of New Plymouth, rose to move the third resolution. " That amid many difficulties and discouragements, in the New Zealand Mission, it has pleased Almighty God, not to leave His servants, who are engaged in this great enterprize, without indications of His approbation of their efforts,, in the diversified successes by which they are distinguished and cwwned. The Rev. gentleman appeared to be dpeply affected, and 6poke in so low atone, that his opening remarks were inaudible. He said — Little did I think that a catastrophe so painful, so unexpected, and so solemn, would have preceded this meeting, as the death of my late fellow-la-bourer, the Rev. J. Skevington j in him, the natives have lost a faithful pastor — you, a sincere and devoted friend — and we, a beloved brother. His flock are left like sheep without a shepherd, and I am sorry to add, like sheep in the midst of wolves; but the Almighty disposer of human events will bring good out of this apparent evil. This is the second time that the ruthless hand of death has entered our mission field, and carried a labourer from the vineyard. Five years ago we lost our chairman, the late Rev. John Bumby, who was drowned in crossing over from Waiheke to the main j and now, near the same place, we have lost another devoted missionary, my dear brother Skeyington, my nearest neighbour, and most intimate friend. He had been suffering from ill health during the greater part of the last twelve months. Ever since we returned from Kawhia, after the last district meeting, he had complained of oppressive pain in the chest and stomach. That journey was performed under the most tiying circumstances, the weather was most severe, and we were exposed to great privations from the scarcity of provisions, and deficiency of clothing; and he has frequently written to me during the past year, saying that he continued to feel the ill effects of that journey. But, notwithstanding his indisposition of body, the ardour of his missionary zeal allowed of no relaxation ; and he continued with unabated eagerness to prosecute the work of his extensive district. I wrote to him frequently, exhorting him for his health's sake, to moderate his efforts, expressing my conviction, that neither duty nor principle demanded such excessive laboriousness. His answer to this appeal was always the same, "The work must be done, and there is none but myself to do it!" And thus he continued to tax his enfeebled powers, literally working himself to death; holding special meetings nearly every night, in the week, nt which as many as forty and fifty natives constantly attended! Mr. Bumby in his anxiety to avoid the dangers connected with the livers on the western coast, met with his death in the waters that surround your port; and my departed friend, who fondly hoped that his recent journey would recruit his health, has been called to his reward within a very short distance of the same spot. We may also be summoned as suddenly as he, but if we are only as well prepared, all will be well Appropriate indeed, was the subject of the discourse to which he was listening, when the cold hand of death was laid upon him, "They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever," for he passed suddenly from our sight, and is now shining in the firmament of glory, where he shall dwell in the brightness of eternal day when time shall be no moi c. As to my own district, I can only say; that I am rather more satisfied with my natives now than 1 was during the last year, and every one who is qualified to judge of the success 0! missionary labor, must be satisfied with the change effected in their character throughout the whole island. If we would form a correct estimate o that change, let us take a sheet of paper, and or one side desci ibe the various features of tbeii conduct as exhibited in former days, and on tin other, the tiaits discoverable in their present be

havionr, and, if candid, we must come to the conclusion, that a great work has been accomplished, a most wonderful change effected. And ; as an appendix to such a summary of the past and present state of the Aborigines, we might add the affecting circumstance which it has been our pleasure to witness during the course of this meeting, viz., a poor despised New Zealander, whose countrymen, we, upwards of twenty years ago, | came to instruct and convert ; now coming forward on this platform, and, in the fulness of his I heart, urging the doctrines of the cross, upon the attention of a Christian audience. O ! that we i may each enjoy like precious faith. The Rev. G, Buttle seconded the resolution. He said :— I would add but one word, and then commit the resolution to the meeting. You my friends occupy a position of peculiar advantage compared with the Christian churches at homo. In answer to our appeals, we obtain from them their money, and their prayers,— but you can do more than this, you can furnish example ; and example in the Christian system is of the utmost importance,— we know that it is more powerful even than precept. The Great Head of the Church himself, left us an example that we should follow His steps.— And the natives have their eyes upon you. They frequently ask, — are these the servants of Christ? are these professors of the Gospel ? — I would second the resolution of the native Wereta, and reiterate his injunction, to get the Grace of Go& in your hearts, and then you will glorify Him in your lives. If you were well acquainted with our mission stations, you would more readily believe in our success. The knowledge of the Scriptures which our natives display is truly astonishing, many of them can repeat chapter after chapter, and in some instances whole gospels have bepn committed to memory ; and though we cannot in all cases say that their practice corresponds with their attainments, yet we have many encouraging proofs that they have not learned in vain. Look at Thomas Walker ; the gospel has produced and actuated his present conduct ; would he not have been a different man, but for the gospel? We do net boast of a success, which is merely a phantom of the imagination, but give you demonstration and proof. Let us not then despise the natives, — God will not despise them when they are admitted into the kingdom of heaven,— and we should not despise them while they are in the way. I have been much struck with the question addressed to me by almost every one I meet, viz.— How are the natives in your part of the island 1 Of course I understood this to have reference to the present disturbances in the north. I can only say to you, as I say to every one else, that they are as quiet as I am myself, (laughter), and as Mr. Buller has already said, so I would rejoin,— that so long as I have any influence over them, they shall continue so. The Rev. gentleman resumed his seat amidst laughter and applause. The Chairman said, now that we have heard Mr. Buttles one word, we will make the collection. The business of the evening was then closed with singing and prayer. We understand the amount of the collection and donations at the meeting, was £26 Is. 10|d., — and from the unanimity of feeling which pervaded the meeting, and the interesting nature of the communications made by the speakers, we feel assured that the greatest satisfaction was experienced by those who were present.