On Wednesday morning Surrey Chapel, where the venerable Rowland Hill so long preached the Gospel, where James Sherman so affectionately set forth the Saviour, and where Newman Hall so earnestly proclaims "the truth as it is in Jesus," was filled by ministers and people. After prayers had been read, and hymns and anthems sung, the Rev. W. M. Statham ascended the pulpit, and in a very thoughtful and tender manner commended the Society in all its concerns to the care and blessing of Almighty God; after which the Rev. Dr. McCosh preached a very interesting and truly missionary sermon, from the words of the Lord Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." In the evening, at the Poultry Chapel in the city, instead of the Old Tabernacle-which it was expected would have been closed before May-the Rev. A. M. Thomson, M.A., of Manchester, set forth the claims of Christ, and the grandeur and mportance of missionary work, from the Saviour's words in Luke xii. 49. On Thursday morning Exeter Hall presented a very animating scene indeed; the space for ladies, with their various coloured dresses and ribbons, seemed like a flowergarden stretching out in front of the platform; while the ministers, members of parliament, and gentlemen, who thronged the platform, formed a background which, if some. what less gay, looked very imposing. The Report of Dr. Mullens appeared like an array of facts, wrought up into a beautiful poem; it was listened to with delight, and no one seemed glad when it was ended: it was both " short and sweet;" you shall have a little taste of its sweetness in future numbers of your magazine. The speech of the chairman, George Leeman, Esq., M.P., followed the Report, and deepened its impression. Then came the Rev. A. Hannay, who, with weighty arguments and stirring words, showed how much more we must strive to do for the great Master, if we desired His divine approval. The next speaker was the Rev. Durant Phillip, son of the late venerable Dr. Phillip, of South Africa. Mr. Phillip has been for more than twenty years labouring in Hankey for the good of the African race, and has been regarded by them as "pastor and schoolmaster, doctor and lawyer, engineer and magistrate;" and when he was thrown from his waggon on one of his missionary journeys, and broke his arm, he would not give in, but had his arm bound up as well as it could be done there, and proceeded on his way to preach to the expecting people "the word of life." And such were the animating things he told us in his speech, that the assembly felt they must "glorify God in him.” Mr. Phillip had scarcely taken his seat, when up rose a venerated and long-tried friend of the Society, Mr. Hadfield, M.P., who said that he was so impressed with the need of the Society for help, and felt so strongly that it became all to do more, and to do it quickly, that though he had only given £100 a year to the Society before, he meant this year to make it £1000, thus showing that God had given him "largeness of heart." After he sat down, the Rev. R. W. Dale startled, aroused, and delighted the meeting by his clear statements and faithful appeals. He clearly showed that the Society was £20,000 behind-hand, and he so earnestly reasoned with all present, and so fervently set forth the duty of young and old, rich and poor, doing what they could, and beginning at once, that there was a willingness on the part of many, to take up the matter and "strike while the iron was hot." It was soon announced that J. K. Welch, Esq. had engaged to be one of fifty persons to give £500. Mr. Jupe promised for Wilts and Somerset £1000; Mr. Perry, of Chelmsford, thought they might venture to put down another £1000 for Essex. The Secretary announced that a gentleman said he would be one of 100 persons to give £100 for the next five years. The Chairman of the meeting said he would do the same; a lady gave £50 to meet the Society's present wants; and Dr. Campbell announced that some ladies in his congregation would give a similar amount; and thus there was, in a short time, between £4000 and £5000 promised towards meeting this great want of funds for carrying on the Lord's work. Dr. Legge, our honoured and learned missionary from China, who was greeted with cordial cheers, unfolded the good work of God, in which he had been engaged for so many years, showing that if Christians are but faithful in their efforts, China will yet be won for Christ. Our dear friend from India, the Rev. E. Storrow, whom God has greatly blessed, and who has risked health, and strength, and life in continuing at his post, would have spoken out of his full heart about the in India, but there was no time. uttered a few hearty words of veneration and sympathy for Dr. Tidman, who has retired from office, and then, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the Rev. J. G. Rogers pronounced the benediction, and this very interesting and profitable anniversary meeting was brought to a close. good work going on Charles Reed, Esq. " On the evening of the same day, the Rev. Samuel Martin's spacious and beautiful new chapel at Westminster was filled to overflowing, and there was such a crowd of young men and youths, that the sight was enough to gladden all beholders; Dr. Norman Macleod, who is one of our beloved Queen's Scottish chaplains, preached a sermon intended for young men, but it touched the hearts of all who heard it; his text was "Lord, increase our faith," and he showed us very clearly, that to believe in the grace and love of the Lord Jesus, and in the blessedness of His service, and power of His glorious Gospel, was the grandest thing in the world; and many a young minister felt that night, that to be a servant of Christ was enough to satisfy the ambition of the most ambitious, and not a few youths present found a desire springing up in their hearts to be at once on the Lord's side. It was indeed a good word, the effect of which will, no doubt, be seen for years to come. Then, during the same evening, a juvenile meeting was held at Craven Hill Chapel, where Mr. MacMillan preaches Christ to a large congregation; at this meeting Thomas Chambers, Esq. M.P. took the chair, and Charles Reed, Esq. one of our Directors, and Rev. George Gill from the South Seas, and Rev. J. Lindo, a minister of colour from Jamaica, delighted our young friends by their speeches. At Kentish Town, where our warm-hearted and zealous friend Mr. Flemming is pastor, the Rev. J. C. Harrison kindly presided, because Mr. Flemming has long been absent from his flock through affliction, out of which we hope God is graciously bringing him; there E. C. Mudie, Esq. another of our Directors, and the Rev. J. Foreman, from Berbice, and Mr. Lawes, a missionary student who is soon going to Savage Island, addressed and instructed an attentive congregation of young folk. At Kingsland Congregational Church, the well-known pastor, the Rev. Thomas Aveling, took the chair, and the Rev. Dr. Edmond, the Presbyterian minister of Highbury, who by speech and writing knows how to find the way to young hearts, and the Rev. Thomas Powell, who can tell a delightful tale about life in the South Seas, made the meeting thoroughly lively and interesting; so that, at the same hour, in different parts of London a large number were being stirred up to pray more, give more, and labour more for the spread of the Gospel of Christ all over the world; and when our young friends learn that, unless we get £10,000 more every year, we fear we shall be obliged to give up some of our missions, we think they will set to work more heartily than ever to raise the funds. May God bless their endeavours! On Friday evening, in several places, friends gathered around the table of the Lord at the missionary communion service, and so brought to a hallowed and happy conclusion the Anniversary Services of 1867; and when we think of the hearty good feeling shown towards the Society, and the many promises of liberal help that were made, and the large number of young people who seem to begin to take a deeper interest in the Saviour's cause, we feel there is abundant reason to 66 THANK GOD AND TAKE COURAGE." "Praise ye the Lord! 'tis good to raise His nature and His works invite To make this duty our delight." |