WELLINGTON.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 115, 26 November 1858, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

On- Monday, the loth instant-, the Anniversary Public Meetin.tr on behalf of the Missions ofthe Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church, Was held in the Manners-street Chapel, Wellington. The chair was occupied by J. Woodward, Esq., Colonial Treasurer. The audience was numerous, and the interest of the meeting fully sustained unto the close, at. half-past nine o'clock, when all separated under the influence of a very gracious feeling. After some very appropriate observations by way of introduction, the Chairman called upon the Secretary, Mr. John Holdsworth, to read the report, as follows :— "REPORT. " This Auxiliary Society is a branch of the Australasian Wellington Methodist Institution, representing the Missions in New Zealand, in the Tonguese and Feejean groups, and in other islands of the Southern Pacific. The following schedule shews the extent of its operations:—■ Number of chapel'? ... ■ 307 ■ Other preaching places.. ~ ' 388 Missionaries and assistant ditto .(including Supernumeraries) , 54 Catechists . .. . 21.5 Bay school teachers 428 Sabbath school ditto 1504 i,ocal preachers 1028 Class leaders 1 7fi Church members 15.136 Ditto on tiual , 3222 Sabbath schools... , 1 US Sabbath scholars 28,300 Day schools.. 172 Day scholars 10,41.0 Total number of scholarsunder instruction .31,70 L Attendants on public worship ■ 80,035 Printing presses 2 * st The total expenditure of these missions for the past year wa5',£12,953 6s. 3d., and" the entire amount raised in the colonies and in the mission districts amounted to the sum of £0332 Bs., leaving a balance of £3620 18s. 3d. to be paid by the committee in London. It is very earnestly-Sesired that the funds of this society may be soon placed in a position altogether to relieve tlie original and parent society iv L?ndon from further grants in aid, as their"resources are required for the extcn- ; sion of missions in Giiina, in Ini'ia, and in other vast and important fields of Christian enterprise which are opening before them. " In this country our various missionary stations continue to he maintained, and it is very important at this critical period, if possible, to strengthen the mission staff. The day of novelty is gone ; the blush of the morning has disappeared ; but in the endurance of ' the burden and boat of the day' if our missionaries have not the like excitements, they have the same high and holy motives, the j same great and glorious objects, and they know j that their ' labor is not in vain in the Lord.' Missionary influence is, under the Divine blessing, still j the most powerful element in the civilisation, elevation, and salvation ofthe native race. Efforts have been made on all our stations, both among the natives aud in the English circuits, which arc yet assisted, •from tho mission fund, to raise larger amounts towards local self support, but not with so much success as we could desire. The Missionary Committee in Sydney very urgently appeal to us to take steps to relieve them from the present large ■expenditure they afford to New Zealand, in order to enable them to meet the loud 1 affecting calls for an increased number of missionaries in the Friendly and Fecjee Islands.

" lii the sunny isles ofthe group commonly called the Friendly Islands, tho number of missionaries has been greatly reduced by the failure of health either of themselves or their wives. Those that remain are oppressed with the weight of the work that falls upon them, and it is feared that the Rev. Messrs. Amos and Vercoe will be -compelled to leave this year by reason of utter prostration. The Rev. Mr. Adams, himself but weakly, writes —' My heart sinks wifWn me! Am I to'be left alone for another year with the sole charge of this important station (Vauvau^, printing office, institution, and schools? lam almost ready to yield to despondency, at the prospect.'' Christianity, in the form of Wesleyan Methodism, is general throughout those islands,- a large amount of native agency is employed; and the people contribute very liberally towards the support of the mission, in the form of cocnamit oil; which is conveyed to Sydney in the mission brig John Wesley, and converted into cash.

"Tbe difficulties of our brethren in Fojee now arise from tho. wide extent of their successful labours. Nearly 60,000 of these cannibal islanders are thirsting for the water of life. It is impossible that tlie small baud of missionaries at present in that district can adequately attend to them. They have had to mourn over the lass of a young missionary brother by sudden death during the year. Many thousands of these natives, who have abandoned their heathen rites and cannibal orgies, regularly assemble to receive instruction in Christian truth from the lips of native teachers, themselves but very partially instructed. A rich harvest of immortal souls may be gathered into the garner of the spiritual husbandman, if the ' fields white already to harvest' can be supplied with an adequate number of efficient laborers. The Rev. Joseph Waterhouse, who is in Tasmania on-a temporary sojourn to recruit his wasted energies before returning to his beloved field of labor, says that in "Fejee ' every Sabbath nearly thirty thousand meet; "to hear without a preacher!' We will not enfeeble the impression which this affecting statement must make upon your minds by any language of our own. In the words of inspiration we ask, 'how shall they preach, except they lie sent V "

The Rev. Kirtos moved :—" That tlie report now read be adopted, and that this meeting express its gratitude to God for the success which has attended this society and other kindred-insti-tutions." The Rev- gentleman observed that the report referred to the success which had attended the labors of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. The Wesleyan Methodists were well known for their zeal and activity. The influence of the ministry of the Wesley's had been felt in the Established Churches of England and Scotland, and in other denominations. Every good man must rejoice in this. Success in this good work must be ascribed to something far above mere human agency—it is a proof of divine influence. All evangelical success is from God. When God works success is certain. But God works by means. Means employed in His name, and according to His will, must be successful. His mind had been led to this subject to-day, for he had been reading an account; of that extraordinary revival of religion which is taking place in North America, and being a subject whicli he submitted was nofc irrcvalent tqthe;objeet of the resolution, he would detain the meeting a little while by referring to it. (Here the Rev. speaker gave an outline of the origin, character, and extent of the present great awakening in the United States, and concluded'by saying that we need only catch the influence ot this spirit in order to attain to great and mighty success, and without it we can do nothing.)

_ The resolution was seconded by the Rev. W. Kirk from Whanganui. He said the resolution spoke of gratitude for success. We ought to be thankful whether we had success or not. Under any circumstances the Christian mind -has-enough to call forth praise. But we had success, and for this Aye should be especially thankful. Success lias ever attended the preaching of the gospel. He adverted to the rapid spread of Christianity in the apostolic age—to the succeeding age of spiritual darkness amid worldly splendour, rank, and power which encircled 'the church. He- referred to the daj-s of Wesley and his colleagues, and the success which attended them. He touched on the commencement of the operations of this society in Australia and Now Zealand, when Mr. Leigh the first missionary was sent hither. Comparing the past with the present, what hath God wrought ? But for the influence of tho gospel we had not been here to-night. Ho saw success in his own more immediate field of labor. His predecessors had not labored in vain. It is not many years since the gospel was introduced among the tribes With whom he is located. Such men as Skevington and Woon, who now "rest from their labors," sowed the good seed and "it groweth up." He was delighted the other day in a love feast which Ue lield among his own people. He was certain

that many of them enjoyed religion. There is, much in tiie Maori character that is not liked —we admire not their selfishness—but there is also much that attaches us to them—we love them for instance for their hospitality. Above all we love them because they are with us fellow heirs of redemption, and many of them brethren in Christ. The rev. gentleman concluded by reminding the meeting that gratitude, if sincere, will be expressed not only in words but in deeds, and that ultimately success must be attained equal to the wants ofthe world.

The Rev. J. Wauren*, from Nelson, moved— " That an increase of missionary laborers is imperative as well for the maintenance, as for the extension of the Society's missions. Thafc the resources of the parent society in England, are all • required for other extensive fields of evangelical labor. That this meeting is of opinion that greater efforts should be made to obtain further contributions to the mission funds -to enable the Committee to employ a larger number of missionaries; and, further, that this fund has a special , claim on the liberal support of the colonists of New Zealand, by reason of the material benefits they enjoy through the influence of missionary successes in this country." He observed that this resolution presented a wide field for observation: and illustration, for argument and appeal,to which he would be unable to do justice. After the lapse of two years he rejoiced to appear before this meeting again on an occasion like tlie -present. He fully concurred in a remark which had.fallen from his reverend and eloquent friend, Mr. Kirton, that these meetings afford a platform on .which Christian ministers and people of different sentiments on minor points, can meet as brethren, and in this he found a reason for congratulation. In his own - circuit, the other day, he was conversing with au • intelligent and Christian man who said that the more lie read and thought, and felt.on the subject, • the more was he convinced that the different sections of the great Protestant world Were substantially united though circumstantially divided. He would say so too, and he was glad to-night to meet with brethren of other creeds and forms, and feel that they were one. He was an old missionary and had all the feelings of a missionary. He did not intend to-night to enter very particularly into the character of missionary details. He did so two years ago in this place, and as he had forgotten what he then said, did he now enter upon the narrative style he might unconsciously travel over the same ground, which he conceived would be neither gratifying to them nor «reditable to him. Reference had been made to the ina{mted selfishness of the natives. He was not, lowever, prepared to admit any peculiar sclfish r ness in the native character—it was the selfishness of human nature. Judged by a fair standard, he could prove that the Christian natives .are fully as liberal as are Christian Englishmen. He would . call their attention to an intimation they had heard. It is said that the Missionary Committee felt disposed to lessen their pecuniary aid to the New Zealand mission. He did not wonder at this, although he did nofc approve of it. He felt that justice was not done to the Maori—that more is expected of them than is reasonable. It was supposed that they are able and ought to support their own ministry. He believed they can and will just as far as Englishmen support their own ministry. What do Englishmen? Why they enable their ministers to live just as they do themselves, or a little below it. Now he could venture to say that the natives will do quite as much as this. They too will support a ministry if that ministry will or can live just as they can do themselves. But to expect them to support a ministry on an English scale, he-must beg to say is as preposterous as to expect a small rustic village of Englishmen to support an Anglican bishop in all the dignity and luxury and wealth of his position, instead of an ill-paid and hard working curate. If in ten or twelve j'ears hence they did anything like this it would be well, and in the mean time it was the best policy as.well as a sacred duty to maintain in their efficiency all our mission stations. But should the committee act on such a resolution, then the duty of the colonists is plain. They should take up the matter themselves and resolve support for the natives a ministry adequate-to their wants. They are too scattered*and notsufiicieutly raised in the scale of civilisation to do this themselves. The resolution speaks of special claims on the New Zealand colonists. There are special claims. They possess a land which yesterday was not theirs. And what a land f" a land of corn, and wine, and oil, favored with God's peculiar smile and his paternal care." " A land of brooks of waters, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills: a land of wheat and barley—a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou-shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and "out of whose hills thou mayest dig b^ass." It is true it is yours without any act of injustice to others. You are not chargeable with any fraud on the aboriginal proprietors. What you.,have is your own, and it is yours", by right; but still you are charged with a moral and religious obligation unto them. If you neglect it, it.will be. to your peril. If their souls pass away unsaved through your covetousness or your, neglect, God will require your brother's blood at your hands. It is nothing impossible that is required of you. It is only a reasonable proportion of your wealth which God demands. He has always required it, and He will never release you from it. Under the patriarchal dispensation a tenth of their increase was the minimum proportion of consecrated property. Less than this is not sufficient, under the Christian religion, and if all Christians gave but this, there ; would be enough for every purpose. He should like to ask every one in this congregation, not "What owest thou unto the Lord ?" but " What: payest thou unto the Lord?" Under the Mosaic dispensation, we may notice a spirit of liberality of which tardy Christians may be ashamed. The Christian man who is not liberal, is, in fact, no Christian at all. His religion is hypocrisy, his profession is a sham. Look at the Israelites when God commanded the erection of the tabernacle in the wilderness for the worship of His name. How liberally and how willingly did they offer of all they had! And the Hebrew ladies, how cheerfully did they bring even their mirrors as offerings to the Lord. We would not have our ladies to deprive themselves of an article which they value so highly, and of which they make so good a use, but we would have the weight of their all potent influence in this great cause, and if we secure this, wo shall be sure of all the rest. He would not longer occupy their time, and heartily moved tho resolution. The Rev. J. Buller, in seconding the resolution, said he was sure he should not be expected to deliver a speech on this occasion. He veiy cordially endorsed the sentiment.-which, had already been so ably expressed. He offered a few observations on the very extensive and pressing claims of Fejee, and noticed that he was glad to find that a plan was under contemplation at Auckland for the immediate establishment of a training college for native ministers, under the presidency ofthe Rev. T. Buddie, than whom he knew no man better qualified for such an important office. He hoped the meeting would directly signify their approval of the terms of this resolution, not merely by holding up their hands, but by the more practical evidence of contributing liberally to the collection which was shortly to be made. After this resolution was adopted the collection was made, the organ and choir meanwhile singing —" How beauteous are their feet, &c." It was announced that the collection amounted to exactly .£l7, which, with the collections yesterdaj% made nearly j>"3o. Mr. Woodward being compelled, to retire because of other engagements, the chair was taken by the Rev. J. Buller, who called upon Mr. Allsworth to move the third resolution:—" That the thanks of the meeting are doe, and are hereby presented to the collectors and contributors who have by their services and their offerings assisted this fund, and that the following gentlemen be . the Committee of 'this Auxiliary. Society for the coming year,—viz.: Messrs. May, Kinniburgh, C. Luxford, Wilkinson, Lewis, Clark, Austin, J, E. Watkin, W.--L. Buller, J. Gooder, J. Holdsworth, Secretary/; and Rev. J, Buller, Treasurer." Mr. Allsworth remarked that this resolution proved that the friends of Wellington had been at

work; and, moreover, that they intended to work. Work is the law of the universe. God works; all creation works. He drew appropriate illustrations "of "this sentiment from earth, find sea, and sky, from tlie human, tlie feathered/and the insect tribes of the family of God. It is the senti-*----ment of holy writ—" if any man will not work, neither shall he eat;" nor can the work be done till all is accomplished, and tlie top stone of the spiritual temple is brought home with shoutings, "Grace, grace unto it." He was -asked the other day when the wOrk of begging was to end. When ? Never till the world is converted, and all its kingdoms become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. Till then we must work • —work, and if we would work, to purpose, we must work while it is called to-day. He very heartily moved this resolution. ;

Mr. J. Knowi.es- made a few very suitable remarks in seconding this motion. He made particular reference to the activity and success which our Sabbath school children evince in collecting for religious purposes. He also referred to the recent deatk of the chief Rawiri Puahu, whose character afforded a very noble illustration, of the value of that influence which Christianity has effected on the native mind.

The hymn beginning with "Lord dismiss us with thy blessing, &c_/' was very delightfully sung, accompanied by the melody of the fine organ, after which the benediction was pronounced, and tho meeting separated.— lndependent.-