evening bell, which in childhood used to call him to prayer. If this law (which unfolds the depths of Divine mercy) asserts its power even when virtue has departed, how can those who seek in other climes wider room and a more fruitful soil, while they drag at each remove a lengthened chain of attachment to the land of their birth, forget the lessons of a mother's piety,-their school instructions Its object is to complete the work begun by the Home Mission; and after congregations have struggled into existence by missionary exertions, and been sustained, for a time, by grants added to voluntary contribution, to assist them in attaining a condition of independence by the provision of a permanent endowment. Before the General Assembly of 1848, such contributions had been made, as, in addition to other means, enabled the Commit--the rebukes, exhortations, and soul stirtee to prepare six congregations to apply for erection under Sir James Grahame's Act, which extends the parochial status to churches, when a permanent stipend is provided of L.120, or L.100, if there be a manse. The Committee now proposes to raise contributions upon an extended scale, suggested by Sir James Campbell, and to which he has subscribed L.1000, being at the rate of L.20 for each of the fifty churches, which, by local exertion, added to the Committee's grant, shall first be ready to obtain establishment under the Act. ring appeals-the settings forth of the blood of expiation, and attractions of the Cross, which, in the house of God, as long as they tarried in their native land, weaned their minds every Sabbath from sordid thoughts, and constrained their hearts to the contemplation and love of holiness and truth? An immortal spirit which has once tasted a draught so satisfying, will not willingly lose or forget it. It is not matter of wonder, then, that amid the Canadian forests-upon the vast plains of New Holland—and in the luxuriant islands and continents of the South, rich in the abundance of nature's wealth and charms The restoration of the chapels in Glas--how infinitely more rich and lovely to gow, has led to a liberal subscription in that city towards the endowment of these places of worship,-the amount being already above L.10,000. Thus the HOME MISSION, in its true and extended sense, is composed of these three enterprizes,-viz., first, the Christian education of the young; secondly, the provision of religious ordinances among the abodes of spiritual desolation; and thirdly, a permanent security for these ordinances, rendering them independent of temporary casualties or discouragement. It is evident, that in proportion as the third design shall be attained, and endowed churches settled with schools, which never fail to accompany them, the two first branches of the mission will be enabled to betake themselves to the regions of more extreme destitution, lying beyond those which have yet been occupied. IV.-COLONIAL SCHEME. There is not in profane literature, perhaps, a truer appeal to the heart and conscience, than when the poet represents the robber as arrested by the sound of the the eye of faith, when their rude possessors receive the treasures and adorning of Divine grace!-that here, surrounded by superstition, or idolatry, or ignorance, or indifference, the expatriated Scot should remember the truth with a tender and awful delight, and carnestly pant for a renewal of the ordinances by which its sacred impressions shall be renewed and confirmed. Nor can the friends he has left be unmindful of the wants of his soul. In proportion to the strength of their faith, love is also strong, and the Church, with spiritual affection, adopts the language of Ruth, and says to her departing child, "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." This tender and sanctified regard is the foundation of the Colonial Scheme, which employs itself in providing ministers, missionaries, catechists, and schoolmasters, for our brethren settled in all the varied and boundless regions embraced in the British Colonies. When a suitable person is found, his passage-money is paid, and, if necessary, an annual grant made for a few years, until the congregation shall have gathered strength. Grants are also made in aid of building churches, and occasionally, also, to supplement stipends, depressed by temporary emergencies. During the past year, the Committee has sent to the Colonies six ministers, two missionaries, and two schoolmasters. They have paid the passage-money of two ministers, one missionary, and one schoolmaster, to different parts of Canada, and engaged to give temporary aid in supporting one of the ministers for three years, and the missionary during one year. They have made a grant to one congregation; another in support of a French mission; and a third, for the employment of catechists, besides four subsidies in aid of the erection of churches, all in the same province. They have also continued this year a grant of L.300, made annually, during some time past, towards the endowment of Queen's College, at Kingston, in Canada, which embraces chairs for the training of Presbyterian ministers. During the year, the Committee has defrayed the expenses of the passage of a minister to St. John's, New Brunswick, and a missionary to Pictou, and they have voted grants of L.50 each to four ministers in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A minister has been sent to Charlotte Town, Prince Edward's Island, his passage-money defrayed, and a salary provided for three years. The Secretary of State for the Colonies has appointed to St. Andrews, Paramatta, New South Wales, a minister recommended by the Committee, who have engaged to supplement his stipend for two years. A grant has been made for the support of a schoolmaster in Vancouver's Island. Besides the countries already named, the Committee maintain a connection and correspondence with many other Colonies, and are at present engaged in anxious inquiry for ministers and missionaries to be sent to Halifax, Newfoundland, Jamaica, British Guiana, Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon, and the Cape of Good Hope, as well as for various places yet unsupplied in Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward's Island. The sum expended in accomplishing these purposes, during the year just elapsed, was L.2787, 9s. 10d. In entering upon the duty of sending the Gospel to the heathen, the attention of the Church was naturally directed, in the first place, to those with whom, in the course of Providence, this country had been brought into immediate contact and political relation. For many years, Hindostan has formed a source of wealth and aggrandizement to Great Britain; and there are few families in Scotland that have not, through some of their members, derived from it temporal advantage, many of them affluence, with distinction, and high position. No reflecting mind, however, can revert to the origin of our connection with India, and follow the train of events by which, as by an advancing tide, that vast continent has been covered by the British presence and power, without deep anxiety, as regards both the moral history of the influence so acquired, and the responsibility which such an ascendancy imposes; nor can any expectation, limited to temporal interests, satisfy the Christian heart which ponders and faithfully meets the question here raised. Are we to contemplate our national conduct in the light of human responsibility, or of Providential instrumentality? Looking at the history of British conquest with reference to human action merely, it yields profound consolation to the anxious spirit, searching in vain for a ground of righteous vindication, to contemplate the unspeakable advantage which the myriads of immortal souls, breathing upon those sunny plains, will derive from their invaders, if, in exchange for the wealth and luxury conceded to British arms, they shall owe to the British missionary the imperishable treasures of grace. But coming events begin to shew more openly what the mind of faith never doubted-that all has been ordained by Sovereign power, making the wrath of man to praise Him who useth all things, even oppression, injustice, carnage, and rapine, as instruments to work out "His great intent,"-to cover the fields of strife with the fruits of never-ending peace. India, then, is the chosen scene of the Church of Scotland's evangelical labours among the heathen, which are prosecuted by the Committee of V.-FOREIGN MISSIONS. This mission was projected, and its basis of principles founded, by the sagacious and enlightened mind of the Rev. Dr. Inglis, the first convener. Its characteristic features are, the communication of Divine truth to the Hindu child, while his mind is ductile, and not preoccupied by superstition, and the employment in this work of missionaries, whose talents and attainments qualify them to cope with the inherent and acquired power and subtlety of the native mind. It is well known, that this mission owed its first great success to the able and indefatigable exertions of Dr. Duff, whose praise is in all the churches. Since the loss of his services, in 1843, by the lamentable breach in our Zion, it is matter of heartfelt gratitude to the God of missions, that even in that depth of apparently irremediable abandonment, He heard the secret prayer of His children who long for the inbringing of the heathen; and that, in a manner and measure unlooked for, and which the Church had no visible reason to expect, men of evangelical disposition, and apostolic spirit, with minds well stored, and suitable intellectual preparation, have been raised up to carry on the work. catechists and preachers. The average number of pupils receiving instruction last year, was 912, and this year there is the prospect of an increase. Some promising pupils have embraced the medical profession, which implies the renunciation of Hindu prejudices, identifies them with Europeans, and opens up a sphere peculiarly favourable to the diffusion of Gospel truth. 2. Madras.-A similar institution is carried on here by four missionaries,-one an ordained minister, two of them experienced schoolmasters from Scotland, and the fourth, a native, trained at the Normal Seminary of Edinburgh. Before the arrival of the two teachers, the labour of the mission, as well as other onerous duties, were carried on with exemplary zeal and devotion by the Rev. Mr. Grant. The attendance last year, was sometimes 430; at the examination, 382. 3. Bombay. The missionaries here are two ordained Germans, and an experienced teacher from Scotland. The number of pupils on the roll is 370. Ghospara, in the Presidency of Bengal, is a mission conducted by native converts, at the exclusive expense of the congregation of St. Stephen's, Edinburgh, at an expense, last year, of L.150. The attendance in 1847-48, consisted of 80 pupils. The expenditure last year amounted to L.5988, 198. 2d. Auxiliary to the Foreign Missions, is The Scottish Ladies' Association for the advancement of Female Education in India, The mission is in operation at each of which supports the following Seminaries, the Presidencies. 1. Calcutta. The Institution-a great educational seminary-is conducted by three missionaries, all licentiates of the Church of Scotland, aided by twenty-six teachers, most of whom are natives. Secular knowledge, advancing to a high point of attainment in literature and science, is communicated in connection with the knowledge of Divine truth, which is taught openly and avowedly. Scholarships have been instituted by friends of the mission, to enable promising pupils to continue their attendance, in the hope that they may become attached to the Institution, and trained as viz. : At Calcutta, an Orphan Refuge, in a commodious building, the property of the Association, conducted by a lady superintendent, a matron, and an assistant native teacher; and seven day schools, conducted by nine teachers. By these, a Christian education is imparted to 188 Hindu girls. At Madras, a Hindu Girls' School, conducted by an experienced teacher from Scotland, as general superintendent, and fifteen native assistants. Number of pupils present at examination, 264. At Bombay, a School for Indo-British and Portuguese orphans, conducted by an experienced female teacher from Scotland, and four schools for Hindu girls, containing, in all, 98 pupils. In Ceylon, four Schools, with a fifth receiving aid, conducted by seven Teachers, and four local superintendents, all under the general superintendence of Dr. and Mrs. M Vicar. The number of pupils is 208. By Dr. M'Vicar's management, these schools diffuse extensive good at a comparatively small expense. The expenditure of the Ladies' Association last year, was L.1492, 11s. 9d. Conversions in connection with the India Mission are, as yet, rare. But here it is open conversion only that is meant. God alone knows the heart. In this matter the missionaries exercise a sound and praiseworthy discretion. The formidable obstacles to an avowal of Christianity, opposed by caste and native prejudice, are well known. The profession of the Gospel by a native, implies his permanent alienation from his family and friends. But if reference is allowed to indications of inward conviction, there is ground of hope. Hindoorites are in some parts abandoned; and in their communications with government, the natives speak rather as worshippers of the true God, than as idolaters. Generally, the symptoms are manifest, that idolatry is being undermined, and beginning to totter and crumble; and the friends of missions have good cause to exercise the faith of the husbandman, who casts his seed into the ground, and waits with undoubting confidence for the harvest. The Committee anxiously contemplates the extension of the mission, so as to embrace stated preaching of the Gospel, in order that the lessons of the school may not be lost by the want of means to establish and confirm in the adult the impressions of the pupil. The schemes hitherto described are designed to carry the message of salvation to all in different spheres who, though not after the flesh, are yet children of Abraham, and heirs of the promise according to faith. In tardy compliance with the Saviour's injunction, that the missionary effort should have its "begining at Jerusalem," it was not until the fields already mentioned had been occupied, that the Church of Scotland instituted her scheme for VI.-CONVERSION OF THE JEWS. The others have all, more or less, their scenes territorially defined; but there can be no geographical limit in a mission to those who, for eighteen centuries, have been scattered upon the face of the earth, and have no common earthly home but the grave. This Committee, therefore, sends its Missionaries wherever there appears to be, in Providence, a hopeful opening for tendering God's message of reconciliation to His ancient people. Hitherto, three principal stations have been opened,-one of which the Committee has just been forced to abandon, when the fruits of the mission were beginning to appear. Tunis.-This station was entered upon in 1844, the sphere being important; inasmuch as there are about 100,000 Jews in Barbary. The work was prosecuted by the distribution of Bibles, and by intercourse between the Missionary and his Jewish brethren, leading to serious inquiry. He had also obtained a position of acceptability and usefulness among the Protestant inhabitants, almost all of whom attended public worship, conducted by him on the Lord's day. The direct fruits of the Mission appeared in the baptism of four converted Jews, and the readiness of seven others to receive that symbol of their faith in Christ. Latterly, however, for causes which do not appear, the Mission was not viewed with a favourable eye by the British Chief Consul at Tunis; and a fierce persecution having arisen against the converts, the Missionary, who is himself a converted Jew, found that he could not obtain protection for them, and left Tunis, in order to remove any irritation arising from his presence. The Committee has the impression, that a very slight exercise of the influence of the British Consul would have prevented this calamitous termination of their efforts. They have made full communication of their sentiments to Lord Palmerston, and invited the strictest investigation of their Missionary's conduct. This has been withheld; and the Foreign Secretary appears to have yielded himself entirely to the influence of charges made by the Consul in strong but general terms; and which, in so far as the Committee can discover, are such as would be caused by the success of any missionary labours in the same field. It is with great regret, on account of the Missionary cause generally, and more especially for the sake of the Protestant population and Jewish converts in Tunis, that the Committee has yielded to a necessity which they deplore, in resolving that their Missionary shall not return to Tunis. London.-A Missionary to the Jews is employed in this wide field. He preaches on Sabbath to a mixed congregation, including a considerable number of Jewish inquirers and converts, and gives instruction on Sabbath evening to a class of Jewish youths and children. He holds a week-day service in his own chapel, and a weekly meeting also in Bishopsgate Street, where many Jews reside; and he is also constantly seeking intercourse with Jews in Hospitals, in places of public resort, and in their own houses. Here, besides other Jewish converts, the rite of baptism has recently been administered to a native of Hungary, whose piety and zeal, accompanied by meekness and firmness, afford hope of his future usefulness, in bringing many of his brethren to a knowledge of the Saviour. Karlsruhe.-Here a zealous and devoted Missionary is labouring, full of hope. In several adjoining villages, the Jews assemble in considerable numbers to hear the Word of Life, and though few openly profess Christ, many are becoming gradually convinced that he is indeed the promised Saviour. One young Jewess has received baptism; and an interesting and intelligent youth, having been brought to a knowledge of the truth, desired to become a Christian; but his father has removed him, and burnt his New Testament. A place of worship will be opened at Karlsruhe when suitable accommodation can be found. Cochin. The work is carried on here by a Missionary, through the instrumentality of schools and preaching. It has lately been obstructed by the prohibition of the Synagogue, alarmed by the Missionary having begun to preach in Malayalim. The Jews, in consequence, disappeared from worship, and the children ceased to read the Gospel; the schools in the country, however, have not suffered from these fulminations; and the children there are making progress in the knowledge of the Word of Life. Many black Jews are inquiring, and most of the Protestant residents attend the Sabbath services. The Committee has made a grant towards the erection of a chapel. The Malayalim congregation meets every Sabbath afternoon, numbering nearly 100 persons, of whom 20 are children, The expenditure during last year, was L.2611, 14s. 4d. The labours of this Committee are aided by the Ladies' Association for the benefit of Jewish Females, which employs a female Agent at Cochin, and had a similar Agent at Tunis, until the Mission there was suspended by the circumstances already mentioned. FUNDS Collected during the year ending 15th April, 1849. The first column contains Church Collections, and other Contributions, and legacies; the second contains interest, dividends, government grant for Normal School, &c. L.23,153 2 8 L.2467 4 9 by a juster measure, the value of immortal souls, each one of which is more precious than a world! We would not contemn the day of small things, but how feeble must be the faith from which efforts so feeble proceed? Let every friend of the Church pray that her faith, and the faith of her children, may be strengthened. Such is a rapid sketch of the missionary enterprizes of the Church of Scotland. While her members ought to be grateful that she has received grace to give herself in any measure to such labours, no one who has a right conception of the missionary work, and of the duty which it imposes upon every true Christian, can look at the picture just drawn, without being deeply humbled. Insignificant, Reader! Are you a Christian? Have indeed, are these contributions, when con- you a Bible? Can you read it? Do you trasted with the magnificent revenues of pray? Have you Gospel privileges? other bodies, the Church of England Think on God's mercy in these blessings, Missionary Society, the London Mission--and think also of those who have them ary Society, and the Societies of the Wesleyan Methodists, and Baptists; how immeasurably deficient, when tried not, and to whom the disciples of Christ are bound to communicate them by their Saviour's command. |