that of last year. The entire sum sent to the treasurer from Ireland has been £76 15s. 2d. Fully £500 have been appropriated at the stations from the resources of the churches, added to the sums they have raised for chapels, schools, &c. The sums altogether carried to account at the banker's have been for the year £1,707; the expenditure has amounted to £2,253; and the balance in hand is £160.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE annual meeting of this Society was held in the Poultry Chapel, the Earl of Shaftesbury in the chair. The Rev. T. James read the report, of which the following are chief portions:

The Committee are happy in being able to state that, whilst they have not been entirely free from discouragement, they have far greater reason for devout thankfulness. A greater number of ministers has been sent forth during the year than at any period since the Society has been in existence. The intelligence also that has reached them from the different fields of labour is of the most satisfactory kind. A blessing attends the preaching of the word-additions are made to the churches-the schools are conducted with vigour and efficiency-and everything wears a healthy and prosperous aspect.

As they have been accustomed, the Committee would first refer to British America, in doing which they would cite the language of the Report, recently received, of the Canadian Congregational Missionary Society:"Canada, like some of the more favoured western States of the neighbouring Union, is increasing in population with great rapidity. Its people are spreading themselves throughout new townships, which are continually being surveyed and opened for settlement. Not only is the emigration large from Europe, but the people of the older townships are pressing into the newer districts, where land is comparatively cheap, and where labour is more highly remunerated. Villages also

spring up with extraordinary rapidity along the lines of railway, and wherever there is water-power. In fine, so vigorous are the movements of this rising country, and so speedy its rate of progress, that the former style of evangelistic effort will no longer meet the case. There must be more of the width and comprehensiveness of apostolic missions, involving far larger views of duty, and consequently a higher standard of personal obligation. Christians must labour more, and give more! It requires no argument to establish the fact, that it is of the utmost possible moment to the welfare of Canada, that the regular ministrations of the gospel of Christ and the planting of churches, with the institutions that gather about them, should extend as fast and as far as the population. Unless they have parallel advance, woe unto the future of the country!

Nor is the mere iteration of common-place statement, without illustration, proof, or exposition, what is wanted. Matters will improve but little, if they do not wax worse, under an illiterate, uninstructive ministry. Men of God are wanted, workmen who need not to be ashamed,' who 'rightly divide the word of truth,' and who, thoroughly trained themselves, are the chief educators, as well as spiritual guides of the people. And churches are wanted, that 'hold forth the word of life,'-intelligent, prayerful, earnest churches, having the spirit of power and of love, and of a sound mind."

Before passing from Canada, the Committee would refer to the Theological Institute at Toronto, under the able superintendence of their valued friend, the Rev. Dr. Lillie, assisted by the Rev. A. Wickson, M.A. Thirty-eight young brethren have passed through the Institution with credit to themselves and to the satisfaction of their tutors. With few exceptions, they are labouring with great acceptance in the ministry of the gospel in the Colony. Six have removed to the United States, and two have been gathered to their rest. The number receiving instruction during the year just terminating is ten, who, there is reason to hope, will in due time prove "able ministers of the New Testament." The Institution has proved a great blessing to the cause of evangelical religion in British America, its alumni being found in all parts of the provinces, and exercising a beneficial influence in the denomination.

In passing from the Northern to the Southern hemisphere, the Committee have to state that Bedford, in the Cape of Good Hope, for which in their last report they expressed some concern, has been most satisfactorily filled up. The Rev. E. Solomon, formerly a missionary in the service of the London Missionary Society, has undertaken the charge of the congregation at Bedford under most auspicious circumstances. His intimate knowledge of the Dutch language eminently fits him for the station, as there are many Dutch settlers in that vicinity to whom a minister could gain access chiefly through the medium of their own tongue.

It was announced a year ago that the Rev. G. Y. Jeffreys had recently sailed for D'Urban, the sea-port of the colony of Natal.

This meeting will be gratified to hear, that after some delay at Cape Town, Mr. Jeffreys arrived safely in D'Urban, and was cordially welcomed by the friends who were to form his future congregation. An interesting recognition-service was conducted on Sabbath-day, October 25th, in which American missionaries, labouring amongst the tribes in the vicinity, and two Methodist brethren, took part. From that time he has devoted himself most assiduously to his work, and has already not only secured the affection

of the people of his charge, but the respect of all classes in the town. He has recently visited Petermarietzburg, the seat of government in the colony, and has earnestly entreated the Committee to send without delay a well-qualified minister to that city, where there are many families prepared to welcome and partly sustain hiu. The Committee are anxious to comply with Mr. Jeffrey's request, as that colony is rapidly advancing, and is destined, there can be no doubt, to become, ere long, a populous and thriving community. Its capability for the growth of cotton, sugar, coffee, and other tropical productions, is attracting considerable attention, and preparations are being made for the reception of the many immigrants that are arriving by almost every vessel that reaches its port.

The Committee would now proceed to state the efforts whieh have been made during the past year for ths Australian colonies. They cannot direct their thoughts to those fair and fertile regions without feelings of wonder and admiration. But seventy years have passed since the British ensign was planted on those shores, and possession taken of the land, in the name of England's sovereign. Though first intended, and for some time occupied, as a penal settlement, it was soon found to be a land which might be said, as of Canaan of old, to be "flowing with milk and honey." Millions of acres were discovered fit for immediate Occupancy by the grazier and the agriculturist. But a comparatively few years elapsed before so wonderfully had the flocks and herds of the settlers increased, that it became the chief source from whence the fine wool is obtained by which the manufactories of the mother country are supplied. The discovery of the precious metal, in the year 1851, was the culminating point of attraction to England's hardy sons. From that time to the present, the population of those colonies has increased at a ratio unexampled in the history of the world. Towns and cities have sprung up with a rapidity which sets at naught all calculation. Has the Christian Church no duty to discharge in connexion with such a state of things? Are Christians to stand by as mere idle spectators of these extraordinary scenes? Must we care only for the souls of the heathen, whilst such multitudes of our countrymen, our "kindred according to the flesh," are exposing themselves to the deteriorating 'influences of colonial life, and in danger of perishing everlastingly? Under the influence of these inquiries, the Committee, at the close of the year 1853, sent the Rev. Messrs. Fletcher and Poore, of Manchester, and Day, of Hyde, to Melbourne, with instructions to Mr. Poore, in the spirit of an evangelist, to survey the whole land. Nobly did he fulfil his mission. Twice did he travel throughout the

colonies of Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania; visiting every station, conferring with all the ministers and other friends, and gathering an amount of information which will be of the greatest importance for the effective management of the affairs of the Society in future. Having thus far fulfilled the work he was appointed to do, he returned to this country, to report to the constituents and friends of the Society, and to the churches of Britain, the result of his labours, and to obtain the services of no fewer than sixteen additional ministers, for whom stations were already provided, where they would be adequately sustained without drawing on the resources of the Society. From the period of his arrival, just in time to appear at the last general meeting of the Society, until his departure at the close of the year, the time and attention of the Committee were almost exclusively occupied in efforts to fulfil the purpose which brought their friend on a visit to his native land. The Committee felt it a difficult task to select, from the numerous offers of service, the ministers thought to be best adapted for the work to be done. Looking to Him who only can impart the "wisdom which is profitable to direct," they endeavoured faithfully to discharge the duty devolved on them; and they have reason to believe the brethren selected will prove admirably fitted for the interesting and important enterprise in which they have embarked. No fewer than fifteen have been chosen, together with a young brother who had just completed his course of study at the Lancashire Independent College, but was obliged to leave England on account of his health, and has gone at his own charges, making sixteen in all. Of these, eight have been appropriated to Victoria, four to South Australia, three to New South Wales, and one to Tasmania. All have sailed, with the exception of the Rev. Thos. Arnold, late of Smethwick, in the county of Warwick, who, with his wife, expects to bid adieu to his native country in the course of a few days. Intelligence of the safe arrival of seven has reached the Committee; and it is with devout thankfulness they have to state, they were most cordially welcomed, were almost immediately appointed to important stations, and have commenced their labours with the most gratifying prospects of success. It is with sincere pain the Committee have to announce that one of the brethren, the Rev. Jacob Jones, who was destined for New South Wales, was lost in the wreck of the Catherine Adamson, within sight of the city of Sydney, where friends were waiting to welcome him, and to introduce him at once to a sphere of usefulness in the immediate suburbs of the city. As might be expected, this sad event produced a profound sensation in the public mind in that city. The Committee of the

Congregational Missionary Society met on the melancholy occasion, and recorded the sense they entertained of this mysterious dispensation in a series of resolutions, which will be found in the Appendix. It will be gratifying to this meeting, and to the friends of the Society generally, to know that Mr. Jones maintained his character as a Christian, and exercised his office as a minister of Christ on board the vessel during his voyage, and that he is spoken of with deep respect by those who survived this mournful catastrophe. The Committee desire, whilst they deplore this event to say, "We know, O Lord! that thy judgments are right."

Mr. Poore, during the nine months of his sojourn in Britain, manifested the same energy in prosecuting the work he came to fulfil, which he had displayed in the land of his adoption. He visited many towns both in England and Scotland, delivering lectures, preaching sermons, and diffusing information on colonial subjects to many thousands who were deeply interested by his addresses. In many of these journeys he was accompanied by the secretary, and sometimes by members of the Committee, and it is hoped a lasting interest in the affairs of the Society has been awakened. Having completed his undertaking, he embarked with Mrs. Poore on board the Sultana, and sailed from Liverpool on the 25th December last. In the same vessel a passage was secured for the Rev. J. G. Reed, a promising young minister, who had completed his curriculum at New College, and whose state of health rendered it undesirable he should remain in England. From competent medical advice he has been induced to go to Australia, and a confident expectation is entertained that the more genial climate of the South will so invigorate his bodily frame that a lengthened life of usefulness may be anticipated.

PEACE SOCIETY.

THE forty-second anniversary of this Society was held in Finsbury Chapel. The attendance was numerous and respectable. Joseph Sturge, Esq. presided.

The Rev. HENRY RICHARD, Secretary of the Society, said he had to open the annual report by mourning the loss they had sustained by the death of their late esteemed President, Mr. Hindley, who had for many years taken the deepest interest in the success of peace principles. Mr. Joseph Sturge had been elected President, and, though he would not bring rank or title to their assistance, he would bring that which was of far greater value,-high Christian character and an honourable integrity, against which even the bitterest of their enemies had never breathed the slightest reproach, along with a reputation for disinterested philanthropy which was almost world-wide. (Applause.) The rev. gentleman then read the report, which detailed at great length the Society's

operations during the past year. Since the Treaty of Paris had been signed the wars with Persia and China had commenced. The former had been carried on and concluded without the knowledge of Parliament, and not one in a hundred thousand of the English people had any conception of its causes, objects, or results. This unconstitutional war had been one of the causes of the Indian mutiny, and Lord John Russell and Mr. Gladstone had asserted that Persia, at the beginning of the dispute, had offered better terms than we ultimately obtained. Our position with regard to China could hardly be understood. Canton had been captured, but that had only added to our difficulties. It was not likely that the Emperor would concede our demands, and thus the chances of future collision would be multiplied. England's demand, that the opium trade should be legalized, ought to be severely reprobated. The efforts of the Committee had been mainly directed to India and to the awful events which had happened there. What was the meaning of the revolt of the Sepoy army, and the fury which it had displayed? This, that "all they that take the sword shall perish by the sword." The Sepoy army had been a most remarkable embodiment of the military principle of brute force to the neglect of kindness, as a means of gaining the affections of the Indian people; and, when they saw that army commit such terrible havoc, did not the event proclaim with trumpet tongue, that they who built empire upon arms instead of truth, trusted "upon a staff of bruised reed, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand and pierce it?" A horrible cry for vengeance had rung through the land, and it had revelled in anticipations of indiscriminate massacre. In these circumstances the Committee had especially directed the attention of the country to the system of annexation and military rule which had so long prevailed in India. Their operations had been carried on from three centres,London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Large quantities of tracts had been sent out from London, and Mr. Edmund Fry had lectured with great acceptance in most of the large towns of the southern counties, including Aylesbury, Reading, Brighton, Colchester, Margate, London, Southampton, Dorchester, Derby, Gloucester, Plymouth, &c. The usual course of lectures had been delivered in Sussex Hall. At the time when the public mind was boiling with revenge against the Indian people, a placard had been prepared by Mr. O'Neill, and extensively circulated; and through this and other efforts the " "had ceased, vengeance cry Mr. O'Neill had visited many large towns, lecturing and holding public meetings, in the Midland and other districts: and at all the towns the resolutions of the Society had been passed with scarcely a dissentient voice.

Mr. Stokes had lectured in the Manchester district to large audiences, and the Local Committee had issued 80,000 documents, consisting of tracts, placards, &c. The Rev. W. Williams had lectured in Wales; and Mr. Washington Wilks, though not immediately connected with the Society, had done much good by delivering powerful lectures on India in various places. In all about 200 lectures had been delivered, and great good had been accomplished. The report then acknowledged the services received from the Ladies' Committee, and referred to the efforts made in 1856 to obtain the recognition of the principle of arbitration in settling disputes. Their principles were winning their way to public favour, and, though those who expected immediate results might think their progress slow, they would, under the blessing of God, eventually triumph. From the financial report, it appeared that the income of the Society during the past year had been £1,802 9s. 9d.; the expenditure was £1,543 11s. 1d.; and the balance in hand £258 18s. 8d.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE sixty-fourth anniversary meeting of this Society was held at Exeter Hall, and was very numerously attended. The chair was taken by F. Crossley, Esq., M. P.

The report was an able and comprehensive document; the following are a portion of its main facts.

The missionary travels of Livingstone, which awakened world-wide admiration, obviously imposed on the society, by which he was sent forth, and by whose funds he was sustained, a solemn obligation to send to the myriads inhabiting the dark land he had penetrated, the light of heavenly truth with its attendant blessings both for the life which now is, and for that which is to come. In accordance, therefore, with the resolution passed at the last annual meeting, the directors have adopted the necessary measures for establishing two central and effective missions, the one north, and the other south of the river Zambese; and with gratitude to the Father of Mercies they now report that he has vouchsafed his blessing, and supplied both suitable men for the enterprise, and funds adquate to its execution. Mr. Price, student in the Western College, Mr. Sykes, of the Lancashire College, Mr. Thomas, of the College of Brecon, and Mr. McKenzie, who has prosecuted a suitable course of study at Bedford, have recently been ordained as evangelists to the Matabele and Makololo tribes, and will with their devoted wives, embark for South Africa in the early part of the ensuing month.

In the atrocious crimes of the Indian mutineers, and the awful sufferings of our countrymen, the directors, in common with their friends of kindred societies, recognised his voice, who maketh the wrath of man to

praise him, appealing to the church of Christ on India's behalf, for a large increase of zeal and extension of labour. The call was too powerful to be resisted, and too urgent to admit delay. The directors felt, therefore, constrained to convene a special meeting of their constituents on the 18th of February, to consider the claims of India for augmented efforts, when it was resolved

"That the London Missionary Society having, for the last half century, employed devoted labourers in different parts of India, whose various exertions God has been pleased to crown with distinguished success, should take its fair proportion of effort for extending the blessings of the gospel among the teeming multitudes yet involved in heathen darkness; and that, accordingly, the directors employ their best efforts with all classes of their constituents, to enable them to send forth, within the next two years, at least twenty additional missionaries, to aid in carrying onward this great enterprise."

The answer already given to their appeal, is sufficient to convince the directors that in this proposal they have the hearty sympathy of their friends throughout the country: within three months nearly £11,000 have been promised toward the object, and a confident hope may be cherished that, by the close of the year, additional funds will be realised adequate to its full accomplishment.

The directors are sensible that nothing short of the peculiar urgency of the claims of Africa and India, would have justified two special appeals to the liberality of their constituents in such close succession; yet they are gratified to state that, nevertheless, the ordinary income of the society, with a single exception, has advanced in all its various branches.

The general contributions from Great Britain and Ireland, including subscriptions, donations, collections, and dividends, amount to £44,943 7s. 8d., being £1,779 48. 3d. more than the year preceeding.

The generous bequests of departed friends reach £8,401 48. 1d. being £1,702 15s. 8d. in excess of the legacies of last year.

The sacramental offerings to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund, with the yearly dividends, present an aggregate of £2,321 17s. 9d. being £119 17s. 8d. more than those of 1857, and in addition, the fund has received an increase of £899 6s. 5d. 3 per cents, reduced, being a legacy of the late Mr. Flanders.

The contributions from missionary stations have yielded £16,511 9s. 10d. being £2,191 13s. 2d. more than those of the year preceding.

The total annual income from these ordinary sources is £72,143 11s. 3d. being an increase of £6,659 28. 8d.

The amount received from the Australian and foreign auxiliaries is £819 5s., being less than the preceeding year by £1048 1s. 6d.

The expenditure of the Society, for ordinary purposes, has been £64,059 13s. 9d., being a decrease on that of the former year, of £2,799 15s. 1d., without involving any diminution of the society's operations.

The preceding statement is exclusive of the fund for the establishment of new missions in South Africa, amounting to £7076 6s. 2d., and that promised for the extension of Indian missions, approaching the sum of £11,000.

The number of the society's ordained missionaries last reported was 152; and it is an unusual demand for gratitude, that, in the interval, death has not been permitted to diminish that number in a single instance; while two additional brethren, Messrs. Blake and Jones, have been sent forth to strengthen the missionary band in India.

In presenting an abstract, compressed within the narrowest limits, of the history of the Society for the past year, the directors begin as usual with

POLYNESIA.

The Rev. Wm. Howe, amidst many obstructions, continues in charge of the Bible depository and the press, and renders also most valuable services in the defence of the truth, and in animating and sustaining the minds both of the native pastors and their flocks. Under date October 26th, ult., Mr. Howe, referring to a letter which did not come to hand, in which he described the revival of religion in the native churches, observes:

"The revival which I named in my last has not yet subsided, and especially at this place. Twenty-seven members were admitted to the church the last ordinance day, and others are preparing for admission during the present month. i

"The means by which the interest of the people is kept up, are, domiciliary visits frequently made by the deacons to the dwellings of all classes, and if any one appears more than ordinarily attentive and regular at worship, he is immediately sought out, and if any serious feelings are apparent in him, he is encouraged to unite with the church; backsliders are specially looked after in this manner, and are treated in the same way. It is truly matter for gratitude to the Giver of all good that the native min. istry remain so faithful to its trust."

Our devoted brother, Mr. Howe, though forbidden to commend the gospel to the native Christians, regularly preaches to the British and other foreigners located at Papeetee; and in a letter recently received, he gives a gratifying report of the conversion of a resident who had long been an enemy to the faith of Christ.

During the last autumn Messrs. Barff and Chisholm visited the Austral Islands, which have for many years enjoyed the blessings of Christianity, and where the churches are under the charge of native officers. From

Mr. Chisholm's journal several passages disclose somewhat of the missionary's joy, when, after long absence, he finds his children walking in the truth.

The mission churches of the Hervey Islands continue to present the same aspect of vitality and beauty by which they have been distinguished in former years; and whether we regard the general habits of the people, the progress of education, the observance of the Sabbath, or the number of consistent believers united in church fellowship, these Christian islanders would bear an advantageous comparison with any equal number of our countrymen.

The Rev. Aaron Buzacott has been compelled by severe and long-continued suffering, to retire from his beloved work in Rarotonga. He has been greatly honoured by his Divine Master in all the varied labours by which that island, once a moral desert, has been transformed into the garden of the Lord. The deeply-affecting manner in which he describes his removal, must make the friends of the Society more intensely regret, that one so devoted to the glory of the Saviour should be compelled to retire from his service.

In the Samoan or Navigators' Islands, the restoration of peace, which was announced in the last report, has happily been preserved, and our missionaries have been able to prosecute, without interruption, their various efforts for the social and religious improvement of the people; and, notwithstanding occasions of sorrow and discouragement arising from the former degradation and the peculiar habits of the natives, they are cheered by the evident progress of their churches in knowledge, enjoyment, and usefulness.

In the Educational Institution at Malua, fifty-seven young men, of approved Christian character, are preparing for the work of teachers and Evangelists. The native agents throughout the islands are all supported by the contributions of the people, and, during the past year, they have transmitted to the funds of the Parent Society upwards of £600. In addition to this remittance, they have also expended above £300 in the purchase of the Scriptures.

The advancement of the kingdom of Christ among the islands of Western Polynesia is no less wonderful than gratifying. When first visited by the lamented Williams, the barbarous people presented a spectacle the most pitiable, and yet the most revolting, and their sanguinary habits and cannibal practices seemed almost to defy the zeal and compassion even of the Christian missionary, while it seemed also to foretell the utter extermination of the races. But the transformation since wrought in multitudes should convince the most incredulous that the influence of the gospel, when accompanied by the grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, is sufficient to enlighten the darkest