The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-03-03 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

had been immensely abated; but, if this were so, so also
might other diseases be abated. Habits of cleanliness
should be inculcated. He expressed a hope, that this
question would become the great question of the day.
W. RATHBONE, Esq., seconded the motion.
The Rev. THOMAS NOLAN said, that, as the minister
of a district in that town which, as much as any other in it,
stood in need of the good Offices of this association, he
could not but feel more than ordinary interest in the de-
tails and success of its proceedings. Giving him credit,
he supposed, for that feeling, the committee that kindly
entrusted to him a resolution at the former meeting last
year, under the presidency of the then chief magistrate,
had again assigned to him the honour of taking part in
that meeting, under the presidency of a gentleman equally
respected. He contended that the best method of im-
proving a man was, to endeavour to make him respect
himself. The object of the society was noble and valuable.
Upo❑ the present platform there were men who differed
on a variety of subjects ; and if the society conferred no
other good than this—that it tended to mitigate the as-
perities of classes, it would be of immense service. He
contended that the only way of ameliorating the condition
of the poor, was to be convinced that the disease existed.
Facts were now before the public; and therefore, it was
for the public to take up the subject with spirit and
energy. He felt he should best consult, for the interests
of the association as well as for the convenience and edi-
fication of the meeting, by declining to occupy any longer
the time which was that night more than usually precious.
And that the rather, because he was to be followed by
one, the very mention of whose name, by spontaneous
association, called forth notions of venuine philanthropy,
and pure, disinterested, generous benevolence to every
member of the human family, without difference or dis-
tinction. And in bearing that humble testimony to one
that he was proud to call his friend, he spoke that which
he knew, for it was his privilege to be c nnected with
that gentleman himself in the details of an institution
with objects not foreign to those of that association. Nor
was there any one whose sympathies ought more properly
to he employed in any effort for the prevention of disease
than he whose services, cordial and efficient, had already
been employed in mitigation of tl'e horrors of it, as at-
tested ty the part he had taken in the establishment, the
support, and the contemplated enlargement of the
Southern and Toxteth H, spiral. Though the likeness
might be perceived, he would leave to the chairman the
pleasure of naming the respected individual.
J. B. YATES, Esq., in a long speech, seconded the
motion.
The next motion, recorded the gratitude of the meeting
to those gentlemen who had directed public attention to
the great bjects contemplated by the Association, and
appealing for more vigorous co-operation, was moved by
the Rev. W. BEVAN, and seconded by CHARLES RO-
BERTSON, Esq., and carried unanimously.
The Rev. H. HAMPTON moved the next resolution. He
had been a beggar fur sometime past, and should continue
so for the next year or two, and he supposed that was the
reason why be had been entrusted with the motion. Mo-
ney was essential for all objects, and surely it was better to
expend money on such an association as that rather than
on hospitals arid dispensaries, though they were all requi-
site. Did time permit. he would refer to some interesting
statistical facts, collected by Dr. Duncan, and which
showed that the average life of the people of Liverpool was
only 17, whilst in London it was 27. The rev. gentleman,
after referring to some facts respecting disease having ari-
sen from malaria, and particularly from the practice of
conveying the bodges of children to the grave in cars and
coaches, concluded by moving a resolution commending
the future operations of the society to the liberal support
of the public.
Sir ARNOLD KNIGHT sec-nde3 the motion. . _

The apoointmt.nt of the officers was moved by R,
SlitEr„ E,q., and seconded by J. BROMLEY MOORE,
EN., and carried.
Mr. SAMUEL Iloudg moved the thanks of the meet-
ing to tire Mayor for presiding, which was seconded by
Mr. H. Ilarbord, and carried with acclamation.

TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. R. P. BUDDICOM,
PRINCIPAL OF ST. BEES COLLEGE.

On Thursday last, the students of St. Bees College,
Cumberland, presented to their valued Preceptor, the
Rev. R. P. Buddicorn, the splendid silver waiter, a de-
scription of which we gave in the STANDARD a fortnight
since. Th;s gratifying testimonial of the r love and gra-
titude to the estimable Principal of the College was ac-
companied by thr following address:—
TO THE REVEREND R. P. BUDDICOM, M.A.
In approaching you, Reverend and dear Sir, to beg your ac-
ceptance of the accompanying salver, we arc anxious, as far as
possible, to avoid any lengthened remarks, which, while they
tailed to give full expression to our feelings, would, we are sure,
be eminently repugnant to yours. We cannot say anything that
will more favourably recommend this testimonial to your ac-
ceptance, than that it is the spontaneous and unanimous offer.
ing of those who, during the time that in the providence of God
you have be,n placed over this College. have witnessed the
exalted piety, comprehensive ability. and untiring. ze il, which
have raised the College to its present poslion, and who have
uniformly received from you not only invaluable instruction rs
a teacl er. but ever ready sympathy as afr end. The office
which, by God's blessing, you have been enabled to fill wi:h
such distinction to yourself and such benefit to others, is one
which, in the dignity of its object, and the vastness of its re.
sponsibility. yields t none. To s nide those who, in the provi-
dence of God. are themselves to be the guides of other,; to be
their instructor, who hope to instruct in turn, is surely a high
and re ponsillc duty ; but when we consider that the path.
along which you have had to uide those committed to you, is
that which leads to heaven, and that the instruction which you
have had to give is that which slot e can make wise unto salva-
tion, and bring a man peace at the last, it is clear to every capa-
city that the responsibility increases with the loftiness of the
subject. If, however, we have telt the greatness of your re-
sponsibility, and the d'fliculties of your station, we have seen
you not only equal, but superior to them all; and in testimony-
of this our unanimous conviction, we beg, Rev. and near Sir.
to offer you this small token of our affectionate regard, as,ured
that you will receive it as an evidence of what we would offer
if our affection and esteem could assume a more substantial
form.

And now, Rev. and dear Sir. before we take our leave, we
would again offer you our sincere thanks for the many benefits
we have received, and would express our earnest desire that
the Almighty would graciously bless you with renewed health
and strength, that you may be !cog continued among us, and
that when we who offer this memo: ial for your acceptance
shall, in God's providence, he called to labour in Ilis vineyard,
,lhers may be partakers of the privileges which we enjoy. And
we sincerely pray that lie who, dating your life vast, has so
eminently blessed you, would continue over you His fatherly
care, and so guide you and yours through the waves of this
troub'ous life, that you and they may hereafter ba brourht into
the haven of Ills eternal rest.

Signed on behalf of the College,
W R. B. ARTIIY, ( hairman of the Committee.
CHARLES PITMAN LONGLAND, :ieere:ary.
SAMUEL FLOOD. Treasurer.
The reverend gentleman returned the following grace-
ful reply :
TO THE STUDENTS Co, THE CLERICAL COLLEGE,

MEETING OF THE CHURCH MISSIONARY

SOCIETY.

An intermediate meeting of this society was held last
night at the Concert Hall, Lord Nelson-street. The at-
tendance was highly respectable

The Rev. H. CARPENTER opened the meeting by an
impressive prayer, and the Chairman, Cu AS. INMAN, Esq.,
in a short address, stated the object of the meeting. The
Church Missionary Society meetings were originally but
small ; they had now, however, so increased that it was
necessary to hold between their annual assemblies an
intermediate meeting ; and on that occasion they
would be addressed by able gentlemen on two subjects ;
by one on the present state of China and the opening
here presented for spreading the word of God through
that mighty land ; by the other on the duty of Christians
to address themselves to the uncivilised world.

The Rev. W. W. EWDANK rose to address the meeting
amidst much applause, and stated that in delivering, in
conformity with his engagement to the Church Missionary
Society, a lecture on the past history, present state, and
future prospects of the empire of China, with special re.
ference to the spread of the gospel there, be proposed to
give nothing but a faint sketch, with which he trusted
they would be so interested as to be anxious after wards
to fill up the outlines for themselves. The reverend gen-
tleman, after remarking that the Chinese historians
attach no credit to those marvellous times of fable of
which many English writers have treated, gave some in-
teresting particulars connected with Chinese history from
its commencement down to the Tartan dynasty which has
now possessed the throne of China nearly 200 years.
Notwithstanding foreign invasions and intestine troubles,
though dynasties have changed, yet China is China still.
Her language is unaltered, and ancient peculiarities still
separate her from all the other nations of the earth. The
Chinese empire, including Chinese Tartary, Thibet,
Cochin China. Burmak, and Siam, covers an area of no
less than 3,000,000 square miles, arid the population
amounts to no less than 360,000,000 of souls, according to
that eminent missionary Mr. Medhurst, who arrived at
the result after the most patient investigation of native
calculations combined with extensive personal observa-
tion. The religions of China are three. They are
the systems of Confucius, Laon-tsze. and Buddha.
The religion of Confucius is the most honoured, both by
the government and the learned. Those who make any
pretension to literature pride themselves on being the dis-
ciples of that philosopher; but, in truth, in the real sense
of the word, the system of Confucius can scarcely be
called a religion at all. It is merely a collection of moral
and political precepts, without any clear reference to the
Supreme Being. But, defective as it is in essential prin.
eiples, there is much in it which is good. It lays down
the golden rule of doing to others as we would they should
do to ua. It exhorts men to excuse and feel for others
just as they would for themselves. Especially, it insists '
most strongly on filial piety. This duty stands first and
foremost in the system; and it has been well observed by
Mr. Tomlin, that, in this respect at least, " Confucius
surpassed in true wisdom Plato, Socrates, and Seneca, in
laying the foundation of all his social and political system
in the radical principle of filial obedience ; which has proved
a vital and un ting principle to sustain and preserve the na-
tion for a longerduration than any other upon earth." This
is a very important consideration for the Christian mis-
sionary. He will feel thankful that there is a ich a
principle in the breasts of the Chinese, and he will strive,
by the grace of God, to lead them forward from parental
reverence to the pure worship of Him, who is the Father
of our spirits. Confucius, atheist as he was himself, is
now adored in China, as a god. About 1,600 temples are
erected to his honour ; and, at the spring and autumnal
sacrifices, there are offered to him, at the expense
of government, 6 bullocks, 27,000 pigs, 5,800 sheep,
2.800 deer, 27,000 rabbits, and 30,0e0 pieces of silk.
The second religion of China, or the system established
by Laon-tsze, is of a very different nature from Confu-
cianism. It is full of superstition. Its advocates profess
to have constant intercourse with the spirits of the in-
visible world, and to control them by the powerful magic
of their charms. The sect is governed by a leader, who
is supposed to be immortal. and who, in the opinion of
his followers, exercises despotic authority over subject
spirits. It is his to appoint and remove the deities
of various districts. Without his special mandate no
divinity can claim the worship of his votaries. His
handwriting is an amulet which dispels all evil, and
no sincere believer will ever rest securely in his habitation,
till he has fortified himself against the angels of darkness
by the possession of one of these mighty autographs. Such
is the religion of Laontsze. We might easily increase the
list of its lying marvels. We might WI you of the elixir
of immortality, which has poisoned emperors ; the anti-
dote to death ; the expulsion of troublesome ghosts ; and
the marching of the priests of Taon over burning charcoal.
But we have said enough to convince you that neither the
infidelity of Confucius, nor the superstition of Laontsze,
can contain any comfort for the wounded soul, or lead their
blinded votaries to pardon, and hat piness, and peace.
One other religion remains, and it is the most widely
extended of the three. It exercises its baneful influence
over the large mass of the population of China.
It is the religion of Buddha. It originated in India,
and was not introduced into China till the year 66
after Christ. In that year, the emperor having been
informed that there was a Divine personage in the
West, of the name of Baddha, sent messengers to
learn his doctriues and obtain his sacred books. And
thus was imported into the empire the miserable supersti-
tiom which now enslaves its millions. Let me state to
you, in few words, its principle, and one or two of its ab-
surd practices. Its principle is the blessedness of annihi-
lation. There is, indeed, a heaven, but there is a bliss
above heaven, and that bliss is absorption into Buddha.
This happiness is to be obtained by constant repetition of
the name of Buddha. We are told in one of the sacred
books, as a proof of this, that, during the Sung dynasty,
a blacksmith of the name of Hwang was in the habit of
repeating the name of Buddha, with all his might, at
every stroke of his hammer. Suddenly, one day, he was
rewarded for his perseverance by a miraculous absorption
into Buddha. The reverend gentleman here detailed the
particulars connected with one of the most absurd but
Curious of the Buddist superstitions, called the annual
feasting of the spirits, and proceeded—China is now full of
Buddist temples, and the priests of Buddha swarm the land.
They are scorned by the learned ; they are desp'sed by the
followers of Confucius and Laontsze ; but they are the
priests of the people. Such are the superstitions which
the gospel is destined to overthrow. Already, in many
instances, have they sunk before its might. Only let us
be strong and of a good courage; let us place ourselves
under Christ's advancing banner, and China shall ackow-
ledge the sanctifying and civilizing power of the gospel.
The efferts which have been made to introduce Christianity
into China may be traced up to very ancient times. It is
recorded, on very probable testimony, that the goseel was
preached on the shores of the empire, even within the first
century of the Christian faith. A very remarkable marble
tablet was discovered in the year 1685, bearing an inscrip-
tion, which informs us that, about 600 years after Christ,
a Christian teacher visited the emperor, and so wrought
upon his mind, by argument, that he authorised the
preaching of Christ amongst his people. Then followed a
period of persecution. The Buddhist priests, fearing an
eclipse and downfall of their superstition, vehemently set
themselves against the cross. But Christianity, though
weakened, was not destroyed. In the reign of Kaon-
tsung, about the year 700, an imperial edict went forth,
at the prompting of the Nestorian Christians, that
every city should be supplied with Christian churches
throughout ten provinces of the empire. But, alas !
in those dark days, Christianity herself was superstitious,
and, therefore, ill calculated to make successful head
against the corruptions of heathenism. Then came the
missionary exertions of the Roman Catholics. The Por-
tuguese had passed round the Cape of Good Hope, and es-
tablished themselves at Goa. Thence were despatched
missionary embassies to China. There it was, about the
year 1552, that the eminent and ardent Roman Catholic
missionary, Francis Xavier, burning eith desire to con-
quer the heathenism of China, was just able to land upon
its shores, and breathe out his life, at the very threshold
of his mission. We cannot, of course, enlarge upon the
history of Romisb missionary enterprise. But we may
be allowed to say of Rome's missionaries, in the words of
Dr. Milne, that " their ardent zeal deserves to be imi-
tated by all future missionaries." We may, with him,
believe that " many of them, in spite of the questionable
Christiauity which they aught, are now wearing the
crown of those who spared not their lives unto the death,
but overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word
of his testimony." And it must not be forgotten. that it
was by Roman Catholic missionaries that the larger por-
tion of the New Testament was first translated into Chi-
nese, and that it was in a Harmony of the Gospels, trans-
lated by a It omish priest, that the Protestant Morrison first
studied the language, and prepared for his important labors.
It is difficult to ascertain the precise number of Rdman Ca-
tholic natives at present in the various provinces of China ;
but it is stated by Marchini, that, in 1810, they amounted
to 215,000. presided over by six bishops and twenty-three
priests; and Mr. Medhurst was assured, not long since,
by a Canton merchant, that the Roman Catholic superiors
of the missions negociate bills on Europe to the annual
amount of £40,000. We have now reached the period,
when, by the blessing of God, the Protestant Church be-
gan to awake to a sense of her heavy responsibilities with
regard to China. Alas ! that for nearly 300 years after
the Reformation, she should have slept in forgetfulness of
her Saviour's charge, " Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature." At last China was
remembered by her, and some Christian hearts sighed
over the recollection of her perishing millions. It was
the London Missionary Society which was honoured
of God to lead the way. t,llear, hear.) It was the
first Protestant institution that compassionsted the wants
of China. In 1805. its directors resolved to attempt
the translation of the Holy Scriptures into the Chinese
language, and the God of missions raised them up an in-
strument for their work. This, as you well know, was
Morrison, the friend of China. He devoted to her ser-
vice. or rather to Jesus Christ, for her good, the labours
of his life. He entered upon this great work with a pa-
tience, which refused to be conquered, with a diligence
which knew not weariness. He vanquished the enormous
difficulty of a Chinese dictionary with its 60,000 words.
Unaided, be translatedthewhole of the New Testament, and
then, with the assistance of the able Dr. Milne, be accom-
plished the translation
.of the (mg Testament likewise.
That bemightbecomeinttmately familiar with the language,
he used it in his secret prayers at the throne of grace. His
faith was strong. Thus he wrote to the society at the
commencement of his mission: " Your missionary is
sitting on the confines of this empire, learning the
language of the heathen ; and he will go onward, because
it in the cause of Him who can and will overturn moun-
tainous difficulties, that may oppose the progress of the
glorious gospel." And so he died. In his last letter
from China, he says : " The Lord reignetb, and if the

kingdom of God our Saviour prosper in China, all will be
well." So he died, as he had lived, full of faith and zeal,
and panting for the evangelization of China's multitudes.
In 1815, during the life and by the advice of Mr. Morri-
son, was founded at Malacca, on the Malayan peninsula,
the Anglo-Chinese college. This institution has proved
a ,most important one. It was forme! with the intention
of aiding the studies of European youths in Chinese, and
of giving Chinese youths every facility for the acquisition
of English. In the year 1837, Fix pious Chinese were
preparing for ordination in that college. We might, if
time allowed us. tell you much of the successful efforts
of the society in the island of Penang, and that wonderful
creation of modern commerce. Singapore. For several
years unwearied missionaries have been preaching there
the gospel of Christ. But we hasten to notice those
missionary voyages which have been undertaken from
time to time along the coast of China. That eminent
Prussian missionary, Mr. Gutzlaff, led the way in 1831.
He had the courage to commit himself to Heathen sailors,
in a junk, which was sailing to one of the northern pro-
vinces. We may judge of the peril to which he was ex-
posed when we hear that, during the voyage, the crew
deliberated whether they should kill him and throw him
overboard, to possess themselves of his large box, which
they believed to be filled with dollars. Ignorant of his
acquaintance with the language, they debated the scheme
in his presence. Mr Gutzlaff requested them to open his
box, and it was found well stored with Chinese Bibles,
and tracts, and medicines. At one of the places where
they touched on their course, a shopkeeper offered to pur-
chase the missionary from the captain of the junk for
2,700 dollars, in order that he might exhibit the wonder-
ful "son of the western ocean" to admiring crowds, and
so attract customers to his shop. But he was safe in all
his dangers, under the protection of God, and returned in
peace to his mission at Macao. He afterwards became
interpreter to the Lord Amherst, which sailed under the
command of Captain Lindsay, who bears testimony to
Mr. Gutzlaff, that he conversed with the natives
with the fluency of the Chinese •themselves, and
that that people were everywhere delighted to be ad-
dressed
by an European in their own mother tongue.
In 1835, a regular missionary vessel was provided, and
Mr. Medhurst, with another missionary, visited the same
places at which Mr. Gutzlaff had before landed. Mr.
Medhurst's narrative of his voyage is a most interesting
one. Everywhere did he find the most anxious desire,
on the part of the natives, to possess themselves of his
Scriptures and tracts. As soon as a book was held up, he
tells us, a rush was made at it, and in many places the
Chinese police were obliged to beat off the applicants with
cudgels. Even Confucian mandarins were not ashamed
to receive instruction from the " outside" strangers.
Sometimes the pressure was so great, that the distributors
of the books were obliged to escape from the people, by
climbing a rock or hill. On one occasion, as the mission-
ary vessel was leaving the harbour, the people swam out
to her, and clung to the tackling, and declared that they
would not leave it till their wants were supplied. " And
thus," said Mr. Medhurst, in concluding his interesting
description, " we have gone through various parts of four
provinces, and have given away 18,000 volumes, of which
6,000 were portions of the Bible, amongst a willing people,
without meeting with the least injury, having been
always received by the multitude of the people with
a cheerful smile, and, generally, by the officers with
politeness." Such is a very brief account of the princii al
efforts which have been made by Protestant missionaries,
as a commencement of the great work of China's evan-
gelization. These efforts are still continued, and ee trust,
as England becomes more alive to her privileges and
responsibilities, will constantly be increased. At the
important city of Ningpo, Mr. Mc Gowan, a zealous
American missionary, is labouring, with his wite, an
English lady, with pleasing prospects of success. Mr.
Medhurst, of whose labours we have just spoken, with
the Christian physician, Dr. Lockhart, are busy in the
noble work. In Chusan, with its million of Chinese,
Mr. Milne has preached to multitudes, and many join
him in Christian worship. In Hong Kong, so lately the
residence of a few poor fishermen, but which now, under
he protection of British laws, contains more than 20,000
inhabitants, you may see temples of Christian worship,
built by Christians, and filled to overflowing by Chinese
congregations. There, Sunday after Sunday, are Mr.
Shuck and Mr. Dean exercising their useful ministry,
and there, also, our own church missionary society has at
last commenced her labours. Her missionaries, Mr. Smith
and Mr. M'Clatchie have taken their posts, and have sent
home to us a most interesting and encouraging report of
their earliest proceedings. Mr. Smith writes:—" China
is open beyond my expectations : the most cheering pros-
pects invite us. The Hai Hong, or principal magistrate
of Amoy, has expressed his wish that the people may re-
ceive Christian i• struction. British intercourse is desired.
In the spirit evinced by the people and the rulers, no
obstacles at present exist to proclaiming the unsearchable
riches of Christ." How encouragingly ought such ac-
counts as this to fall upon the Christian ear ! And. indeed,
in additicei to the kindly feeling towards us, which seems
at present to triumph over the jealousy and suspicion of
centuries, even in the court of Peking, there is much in
the circumstances of the Chinese which ought to inspire
the missionary with hope. One of these encontaz,ements
ought not, even in this brief review, to be omitted. It is
the very extensive diffusion of a knowledge and taste for
reading throughout the empire. It has been estimated
that nine-tenths of the adult males are able to read
ordinary books, though, alas! not one-tenth of the
female population. And then, the most important
fact, that the printed book is equally intelligible in
all parts of China, even though the author, in speaking,
may be confined to a single dialect, muse. stand promi-
tiently forth amongst our encouragements ; and the Chi-
nese not only can, but will read. There is scarcely a
house so poor, but some well worn and valued book may
be seen occupying its shelf. It was by books that Budd-
hism first made its entrance into the empire, and by books
that it won its way into the remotest provinces. Morri-
son felt this, and the thought cheered him during years of
patient toil. This thought encouraged the Bible Society
largely to help bim in his arduous undertaking. 0 may
the seed of the word, then, be thickly strewn over a pre-
pared soil, and may the fruit be abundant ! The reverend
gentleman then, in an impassioned strain, pointed to the
time when Confucius, and Laontztt, and Buddha will
cease to enthral the minds of sinful idolators—when Chi-
nese women shall assume their proper places as compan-
ions and friends of their husbands—when infanticide shall
cease—when Christian churches and schools shall bless
that immense empire—and called upon Liverpool not to
be backward in honouring the Lord of Missions with an
increasing portion of her commercial wealth. He alluded
to the formation of the Young Men's Society for aiding
the missionary societies, and assured his hearers, that
though difficulties might be in the way, the Gospel had
not lost its might. No one could limit its triumphs. Mr.
Ewbank resumed his seat amidst great applause.
The Rev. H. HAMPTON, whose rising was greeted with
much enthusiasm, commenced by alluding, in terms of
high commendation, to the mass of valuable information
afforded by Mr. Ewbank, and stated that in the remarks
which he should make, he would glance first at the general
object of the Church Missionary Society, which was to
christianize, and thereby civilize, the whole world. This
must not be regarded as the mere offspring of fanaticism,
or enthusiasm. The aspect of half the world is already
changed by missionary efforts—islauds and territories in
their altered appearance—in their rapidly advancing civili-
zation—in the smiling aspect of fields and continents re-
claimed from the waste—in the cultivation of the useful
arts—in the formation of peaceful villages, each clustered
around the house of prayer—in the casting away of idols
and the ceasing from corrupt and degrading customs—all
these prove to the calculating worldling that the efforts of
missionaries are and have been and will continue to be
productive of vast temporal good, so that as philanthropists
they might rejoice in the object they had in view from its
results ; but these changes in the temporal were infinitely
surpassed by those which had taken place in the eternal
condition of individuals and tribes ; a mightier encourage-
ment to christian men to persevere in those labours which
God had promised to bless was afforded in the great moral
changes that had taken place—in the multitude of souls
that had been rescued from death. Their aim was to
' drive the heathen from his idols to serve the living and
true God ; and Christianity alone, said the reverend gentle-
, man emphatically, could effect this. The light of nature
and philosophy has been tried, under every advantage
which learning and the patronage of power could bestow
upon it. In the golden and Augustan eras of Greece and
Rome. under the fostering hand of the great, the wealthy.
and the wise, it was tried, and found wanting. But what
is the light of nature? Is it the character of God dis-
played in his works? Is it the manifestation of power,
wisdom, and goodness we meet around us ? Is it this
which is sufficient to subdue the proud, rebellious heart
of the child of nature? We admit that it is so for beings
who have never sinned ; but for Us l for the poor, blinded
heathen! alas, alas! of what value is it? It teaches no
pardon for guilt; and whatsoever else it may be calcu-
lated to teach, we have no disposition to learn. So the
light of the natural sun is sufficient for the purpose it was
ordained to serve. It would do no good to make another
sun. But what kind of sufficiency is this to a blind man ?
Does he see any better on that account ? So Newton's
Principia are sufficient to make a mathematician. But
this is no comfort to a man who cannot read—who knows
nothing of numbers—who has not intellect enough to un-
derstand the book. Test the theory by fact. What kind
of sufficiency does the light of nature bring to the Hin-
doos, Hottentots, the New Zealander, the savage canni-
bals of the Pacific Isles? I admit that these are extreme
cases ; they are drawn from nations in which the intellec-
tual powers seem nearly extinguished. But where else
ought we to look ? what instances more in point to show
the utter inefficiency of the light of nature ? For surely
if the light of nature be sufficient at all, it were strange
that it should be insufficient for the children of nature.
But take a different set of examples. Go back to ti e
reign of Heathenism, in its days of bright intelligence and
inspiring philosophy. Explore every nook and corner of
antiquity for evidence. Select, if you will, the most pro-
found and venerable sages who ever flourished under the
dynasty of unaided reason; and what have we gained
then ?j We gain the testimony of Plato, that it is not pos-
sible for mortal man, without a revelation, to discover
anything concerning religious truth. We find Socrates
teaching, that men cannot know even what to pray for in a
right manner, unless God reveal it to theta. We hear
Alcibiades, Aristotle, and Plutarch, confessing the neces-
sity of a special message from heaven, to clear away the
darkness of nature. But why multiply proof? What was
the object of the numerous forms of pretended revelation
scattered through all antiquity ? What meant the oracles
of Apollo, Dodona, and Jupiter Ammon ? What was M-
I tended by the mysteries of Ceres, Bona Des, and Eleusis?
If they meant anything, they indicated the necessity pf a
revelation, not only for religious purposes, but for the
political government of the state, and the welfare of the
people at large. This was the wisdom of heathen philo-
sophy, viewed in its best attire, and under the most fa.
vourable aspect. .We have no disposition to under-rate
the intelligence of a Plato, a Socrates, or a Plutarch—we
would not despise the eloquence of a Demosthenes or a
Cicero—we can scarcely afford to banish from our schools
the captivating imagery of Homer, the pointed sarcasm of

Juvenal and Horace, and the illusive fictions of Virgil—
we would not touch a single laurel which decorates their
brows. We admire their talents, we respect their virtues,
and cherish their memory. But that they were sufficiently
acquainted with the truth, I do not believe; for it is not
the fact. Look where we will,' into the purest of their
creeds, whether of fabulous, civil, or philosophical the-
ology, we find some or all of them comprising doctrines
from which, as Christians, we ins inctively recoil. The
indulgence of licentiousness was allowed—the sensual
appetites left unrestrained—a community of wives sanc-
tioned—the right of suicide enforced—the revenge of in-
juries taught and exemplified. Such was Heathenism its
its refinement. And can you look unmoved upon a pic-
ture like this, taken from all the deformity and all the
awfulness of actual life ? Dare any one tell us with a se-
rious face, that the light of nature is sufficient—that the
gespel of our Lord Jesus Christ has not reclaimed the
human mind from degradation, and human hope from ob-
scurity and conjecture? If so, let him coolly sit down and
calculate the miseries which that gospel has terminated—
the ignorance it hasinstructed —the excesses it has abolished
—and the wide and withering moral desolation to which it
has said, " hitherto shalt thou come, but no further."
The reverend gentleman then, in an animated and elo-
quent strain, pourtrayed the blessed privileges and ad-
vantages conferred upon ourselves by the precious gift of
the everlasting gospel, as well as its attendant 11,ssings itit
less favoured climes. Already, he said, have the miseries
of Christ began to smother the widow's funeral pile, to
arrest the immolations of Juggernaut, and to iedrem the
endearing loveliness of woman from the degradation to
which every country but christendom his consigned her.
The night of heathenism is far spent; the day is st hand;
christianity is awakened from the slumber of centuries,
and moving on with acc-lerated triumph. Genius, and
learning, and zeal are weaving laurels for her brow. Oa
every shore are displayed the banners of the cross. You
may see them waving from the frozen ledges of Green-
land to the burning sands of Sierra Leone ; from the
Isles of the Pacific to the banks of the Ganges; from the
snows of the Poles to the scorching suns of the Equator.
Tire Indian is burning his Shaster, the Arab his Koran,
and the Hottentot his consecrated relics. The tenant of
every soil is cheered by the tidings of pardon, arid the
complexion of every climate irradiated by the hope of
immortality. The gospel—the everlasting gospel—the
gospel of the Go.l of peace and love, is beginning to
extend ; and it will extend, and extend, and extend, till
the ruins of sin, amidst the last blaze of the last con-
; flagration, shall be lost in the.splendonr of eternal day.
And for effecting this grand scheme of banishing the
darkness and superstitions of heathenism, for which he
had shown the wonderful adaptation of the gospel, Eng-
land was likely under God to be the chief instrument If
ever there was a nation that possessed facilities for the
conversion of heathen lands, that nation is England.
Her political pre-eminence, her unrivalled commerce, her
undisputed empire on the main, those stupendous energies
which she can call forth and exert in periods of difficulty
and danger,—all these accumulated advantnsei stamp her
a missionary nation. For, think you that these varied
blessings have been heaped upon her merely f temporal
purposes, merely that she may grace a brill ant page in
history, merely that she might be the mother of nosh.),
nations, who shall perpetuate her language and institu ioas,
when her own empire and influence shall have pa sed
away ? Not so, not so, " Occupy till I come," is Christ's
command, not only to individuals but to nations. The
day of account must be solemn to Britain, as cn r of the
most opulent and influential nations of the Write. Her
earthly victories have been matchless. Her genius,
and activity and industry have all been crowned with
eminent success. Scarcely a people exists whose en-
treaties for aid she has not listened to—few are the
monarchs whom she has not assisted either with blood or
treasure. Victory has followed her flag from the Norman
conquest to the field of Waterloo, and from Waterloo to
Affghanistan and Ferczepore, on the banks of the Sut-
lij, in the plains of Lahore. But what, 0 what ! have
been the spiritual conquests in comparison with what they
ought and might have been ? The rev. gentleman then
alluded, in most affecting terms, to the very lamentable
less ol life which has recently taken place on the plains of
India, and then enlarged on some of the reasons why
Liverpool especially ought to contribut. more largely than
we have yet done to the great and glorious work of evan-
gelising the heathens throughout the world, al d thus
imitate the munificent Reynolds, of whom it was beauti-
fully said, "That he exported his fortune before him to
Heaven, and is gone thither to enjoy it." Again, look at
India, which has been an inexhaustible mine of wealth to
England. Owe we no debt here? Is not India—its
thrones—its sceptres—its treasures—its territories ours?
Are not its people, in a higher and stronger sense,
ours ?—our own fellow-subjects—subjects of the co•
of Christian Protestant Britain, and are we not, there-
fore, bound to provide for the spiritual nec‘ 83141 of
her children ? Oh ! that all who profess the faith of Jesus
were melted down by divine love—fused into one mass—
actuated by one spirit—and raising one universal shout,
" Let us march against the common enemy of man—let
us fight for the spiritual li erties of the world ; in the
cause of the Redeemer let us conquer or die !" Will this
be branded as wild enthusiasm? With righteous indigna-
tion we repel the charge. Is it lawful for the British pa-
triot's heart to vibrate with an indefinable thrill of ecstatic
joy, when he listens to the poet's song of the meteor flag
of England, which
" Has braved a thousand years

The battle ann the breeze.''
And is it not a higher and holier enthusiasm in the patriot
citizen of Zion to exult when he bears aloft the flag of
the everlasting covenant, which for six thousand years
has withstood more than the shcck of a thousand navies
manned by earth and hell? which stilt shall brave " the
battle and the breeze" of conflicting moral elements—
which shall survive the funeral obsequies of sin, and
death, and the grave, and finally wave in triumph over
the citadels of the nations, when all their pomp and gran-
deur are swallowed and lost amid the overpowering
glories of Messiah's reign? Mr. Hampton concluded
amidst much applause.
The doxology was then sung, and the meeting separated.