AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 242, 14 February 1860, Page 3

AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

( From the Argus. Jan 27.) The annual breakfast of the Victoria Auxiliary of the Australasian Wesleyan Missionary Siciety was hell yesterday morning, in the Wesley Church new School-rooms, Lonsdale-street. About 290 persons were present, the majority of whom were ladies, and upwards ot 50 clergymen of various denominations, including all the ministers who are delegates to the Australasian Wesleyan Conference (now sitting) from New S mth Wales, Tasmani-i, South Australia, New Zetland and Victoria. After breakfast the R"v. D. J. Draper offered prayers. After which the newly-elected president of tiie Conference: —

. The Rev. John Eggi_i_ston, was called to the chap*. He detailed at considerable length,, the operations of the missions iv this hemisphere, in connection with this society, and showed that, whilst a large sum had been expended during the past twelve mouths, and a comparatively small amount received, the extra money had been contributed by the parent society. Thi*;, however, would not continue, as the gifts otfeied by the natives of New Zealand, the Friendly Islands, and the Fijees would be expected to meet the expenses in connection with the increased subscriptions of the colonies. Amongst the contributions given by the natives, 7 tuns of cocoa-nut oil had been sent by one tribe, whilst another gave £122 for Bibles to be sent to them, and another bad forwarded ,£2OO to the Bible Society at home. The scriptures had been translated and prin'e 1 in tlie native language in New Zealand, the Friendly, and Fijee Islands-

The Rev. J. Bu__r_i_K, of Wellington, gave a graphic: and interesting account of bis sojourn as a missionary in New Zealand. Me adduced as a powerful aignmenf, th? statement that it would not have been a safe colony for British people but for the introduction of Christianity, which had elevated the national character of the natives, transformed and civilized them. Their social habits had been improved; infanticide and polygamy abolished, and cannibalism discontinued. Newspapers, magazines, and books were being printed in the native language, aud the people were very hospitable, kind, and orderly.

The Rev. J. Thomas, a venerable missionary, who had been 35 years at the Friendly Island's, and was on his way to Faigland with his aged wife, said the missionary work appeared to him like a gas company, diffusing light around; for though when lie first left home he was told that he would he left with God and the savages, he bad found that the Gospel was capable of changing and transforming the native equally with the drunkard in our large towns. Though beyond British protection, they were now safe, not requiring an English, French, or American Government to rule them. The reverend gentleman concluded an animated and highly interesting address by regretting that be was compelled to speak in English rather than the native tongue, which he would have preferred.

E. S. Parkes, Esq., congratulated the chairman en bis recent elevation to ;the presidential chair, and expressed a hope that the Missionary Society would soon be supported without, aid from home. The progress of this society iv the mission field, in connection with the London Missionary and Church Missionary Societies, had been wonderful.

The Rev. \V. Hi_ssel__, of Sydney, delivered a powerful and effective address, characterised by deep thought and liberal sentiments.

The Rev. T. Williams, R. Fletcher, S. Iron-sides,-and others, addressed the meeting, which terminated about 12 o'clock.

A considerable sum was tendered as subscriptions in aid of the funds of the society.

The Vienna journals state that two natives of New Zealand have been brought to Austria by the Novara, the frigate which has just made a voyatre of circumnavigation, and at their own request they are after a time, when they know the language, to be placed in the Imperial Printing-office, at Vienna.

Artillerymen.—We understand that the English Government has declined complying with the request made by the Government of South Australia to station here a company of Artillerymen instead of soldiers of the line. It has also declared its inability to spare 15, or even three, artillerymen conversant with the working of the Armstrong guns. At the same, time it has expressed its willingness to procure for South Australia tbe services.of a few obi gunners, who have obtained their-discbarge, biit who are perfectly well acquainted with all the ne^stf artillery evolutions, provided the fcolony", will guarantee the amount of their passage money.r-Adelaide Paper.