A plan was, this afternoon, prefented, propofing the erection of several fmall feminaries, in different parts of the kingdom, where young men, who appeared to poffefs Miffionary talents, may receive in the course of a year or two, fome valuable inftructions to qualify them the better for evangelizing the heathen. This plan was referred to the serious confideration of the Directors.

Memoirs were read refpecting miffions to Canada, and to Hindofian, which were also referred to the Directors.

A paper, which appeared in our laft Number, respecting the beft method of obtaining Millionaries, being read by defire of one of the Directors, a difcuffion took place, which continued feveral hours. It is impoffible for us to detail the particulars of this most interesting and folemn debate. The main object to which several of the brethren, both minifters and laity, directed their attention was, whether it be not the duty of minifters of fome fanding and reputation in the church, and particularly of those who had been active in the formation of this institution, to be ready if required by the body of Directors, to bear the name of Jefus to the heathen. Some of our dear and much efteemed brethren nobly declared their readiness to give themselves up to the work, if the Society fhould confider it to be their duty, and should call them to it.

We wish we could convey to our readers, who were not prefent, fome idea of the peculiar folemnity which attended this difcuffion. Nothing, however, was pofitively determined upon; but it was judged prudent to adjourn the meeting to the following Monday; that in the interval the members of the Society might be able to give the fubject a more serious and deliberate confideration, before any decifive resolution was passed.

On Monday afternoon, the Society met at the hall, belonging to the Scots Corporation, in Crane-court, Fleet-ftreet, a retired and commodious place, which had been kindly offered for that purpose. Samuel Foyfter, Efq. in the chair. The meeting, which was very numerous, was opened with prayer by Dr. Hawies.

The fubject being refumed, the decifions of the company were greatly facilitated by the production of an admirable paper, drawn up by one of the Directors, and accompanied with feveral refolutions, which, after deliberate investigation, were unanimoufly adopted. This paper will convey fo clear an idea of the subject, that we give it our readers at large.

SIR,

"THE uncommon folemnity which attended the laft meeting of the Society, and which was peculiarly felt during the confideration of the queftion concerning the means of providing Miffionaries, will, I am perfaded, long dwell in the recollection of thofe who were prefent, and occafion the frequent revival of thofe facred impreffions which were then univérfally experienced. The awful fenfation produced by the conviction that God was in the midst of us difpenfing his facred influences, and excit ing his fervants to the moft explicit confecration of themselves, to promote the glory of his Name in the converfion of the Heathen, has, per haps, feldom been exceeded fince the firft difciples affembled on a fimilar occasion, after the afcenfion of their victorious Redeemer, and cor. ful ed together on thofe fubjects which relate to the enlargement of his fpir itual dominion over the Gentile world.

" It will doubtlefs be the prayer of every Christian, that this facred flame kindled in Heaven fhould never be extinguifhed, but cherished with the zeal of conftant devotion; and regulated by that divine Wisdom

which may perpetuate and increase its ardour, and fpread its influence to the most diftant climates and the remoteft periods. The re-confideration of this fubject appointed to take place this evening, impreffed my mind with the conviction, that it became the duty of every individual prefent to employ as much of the interval as he could command from other duties, to revolve it in his moft retired and serious thoughts, in the hope that a wife and difcreet conclufion might refult from fo general an attention to the fame question;-it is this conviction that has impelled me to throw my infignificant mite into your Treasury, and to accompany it with my feeble but fervent prayer, that the influence of this evening's deliberation may furnish matter for gratitude and praife, not only to ourselves, but to those who are now feated among the fhades of death; not only to this generation, but to thofe which hall arife in fucceffive ages till the end cometh, when the Mediatorial dispensation fhall terminate, and God be all in all.

"The prominent idea of the last evening's difcuffion feemed to be this ---that the Minifters of the Gospel in general, and among the reft thofe connected with this inftitution, had not yet difcovered that degree of zeal with refpect to the converfion of the Heathen, which their fituation in the church of Chrift, and the state of the Heathen world, feemed to demand from them; and that it is now incumbent on them not to be satisfied with calling forth the zeal of others, and especially of the laity to this important fervice, but to manifest a readiness themselves to make every perfonal facrifice, and confecrate their lives to the honour of their Saviour in preaching his Gospel in heathen countries; this impreffion appeared to be enforced with folemn weight on the mind of every Minifter prefent, and to excite among them a ferious enquiry refpecting their individual duty. It is hoped, that the queftion will be frequently renewed, extenfively cir culated, and feriously discussed, and that many will follow the conviction, that it is their duty---their honour, and their privilege to become Apofties to the Gentiles, and to take the wings of the Gospel and fly to the ends of the Earth, proclaiming the Salvation of God.

"The point of importance is, to afcertain to whom this honourable fervice belongs, and the beft means of exciting their attention to it. Two or three ideas were fuggefted at our laft meeting, which deferve confideration. One of our Fathers in Chrift feeling the love and the zeal which advancing years cannot quench, conceived that it might be fuitable that thofe Minifters who are in the direction, should discover a readiness to undertake the labours of a Miffionary, and that a portion of them fhould be separated for this fervice by fupplicating the interpofition of the Head of the Church in the folemn application of the lot. It may not be inexpedient to confider, whether this propofition may not be liable to important objections; it is not neceffary here to afcertain, whether the ufe of the lot is a legitimate mode of decifion in any cafe in which the exercise of the understanding, aided by prayer to God, is competent to determine; nor is it neceffary to enquire whether the Ministers, among the Directors, poffefs thofe Miffionary qualifications which might render them ufeful--nor whether their own inclination difpofe them to the fervice; there is, probably, a coincidence of all thefe advantageous circumstances meeting in feveral of our Fathers and Brethren in the Ministry, and yet it may not be the duty of any one of them to engage therein. The will of God concerning us, is the only and univerfal law which enforces and limits our duty, and the application of this law is diverfified according to the various circumstances in which each individual is placed, and of which, generally fpeaking, he is the beft judge. It is indeed probable, that it

YOL. V.

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may

may be the duty of fome of the Minifters to become Miffionaries---but the propofition referred to affumes it as a certainty, that a fixed proportion hould be confecrated to this fervice, as well as that the lot will determine the individuals; on this ground, it appears to be an unsuitable principle to refort to on this occafion.

“Another of our friends intimated, that the nomination of any individual to the fervices of a Miffionary by thofe Minifters who are in the direction, might be confidered as an intimation of the will of God, with which in his own particular cafe he fhould feel it to be his duty to comply; but it is expedient to reflect, whether this is not an infufficient and unfafe criterion by which this point is to be decided. It is very probable their determinations will generally be the dictates of found wifsdom; but it is alfo certain, they will be liable to thofe occafional mistakes and errors in judgment, from which humanity is never entirely exempt, and therefore their nomination ought not to be confidered as binding on the confcience of others. Suppofe it was to happen that the zeal, the devotedness of heart, the active perfeverance, the courage and firmness of this individual, had induced them to fix upon him, or any other with the like endowments, and in fimilar circumftances, not only useful in the church, but having also the fuperintendance of a numerous family; and admit moreover, that the nomination coincided with his own inclinations, and gratified his ardent zeal for the honour of his Saviour and the Salvation of the heathen, yet I prefume his appointment would neither be confiftent with discretion on the part of the Directors or himself.

"I believe it will feldom occur, that it is the duty of thofe who have the charge of numerous families, to engage perfonally as Miffionaries to the heathen. The cafe of our valuable brother, who has confecrated his diftinguished powers to this important caufe, is exempt from the general objections, and is fanctioned not only by every principle of love to Christ and zeal for his cause, but as it relates to his family, is consistent with the sentiments of conjugal and parental duty; in general cafes if a Minister was accompanied by his family, it would abridge his usefulness and limit the sphere of his activity, and would on no account be adviseable, except his labours were among civilized heathens, or that he fucceeded to a Miffion previously eftablished; or that the Miffion itself confifted of a confiderable number of individuals; if he was to leave his family behind him, he would abandon the important duty of providing for their happiness and adminiftering to their fupport; he would neglect the formation of the morals of his own children, for which nature and Providence has made him almoft the guarantee; and although God is a great fovereign, and has a right to command the fervices of all his creatures in any way which confifts with his Supreme will, yet in reasoning from analogy, and confidering the ufual procedures of the divine Wisdom in the government of the world and the church, we are juftified in the adoption of this general conclufion, that he has not placed one effential duty in a state of variance with another; and that therefore it is not probable, that thofe individuals will be called to labour as Miffionaries among the heathen, who in order to it muft abandon those duties which are binding upon them by the clearest and the strongest ties both of reason and religion. Much more might be offered on this part of the fubject, but I fhall only further fuggeft, that was the Society on flight grounds to depart from these customary maxims, it might inflict a wound on its reputation, expofe it to reproach, and furnish us with painful occasions of contrition before our God.

"I am of opinion moreover that it will not be expedient in the Directors to fix upon thofe who are very young, and have not yet made any proof of their Miniftry; this remark is not of universal application, and cafes will probably arife, in which it may be departed from with fafety; as a general rule, I believe however it will be found, that thofe are likely to prove moft ufeful among the heathen, who by their previous usefulness in the church here, have obtained a Divine fanction, and warrant to their miniftry; it is therefore among thofe who are neither very young, nor much advanced in age, that it would probably be expedient to direct the exhortation to examine themselves with all poffible care and folemnity, as to their duty in relation to the inftruction of the heathen—and the deliberate and folemn opinion of the Minifters in the direction, addreffed to fuch individuals, cannot fail to fix more strongly on their minds the serious examination before recommended, and induce them to come to fuch a conclufion as they can reflect upon hereafter with fatisfaction, and fubmit to His infpection who knows the thoughts a far off."

"If any fentence has been written, which has a tendency to damp the miffionary ardour where it ought to be excited, I hope fuch fentence will be obliterated from every recollection; it is the predominant defire of my heart, that this facred zeal may every day receive new vigour, that it may be confecrated by wifdom and prudence-that it may spread throughout the Christian world, and extend its triumphs to every region where Satan's feat is. Befides the general arguments in its favour arifing from the infinite duration and worth of the foul; the efficacy of our Saviour's death and interceffion, and the explicit promises and predictions of God in relation to this subject—the actual state of the heathen world invites the efforts of Chriftians to attempt the introduction of the light of the Golpel. The more we examine this fubject, the more the conviction impreffes itfelf upon us, that it appears in a state of preparation and readiness for the admiffion of the religion of Christ. In Afia and in Africa they yield a patient and inquifitive attention to the meffage of the Miffionaries-they are not encompaffed with inacceffible prejudices, nor fhielded by impenetrable ignorance; they invite inftruction, and in the latter continent efpecially, the triumphs of the Crofs have within a fhort period been confiderable. In the western coaft alfo thereof this bleffed Crofs is about to be lifted up as an enfign upon the hills, to which we truft the nations will flow. The Mahometans who are remote from the centre of their impofture, hold their errors with a loose and indifferent hand; and at this moment even the throne of the false prophet feems to feel the approach of its inevit able destiny, and trembles under the prefages of diffolution; the distress and perplexity of nations is a fignal for Chriftians to aroufe themselves; the fields appear white for harvest, and our prayers fhould be without ceafing that an abundance of labourers may be fpeedily thruft forth. That our most difcreet and zealous exertions may, as they always ought, accompany our fupplications, it is probable the Society will come to a series of refolutions which appear to them beft adapted to promote this great and important end. The following have arifen in my mind as fuitable to Occupy the confideration of the Society-others of more importance will I hope be fuggefted and adopted.

ift. "That the Society being aware of the great importance of the question refpecting the beft means of procuring Miffionaries, invite and request the opinion of the friends of the inftitution thereon, to be tranf. mitted to their Secretary.

2d. "That from a furvey of the ftate of the heathen world, they are of opinion that it is encouraging for miffionary exertions; and that it is peculiarly the duty of Minifters of the Gofpel to devote themfelves to the promotion of the kingdom of Chrift in whatever part of the world their fervices may tend to accomplish this great object.

ap

3d. "That the Minifters in the direction, and those present in the Society confider it to be their duty to enter upon a folemn examination of themselves as in the immediate and awful prefence of God, whether it pears to be his facred will concerning them, that they should perfonally bear his name among the heathen; that they will accompany this examination with prayer for his direction and influence, that they may be enabled faithfully to follow the deliberate conviction of their hearts.

4th. "That is recommended to every Minifter conne&ed with this inftitution, who is zealous for the honour of Chrift, and in whofe fituation no infurmountable objection to miffionary labour exifts; to proinote the fame folemn process within his own breast.

5th. That the Directors be defired to revolve in their most serious thoughts the fituation, the gifts and the fpirit of thofe Minifters who are within the circle of their acquaintance, and where any appears to them, confidering all circumftances, qualified and fuited for the fervice of Chrift among the Heathen, fuggeft the fame to him, and earnestly recommend the fubject to his ferious and deliberate confideration.

6th. "That it be recommended to all affociated bodies of Evangelical Minifters to take the state of the Heathen world into ferious difcuffion in all their meetings, and particularly to confider of thole individually among them who appear adapted to this important work."

After the above refolutions were paffed, the Rev. Dr. Hunter, in a short and suitable addrefs, congratulated the meeting on the harmonious, happy, promifing clofe of the bufinefs, and concluded with prayer.

Thus have we detailed the proceedings of the third general meeting, and we indulge a hope that this year will, if the Lord vouchsafe to fmile upon them, prove the most eminently productive of effential benefit to the Mifhonary caufe, of all that have hitherto taken place in the Society.

We reflect on this anniverfary with a high degree of pleasure and gratitude. The Minifters from the country were as numerous, and the devotional fervices were attended with as much fervency as ever. Acceffions are continually making to the Society, even among those who were not at first friendly to its views. The prejudices of many worthy men have fubfided. Even where differences of opinion were manifefted, good temper and brotherly love prevailed in the debates; and thofe who mifcarried in the views of arrangement which they had formed, fubmitted with Christian moderation to the fentiments of the majority. The direction now enlarged to the number of an hundred, is, we trust, compofed of men who will be active in their respective spheres, and whofe united efforts will produce increafing advantages to the cause of Chrift.

We must not omit to observe, that, by letters received from foreign countries, we already perceive that the beneficial effects of the formation of the Miffionary Society in London, are diffufing theinfelves in the most extenfive degree; and by correfpondencies propofed to be maintained with fimilar inftitutions abroad, a union and co-operation, hitherto unknown in the Chriftian world, is likely to be established-an event long wifhed for, and which promises to produce "a general movement of the church upon earth." We conclude, by intreating every ferious Minifter and Chriftian, into whofe hands this paper may fall, to implore the continued bleffing of

God