The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-05-17 00:00:00

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY AT

BLANDFORD.

The annual meetings on behalf of this society were
held on Monday last. That in the afternoon at the
Crown Hotel, and in the evening at the TownbalL Both
meetings were very well attended, especially the evening
one. On both occasions the chair was taken by the
rector, the Rev. J. It.. Quirk. In the afternoon the
speakers were the Chairman, and the Rev. P. Cooke'ley,
of Wimb..rne, Rev. Talbot Weaves, of Weymouth, and
A. Wilkinson, of Poole. The Rev. Mr. Cookesley
made some very interesting statements regarding the
breaking up of caste in India, consequent on the intro-
duction of Christianity and the spread of education.
Mr. Talbot Cruets', in his usual forcible etyle, referred
to the great work the Christian Church was called upon
to undertake, and showed that every baptised person
was brought into immediate contact with the command
of Christ. to go into all the world and preach the
gospel. The missiocary field was as the drop in the
bucket. Amongst a population of 100 millkos of
heathens there were only 119 ordained Christian oar.
aionariea Living an far away from the scenes of this
work we were apt to have but • very inadequate sense
of its importance. The Try, gentleman then referred to
New Zealand. which some people pointed to as showing
that modern Christian missions had failed. He, how-
ever, was of a very different opinion. The war lately I
racing there was confined to narrow limits, and was
being conducted by the natives in • far more civilised
manner than it would have been if it had not been for
Christianity. Even those who were fighting, instead of
manifesting that buturity and cruelty which formerly
characterised their wan, gave many instances of tender-
nem of feeling and kindness to those who fell into their
power, and if what the Premier had stated was to be
relied on, namely, that the reason why the Yeomanry
were enrolled this year was because the war in New
Zealand was drawing to • close, they bad to thank the
influenoe of Christian truth for that happy result. The
rev. gentlemLn then pointed oat that it must be by
native teachers that the great work of evangelising the
heathen must be accomplished, and concluded his re.
marks by an earnest entreaty to all preunt to enumerate
themselves, their time, their money, and their very life
to God's menice. The Rev. A. Wilkinson's remarks
were chiefly directed to prove that the Church Mis-
sionary Society, in all its engagements, endeavoured to
send out only such men as were fitted for the work by
being themselves experimentally acquainted with the
peat truth they were called upon to preach to others.
The Chairman said as there would be another meeting
in the evening at the Townhall, he thought it beet to
have abort speeches, an as not to weary them. He also
drew the attention of the younger portion of the
auditory to a number of missionary hoses placed on the
table before him, which he treated they would be in.
clined to take borne. A missionary hymn was then gong
to the tune of the National Anthem, and after the
benediction had been pronounced the meeting eeperated.
The evening meeting commenced • little after 7
o'clock with prayer by the chairman, who afterwards
expressed his very great satisfaction at seeing so many
Present, especially after the good attendance in the
afternoon. This proved that they felt an interest in
missionary work. The report for the year and the
amount collected proved that this feeling of interest
was not • mere passing one. That ladies had also shown
their deep interest in the cause, by devoting much time
and labour on its behalf, and truly they needed to be
stirred up to greater diligence in this good cause, when
they considered that there were even now 670 millions
unblessed si ith the knowledge of Christ. In China
there were 360 millions, and in India more than 200
millions, end be held in his hand one of the household
gods worshipped in China, by which his young friends
would ue what the children in that country were taught
to worship as God. There were more of these house-
hold gods, he had been informed by Mr. Duff, • re-
turned mimionary from that country, than men in
China. To these poorcreatures Christ was an unknown
God, even as He was to the wise men at Athena. He
urged them, therefore, to make greater efforts on
their behalf. The Chairman then entreated the young
people present to using in this good work, remarking
that a penny per week was sufficient to educate and
feed • little Hindoo boy or girl, and that much money
which they uselessly squandered might be employed on
their behalf.

The Re.. W. F. Cr.av, the amor.iation secretary, then
addressed the meeting, and gave some interesting and
valuable information as to the working of the Church
Minionary Society. In concluding his remarks, Mr.
Clay said the more he was engaged in pleadidg for this
cause the greater Joy and satidaction he felt, and his
own soul received spiritual strength.
. .

r.
The Rev. ROBUIT FAatium•Rsox, rector of Langton,
then addressed the meeting, and in the course of his
eriellent speech rebutted the foolish arguments of those
who contend that English Christians ought to reserve
all their charity for the destitute ignorant and depraved
at home, clearly proving that more had been done to
ameliorate the moral and spiritual condition of the
people since missions had been commenced than before,
and that it WM generally those who were liberal in sup-
porting foreign missions who gave the most for home
work. He also said that it was very encouraging to
Sod at the present time., when so much had been said
and written against the truths of the religion of the
Christ. that those simple and holy truths were as
powerful as ever in rairieg fallen man to a state of
happiness and peace. He considered that though costs
might eontend that the mission work had not yielded
those results it might have been effected to yield, yet
that great eneouragement had been given them to per-
severe, and he earnestly trusted that all present would
be more active and prayerful in this good cause.
The Rev. Mr. CURDLUJI also addreseed the meeting,
and,after the same hymn had been joined in as was sung
at the afternoon meeting, the Chairman pronounced the
benediction, and the meeting separated.
The collections at Church on Sunday amounted
to £l5 141.; and after the meeting. on Monday,
Ell 14s. N. Total, £2l Its. 9d.

Corresponbrnrc

To the Editor.

common with many others of the Conserve.
tire party, I have hitherto waited patiently in the hope
and expectation that the letter dated the
20th ult. would have induced the committee to adopt
some coarse of action In the matter to which it refers.
As this has not been the inue, pray permit me space
to add my testimony to that of your oorrespondent's.
Mr. Franklyn' chance of ever again being returned the
member for Poole, is gone beyond the possibility of
redemption. The entire Conseverative party is well
aware of this ; the Liberals are also well aware of it; and
while they build on the foundation of that conviction,
what •ro the Conservatives about to remain thus quiet?
Ask the members of the committee individually the
plain question—" are you prepared, under any eircum.
stance; sgain to vote for Mr. Franklyn'"
What will be the reply' Why, from the whole
or • large majority -of them, it will be " car.
tainly not." My name has appeared in every list
of Mr. Franklyn's supporters up to the present time,
hat it will never figure there again. Many other
elector. heve islopted the like resolution, then even in
common jizetice to Mr. Franklyn hirnseU, why not
plainly tell him no. Mr. Franklyn defends himself by
the assertion that Lord Derby and the Carlton are
satisfied with him. They may be au; as he is present
when required to give a silent vote on any greet party
question, and pairs off on all others ; but is this all we
require in • member' lii. useless to disguise the
fact—Mr Franklyn's day is past, and with every grafi•
tudo for what be has done it is quite time that this
truth should be more than hinted to him, or the day of
the Conservative party in Poole may become pawed
also.—l question if there are two left among Mr.
Franklyn's former supporters who would have the
courage to Propose and second hlm.—lf this is at all
near the truth it speaks volumes, and should not be
allowed to speak in vain. I trust this will meet the
eye of Mr. Franklyn, and thus inform him as to the
ideas of at least one of the
CONSERVATIVE ELECFORS.
Poole, 9th May, 1864.