BRITISH COLONIES AND CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 11, 1 July 1850, Page 4

BRITISH COLONIES AND CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

TO THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. Among the many subjects of deep interest connected with Great Britain, at the present time, there is, perhaps, none of greater importance than her colonies. These, in whatever light they are viewed, appear invested with an importance which it seems impossible to over-rate. Our colonial friends, doubtless, believe with us, that all the great Providential movements now in progress—including, of course, the formation and growth of colonies—are designed to subserve the interests of the Redeemer’s kingdom. They believe, further, that it is the imperative duty of Christians to consider the peculiar aspects of Providence towards themselves, in their own peculiar circumstances ; to endeavour to ascertain what may be the designs of the Supreme Ruler with regard to them; and to fall in with these, and seek to the utmost to advance them. As regards the general question of the duty of Christians to promote, by every means in their power, the spread of the Gospel among heathen nations, nothing need be said. Happily, the obligation to this is now generally, almost universally, admitted. The question before us, therefore, is not, whether it is the duty of colonial Christians to aid in the work of Christian Missions; that they already do. In the Australian Colonies, which we have more particularly in view, there are some as warm and liberal friends to the Missionary Cause as perhaps are to be found anywhere. Still, we think it probable, that the time has now come when something might be done that would call forth a much larger amount of missionary zeal among them than has yet appeared. In new countries, things are in a progressive state. Time is required for them to attain to a degree of strength and consolidation before they are able to embark in great undertakings ; and it may be needful to proceed gradually as their circumstances and means may allow. Now, it is thus with the cause of Christian Missions. Infant colonies are not generally in circumstances to do more for this cause than render a little aid, in a pecuniary way, through the medium of societies in the mother country. But, when

the period of infancy has passed, and they are approaching something like the vigour of youth, the case is widely altered, and what they were not at one time in circumstances to attempt may have become an imperative duty. Now, this brings us to the point at which we are aiming, viz.: Has not the time now arrived when Christians in the Australian Colonies might, and ought to,

attempt something direct in the cause of Missions ? Might not a society be formed in Sydney on a basis similar to that of the London Missionary Society; i. e., combining Christians of all orthodox denomirations ; and auxiliaries formed on similar principles throughout all other parts of New South Wales and the adjacent colonies, and Van Dieman’s Land. Could such a society be formed, it might at once undertake a Mission, and, provided agents could be found, place six or eight Missionaries in the field. Or, should it be thought that the time is gone by for Christians of different denominations advantageously to unite in the manner proposed, are not single denominations in circumstances to make a movement ? Might not the Presbyterians have their society, and their two or three Missionaries in the field ? And might not the Congregationalists have their society, also, and two or more representatives among the heathen ? The greatest difficulty, it is apprehended, would be found in obtaining suitably qualified agents. The means of sending men to the field and supporting them there might probably be found without difficulty ; but where are the men themselves to be found ? That there would be difficulty here is fully admitted ; but, ought that, or any other anticipated difficulty, to deter the parties concerned from putting forth any effort in the way proposed ? Ought they not rather to go forward as far as their circumstances and means will allow, doing all in their power to promote the object, and trusting to the Lord of the harvest to furnish labourers, and whatever else may be needful to carry on his own work ? Might not something be done on the spot by the parties themselves to meet the difficulty in question ? Are there no young men of zeal and talent to be found who would be willing to devote themselves to the service of the Redeemer, provided the means of obtaining the necessary educational training were afforded ? Surely, in the city of Sydney itself, some such young men might be found. It is to be regretted, if in a city of British origin, containing a population of perhaps not less than

fifty thousand, some such persons cannot be found. But, should it be so, other parts of the colonies might supply the lack. And is there no Cornelius Winter in Sydney or Hobart-town, who, with the help of generous friends, might extend to such the needful assistance? Suppose this were done—suppose the Congregationalists, for example, had a society of their own, as pro-

posed, and a Mission of their own in some island or groupe of islands in their neighbourhood, carried on by themselves; would not the resul , in all probability, be most happy? Besides the direct benefits that might be conferred upon the heathen, would not an influence of the most desirable kind be exerted on themselves ? First, would not a missionary spirit be promoted? That such a spirit now exists, to some extent, has been already admitted ; but would it not be likely to be

greatly increased by the adoption of the course proposed ? It will surely be granted, that the indirect way in wnich it now finds an outlet—through the medium of societies in the mother country—is not calculated to foster and increase it to such a degree as that which is recommended. At all events, would not the adoption of some such plan as that proposed be much more likely to increase missionary zeal and develope missionary resources? That it would be thus, the writer cannot doubt. To adopt the necessary preliminary measures, to commence a Mission of their own, to watch its progress, to employ means for its continued support, to seek by prayer the blessing of the Head of the Church to rest on it, and to be in constant communication with Missionaries of their own, could not fail to increase the zeal of Christians in, and sympathy with, the great Cause. If, therefore, the increase of a missionary spirit and the developement of the missionary resources of a Christian community be an objec of importance, ought not our colonial friends at once to set about the work proposed ? But, further, would not the adoption of this course be likely to operate favourably on their own piety ? There are so many unfriendly influences abroad in all parts of the world, by which the difficulty of attaining to and keeping up a high degree of piety is increased ; and the importance of doing that is so great, that all who feel right on the subject will welcome whatever may, in any degree, contribute to it. Now, all experience proves—what might, indeed, have been inferred from the nature of the case—that to engage zealously in the cause of Christian Missions tends directly and powerfully to promote the piety of the individual or church so engaging. A church or churches, therefore, from a regard to their own interest, to take no higher ground, ought, to the utmost of their ability, to exert themselves to promote the Missionary Cause. There are, in addition to these things, special considerations to which it may be well tp refer, which seem to the writer of great import ance. These relate chiefly to the relative position of the Australian Colonies to ther fields of missionary labour they would be likely to occupy, in the gvent of their taking up independent Missions. The advantages they would possess in this respect over the mother country are immense. In the one case, a voyage of four, five, or six months must be undertaken before the field of labour can be reached ; in the other, ten days, a fortnight, or three weeks at most would suffice to reach the scene of operations. Now, let the difference of expense in the two cases be considered —the expense of outfits, passages, freight of goods, &c., and it will be seen, how great are the advantages of the one over the other in a pecuniary point of view. And let it be remembered, that the differences in question is a standing one. Missionaries do not merely require to be placed in the field. Intercourse must be kept up with them, supplies regularly transmitted to them, and the means of removal must be furnished when failure of health renders that necessary. There are, moreover, the difference of time consumed in voyaging, and all the unavoidable inconveniences and disadvantages which parties labour under in carrying on undertakings in parts so distant that they can only communicate with their agents at distant intervals. - Let these and other considerations which will suggest themselves be duly estimated, and it will be manifest, that colonial Christians have vast advantages for carrying on Missions in Polynesia over their brethren in Britain.

Now, we would ask, in view of these things, Are we not justified in urging them (if they need urging) to come forth to our help in the evangelization of the heathen tribes around us ? There are, as we have seen, many strong reasons why they should do this; and what satisfactory reason can be assigned why they shcu d not ? What difficulties are in their way that have not been met and overcome by others in days gone by ? Yea, have not far greater difficulties been encountered successfully, again and again, in the efforts that have been put forth by different sections of the Church? Do our friends need to be reminded of the 44 United Brethren,” who, when their whole Society amounted to only six hundred persons, sent Missionaries to as many as twelve different parts of the world in the short space of nine years? And did not almost every one of the great societies that are now scattering the blessings of the Gospel far and wide throughout the earth struggle into existence through manifold difficulties? And has not the entire progress of Christianity, from the beginning, hitherto been one continued struggle against difficulties ? Thus indeed it has been ; and thus it doubtless will be, till He come to whom all power belongs. The fact, therefore, that difficulties stand in the way of the proposed effort is 44 no strange thing,” and should not, as it appears to the writer, deter the parties concerned from going forward. Do they ask for an example of a people similarly circumstanced to themselves making such a movement n the Cause of Missions as the one proposed. Such an example we rejoice to be able to point to. Nova Scotia has had the honour to lead the way in the glorious enterp ise. By two bodies of Christians in that colony—the Baptists and Presbyterians —Missionary operations have been commenced among the heathen. The latter body has had the courage e> choose for its sphere of operations the Islands of the Pacific. May the God of Missions speed their way! Up, then, dear friends, and hasten to our aid ! We greatly need your help ; and with cordial affec.ion will we welcome you, in the persons of your agents, to share wflth us the duty and privilege of making known among the perishing tribes of Polynesia the unsearchab.e riches of Christ. We do not ask you to come to the field that we may withdraw* from it. We are not weary of our work. But we are few in number compared with the extent of the field ; and some of us are well nigh disabled through the continued pressure of cares and labours. Many valued members of our own and other Missions in these seas have been taken from the field of late. Some of these have finished their course, and others have been compelled to retire in consequence of failure of health. And, while our strength has thus been weakened, the calls upon us have been waxing louder and louder. New doors have been opened, and some of the most debased and wretched tiibes of the human family have actually been intreating us to hasten to their help. In these circumstances, our attention has been anxiously directed to the land of our fathers; and many are the urgent appeals we have made to the friends of the Redeemer there. On the part of the Directors of the London Missionary Society there is no lack of sympathy—no unwillingness to furnish help; but, alas! it is not in their power to do much for us. For some time past, they have scarcely been able to furnish us with the means of keeping up old stations ; and they hold out no Lope of their being able to do much more for the future, owing to the pressing claims of other parts of the world, especially India and China. Such being the case, dear fiiends, to whom can we turn

so naturally as to you —to you, our neighbours, our countrymen, our brethren in Christ? Suffer us, then, respectfully but very earnestly, to commend to your attention the subject of this paper. Consider, we intreat you, the general claims of the great Cause upon you ; and consider especially the claims of the perishing islanders for whom we plead. Oh, think of their forlorn and wretched condition I think what it is in your power to do for them! and, should you see it your duty to undertake a Mission, make all haste to our help ; there is not a moment to lose ! The heathen are dying without hope ! Our own brief uncertain period of continuance on earth will speedily close. Whatsoever, therefore, our hands find to do, let us do it with all our might! and let us do it now, while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work ! May He to whom we owe our all give us such a sense of our obligations to Him, that every call to testify our love and gratitude, by engaging in His service, may meet with as prompt and liberal a response as it is in our power to give ! And may He speedily be glorified by the conversion to himself of all the nations of the

earth! Tutuila, 1850.

A. W. MURRAY.