SOMERSETSHIRE.

Dear Brethren,

It is with diffidence that I comply with your request in furnishing you with the following observations: having no other object, however, than to bring the important subject of Home Missions more urgently before the attention of our churches, I shall be happy if other and abler pens may be engaged to carry the object into more complete effect.

An Auxiliary Home Missionary Society is designed to superintend the operations of the Parent Society within its own limits, as well as by raising pecuniary contributions, to aid its funds. In entering, however, into the detail of its character and operations, that I may not be charged with indulging in mere theory or speculation, will you allow me to lay before you, a brief description of the plan and labours of the "Auxiliary Baptist Home Missionary Society for part of the Western District;" and which, so far as its operations have extended, has been found to work with admirable effect.

The district occupied by this Society is very extensive, as it includes Bridgewater in Somersetshire, Barnstaple in the north of Devon, Shaldon in the south of Devon, Lyme Regis in Dorset, and Yeovil in Somerset. The Society is composed of such persons as contribute to its funds, or are engaged in aiding its designs; and is under the direction of a Treasurer, two Secretaries, and a Committee of twentyseven members: nine of whom are Pastors. One-fourth of this Committee to be changed annually. The Committee is taken from various points of the district, and is generally composed of the Pastor

elapse between the meetings of the General Committee. The Committee thus organized, is employed in the examination of such applications to your Society for assistance, as may be made from any part of the district; and I cannot but think we have already seen the advantages of the resolution of the Parent Committee, to attend to no application but what is recommended by the Auxiliary Committee. It is also employed in the investigation of the spiritual necessities of the district, and in suggesting to the Parent Committee, the most useful and important scenes of labour: while another part of its duty is, to afford support, encouragement, and counsel, to the Missionaries employed in connexion with the Auxiliary; and to do this the more effectually, those members of the Committee who reside the nearest to the stations occupied, are formed into distinct Sub-Committies, having in charge the interests of such stations, and corresponding every month with the central Sub-Committee. We have also a regulation which directs that all the Missionaries and Ministers who receive aid through the medium of this Auxiliary, shall furnish a monthly Report of their labours, to the central Sub-Committee, which Reports, after they have been examined and verified, we forward to the Parent Committee.

By these arrangements we hope to main-, tain a system of co-operation and superintendance throughout the whole district. Our Committee is not so numerous as it might be made, from the extent and the resources of the district'; but this arises from its having been thought that one of a limited number would be more effec

tive, and occasion less expense: while, as one-fourth of its members are to retire annually, an opportunity is afforded for all the Pastors and other friends to the Home Missionary cause being engaged in regular succession upon it.

In order to aid the funds of your Society, we collect such Annual, Quarterly, Monthly, or Weekly Subscriptions or Donations as the friends of the cause in the district can contribute; and to do this in the most regular, extensive, and effective manner, we have endeavoured to promote the formation and support of Congregational Associations in connexion with the different churches throughout the district. These Associations include Subscribers of one penny per week and upwards, and are conducted by a President, usually the Pastor, a Treasurer, two Secretaries, a Gentleman and a Lady, with a Committee composed of such male and female friends who are willing to engage as Collectors. These Committees are furnished with missionary intelligence, and assemble once a month, to pay the amount of their collections into the hands of the Treasurer. In each of these Associations there is to be an Annual General Meeting, which will be attended by the neighbouring Ministers, together with a deputation from the Auxiliary; when a Report of its progress will be laid before its friends, and the Officers elected for the ensuing year. And as there will be an Annual General Meeting of the Auxiliary, it is proposed that the substance of the different Reports of the Associations shall be printed with its Report, together with a list of their Officers and Subscribers, especially the names of the different Collectors, with the amount which each has collected through the year. In consequence of the low situation of most of our churches, not allowing them to have two Associations in operation at one time, the funds of these Associations are, in general, divided between the Baptist Home and Foreign Missions, in such proportions as the contributors may direct: as, while we are devoted to the interests of the Home Mission, we cannot allow ourselves for one moment to forget the claims of the Foreign.

It affords me much pleasure to state, that this work has been so kindly taken up by our friends in different parts, that although the Auxiliary has only been established since last November, that Associations have been formed in several churches already. This is only the beginning of our way, and at present it is but a day of small things; we cannot, however, but indulge the hope, that a

steady adherence to the plan above described, will lead us forward under the Divine blessing, to cultivate in some degree, that part of the country where Providence has cast our lot, and render some little aid to the pecuniary interests of the Home and the Foreign Missions; while it is with no small pleasure I remark, that the establishment of these Associations is likely to be productive of the greatest advantage to the churches where they are formed, by inducing a more general concern for the welfare of the Redeemer's church; engaging in the best of causes the young people, those on whom the hopes of the church are now fixed; and promoting a more deep and lively spirit of genuine piety and love. I may add, that the plan we adopt of sending up the whole of what we receive into your treasury, after the deduction of our incidental expenses, and looking again to you for the payment of the charges of the whole of our Missionary operations, has afforded much satisfaction to our friends, while the employment of Ministers solely in the capacity of Missionaries, appears to us to be an arrangement fraught with many and great advantages, both as it regards the usefulness of the Missionary, and the pecuniary aid to be derived from the scene of his labours.

With respect to the latter very important object, which we propose to ourselves, we have at present nothing fully arranged, but there is an anxious desire to engage our dear brethren in the ministry, with their several churches, to unite in the establishment of monthly meetings for prayer. We conceive that it may be possible for three or four neighbouring Ministers and Churches to form a circulating prayer-meeting among themselves; and such, we hope, may be extended over the different parts of the district: but of this part of our plan I can say at present but little, our tention having been so much engaged in the detail of our other operations; but I trust this will not be with us an inferior object. I hope we shall more deeply feel that all our efforts will be in vain, unless we enjoy the blessing from above.

at

It would afford me much pleasure to present you with detail of facts and reasons, illustrative of the plan we are now pursuing, but I trust sufficient has been stated to draw the attention of our respected brethren in other districts, to this simple and effective method of promoting the interests of the cause of God. We are only at present feeling our way, and it would afford us much satisfaction to be favoured with any suggestion that might be deemed an improvement

on our course; while, on the other hand, it would afford us much pleasure to give any information, or to render any assistance in our power to those who may be desirous of promoting the cause in their neighbourhood. I may suggest, that were effective Auxiliary Societies organized throughout Britain, and a spi, rit of humble and persevering prayer enjoyed by our Ministers and Churches, it would be impossible to estimate the benefits we might justly anticipate. I ean only say in conclusion, that in any way in which I can further this great object, by correspondence or otherwise, I shall be truly happy to devote my feeble efforts.

I am, with Christian affection,
very sincerely yours,

Taunton, July 12, 1824.

O. CLARKE.

The following Letters are a Specimen of the Correspondence of our Agents in this County, selected from many others which would be equally interesting,

47

him not long ago, I found him upon his knees, earnestly imploring mercy. As I enquired what led him to think about his poor soul (to use his own words), he said, 'Your preaching; I never heard any thing like it before; and mentioned the text which most impressed his mind; and although a cripple, he always attends my preaching at Hallerford. Į visited a poor afflicted woman, and conversed with her respecting her state; she told me she hoped to go to heaven, for she was (to give her own expression) ' in charity with every body,' &c. After I had faithfully pointed out to her the insufficiency of all her doings as a ground for justification before a holy God, and prayed for her, she appeared much concerned, and began earnestly to pray herself; and is anxious to see me again. I shall gladly do what I can to direct her to the Saviour; and who can tell but heaven will show her mercy.

To inform you, in these monthly communications, of all the good that is produced by missionary efforts, is not to be expected, because the good seed sometimes lies buried long in dust, and may

sionary writes as follows.

The more I am conversant with the moral condition of the people in this county, the more I am convinced of the necessity and utility of Home Mission ary exertions. I fear this, in times past, has not been sufficiently seen; for while the religious public have sent the gospel to the heathen abroad, they seemed to forget the wants and the claims of some of the heathen at home.. But I have been highly delighted in reading the account of the Annual Meeting of the Baptist Home Missionary Society, held in London lately, to see the universal interest it now excites, and the concern which is felt for its prosperity.

In the station which I occupy, the gospel was much wanted, for in some places where I have been, the light of truth had scarcely ever shone; or if it had, its beams were so transient and slight, as to leave no salutary influence behind. My soul has been often grieved to behold the wickedness of men around me. "They have not the fear of God before their eyes." But blessed be God, you have sent them the bread of eternal life, and I rejoice to distribute it to all, without exception, who are willing to receive it. Some, alas! despise it, although they are perishing with hunger, but others gladly eat and live. who had been a wicked old man, is become a hopeful character. Calling upon

One

us, if it is at all in the present world; but the day will declare it; and how unspeakably gratifying would it be to us in that day, to hear some of the redeemed tell us that they were brought to the knowledge of Jesus through our instrumentality as ministers or missionaries.

Since my last, I have preached at Timberscomb and Sucksborough, and intend adding those villages to my former number. My prospects at both are pleasing; but as our prospects in villages so frequently vary, according to the influence of circumstances, my expectations must not be too sanguine. I have now ten vil lages under my care, and with regard to all, things are much the same as when I last wrote, except at Porlock the attendance is not so good as it was at first.

Before I close, allow me to express my gratitude to the Gentlemen of the Committee for their past kindness, and to our very worthy Secretaries for theirs, and for their unremitted exertions in the noble cause; and they may rest assured that nothing shall be wanting which is in my power, to do (which is indeed little) to promote the objects of this Society.

That the blessing of God may be with us all, and that his kingdom may come all over the world, is the fervent prayer of, Dear Sir,

Your obedient servant,
W, ELLIOTT.

Sept. 1, 1824.