friends who benevolently engage in the collections, that such contributions are to be strictly voluntary; that no influence is to be used beyond a fair statement of the nature of the cause. Under such limitation we cannot hesitate to believe, and our own experience warrants us in saying, that this feature in the domestic proceedings of the Church Missionary Society (which indeed, under some modification, is found in all our charitable institutions) is, in itself, a valuable part of this Institution; valuable not only to the receiver, but also to the giver. By the return made for such contributions in Monthly Registers and Quarterly Papers, a channel is opened for a wide circulation of Missionary Intelligence. Persons even of the humblest class are furnished with a subject of reading of continued and never-ceasing interest, and that immediately connected with their religion; an advantage not to be disregarded, when we consider, that, having taught the people almost universally to read, our anxiety now is to give them what is good, and to pre-occupy the place of what is bad. They see, in these publications, the difference between a Christian and a Heathen: they feel, more than ever, the infinite blessing of the faith which they profess; and enhance its value to themselves, by gladly giving of their little to impart it to others. The only, and we allow not unnatural, objection to the system is, that it may induce people to give more than they can afford, consistently with a proper regard to the wants of their families. To this we answer, that, as a general objection to the system, it is so far from being warranted by experience, that the very reverse has been shewn to be the case in the recorded instances of Liverpool, Southwark, and of many other districts; as well as from the evidence of persons, who, in various parts of the country, are now witnessing the fact. It has been shewn, that the very circumstance of providing against the regular weekly or monthly subscription has led to a habit of forecast, and of consideration of the value of small sums; and has broken the habit of wasting these on unworthy objects. In short, the object in this instance being religious, has called forth and cherished a principle, from which every good and useful quality, in a temporal no less than a spiritual view, may be expected to proceed.* We may add to these considerations, another, well calculated to obviate the supposed objection. The Collectors are, generally, of a class in station and means above those who give. When such persons of different classes are brought together, and for a benevolent purpose, it is easy to foresee, in this land of * Savings for religious purposes have led to the same practice for the supply of various temporal wants, and have been found in general to prepare the way for Savings Banks.-See Dudley's Analysis of the System of the Bible Society, under " Southwark," and General Remarks. See also "Chalmers on the Influence of Bible Societies on the Temporal Necessities of the Poor." charity, which party will ultimately be the gainer; but not easy to imagine that contributions would be accepted, through such a channel, known (and the opportunity of ascertaining the fact is at hand) to be withdrawn from pressing, or even from ordinary wants. It may be sufficient to say, that when the Clergyman is not immediately employed in this part of the Institution, the usual Collectors are Ladies. The Committee quote, with pleasure, from the Report of another Association, a strong testimony to the good effect of circulating Missionary Intelligence:— Above Thirty Copies of each Number of the Missionary Register, and more than Five Hundred Copies of each Quarterly Paper, are circulated among several hundred individuals. These publications are inquired after with eagerness, and perused with attention; and Contributions, arising from a conviction of duty, and a feeling of sympathy for the voluntary deprivations to which a Christian Missionary subjects himself, have, in some instances, been the pleasing consequence. "While I read in the Missionary Register," said one poor labouring woman," of those who are willing to sacrifice so much in such a cause, I feel I ought to do to the utmost of my power:" this observation accompanied an unsolicited donation, in addition to her usual subscription; and was soon after followed by the subscription of her husband likewise. Nor is this a singular instance; and while the Ladies' Committee acknowledge with gratitude the favourable reception which their applications have met with generally, they cannot refrain from bearing testimony to the feelings of interest manifested by numbers, whose ready pence and cheerful welcome encourage the hearts of those engaged in these friendly visits. There are those who not only look for the weekly visitant with pleasing anticipation, but notice with expressions of regret any occasional omission; and not a few of whom have indeed been found ready even of their poverty to manifest the riches of their liberality; thus proving themselves willing to labour, working with their own hands the thing which is good, that they may have to give to those that need. From the Labouring Cottager, and the Female Domestic, has the voluntary stream of bounty flowed, before the one could be solicited, or the other knew through what channel to direct its course. COLLECTIONS BY INDIVIDUALS. The Committee notice with pleasure the increasing exertions of Individual Friends, in their respective circles, where circumstances probably render it impracticable, at present, to form regular Associations. There are about a Hundred such Friends, who had added, during the year, nearly 9007. to the funds-and the total of whose Collections, from the commencement of their exertions, has been nearly 3500l. The Committee beg to express their grateful sense of the exertions of these Friends. Several have contributed largely -the Rev. Edward Lake, of Worcester, having paid in 467.; Mrs. Williams, of Moor Park, 701.; and the Rev. John Hill, of Oxford, 947. This last Gentleman's Collections among his friends at Oxford have amounted, in the whole, to no less a sum than 5167. LEGACIES. Notice of the following Legacies has been received during the year:— Rev. John Buxton, late of Carleton Rode, Norfolk-The sum of 2007. Mrs. Mary Davis, late of Reading-Residue of her Property (in addition to a Legacy of 2001. 3 per Cent. Reduced) amounting to 51. 9s. Mr. Matthew Puplett, late of Ramsgate-The sum of 401. Mr. William Southwell, late of Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire-The sum of 1001. Mrs. Mary Thornton, late of Sculcoates, Hull-The sum of 801. Mr. John Trigg, late of Melbourne-Bury, Cambridge- William Wilson, Esq., late of Over-Worton, Oxfordshire- Mrs. Cordelia Withers, late of Grimstone Lodge, York- Mr. John Wood, late of Manchester-The sum of 100%. Mrs. Wood, late of Wellington, Somersetshire-The sum of 10%. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE. Severely as the pressure of the times has been felt throughout the year, it will gratify the Members to learn that the Society's Income has continued to advance. An increase of 20007. carries the receipts of the Twenty-Second Year up to nearly 33,000l. In accomplishing the various objects in which the Society is engaged, the sum expended has about equalled the Income. In this Expenditure, however, are included the sum of 10007. vested in Government Securities, to meet a Vote of the Committee, for the year 1822, to the Bishop's College at Calcutta ; and another sum of 10007. remitted in Dollars to Madras, on account of the expenditure of the current year. On the subject of the Society's Expenditure, the Committee wish to remark, that they are fully aware, that the portion of it which is incurred by the diffusion of information through the press, is not only, by the blessing of God, producing most beneficial effects on E the minds of the Members, but is indispensable to the maintenance and extension of a due interest in the Society's concerns: they are nevertheless anxious, that every part of this expenditure, throughout the extensive ramifications of the Society, should be made really efficient; and, in this view, they beg to suggest to such Associations as may not have adopted the plan of Sheet Reports, that various Associations have effected a considerable saving of expense by the substitution of Sheet Reports in the place of those in a Pamphlet form; and by giving a brief summary of the Proceedings of the Society for the year, accompanied by a few appropriate extracts and remarks, instead of re-printing the details. While, however, the Committee recommend the adoption of this plan in all practicable cases, in order to the augmentation of the funds applicable to objects directly Missionary, they would leave it to the various Associations to act as may be best adapted to local circumstances. MISSIONARIES AND STUDENTS. The different Missionaries and others, stated in the last Report to have sailed, have arrived at their respective destinations. Mr. Kendall, with the New-Zealand Chiefs Shunghee and Whykato, reached Port Jackson in May, sailed for New-Zealand in the Westmoreland on the 4th of July, and arrived at the Bay of Islands on the 11th. The Rev. Isaac Wilson and Mrs. Wilson, who embarked for Madras in the beginning of May, reached that place on the 5th of September. The Rev. Joseph Bailey, with Mrs. Bailey, a Sister of the Rev. Joseph Knight, and a Nephew of the Rev. Samuel Lambrick (sent by the desire of his Uncle, and at his expense), having received the Instructions of the Committee*, embarked for Ceylon in the beginning of June, and arrived at Trincomalee, on their way to Nellore, on the 1st of December. * See these Instructions in Appendix II. |