The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-09-23 00:00:00

(-w minutes, sr
Iv, . 11;t1 L-1

p was, there-
fore, obliged to forego the great pleasure he had promised
himself of attending their jubilee ; but as a token of his
goad will and cordial sympathy with the proceedings of
the (Inv. in the eanse of this sneietv. his Inriishin had en.

most imme

closed. ilt (

£25 towards tt

hear.) Wli,ltever regret and disappointment they might
all feel at his lordship's absence, he (the bishop) could
assure them that there was no one present who felt either
more regret or more disappointment than he himself did
at this untoward circumstance, which had robbed the
meeting, he would not say of its intrinsic importance, but
what would have been as far as human aid could have
enhanced it, one of its greatest sources of pleasure.—
(Hear, hear.) He was sure—and he hoped it would reach
Lord Derby's ears by some other means—that be (the
bishop) was speaking not with his own voice, but with the
'coke, and from the heart, of every person present—
(hear, hear)—when he ventured the expression of the
earnest hope that Lord Derby would soon be restored to
his usual health and vigour, and spared for many years to
cptre, to be an ornament of, and to render those graceful
services to his country, which he had so long been the
means of conferring.--k Applause.)
The Secretary of the Society then, at the request of the
Lord Bishop, who now took the chair, opened the regular
business of the day by offering up appropriate prayer.
The rev. gentleman also announced that the treasurer,
Mr. Groves, had received a reply from Lord Skelmers-
dale, acknowledging the receipt of the invitation for-
warded to him to attend this meeting, and stating that he
should be glad to become a subscriber to the benevolent
objects of the society, but must be excused from being
present at the jubilee, on account of his advanced age, and
his suffering from extreme deafness, which prevented him
from hearing conversation in private life, and much more
in a public assembly.

The Right Rev. CHAIRMAN then observed, that how-
ever much regret he felt that he had then to open the
proceedings, by a few remarks, in the place of the noble-
man whose voice had always commanded so much attention
in that room, and which had been used there with so
much fervor and effect, to animate them in their exertions
for this good cause, yet he should be wanting in attention
to the numerous audience before him, if he did not address
to them a few observations with reference to this peculiar
epoch of tbe society's proceedings and the general result
of its labours. They were aware that this society had
reached its third jubilee. It was an epoch which naturally
suggested a retrospective glance, however brief and partial
it might be, of their past proceedings, and thereby it
demanded from all a more than ordinary demonstration
of support. It was true that many such societies under
various titles did exist; but he might say, speaking with
Christian candour, that though they all originated in the
same good motive, were all directed in intention to the
same good end, all derived their support from the free,
liberal and spontaneous bounty of individuals, yet they
were not indeed equal er commensurate with the wealth
of the country, or the importance of the cause ; far short
of that he must confess they fell ; yet nevertheless all this
bad been done to an extent which, comparatively speaking
at least, reflected great credit on our age, gave us great
cause for thankfulness to Cod for what had through His
grace and blessing been already done, and inspired us with
the hope that, through his continued blessing, what had
been well begun would be well continued—that the hearts
and hands of the people of this country would be opened
still more freely than ever, and that increased Efforts would
be made, and would be crowned, under God's blessing,
with increased success. (Hear, hear.) But' 150 years ago
this country presented a very different aspect. There was
then, as they would find from the history of that period,
a very great laxity and a very low tone both of moral and
religious feeling everywhere. There was a most licentious
literature, which, from its very character, had happily, in
this age of ours, almost sunk into oblivion, notwithstand-
ing it was lighted up by some rays of genius; and
there was, throughout the country, a general coarse-
ness and looseness of manners. It was, then, at that
very unpromising period, that a few individuals, a little
friendly band of good and pious men, took counsel
together with the view of providing such means as,
tinder God's blessing, would be instrumental in
extending the knowledge of the Gospel and the influ-
ence of Christian principles both at home and abroad.
Their zealous, judicious, persevering labours, resulted ulti-
mately in the two well-known societies—that for the Pro-
motion of Christian Knowledge, and that for the Propaga-
tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. They were com-
rnenced:from small beginnings ; but, under God's bless-
ing, both those societies had continued to prosper more
and more in their good work. They had continued to
co-operate together with a spirit of unbroken concord,
with united efforts for the promotion of one and the same
great end—the advancement of God's glory and man's
salvation through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Hear,
bear.) Those two societies, let them remember, were
the work of a few individuals, under the most unpromising
circumstances. It was now one hundred and fifty
years since the society in behalf of which they were
then met had received its charter of incorporation from
the crown ; and its object was a noble one—to carry
the ministrations of our Church into our British settle-
ments, our distant colonies, and to convert the heathen,
with whom by its colonies the British nation had been
broughtinto knowledge and intercourse. This was in-
deed a very wide field, but it was one which he need not
occupy their time by entering further upon than by merely
referring to some geperal points which he thought Liver-
pool, on this occasion, forcibly suggested. When this
society first commenced its operations, the chief field of
its labours was that country which then formed part of
the British empire, but which had long since elevated it-
self into an independent nation, the United States of
America—a country advancing daily in prosperity and
power, and with a rapidity for which they found no pa-
rallel in the history of the world, and to which, if internal
concord be preserved among themselves, it was difficult
for us, even in imagination, to set any limit. ( Hear.)
He was sure it would be the wish of every lover of his
country in Liverpool,—though perhaps this hour of the
day had been unfavourable for the attendance of many
well-wishers of our cause--the merchants of the town ;
yet, speaking here in Liverpool, he was quite sure it must
be the wish of every British merchant in particular, that,
though the ties of colonial dependence be dissolved, toe
tyre nations of America and England may still for ever
remain united in the bonds of amity and peace. (Cheers.)
There were, indeed, many circumstances highly favour-
able to the realisation of such a wish,—consanguinity of
lace, sirailaritY of language, and the sense of mutual in-

Ld vocac

terests in the business of commerce ; bat, to all these,
there had been one link of friendly feeling added by the
early operations of the Society for the 'Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts. (Hear, hear.) The Gos-
pel might be fairly said to have been planted in
America by this society. (Hear, hear.) it was one of
its noblest works; and he trusted, by God's blessing, it
would ever be one of its most enduring traits. The con-
nection with this society had been most strikingly acknow-
ledged by our transatlantic brethren ,on the occasion of the
present jublee. When it was announced by the revered
Archbishop of Canterbury, the president of the society,
that it was the purpose of its friends in England to cele-
brate this jubilee, it was answered by the Protestant
Episcopalians in America with the most prompt assurance
of their warm and cordial sympathy ;—hear, hear)—and
that sympathy had been since manifested, he was happy
to be able to say, by the public celebration of the jubilee
in many parts of America itself. He .mentioned this here,
where Liverpool and New York were almost neighbours, be-
cause he hoped the sympathy thus brought forth might never
be suffered to 'anguish or die away, but wouki ever continue to

subsist between the Churches of England and America; for he
not only held that connection as a pledge of spiritual commu-
nication between the two churches, but, under God's blessing,

the United States ni:America, yet our country possessed very
large territorial districts and regions, and this society, there-
fore, possessed a very extensive field of labour in other parts
of the North American colonies and the adjacent islands. He

a word :or two merely on that -poir

before be sat

were multitudes caustantly emigrating—driven frbm f.

native country, not by any fault of their own—not by any mor-
bid discontent of the government or institutions of the country
—but by the stern fo►ce of necessity not enabling them to find
employment here, but sllwilling to seek in distantclimes for what
they canot find here, for the means of an honest though hard-
earned subsistence—multitudes, relieving, by their departure

1,0 withthem into their perhaps volan6ri. though

behind them

!Jr hearts still turning to the
Hear, hear.) This of itself

distant spot, they foun.dthernaelves severed not only from their
native country, but from their once familiar and dearly valued
ministers of religion,—when they found no spiritual con-
ductor there to guide and conduct them in their ministrations,
—no christian ordinances to hallow the returning-Sabbath, and

make it, in those lonely .regions, a day of rest and peace.
(Hear, hear.) If this sad picture had been at all relieved and
brightened ; if those desolate plains and distant climes, though

or if the eclioes of that once ailed wilderri

had been

awakened by the sound of tbe•Sabbath bell, those blessings had
been, under God's blessing, only brought about through the
instrumentality and exertions, in God's hand, of the_Society

for the Propagation of the Gospel. (Applause.) He
there were now in North America not short of 00-cler
seven dioceses into which that country was divided

in the
Latd of that

number he understood at least three-quarters, or .300, were in
immediate connexion with this society. (Hear, hear.) He was,
however, very far from saying the that was a number adequate
to the emergency; that it was at all equal to shat •he could
wish, if they could but have their wishes realised when
Sad I formed ; but then he would say this, that when they

contemplated what these colonies 'Might have been without
the interposition of this society, andmben they saw those-clergy
embarked in the ministration of God's spiritual word—he
thought in the retrospect there were both gratitude and thank-
fulness to God for the past, and great hope for the future.—
(Cheers.) And he thought be might add aso that there-was a

vat debt of public gratitude due to this society for those
trtions that had led to such a result. The right rev. prelate
eluded an eloquent address by introducing to the meeting
Bishop of Madras, to whose untiring and devoted
services in the cause in India be bore the highest testimony;
and then resumed his seat amid general applause.

e Right Rev. Bishop SPE.CER, late of Madras,
first resolution. He thanked the Lord Bishop of
for the very kind way in which he had been in-
blv. addine that he had laboured with all

moved the

hls heart and soul in thii most glorious cause. He still had his
heart in it, and, whether in India or in England, and under
rliatever circumstances, he felt it not only his bounden duty,
ut a great privilege, to stand up and plead the cause of Jesus
It was a sad thing that that cause needed human
; but as they knew it pleased God to work by such
y such poorand insignificant means as himself—

he felt be was Only doing his duty when he came forward as he
did then to advocate the cause they were met to promote,
The resolution entrusted to him stated that as Christiana

thanks to Almight-y God for that large measure which he had
vouchsafed to that society during the protracted opera-
tions of the last one hundred and fifty years. In both
'Points of view embraced in the resolution, he most cor—
dially and heartily concurred. As a Christian, it ,vas
indeed a cause of joy, that in spite of the many obstacles
thrown up against them, tli?. Word of God was nevertheless
continuing in the earth with renewed strength, conquering and
to conquer in his name who sent it forth ; and as a Christian,
to whom in God's mercy the full measure of gospel 'it had

been vouchsafed, he must rejoice from the very bottom of his
heart that that gospel so very dear to them at home, that gos-
pel which they would defend with their lives, for which they
would gladly, if needs be, consecrate every drop of their
heart's blood, had been sent by the instrumentality of this so-
ciety, in such a large measure, through the dark corners of the
earth. (Hear, hear.) The resolution also called upon them
to be glad as churchmen ; he repeated the words "glad as
Churchmen." God forbid he should be supposed for a mo-
ment to seek to interfere with the Christian liberty of
his fellow-creatures, but yet he would not, and lie dare not,
conceal the fact, that he was very thankful that by God's pro-
vidence lie had been born and bred a churchman—(hear, hear) ;
—that lie had been born and bred a member, and permitted,
however unworthily, eventually to be a minister of that church
which was purely evangelical in its doctrines, and purely apos-
tolical in its religion—(cbeers);—that he was a member and
minister of that church, which he would say without wishing
to disparage others, was a glory upon earth, because it did do
that which it professed to do, because it did uphold the glori-
ous gospel of Jesus Christ, and, because, whilst it was
Catholic in its rites and ordinances, it was Protestant,
emphatically Protestant against the errors of other churches.
The words of the charter granted to this society stated
that its missionaries were to labour not only to send the true
gospel among the heathen, but to labour in those parts which
were overwhelmed by popish superstition and errors; and
having been an eye-witness of the labours of those missionaries
abroad, having been acquainted with many of them as a brother
was acquainted with a brother in a heathen land,—as fellow la-
bourer was acquainted with fellow labourer where the work
was so overwhelming that they felt but fur the immediate pre-
sence and support of Almighty God they must sink under
their labours—he could bear his testimony that those mission-
aries propagated the Gospel, the whole Gospel, and nothing
but the Gospel (hear, hear); and therefore he invited them that
day to give this society their confidence and support. Speaking
of the labours of the society, the right rev. prelate said that,
owing to its exertions America had now its thirty-seven Pro-
testant bishops, with 1600 ordained priests and deacons, and,
above all, two million members connected with the Church of
England. Having given somevery interesting details of the suc-
cessful operations of the missionaries in converting the heathen
in India, and dwelt with much earnestness on the wide field yet
open in that country for increased exertions, he went on to
say, that through a century and a half the society had well
fulfilled its trust ; through good report and evil report it had
held on its firm and faithful way ; thrcuzh the evil report of
unkind surmises, of hesitating friends, of hints and inuendoes,
it had been strictly faithful from the first--it had kept its
faith; and many thousands in British India had by its means,
from the most degraded idolatry, become members of the
Church of Christ. (Hear.) The society had the cordial support of
his brother bishops, but what he entreated for was the equally
cordial support of the laity; and lie trusted in this town that
many would be brought to recognise it, and act in the convic-
tion that the work of evangelizing foreign lands—aye, even of
evangelizing our native land, for here they had too much by far
of idolatry and Popish superstition—devolved upon them. It
was for the laity to advocate the missionary cause at
home and abroad, by their lives, by daring to live up to
their own Christian privileges, by doing all that in them
lay to advocate truth, and to put down under their feet idolatry,
false doctrine, and superstition, tinder whatever name it might
present itself to them. (Applause.) Having borne honourable
testimony to the very valuable services rendered the cause by
the labours of the Church Missionary Society abroad, the right
rev. prelate concluded by moving the adoption of the resolution.
T. B. HORSFALL, Esq. was received with cheers on rising to
second the resolution. He remarked that it might be with
some propriety, after the eloquent and touching appeal which
the Right Rev. Prelate had made to the laity that, as a layman,
he should second the resolution submitted to them. Although
he knew he should best consult the wishes and convenience of
the meeting by merely seconding the motion, he could not allow
the opportunity to pass without joining in the feeling of regret
which the Bishop of the diocese had so well expressed, on behalf
the meeting, at the absence of that noble lord who had promised
to preside over them, and to regret also the causeof his lordship's
absence—because he well knew how eloquently and powerfully
the noble earl would have pleaded the cause which this society,
first established a century and a half ago, was met to promote.
(Hear, hear.) The object of this society had been already
explained—to educate our own colonists and the heathen in the
doctrine, and as far as practicable in the discipline of our na-
tional church. Whatever differences of opinion might exist
among the great body of christians, there could be no difference
of opinion in a meeting like the present. composed as they
were of churchmen,—no difference of opinion at the
least to aid in educating not only our own colonists
but the heathen, in the doctrine of the Church of England, as
found in the Word of God—as carried out in our homilies; and
to carry out, as far as practicable, the discipline of that
church. (Hear, hear.) tie knew it was said that this society
was fettered by endeavouring to carry out the discipline of the
church ; but lie hoped that would not now operate to prevent
any one from giving it their support. If it was an error, it was
an error arising from the very laudable endeavour of seeing
things done decently. (Hear, hear.) After the review which
had been taken of the operations of the society, and the eloquent
speeches they might yet expect, it would be presumption on
his part were he to endeavour to refer to any of its protracted
labours for the last century and a half. He would rather refer
to openings which are now presenting themselves for increased
exertion. (Hear.) The meeting had heard from the Right
Rev. Chairman how the United States of America no longer
required the assistance of this society; but they knew fresh fields
were opening to them, sad they well knew that Africa had a
claim on this town, and it had only been recently announced
that a bishop had been, or was about to be, appointed for
Sierra Leone ; although, at the same time, it was found that
the government had determined to have a line of steamers
down the coast, thus affoming every facility, not only to the
bishop to visit every part of his diocese, but for the increased
labour of as many missionaries as could be sent out. (Hear.)
Hitherto the Church Missionary Society, almost single-handed,
had directed its efforts to the West Coast of Africa, but he
hoped this society would now take advantage of the opening
which presented itself. (Hear, hear.) He regretted the noble
lord (the Earl of Derby) was not here on another ground. They
all remembered that during his lordship's administration
the people of this country, almost without a murmur,
consented to pay twenty millions of money to set the negro
free; and if they would pay that to set him free from a
temporal bondage, surely they had a claim upon them to
set them free from spiritual bondage. (Cheers.) Whilst
however, he referred to this opening, he would only further
express the hope that those would be found who would furnish
the means of co-operation. Ile would not dwell on ether
societies, but merely remark, that surely the labours of a
century and a half had a strong claim on them all for increased
support to promote the spreading of that gospel which, whether
receive" by individuals or nations, formed the best and only
effectual barrier against the inroad of error, and the encroach-
ments of any foreign or usurped power, and which would pre-
serve to other countries, as it is now preserving to us, the
Protestant liberties of England. (Applause.)
The motion was put from the chair, and unanimously passed.
The Rev. J. S. It. ANDERSON, M.A., Rector of Tormarton,
and Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, moved the next reso-
lution, to the effect, that the meeting cheerfully recognised the
weight of the appeal made to them by the society, to provide
the means for the extension of its labours. In the course of a
lengthened and very powerful address, the rev. gentleman
urged the claims of the society on the attention of the auditory,
as one that bad been sanctioned by the highest and noblest in
the land, (alluding to the celebration of the third jubilee in
Westminster, under the presidency of Prince Albert,) and more
especially as an institution that, under God's providence, u,d

been permitted to reach the period of its third jubilee, and to have
been productive of-so many blessings to the benighted heathen.
The rev. gentleman traced, historically, the obstacles which
the society had to contend with since its formation, in conse-
quence of rebellion and internal discord at home, and continual
wars abroad ; and mentioned the interesting fact, that one of
its earliest objects-had been the abolition of the slave trade, re-
ferred to by Mr. Horsfall as accomplished. under the ad-
ministration of Lord Derby, and that amongst its membersand supporters were to he found many of -the most distin-
guished advocates of that measure. He referred especially
to our convict settlements as having been-left until lately un-
cared for with regard to their spiritual condition; and although
the evil was now in some degree diminished, he expressed a
conviction that if the same work of Christian watchfulness
were not continued, a burden of guilt rested on this country,
which might pet *jeopardy our dearest and highest privileges.
The Rev. Rector CAMPBELL, in seconding the resolution,
felt relieved, from rthe ability with which it had been moved,
from any necessity of trespassing at length on their time. The
duty ofpreach i n git he gospel to every nation havingbeen declared
by our Lord to the apostles, and by themtothe churches, it was
the consequent duty of every member of that church, without
exception, each in their relative position,- to aid in the work.
Let there be no schism in the body, but a harmonious combi-
gti, -" (11-

nation 4), all to aid in the one great co_nmoa cense. , ear,
hear.) If they had any love for their common Saviour, any
reverence for their common mother, the church, If any feeling

most anxious

that wher

✓
England's Church should he carried there. (Cheers.) After
some further remarks on this head, the rev. rector ventured
to say, taking
if their zeal for the advancement of their Christian faith and

the salvation of souls -were not sufficient to animate us
ereat wriric the, ono; Itnnnnrnf nnr prrap.tant awn

aetence by an insolent aggression. Let them be fttrtner pro-
voked to a godly policy, and imitate, where it deserved to be
imitated, the example of that church whose insolence they
professed to resent, and whose corruptions they professed to
abhor. The Church of Rome allowed no intestine divisions and
controversies about things hard to understand to interfere
with her determination to spread her dominion ; she-compassed
RPA and Innd in I

hours had tired her. Let them show the same

le same

meeting believed to be a bad one