From Mr. Gill to Mr. Clarke, the Secre built for the purposes of a school-room tary of the District. Dear Sir, In compliance with a resolution recently passed, that each minister receiving aid from the Home Missionary Society, should send the Auxiliary Society a monthly report of his labours, I shall attempt to lay before you a brief account of the principal occurrences which have taken place in the situation where Providence has called me to labour, since I last wrote to you. I believe I then informed you that I regularly preached at Chilton, Stoford, Combwitch, and Spaxton, which places I continue still to supply. At CHILTON the prospects are rather discouraging, so few attend the preaching of the word; the attendance has increased but very little since we commenced preaching there; we have not more than from fifteen to twenty attend at most. and chapel, which will contain about 300 people. The rent is about £5 per annum, half of which the friends of Christ and his gospel in that place have agreed to raise, and the remaining half will be paid by the managers of the Sunday School. At Combwitch I have established a Sunday-morning meeting at seven o'clock, for the purpose of communicating divine instruction to children and young people; the attendance is better than I expected. I have endeavoured, as well as I am able, with many other important things, to impress the youthful mind with the importance and utility of missionary exertions; and many of the dear little children have come forward with their little contributions to the help of the Lord against the mighty. A little boy, about eight years of age, went one morning to the person chosen to receive these little contributions, and said, At STOFORD, the prospects are truly Here, Ma'm, is a penny for the Missionauspicious; the house in which I preach is crowded with very attentive hearers, ary Society, and I'll never more throw away my money at fairs and clubs, &c. who seem to receive the word with glad- but I'll give it ALL to that good Instiness, and many of those who first opposed tution which Mr. G. told us about yespreaching there, are now regular attend- terday; and I believe he has stood firm One woman, who was invited at to his word, amidst many temptations. the commencement to attend, vowed, O that those who possess ability to give with an horrid imprecation, that she pounds instead of pence, would cultivate would never enter the door; she has, a similar disposition to this little boy! however, been induced to alter her de- I would add, that two persons from termination, and now regularly attends. Combwitch, a few Sabbaths ago, joined I sincerely hope and pray that she may the church at Bridgewater, and many be truly converted to God, through the more appear to have a desire to be numpreaching of the gospel in this place. I bered amongst the children of God. May preach here and at Chilton alternately the Lord prosper his work here abundantevery Sabbath morning, but as the pros- ly. I have established a Tract Loan Sopects in this place so far exceed those at ciety here also. Chilton, most of the friends think it would be advisable to give up Chilton, and preach here every Sabbath. Please, sir, to give your advice when you write again. The inhabitants of Stoford are anxious to have a Sunday-school formed there; and I doubt not but I should get a good congregation, were I to preach there on a week evening; but under present circumstances, I am unable to attend to either. Stoford, and its immediate neighbourhood, contains about five hundred inhabitants. ants. com At COMBWITCH also the prospects are truly animating. The attendance has gradually increased from the mencement; insomuch that a larger house than that in which we used to preach, was necessary for the accommodation of those who were anxious to hear the blissful sound of the gospel; we have, therefore, in union with our Independent friends, who have a large Sunday School there, obtained a place Extract from the Sixth Report of the The Committee of this Society in presenting their Sixth Report to its friends and supporters, feel peculiar pleasure in assuring them, that the cause of the Redeemer, through his blessing on its agency, is advancing; though not with such successful rapidity as its managers desire, yet with a steady and certain progress, sufficient to afford encouragement in the review of past labours, and, at the same time, to stimulate every friend of the Institution to continued and increased efforts, for its more abundant prosperity. Your Committee in confirmation of the above statement, solicit your attention to the following list of the several stations now occupied by your Itinerants-their BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. operations therein - what they have, through the divine blessing already accomplished-and the prospects of further usefulness that open to their view. The stations of your senior Itinerant Mr. Rees Davies, and his assistant Mr. Francis, are the following: Withington, The Old-way, Broadmore Common, Lugwardine, Scutmill Lane, Newtown, and Westhide. The stations of your junior Itinerant Mr. Joseph Davies, are the following:Ivington, Kingsland, and Eardisland. The second Itinerant was engaged for two years, at the request of a generous individual and his friends, who subscribed £30 per annum, towards his support. The two years having expired, it seemed necessary to dismiss him. This is to be regretted, as two of the villages contain a great number of inhabitants, and the least promising of the three, has furnished one soul, turned from darkness to light. The people expecting the gospel to be taken from them, have come forward, and entered into a plan to assist in its support. PROPOSED INSTITUTION FOR THE Education of Home Missionaries. To the Secretaries of the Baptist Home Missionary Society. DEAR BRETHREN, The establishment of a fund for the support of Home Missionary Students, is an object which has long engaged my attention, the necessity and importance of which becomes daily more evident. That the agents of the Society ought to be men of some cultivation, none, I think, can dispute; and Home Missionaries ought to be persons of no ordinary stamp,-men of ardent piety, of laborious habits, of general information, and able, in the communication of divine knowledge, to meet the capacities and circumstances of a village audience. This latter qualification is of indispensible importance, as, without it, the preaching of the Missionary will often be nothing more than "beating the air;" and generally speaking, it can only be attained by close and intimate acquaintance with the habits and modes of thinking adopted by persons resident in the country, or possessed by persons who have passed their early lives in such localities. The system of education in our Academies is adapted to a specific object, but does not appear to be that which is most necessary for a village preacher. 49 What seems most eligible is, that young men possessing the requisite qualifications for the Christian ministry, in connection with the knowledge of village society, and the disposition to labour, should be placed with stated ministers, qualified to give instruction in the elementary principles of Grammar, Composition, and general knowledge, together with those sources of information usually employed in the elucidation of the sacred volume,ministers whose hearts are deeply interested in village labour, and whose neighbourhoods contain stations which would afford such employment for the student while under his care. A young man thus situated would be able, while he pursued his studies, to be actively engaged in the great cause, while the minister with whom he is placed could superintend those labours, and afford to him that counsel and advice, as to the conduct of his exertions in the villages, in visiting their inhabitants in the seasons of sickness, or otherwise, which would not only be eminently useful at the moment, but would form the student to habits of affectionate attention, and prudent care in the exercise of his future ministry,-qualities especially requisite in the Home Missionary. Such an arrangement would not only be the means of educating suitable persons appropriately for their work, but of assisting the exertions of many extend their valuable labours to places pastors; who would hereby be enabled to which at present they can only contemplate with pain and grief, and thus of forwarding in a material degree the objects of our Home Missionary Society. The adoption of such a plan would require considerable funds; and although the great cause of Home Missions would be most essentially benefitted by its being carried into effect, yet the contributions for the general purposes of the Society could not be consistently directed into this channel without the special appointment of the donors. A distinct fund would be necessary, to be designated "The Home Missionary Education Fund." And as many wealthy friends of the Redeemer might be disposed to give a permanent existence to its operations, Trustees might be appointed by the Society, in whose names property might be vested, to be solely appropriated to this object, while the business of the said fund might be managed by a Sub-Committee, annually appointed at the General Meetings of the Society, which might be called "The Education Committee;" an account of whose proceedings could be embodied in the Annual Reports of the Society. It may further be added, that .Sub. 0 10 ....... ་་་་་ £ s. d. .Sub. 1 0 0 2 0 0: 0.10 0 .Sub. 0.10 6 .0.10 0 .Sub. 1 0 0 .Sub. 10 0. 010 0 350 Collier, Mr.... this important object has engaged the attention of several esteemed friends, who would cordially unite with others in the adoption of measures calculated to carry the design into effect. Should you deem this communication adapted to your Quarterly Register, it is quite at the service of the Society; and probably there are many others who, by communicating their sentiments through the same channel might contribute to the furtherance of this design. With fervent prayer for the prosperity of the Society, and for the Collection at Rev. J. Hall's.... 10 11 7 out-pouring of the Holy Spirit to be enjoyed by all its agents, I am, Dear Brethren, .... ..... O. C. Donations at ditto.... Phillips, Edward, Esq.....Sub. Smith, Mrs. C. Mitford....Sub. 35 5 2 Auxiliary Society at Clapham 4 12 6 ..Sub. 1 1 .Sub: 21 0 cher, Folkestone ..... 2 9 6 Don. 1 0 Rev. Wm. Simpson.... Grundesburgh. Collection .... 690607000 3 14 7 Ipswich. Stoke Meeting, Do. 7 9 Do. Contributions by Friends. 6 18 Langham. Collection. Needham. Mr. Pratt Otley. Collection ... Rattlesden. Do...... Do...... ...... Woodbridge. A few Friends.. 3 5 65 6 0 1 14 O 1 12 Collected by the Rev. J. EDWARDS. NORTHAMPTON. Collection at College-lane Meet ing, (exclusive of £5 which ......... Kimbolton, Rev. R. Hogg .Don. 0 15 S 110 5 5 0 Jackson, Rev. Mr. 0 10 0 .Don. 0.10 0 Jackson, Mrs. 0.10 0 3 9 41 Banks, Mr. 0 10 0 Scott, Mr. (Grocer). 0 10 0 0 10 0 Small Sums.• • • 22 3 0: BATTLE, Mr. Sargent 0 10 0 1 9 2 Sinnock, Mr...... 0.10 0 0 10 0 were deducted for the Baptist Irish Society) 0 10 £ s. d. 0 10 0 5 16 1 4 5 6 2 16 2 0 10 .0 10 10 0 BRISTOL. Collected by Rev. Messrs. EDWARDS and Thompson, Mr... MILEHAM, in November, 1824. Ariel, W. Esq. 2 Years'....Sub. Ariel, M. Esq. 0.10 Weare, Mrs....... 2 Years' Sub. 2 2 £ s. d. 2 2 0 ..Sub. 1 1 0 2000000 2.1.. Collection at Broadmead Bonville, Mrs. Bryant, Mr.. .Sub. 0 10 6 Ditto.... Bumpus, Dr... Berry, Mr. Cross, W. Esq. Crisp, Rev. T. S. Cottle, Mr. Cowan, Rev. J.. Cox, Mrs.. .Sub. 0 10 Cowley, Mr.. 1 0 0 Dove, Mr. 0 10 0 THE thanks.of. the Committee are due, and hereby presented to Mr. and Mrs. Emery of Islington, for. Fifty Copies of "The Memoir of Anna Emery," which they have obligingly forwarded" for the use of those poor children who may come under the notice of the Ministers belonging to that excellent Institution, the Baptist Home Missionary Society." Several parcels. of Magazines, Tracts, &c. &c. have been received, which are hereby gratefully acknowledged. THE Committee find themselves compelled to renew their urgent importunities for fresh pecuniary assistance. The fact is, that the applications for itinerant labourers are greatly increasing, a circumstance which cannot be viewed without feelings of gratitude and joy, as indicative of the lively interest taken in the proceedings of the Society, and the disposition to advance its interests;—at the same time, we are grieved to refuse such applications on the old and painful plea of a deficiency of funds. But so it is; and the friends of our Society will, we trust, require no apology from us, for again urging this most important object upon their notice. * Subscriptions and Donations for this Society will be thankfully received by William Day, Esq. Treasurer, 99, Newgate Street; the Rev. John Edwards, 21, Thornhaugh Street, London, and the Rev. F. A. Cox, A. M. Hackney, Secretaries; of whom may be had, by all persons desirous of collecting for the Society, Missionary Boxes, Papers to assist in the formation of Auxiliary Societies; together with the Annual Reports and Quarterly Registers. All Communications respecting the Spread of the Gospel at Home, that are thought adapted for this Work, may be addressed to the Secretaries as above, and will receive as early attention as possible. Those friends in the country who wish to be supplied with the above Papers, are requested to ṣay what number will be wanted, and by what conveyance they should be forwarded. London: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-street, Soho. |