WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 702, 23 August 1870, Page 2

WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY.

♦ The annual public meeting of this Society was held in the Wesleyan Church, Durham street, last evening. There was a numerous attendance. Prayer was said by the Key. J. W. Habens. 'The chair was occupied by Mr J. H. Twentyman. The chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he believed that missionary work, and the manner in which it had been conducted, was a very great test of the spiritual life that existed in the church. The command of Christ was to preach the Gospel to every creature, and the Wesleyan Church had certainly engaged in the work in a most hearty spirit. The report would show the amount of success that had attended the efforts of the Society during the year. A letter was read from the Very Eev. the Dean of Christchurcb, begging to be excused for non-attendance, in consequence of another meeting at which he was called upon to occupy the position of chairman. The Rev. J. Aldred read the annual report, as follows : — Annual Report of the Australasian Wesleyan Missionary Society, 1870, Christchurch Branch. The field of the Australasian Wesleyan Missionary Society embraces the Friendly Islands, Samoa, Fiji, and the Maori Churches in New Zealand. There is also a Chinese Mission in Victoria. The Friendly Islands. The Friendly Islands are divided into three circuits — Tongatabu, Haabai, and Vavau. It is but little more than forty years ago since the glorious gospel of the blessed God was first preached to the natives of these beautiful Islands, and from year to year the labors of God's servants have been crowned with success ; but never, perhaps, has any former report of these missions been more cheering and encouraging than that of the past year. Every department of mission work seems to be in a very prosperous state. I The general report speaks of extensive re- [ vivals, of the great liberality of the native Christians, and of the present high state of efficiency of the Tubou College. The committee invite the attention of the friends of this society to the cheering report of Tubou College, Tongatabu. All who have witnessed this institution in operation are agreed — that while it affords most striking evidence of the mental capabilities of the island natives, as also of what may be effected by one devoted, persevering, enthusiastic missionary — that it is destined under the Divine blessing to be a most fruitful source of good to our missions in the training of native ministers and teachers, and also to the civil government of the country, in educating young chiefs for those positions and responsibilities which await them. With a year of great blessing there has been unprecedented liberality on the part of our people in this mission. We confess to astonishment, as we learn from communications just to hand, the amounts contributed for the support of the missions. The Tonga circuit sends a contribution of £786 6s. The Vavau circuit Bends £1702 5s ; and the Haabai circuit sends £2007 11s 2d ; making a total in cash subscriptions of £4489 16a 2d, to which must be added £1200 at leaßt, the proceeds of oil contributed by the same people ; so making a grand total of £5689 16s 2i from the Friendly Islands district alone for the year 1869; giving an average of nearly 15s per member for the whole Church, and 6s for each attendant on public worship, inclusive of the children.

Samoa. The Samoan district contains two circuits. The report from this part of our mission field is tinged with sorrow. Tbe land is not at rest from war; native feuds have been stirred up — the sword has been withdrawn from its scabbard, and much blood has been shed in battle. This sad Btate of things has told unfavourably on the churches and on every department of mission work. Bnt while your Missionaries have been perplexed, they are not in despair. If in some directions they have been pained to see a portion of their charge scattered in other directions, they have been gladdened to wltneas the ingathering of others into the fold.

Fiji. The district of Fiji embraces eight circuits. It will thus be seen that this mission as to territorial extent, and also in a numerical point of view is the most important Mission under the charge of the Australasian Conference. The general report of the work of God in this district is of an encouraging character. The increase in the number of Church members for the year is more than 1700, with nearly 6000 on trial for membership. But while there have been, as far aa man can judge, numbers of persons who hare passed from death unto life, jet there is reason to fear that, in the ease of many who hare renounced heathenism and become professors of Christianity, that their religion is only of a nominal character. And on this subject the General Report contains the follow ing remarks: — The Superintendent of the Rewa circuit says, — It should be remembered that in this circuit the Christianity of a large number is oDly nominal. A chief from motives of state policy abandons heathenism, his people follow, and then a whole tribe suddenly declares itself Christian. Such an event is spoken of as the conversion of thousands in a day, whereas it is nothing more than the opening of a door which we may enter, and entering begin to teach the first principles of Christianity to those from whom we have been previously shut out; if this point be not kept in mind, no juat estimate can be formed of the real character of our work. We way also add that, as nearly aa can be ascertained, there are at the present time in Fiji 100,000 who have not been brought under the influence of Christianity. The school reports from the different circuits are cheering. The district institutions for the training of native missionaries and teachers for schools are doing an important work. The General Committee feel the deepest concern on the subject of immigration now going on in Fiji, and clothe their feelings in the following words : — The influx of a large number of European and other settlers into these islands, and the probable effects of such influx on our Missionary operations, may be looked upon with deepest anxiety by all who are interested in the moral and spiritual good of the natives. In view of what has been elsewhere, who can but fear for poor Fiji ? At this time especially we ask the prayers of God's people, that He who reigns Supreme may control, subvert, and direct for His own glory, and the highest interests of the endangered Fijians, all that is now pasting in their interesting group of islands. New Zealand. In the Northern District of New Zealand there are three native circuits. In tha Southern District one. A native AssistantMissionary has charge of a small circuit on the Chatham Islands. The unsettled state of the native mind continues to retard the work of God, but your committee are thankful to be able to report that a few remain faithful. There seems to be ground to hope for better days for this long distracted land. Your committee have now to inform the friends and supporters of our Missions, that the pecuniary aid so long afforded to New Zealand by the Parent Society has ceased, and that from henceforth the Maori Missions will be chiefly dependent on ti • English circuits in this colony for their maintenance and extension. April 20th, 1870.— Within the past few day 8 the last of the Lists and Statements for the year 1869 has come to hand. We rejoice greatly to be able to inform our friends— who we know will share our . joy, that the income for the past year has reached the noble sum of £13,987 Is 7d being £380 lls lid in excess of the expenditure for the year. This is the first time in the history of out. Missionary Society, that we have been able to meet all claims without asking the Home Committee for anything. Of this income it is right we should say that the sum of £7597 4s 4d has been received from our Misiions, not including 'New Zealand, while the remaining £6389 1 7s 3d has been con-. tributed by the colonies of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Your committee are gratified to mark that out of fourteen colonial districts ton of them are in advance of last year in their contributions ; and though the aggregate increase is small, still it is hailed bb the omen of further and larger improvement. The past increase, and that which places the society in its new and pleasant position, is from our Mission Stations ; these have contributed £1200 more tnan the amount raised in all the colonies. For this result the committee record their thanksgiving to God from whom all good works* do proceed, and take this opportunity of gratefully, acknowledging the zeal and devotedness. of those missionary brethren, who have so laudably interested themselves with their people in raising such an amount for the funds of this society. Whether we can reasonably expect the. Mission Districts to do in future years what they have done in the past one is doubtful. The special .effort may be repeated, and with similar results, still the committee take this opportunity of kindly warning all friends and contributors, against any relaxing in; efforts for this great work in view of what may be done in the mission stations. Island contributions are necessarily subject to many contingencies ; hurricanes there — like floods; and drought in these lands, are of frequent occurrence, and when they do occur, the people are deprived of the means of contributing — albeit they may hare a ready, mind thereto. : The committee therefore kindly and earnestly urge the friends of missions in these colonies to increased: liberality in their support. They take, fetus opportunity ,of *aying, that, if the work they hare taken in band to do, say, for Fiji especially, is to be accomplished, the number of European missionaries must be increased;!

and this of bourse will involve larger expenditure for that Mission, besides they hope the time is near, when they will feel justified in taking up ground aa yet unoccupied, and where the voice of God's Messenger has never been heard. Your committee, in closing their report, would again remind all concerned/of the great importance to the funds of this Society of holding the annual meetings in the early part of the year, and of promptly remitting the amounts received to the Treasurers. • During the last fourteen years the large amount of £4250 has been paid for interest on : borrowed money, being an average of more than £300 per annum, a sum all will allow, that would have been better spent in the support of a missionary and family on the field. Early remittances would tend to keep down tbis charge for interest. The results from the efforts oE the past forty years in these missions are such as may well excite our liveliest gratitude to Him from whom all good proceeds ; and. encourage us to renewed and more vigorous action, for though we are not without cause for humiliation before God, the reasons for thankfulness snd encouragement are exceeding abundant. Thankful and encouraged therefore we again commend tbis society to the Christian sympathy, earnest effort, persevering prayer, and increased liberality of all its friends. The following is a general summary of the stations occupied by this society: — Number of Chapels, 649 ; number of other preaching places, 396 ; missionaries and assistant missionaries, 37 ; catechists, 851 ; day school teachers, 2390 ; Sabbath school teachers, 3441 ; local preachers, 1368 ; class leaders, 3431 i full and accredited Church members, 29,011 ; on trial for membership, 7114 ; catechumens, 4706 ; sabbath schools, 1077 ; Sabbath scholars, 57,768 ; day schools, 1679 ; day scholars, 58,140 ; attendants on public worship, 129,765. The balance-sheet showed a balance in favour of the society of £53 15s lOd. The Rev. Lobenzo Moohb in coming forward to move the first resolution, said that there was ample evidence of great energy on the part of the Wesleyan Church in mission work. No one could- listen to the details supplied by the report that had just been read without feeling that there was no Christian body more in earnest in seeking to penetrate the darkness of heathen lands than the Weeleyan body. The Rer. gentleman bore testimony to the exertions of Wesleyan missionaries in foreign lands, and instancing India, took occasion also to eulogise for their Christian sympathies many of the Governors and men occupying high public positions in that country. He begged to move — " That the report as read be adopted, and that this meeting expresses its gratification to Almighty God for the measure of success with which he has been pleased to crown the efforts of this and kindred societies, and suggests the duty of earnest and unceasing prayer to Him who alone giveth that increase, that his work may revive among the native tribes of this country and spread throughout the islands of the sea." The Rev. W. Om-iver seconded the resolution. The Rev. R. S. Bunn spoke in support of the resolution, which was put and agreed to. The Rev. A. Reid moved— "That inasmuch as in accordance with an arrangement made with the parent society in 1865, the grant in aid to the Maori Mission ceased last year, and seeing that in consequence of the protracted Maori war tha native churches etill stand in need of European pastors, for whOße support they are unable to make adequate provision, this meeting cordially acquiesces in the understanding come to between the Australasian Conference and the New Zealand representatives, namely — that for this year the necessary cost of the Maori Mission be a first charge on the funds raised by the New Zealand churches on foreign commission account ; the amount so appropriated to be determined by the Finance Committee of each district." The Rev. J. W. Habens seconded the resolution, which was unanimously agreed to. Mr Asuitaoe moved—" That the following gentlemen be the officers and committee for the Cbristchurch branch for the enßuing year :— Messrs George Gould, treasurer ; G. Hewlitt, secretary ; Committee — Messrs Connal, Meadows, F. Dewsbury, Harris, J. W. Smith, Greenup, Thornton, D. Lewis, Arnaitage, Harrington, Munnings, and Candy. The motion was seconded by Mr C. B. Taylor, and carried. Before the conclusion of the meeting, a collection was made in behalf of the Fund. During the evening several hymns were sung by the choir, under the direction of Mr Spensley.

Friendly Islands. Samoa. Fiji. Chapels ... 134 ... 43 ... 472 Other preaching places ... 3 ... 2 ... 391 Missionaries... 8 ... 4 ... 13 Native mission 10 ... 2 ... 44 Catechists ... 2 ... 10 ... 839 Day school teachers ... 93 ... 31 ... 2266 Sabbath school teachers ... 900 ... ... 2541 Local preachers 831 ... 43 ... 494 Class leaders 1038 ... 124 ... 2269 Church members ... 7920 ... 743 ... 20.348 On trial ... 932 ... 273 ... 5902 Catechumens 781 ... ... 3925 Scholars ... 5300 ... 1715 ... 51,125 Total number of attendants, &C. ... 19,035 ... 4783 ...105,947