The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1866. WESLEYAN MISSIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 241, 13 December 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1866. WESLEYAN MISSIONS.

Sermons were preached in the chapel, Hardy-street, on Sunday last, in behalf of the missions, by the Rev. R. S. Bunn. On Tuesday evening a tea meeting was held in the school-*, jom, and after it a public meeting took place in the chapel, his Honor the Superintendent, in the chair. The Rev. E. Thomas offered up prayer, after which, The Chairman addressed the meeting. He expressed the pleasure he felt in responding to the call to take the chair, all were honored who took part in proceedings of the kind, and there could not be a higher duty than that of seeking to spread the intelligence of the gospel to those wiio were unenlightened by its influences. Adverting to the condition of the early settlers in the country he remarked that they were much indebted to the labors of the men who attempted, through the agency of the society, to promote the moral welfare of the people. He understood that an interesting report would be read, descriptive of the progress the society had made here and elsewhere, but he would rely chiefly on his own observation, in the conclusions to which he should come respecting the way in which the efforts of the missionaries had been adapted to the wants of the community. It had frequently been his happiness, when called by duty to visit the distant portions of the province, to witness the provision made for spiritual instruction on the early gold-fields. The darkness, degradation and profanity on tlie early golddiggings was painful in the extreme, and such as called for the legitimate exercise of the influence of this society. He never saw this more strikingly than on a visit to Hokitika, some time ago, when twice on the sabbath he had the pleasure of listening to two addresses from Rev. Mr. Harper there. The pleasure was the greater, as for two or three sabbaths previously he was compelled to witness the profanity which was characteristic of an early and neglected gold-field, and his gratification was extreme to see the manner in which the day was observed. It was pleasing on the present occasion to see on the platform gentlemen of several denominations. This was as it should be, it was a sign that the object sought to be attained was not sectarian, but one connected with the progress of our common Christianity. It proved that the great, object was not to ascertain who should do the work, hut what was the work that had to be done. The work doue by the society was so catholic in its nature that none but a bigot would refuse to lend it his support. In the early days ofthe settlement, when tho unfortunate conflict at the Wairau cost the province many valuable lives, a uiiQninniUs verdict of approval was accorded to the courageous christian who performed the hist sad oilices" that the occasion required, and no inquiry was made hs to what denomination the noble-minded man belonged. So now it was pleasing to find ministers united for a common purpose of advantage to man- , kind, without attaching importance to the things which distinguished one denomination from anotlier. He would now call on the secretary to read the report. The report, as read by Mr R. Lucas, the Secretary, appeared in the Mail, of yesterday. The Rev. P. Calder moved the first resolution as follows: — " That the report now read be adopted, and that every year of missionary labor furnishes additional evidence that the cause of Christian missions is the cause of the Bible, of Christianity, and of God; that the recorded triumphs of this and other missionary societies over heathen barbarism, cruelty, and sin, furnish matter for devout thanksgiving to Almighty God on account of the past, and encourage brighter and more cheering hopes for the future ofthe church and of the world." He addressed himself to the argument that, notwithstanding the difficulties that stood in the way of the missionary's progress, and the charge of comparative failure that was sometimes brought against the society, it was the duty of Christians to support missionary effort and to obey the inarching orders given them by their great Commander. That enthusiasm had diminished was no cause for a cessation of effort; and the fact that a collision of races had taken place in this country was no reason for weakening the obligation to carry out the will of Christ. Let the things of Cassar and God be kept distinct from each other, and no difficulty would be found in the discharge of Christian duty. Although the report contained the shadows as well as the lights of the missionary enterprise, there was enough to encourage hope for the future and stimulate to action in a work of such importance. There was hope for the Chinese in Victoria and for the Maoris in New Zealand; and because failure had resulted in many instances this was no reason for relaxing exertion or withdrawing influence. When appearances were sometimes unpromising they con-cealed-signs and proofs of prosperity, and the report warranted the indulgence of a cheerful tone and the 'employment of renewed efforts. The Rev. E. Thomas, iu seconding the resolution, referred to his long acquaintance with the society, and his warm attachment to the missionary cause. He combatted various objections that are urged against such societies, and contended- that the Christian morality which the missionary inculcated could not but be advantageous to all who accepted it. He

showed that the religion of love -tfhich it was the' object ofthe society to promulgate, was the remedy for all moral ills, and that the success which had hitherto attended missionary enterprise furnished motives for renewed hope and increased exertion in the cause. The Eev. Mr. Kirk, in supporting the resolution , expressed the satisfaction he felt at the presence of the chairman. He addressed the meeting as a missionary, having 20 years ago come out to instruct the Maoris, amongst whom he had labored 11 or 12 years, with, pleasure to himself and not without success in respect to the object of his charge. He had on former occasions complained of the apathy that prevailed in reference to the missionary work, and would be glad to see the fact recognised that its operations were obligatory on the church and on its members in their individual capacity as Christians and as men. He had been recently reminded by a work of the enterprise of Dr. Coke, who was very properly stated to have been fifty years in advance of the age in which he lived, in regard to the great work they were now met to commemorate, it was scarcely possible, to appreciate the zeal of this ardent missionary, and the spirit of self sacrifice he so heroically displayed, when contrary to the advice of friends he oifered to spend his fortune in the promotion of the cause he so much loved. Having overcome the difi ficulties that surrounded him, and obtained the co- ! operation of some young men like-minded with himself, he started for India, but found a watery grave. j To all who talked to him of the unreasonableness of his plans he replied, his heart was in Ceylon, he was married to India, he was dead to England. What did not the church owe to such distinguished men as Carey, who when offering himself as a missionary,, was told by the eccentric Dr. Ryland, . to sit down, as God could convert the world Avithout him. Dr. Duff, of the Scotch church, was sneered at for his ardent zeal, but he had returned triumphant from the scene of labor, become secretary to the Missionary Society, whose funds were treble what they formerly were. What obligations we were under to such men as Waterhouse, Hart, and. others who were devoting themselves to this great and good work. It wasgratifying to see from the report, that China with its millions was open to the missionary, and tbat Pearce was there laboring with apostolic fervor. India and Africa, south and west, was contributing its quota of success, and the latter had furnished a president for their conference, one of the best they ever had. Then there was Arthur, whose recent stirring productions had been translated into French and Italian, and were producing a sensible effect in Roman Catholic countries. What did not the world owe these missionaries for their patient labour and untiring zeal. To turn to subjects of a more local nature, the missions at Fiji had been singularly blessed. There were 20.000 hearers of the Word, and every indication of earnest conviction. If there was any missionary station that showea signs ot real religion, it was the Friendly Islands, where King Goorge was a local preacher, and his queen a teacher jn the Sunday school. Nor was all dark in New Zealand. In reference to the John Wesley, he came out by that ship, and was a witness of the remarkable revival of religion that took place among the crew, and afterwards extended to Sydney. In reference to the effect the Gospel had produced amongst the Maoris, he hud been a close observer on numerous occasions, and was able to bear testimony to their Christian character and conduct. And were not such successes to be expected as the result of the promises contained in the Sacred "Word, and ought not Christians to awake to the responsibility that rested on them, and the co-operation tliat was required from them in the promotion of the work to which, the author of their religion had invited them in the most urgent manner? Admitting that the missionary work in New Zealand was obscured by clouds, all was not dark, and ultimate success was not doubtful if Christians discharged their duties, and did tbe wcrk that was expected of them. Tlie resolution was put and carried. The Kev. It. S. Bunn moved the next resolution : " That the missionary work allotted to the Wesleyan churches of these colonies is generally so important and encouragint.', that notwithstanding the temporary closing of churches and schools in New Zealand, afflicted by war and superstition, we : have yet abundant reason to sustain and increase our efforts, so as to relieve the Parent Society in Great Britain, of their liberal grant of nearly £6,000 ; _ and this meeting accepts the principle that the colonies should now fully support their own missions, and so set free the exemplary liberality of the Home Society to spread the gospel in the ample fields of Europe, Asia, and Africa." lie said the great burden of the resolution was the work that was expected of the church, viz., the dispensing with the £0,000, which had been granted by the Home Society. He thought the united efforts of the people would accomplish this result. He showed that selfishness was the great characteristic of human nature, and that the only corrective was the diffusion of the Christian religion. As paganism in England had in olden times succumbed to the efforts of missionaries, so the false systems in various parts of the world would be overthrown in a similar manner. He made a powerful appeal to the audience to induce them to support the missionary cause. As in the case ot the Atlantic cable, extra pressure was now required, and must not be withheld. The idle, apathetic Christian resembled the stagnant pool, which was useless in itself and diffused a poisonous malaria around it; whilst tho active and energetic promoters of missionary enterprise resembled the ever-running stream, diffusing fertility and creating beauty in the course of its progress. The Rev. Mr Davis seconded the resolution in a forcible speech, in which he showed. from his own observation and experience in India, that the missionary work was fraught with great' blessings to mankind.

' The resolution tfas carried. Mr Gardiner moved, and Mr D. Wagg seconded, the following resolution, which was carried unanimously : — '-That the cordial thanks of the society are due, and are hereby presented, to his Honor the Superintendent for his kindness in presiding and for the ability with which he has conducted the business of this meeting." During the interval of the speeches a selection of gacred music was performed very creditably by the choir. The amount collected at the sermons and the meeting was £14 ss. sd.