The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-04-25 00:00:00

such desire did in reality exist, he must remind the meeting
that so enviable a distinction could only be attained by ex-
hibiting a liberality of sentiment, and a system of action by
which the moral and religious education of the heathen
might be successfully cultivated. In this view he urged the
members of the Liverpool branch of the society to exert
themselves, so as not to be beaten in their contributions. In
conclusion, he begged to move the adoption and publication
of the report. .

The Rev. J. BARDSLEY, of Manchester, in seconding the
resolution, alluded to the slow progress made by education
in Hindostan, where, in the course of SOO years, no means
for illuminating the moral darkness of its vast population
had been made. Where no progress had been made in the
knowledge of God, and of the Saviour. Even this, the
nineteenth century after Christ's advent and blessed mission,
there are still 600,000,000 of heathens in that land. After
drawing a striking picture of the deplorable results of
Paganism in Hindostan and other countries, the rev.
gentleman proceeded to say that there are many points of
similitude between Paganism and Popery ; for Popery, though
it did not deny the great and capital principles by which
Christianity is regulated, still, by corrupting the purity of
their objects and institutions, it had an influence on
Christianity nearly as fatal at heathenism.—(Cheers). By
the highest injunction we are commanded to preach the
gospel to all creatures, and if this has not been done, it has
been owing to the remissness of the Church.—(Cheers).
Let us, then, bring the glad tidings of the Gospel within their
reach—that Gospel whose essence is to prove that man,
having broken God's law, has been redeemed by the blood of
Christ. In glancing at the valuable services rendered by the
society to the cause of Christianity, he alluded to the mis-
sionary operations on the western coast of Africa and in Sierra
Leone. That establishment has been an effectual means of
evangelizing Africa. In looking at these results, we must
not, however, adopt success as a means of estimating how far
our duty has been discharged. To perform duty is our task—
to grant success is God's privilege. Looked on in this light,
he was glad to find that the funds of this society are pros-
perous, reaching X 174,000; this, though large, was not any-
thing like what so gcod and holy a work was entitled to. An
eminent statistician calculated that the annual income of
Great Britain, derived from all sources, was .900,000,000;
yet for all the purposes of Christianity we do nut give a
farthing in the pound of this large income. Let us only think
of this, and consider that;;in the application of this large
amount of wealth we are only stewards. In reference to the
rivalry recommended by a:previous speaker, he could not
entirely concur. He considered, however, that a commenda-
ble rivalry between them should exist in their contributions
towards forwarding Christ's work. He concluded by second-
ing the resolution; which, :having been put from the chair,
was unanimously adopted.
The Rev. F. BAKKER proposed the second resolution—
" That the facilities of intercourse with distant nations
in the present day, the vast extent of the commerce of
Great Britain, and her wide-spread territories, more
especially in the East Indies, ought to be regarded as
providential calls on our country to labour in diffusing
among the nations that pure Christianity which it is our
privilege, through the mercy of God, to possess in our
land." The rev. gentleman congratulated the meeting
on the fact that both the social and religious advancement
of the native Indian population had been promoted by
the Church Missionary Society. The speaker then adverted
to the possibility of India being separated from English
rule, and becoming an independent government. Such
events had already taken place, and they might take place
again. It was well, then, to consider what might be
the results of such a separation. At the present time
India, no doubt, contained within itself the seeds of great
things from its connexion with this country. But hitherto
what had been the nature of our government of India with
regard to religion? The system of government had indeed
been to prevent the spread of Christianity amongst the native
population. (Hear, hear.) The government, in order, as
they said, to keep matters quiet, maintained idol worship in
India, and compelled the people to remain yoked to the car
of Juggernaut. All this was carried on in India, not merely
by the connivance of government, but by its express direc-
tions. The education of the native Indian population was
one of great importance.. In the government schools imlndia
Christianity was not taught at all, the Bible not being per-
mitted to be read. It was sometimes said that our empire in
India was one of opinion. The native population in India
had formerly, in their ignorant state, no opinion ; but now
our government was forming their opinion. It was educating
them. But educating them how ? Why, educating them in
infidelity ;—educating them in the sciences of England, but
not giving them the religious education of England. (Hear,.
hear.) The consequence was, as every one knew, that the
native population was now ready for revolt, full of heat t—
burnings at British rule; and our government, at the present
time, were in the act of raising up a body of men, who were.
ready, at the first opportunity, to throw off the British yoke.
What, then, was the remedy for this state of things ? He
answered, it was the schools of the missionaries. Not the.
schools only of the Church. Missionary Society, but the
schools of such men as Dr. Duff and other good men con-
nected with the different bodies of Christians. It was in
these schools that the native population was educated in the
principles of the Gospel. They were not simply educated in
the rudiments of learning, but the whole man was educated—
the soul was educated. (Hear and cheers.) And did the
natives refuse to enter these schools? On the contrary;
while the government schools numbered only 238 throughout
India, the schools supported by the various missionary bodies
amounted to nearly 2,000; and there were five times as
many scholars in the missionary schools as in all the schools
supported. by government. So far from the native Indian
having an objection to enter the schools where the Bible was,
read, lie evidently regarded it as.a blessing; and he felt it as
a hardship that, by the conduct of the government, he was
not permitted to know that which. the Englishman was in-
structed in. (Hear, hear.) The Church Missionary Society,
and other kindred societies, had been the means of.
bringing about the desire for Christian knowledge on
the part of the native population of India, and he hoped
that feeling would be fostered and extended. After thankin g
the chairman for the kind reference which he had made
to himself,. which, he felt, lie did not deserve, the
reverend gentleman concluded.. amid much applause, by
expressing his best wishes for the success of the society.
The Rev. C. MONEY seconded the motion, and in doing so
adverted.to the arduous struggle in.which we are at present
en.baged,, as one of deeper interest to the well-being of the
Church Missionary Society than most people might imagine.
If the Emperor of Russia is permitted. to set one foot on St.
Petersburg, and his other on Constantinople, what, he might
ask, would be the fate of missionary enterprise in the east?—
utter ruin he believed. He, for one, could see but little differ-
ence between the Church of Greece and that of Rome • he was
unable to see much difference between the worship of a pic-
ture and. the worship of a statue, and on this account lie.was
disposed.to look with a great deal of interest on the issue of
the present struggle, as one likely to dispel the darkness by
which the throne of God has been surrounded. in looking at
this momentous question it was im possible to avoid adverting to
the interesting movement going on in China. This, it must be
borne in mind, was a great national movement; it was also
a religious movement; and it was a:decidedly anti-idolatrous
movement. After touching in an interesting manner on the
various events in Chinese history, and showing the connexion
of the present movement with them, he went on to show how
the movement connected itself with Protestant Christianity,
and stated that the insurgent leaders had made themselves
acquainted with the mode in which prayers are offered up by
Europeans; they were also bestowing upon their adherents.
the blessings of the seventh day's rest. He concluded by
expressing the cordial satisfaction he felt in seconding the
resolution.

A hymn was then sung while thecollection was being made.
At the conclusion of the hymn,
The Rev. Dr. M'NsELE expressed his regret that circum-
stances compelled him to leave the chair before the meeting
was,concluded.

The Rev. F:i3ARKER then took the chair, and the Revs..T._
Greene and Braidwood having delivered brief addresses in
favour of the resolution, the meeting was closed with prayer.

[We have to complain that, while the advertisement
announcing the above meetings appeared in Gore's Adoer-
tiser—a paper the circulation of which is confined to
strictly commercial men—it was withheld from, the
Standard, although the latter circulates largely amongst
those who are subscribers to the society, and supporters
of its funds—to say nothing of the fact that the Standard
is the only paper in L iyerpool which devotes any consider-
able amount of space•to the reports of such meetings. It
is well known that,_ whatever may be the conscientious
regard for principle• which dictates the conducting of a
newspaper, it must reky in a great measure on. its adver-
tising business for its means of usefulness. We have on
all occasions given, especial prominence to the proceedings
of religious meetings in connexion with the Church, and
had, therefore, a claim to the small return involved in an
occasional advertisement, though that would, by no means
repay the additional expense which we incur by our re-
ports. These, it must be acknowledged, have tended
materially to promote the objects of the meetings, while
the previous announcement in our advertising columns
would also conduce to the same end.l

FEENX'S Fisu TABLE D'HoTE. From an adver-
tisement it will be seen that Mr. Feeny, ever desirous
of accommodating the public, and attending to the wants
of his friends, has resolved on giving a fish ordinary
to-morrow (Wednesday) ; and, from the well-known culi-
nary skill which characterises his establishment, no doubt
can, be entertained that the accommodation will be found
a boon.

ME PRESTON STRIKE.—Though the operatives who
are in the habit of attending the frequent open-air meetings.
still profess their adherence to the cause, there seems every
reason to believe that this unparalleled contest is at length
drawing towards a close. While the contributions in aid
of the unemployed are gradually diminishing, the number
of those seeking work is on the increase.

THE STOCKPORT STRIDE.—On Friday and Saturday
the notices of additional millowners expired, and several
thousand more operatives are now on strike. There is not
so much unanimity among the people, however; as in the
struggle of last May, and", discouraged by accounts of the
failure of the cause at- Preston, it appears uncertain how
long the present strike will be maintained, A few hun-
dreds of the weavers are working on the old terms, and it
is generally believed that many more would join them, if
they could do so, quietly.
MR. JAMES 1.114.4/I.7IIART, of Bold-street, in a letter to a
contemporary, says he is the only nephew of Mr. Thomas
Urquhart, residing in this town, and denies that he had
applied for a free sitting in one of the parish churches.
Aldermau Dover, in reply, says When warden, upon
my making it known that it WAS my intention to appro.
propriate pews, I had a number of applicants, and not
knowing all the parties, I made inquiry in the parish office
about them, and I was told that one of them was a nephew
of Mr. Urquhart. However, lam told by him that the
gentleman is in no way related to him."
A Nzw SPECIES OF TRADE.—A case was heard yester-
day before the police magistrates, in which a species of
traffic not generally known as an accredicted mode of
' business was brought to light. It was that at least one
establishment exists in Liverpool for the purpose of lend.
ing out clothing, that the borrower may have an oppor-
tunity of raising money by pledging it with some regularly
licensed pawnbroker. In the case referred to, Mrs. Lid-
hurst, wife of one of the sailors on board the Great Britain,
charged Sarah Rogers, William Rogers, and Elizabeth
Cunningham' sister of the other female, with assaulting
and robbing her. The facts as elicited from the prose-
cutrix were, that on Monday the 17th instant, she went
to the house of the two first named individuals, who are
husband and wife, and there borrowed from them some
articles of wearing apparel for the purpose of pledging
them. These she pledged for the sum of £3 125., paying
Mrs. Rogers 6s. 6d. for the loan of the goods till Saturday,
This was a practice the prosecutrix admitted she had
carried on with the Rogers's for better than two years. On
Saturday night she took £4 in her purse, and went to
their house for the purpose of arranging about redeeming
the pledged articles. She admitted that she at the time
was due them more than £3 125., and that she wished a
portion of this latter sum to go tothe already accumulated
balance. To this proposition some demur was made, and
it appeared also a quarrel ensued, in the course of which
Mrs. Rogers and her sister contrived to possess themselves
of Mrs. Lidhurst's purse and money. This constituted
the assault and robbery complained of. The magistrates
expressed extreme surprise at the novel trade which had
thus been brought under their notice. As there was no
evidence of felonious intention, the charge of robbery was
dismissed, the magistrates stating that a summons for the
assault would be granted if applied for. They at the same
. time expressed themselves strongly as to the improvidence,
indeed ruinousness of any one attempting to raise money
by 89 aingular and expensive a method Qt. negocimicm,