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their hearts, and who are ready at any moment to seal the truth which they are testifying with the best life's blood beating in their hearts. I say, give us two such men as Barnabas and Paul, and the Chinese empire is already converted to Christ. I believe we shall not do much in the work which we have undertaken unless men go forth who are prepared in some degree to respect the character of the civilization which they meet with in that distant country, and fully persuaded that this political movement has a spiritual root. It is quite consistent with the past history of China that the spiritual and the political element should be found closely intertwined. Though the movement has a political aspect, I believe it is religious at its very heart. I fear that we have allowed ourselves to laugh too much at the Chinese, with their quaint and peculiar civilization, which has never mixed itself with that of broader and stronger principles. But I imagine that there are many things at which the Chinese, if they were here, would laugh scornfully in turn at us. Are men, for instance, in China, foolish enough to let the drainage of a city become its poison, instead of rendering it, by thrifty contrivances, a source of wealth and profit? You have, depend upon it, something to learn from them as well as to teach them. In ali real vital communication between man and man, there must be giving as well as getting, and getting as well as giving. I say you have something to learn from them as well as to teach them.

The revolution professes to be the reestablishment of an ancient order of things. I believe we can scarcely calculate how much preparation there is beneath the surface for the social development of China; and the moment the spirit touches it, it will be like a lifeless statue suddenly becoming instinct with Promethean fire. In China everything which relates to man's worldly life and interest is curiously organized and managed, at least in theory; and, though all that relates to the spiritual hemisphere is black as midnight without her stars, yet the stars are beginning to beam through the darkness. Principles not of this world are beginning to rise above the horizon. The great idea of the fatherhood of God is seen

and

in the distance. What this idea is in the Chinese mind none of us perhaps can say, but there it is. Many stars are shining in a firmament, which, up to this time, had been all darkness; and if, by the preaching of the Gospel, we send forth "the truth as it is in Jesus," the sun of righteousness may soon be seen shining in his zenith, and the oldest nation of God's earth basking in his beams. I confess I do not share in the surprise expressed by some, that the Chinese, having before them the relationship of human parentage, did not arrive by the process of generalization at the idea of a Divine parentage. I think these great ideas are not to be discovered by human intellect, but are revealed to men by God himself; and our work now is to go forth and proclaim Him who said, "He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou, then, Show us the Father?" This, my Lord, is the Gospel for which China is waiting,-nay, for which China is praying; we shall be traitors to our manhood, and, what is more, we shall be traitors to our Christianity, if we do not help her in this her hour of need. The ancients had a notion, that the great Powers of the universe were always behind, always attendant on what was passing around. Dire portents were seen; aerial squadrons heralded the great crisis of history. Something of the same kind may be witnessed now. There are minds that think, there are hearts that heave, there are eyes that weep, amid the varying scenes of the drama which earth's destinies present to their gaze. I believe that around the gorgeous East all the hosts of the spiritual world are now gathered. Already has the battle begun ;--already, amid the thunder of the conflict which is now shaking the nations from one end of the world to the other, may be heard the thunder of a mightier battle;—already, amid the rush and shock of strife may be heard the clash of advancing legions--the chariots and armies of our King; and already may be heard rising up to heaven the shout of the victors, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of Our Lord and of His Christ," and when at last those who won this great victory shall go up to yonder capital to lay their spoils at the feet of their

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Redeemer, the spoils of China shall not be the least, and there shall be "joy in heaven" because this "son was dead but is alive again, was lost but is found."

The Resolution was then put and carried, after which the collection was made. Sir C. E. EARDLEY moved the last Resolution, which was as follows:-

"That the best thanks of this meeting be presented to the Right Honourable the Earl of Shaftesbury for his kindness in presiding on the present occasion, and conducting the business of the meeting."

He said, There is a principle embodied in the London Missionary Society which can no more be excluded from it than an insect can be obtained from a piece of amber unless the amber be broken in pieces, and that is, that it was founded with the intention of combining all good men together. Can anything be more opportune than that over a Society which combines all good men, the friend of all good men should to-day have presided? The last few months have made me know how well that title appertains to the President of this day. I am sure you will all join in offering a vote of thanks to Lord Shaftesbury. That is my No. 1, which I have tried to get within a Minute. My second point is this :--We have been asking young men to join us as Missionaries I feel that there are two other classes who ought to unite,--those who are to go forth to preach the Word, and those who, in God's providence, may be able to contribute to send it. Now, I would just throw out a hint to the Directors of this Society. On this occasion I should be unwilling myself to make an offer upon conditions; but to what I am about to state the Directors may attach any conditions they please. I think there should be a condition attached to it. I should not like to afford help in this manner without others being induced to render similar help. I have put down my name, as you have heard, for 100l. towards the object in view. I should like to do something more. With this donation of 1007. 1 should like to combine, for eight years, 50% per annum, leaving it to the Directors of the London Missionary Society to attach such conditions to it as they may think proper. I will contribute that amount if they

can get what they consider a proper number of persons to co-operate. That is my No. 2. My No. 3 is this,--After the scene we have had to-day, I do not know what we are made of if we do not learn two lessons, one for home, the other for Missions. The one for home I will inculcate myself, the one for Missions I shall leave for my friend, Mr. Brook, rector of Avening. My lesson for home is, that we should strive more and more to put forth those great principles of the Gospel of Christ in which we all agree, and to throw into its proper place every secondary question. There are two things which I pray God to enable me to bear in mind. One is, that I may be enabled never to deviate from principle and from conviction, to hold fast to the truth whatever may be the consequences. The other is,and I believe it to be quite as important as the foregoing, that I may keep secondary matters in their secondary places, and let the world and the Pope see-and I always consider the Pope as part of the world—that on the grand primary question of the propagation of the Gospel we are one at heart, however we may differ with regard to minor points. The other topic is one which, as I stated before, I shall leave to be dealt with by Mr. Brook. I will only remark, that in the field of Missions, Christians ought to be much more united than they have ever yet been. We ought to be constantly taking leaves out of one another's books, we ought to be consulting together as to how we may strengthen each other's hands. We ought to be uniting in a thousand ways which involve no sacrifice of principle. Having made these observations, I will conclude by most sincerely proposing our thanks to the Chairman.

The Rev. Mr. BROOK, rector of Avening, in seconding the Resolution said: I wish to make a few remarks on the subject which has just been indicated by Sir Culling Eardley. I think you must all have been impressed by the tone and spirit in which this meeting was opened-first, by the paper which was read, and secondly by the speech of the President. That paper and that speech tended to this-that the great movement initiated to-day on behalf of China ought to be commenced in a catholic spirit.

Honour be to the Directors of the London Missionary Society for having taken it up, and honour be to them for the way in which they have taken it up. They have commenced the work in no narrow spirit, with no desire of gaining honour for themselves; and they have left it open to Christian men of other Societies and of all denominations to join them. I hope and trust, dear friends, that one result of the meeting to-day will be, that, as regards Missions to the heathen-and the same principle applies to all Missions-we shall make it a subject of thought whether theremight not be, and ought not to be, more united action, whether it be not possible for the constituencies of the London Missionary Society and other Societies, to follow the good example set them by the Secretaries, and occasionally to meet together to take sweet counsel before God as to how the work may be best carried out. I will take this opportunity of mentioning that some Christian friends have originated a movement with this object, and that if the Lord prosper us, and if we live, we hope that in the coming year a conference will be held of

the members of all the British Evangelical Missionary Societies, to take counsel as regards the work they have entered upon. I hope and trust that many of the brethren assembled on the platform will be present on the occasion, and that, before this occasion arrives, they will have thought over the subject. I am satisfied, that if the Christian mind of this country be given to this idea, not only will the success of British Missions to the heathen be increased, but that an abundant blessing will also rest upon ourselves; in like manner as the Missionary work, whether carried on in this metropolis, or in any other part of the world, is blessed to the spiritual improvement of those who are engaged in it. It is with the greatest pleasure that I second the Resolution, though I am sure the Chairman's best reward will be in his own heart and before God.

The Resolution was put by Sir C. EARDLEY, and carried by acclamation.

The Chairman having returned thanks, the Doxology was then sung, the Benediction pronounced, and the meeting separated.

PROPOSED SIMULTANEOUS COLLECTIONS ON THE FOURTH SABBATH IN JANUARY (22ND), SPECIALLY WITH A VIEW TO SEND FORTH TEN ADDITIONAL MISSIONARIES TO CHINA.

TO THE PASTORS, OFFICERS, AND MEMBERS OF CHURCHES IN CONNEXION WITH THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

DEAR BRETHREN,

THE Directors of The London Missionary Society very earnestly invite your kind and considerate attention to the present political and social condition of China, and to the bright prospects now opening for extending the blessings of Christianity throughout that vast empire.

The Directors are devoutly thankful for the great honour God has put upon the labours of the Society, during the last six-and-forty years, and for the measure of success with which they have been rewarded. The beloved Brethren whom it has sent forth have, by the grace bestowed on them, proved faithful to their mission; they have been hard students and proficient scholars, men of faith and prayer, stern and steadfast in selfdenial, and unreserved in devotedness to the service of their Lord. But China now demands a large increase of such Evangelists, who shall go through the length and breadth of the land circulating the Bible, and teaching and preaching its saving truths. The utmost resources of all Protestant Mis

sionary Societies are too limited to supply the number of labourers required for this mighty enterprise, and the Directors are anxious that our Society, which for six-and-thirty years laboured in faith for the salvation of China, should take its full proportion of the glorious work.

The immediate object of the Directors in the present communication is to invite your particular attention to the Third Resolution adopted at the Special public meeting on the 30th ult., and to entreat your kind and effective co-operation in the proposal for Simultaneous Collections on behalf of China on the Fourth Sabbath (the 22nd) of January next. The Directors are well aware that in all Congregations the ordinary and indispensable collections are numerous, and therefore, that it requires previous arrangement and some effort to add even one to the number. But they indulge a sanguine hope that, in a case which never had a parallel in magnitude and urgency, the friends of the Society will not withhold this special proof of their zeal and compassion for the perishing Millions of China. There is no method of raising the necessary Funds at once so easy and effective as that now proposed, and should the Congregations attached to the Society unanimously adopt the proposal, the Directors anticipate such a result as will enable them to add at least Ten new men to the Chinese Mission.

The Churches of the Metropolis generally, have already pledged themselves to make Collections specially for China, on the 22nd of January, and the Directors trust that in every City, Town, and Village throughout the empire, there will not be wanting a single Church or Congregation that will not, in proportion to its members and resources, do what it can to carry into full effect this blessed and all-important object.

We are, dear Brethen, on behalf of the Directors,
Yours most truly,

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Rev. JAMES KENNEDY and family embarked at Southampton, in the Screw Steamer, for Calcutta, en route for Benares, November 14.

Rev. S. M. CREAGH and Mrs. CREAGH, and Rev. JOHN JONES and Mrs. JONES embarked at Plymouth, per Scotia, Captain Strickland, for Sydney, en route for New Hebrides, December 4.

NEW YEAR'S SACRAMENTAL

OFFERING ΤΟ THE

NECESSITOUS

WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF DECEASED MISSIONARIES, AND AGED MISSIONARIES INCAPACITATED FOR LABOUR.

WITH reference to the Appeal presented to the Pastors and Churches, through the medium of our December "Chronicle," on behalf of the abovementioned interesting claimants on their Christian sympathy, the Directors respectfully request that those Churches which may have been prevented from making their Sacramental Offering on the first Sabbath of the present month will kindly embrace the first Sabbath in February or March for the occasion.

SUBSCRIPTIONS TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF SUITABLE PREMISES FOR AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AT MADRAS IN CONNEXION WITH THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

£ s. d.j

S. Fletcher, Esq. 100 0 0 A Friend

£ s. d.j

40 0 0 Esq.

£ s. d.l 10 0 0 Morden Hall BoardJ. Sidebottom, Esq, 100 0 0R. Crewdson, Esq.... 25 0 0S. B. Ingham, Esq. 10 0 0 ing School, JuveSir C. E. Eardley, W. M Intosh, Esq.. 25 0 0 Rev. W. Swan 10 0 0 nile Association.. Bart.. 50 0 0 T. Spalding. Esq. 21 0 0J. Waters, Esq. 10 0 0 H. Reed, Esq. T. Eskrizge, Esq. 50 0 0 W. Armitage. Esq... 20 0 0 L. Williams, Esq. 10 0 0 S. Stephens, Esq. W. A. Hankey, Esq. 50 0 0 G. Hadfield, Esq., Liverpool Juvenile Sums under 51. J. Henderson, Esq. 50 00 M.P. Missionary SoT. Hunter, Esq. 50 0 0 G. Hitchcock, Esq... 20 0 0 ciety J. Kershaw, Esq., W. Johnson, Esq. 20 0 0 T. M. Coombs, Esq. M.P. 0 W. Woodward, Esq. 20 0 0 Rev. G. D. Cullen 0 Mrs. Crewdson

J. Rylands, Esq. 50 0

20 0 0

10 0 0 W. Flanders, Esq....
10 0 0 A Friend

8 10 0

£ s. d.

500

500

500

10 10 0 1000 0 0

19 18 0

1019 18 0

5 0 0 Interest on Man-
500 chester Subscrip-

50 0

Thompson, Esq. 50 Messrs. S. and J.

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500
500

tions

Lady Eardley

10 0 0 Messrs. F. Green

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0 J. A. Hardcastle,

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