mediately withdrew, to nominate a number of Directors to fill up the places of thofe abovementioned. They foon returned, and the gentlemen they nominated were unanimously chofen; and the late Directors not ren. dered ineligible by lot were all re-elected.

Jofeph Hardcaftle, Efq. in compliance with the request of the Society, expreffed his willingness to continue his services as Treasurer, as did also the Rev. John Love, one of the Secretaries, on his being re-elected. A letter was then read from Mr. Shrublole, fignifying, that his attention to his duties, at the Bank, rendered it impoffible for him to continue in his office of Secretary, and his refignation being accepted with regret, the Rev. John Eyre was inmediately and unanimously chofen. Mr. Eyre accepted the office, on condition of his being allowed to depute Mr. Joshua Lambert Vardy to officiate for him, if his health or engagements might render it neceffary.

A fmall augmentation was made to the lift of Directors, that there might be a hundred for England and Scotland, and four for Ireland: And in addition to thefe, the fociety thought proper to fix upon fome pious foreigners, whofe zealous exertions may tend to further the intereft of Miffions in the other parts of the world. The firit nominated for this purpose was Dr. Vanderkemp, a Dutch phyfician, whole heart the Lord has difpofed to devote himself as a Miffionary to the Heathen, and who, together with two more of his countrymen, will probably go to the Namacquas, a people refident in Africa, about 200 miles north of the Cape. Governor Macauley, the Rev. Mr. Clark, and Baron Van Shirnding, were next proposed, and moft cordially accepted, together with the Prefidents for the time being of feveral foreign Societies. We believe the following Lift will be found tolerably accurate: except that additions to fome of the names, and particularly to thofe of the Clergy, may, for want of information, have been omitted.

DIRECTORS RESIDENT IN LONDON.

John Allday, Efq. Carlisle-ftreet, Soho.

Rev. Jof. Brooksbank, Gloucefter Terrace, Hoxton.
Mr. Robert Campbell, Mary bone-treet, Golden Square.
Mr. William Clark, High-street, Southwark.

Robert Cowie, Efq. Iflington.

Henry Cox, Efq. Redman's Row, Mile End.

Rev. George Durant, Spital Square.

Samuel Favell, Efq. Tooley-ftreet, Southwark.

John Fenn, Elq. Cornhill."

Samuel Foyfter, Efq. Tottenham-street

George Gavelier, Efq. New Road, St. George in the Eaft.

Mr. Gouger, Newgate street.

Rev. Dr. Haweis, Northampton Chapel, Spa Fields.

James Hamilton, M. D. Artillery Place, Moorfields.

Steven Hough, Efq. Tavistock-ftreet, Bedford-square.

Rev. Rowland Hill, M. A. Surry Chapel.

Rev. John Humphreys, Newington Butts.

Jofeph Hardcaftle, Efq. Treasurer, Duck's Foot lane, Thames-ftreet.
Mr. Thomas Hawkes, Piccadilly.

Mr. Hodgion, Mark-lane.

Rev. George Jermant, Weston Place, Pancras.

Rev. Joel Ab. Knight, Sommer's Town.

Rev. Wm. Maurice, London Road, St. George's Fields.

Jaines Neale, Efq. St. Paul's Church Yard.

Rev. Wm. Nichol, King-ftiect, Edgeware Road,

Mr.

Mr. James Nelfon, Park-lane.

Rev. William Francis Platt, Holywell Mount.
John Rainier, Efq. London Fields, Hackney.
Rev. John Reynolds, Hoxton-fquare.

Jofeph Reyner, Efq. Duck's Foot-lane, Thames-freet.
William Shrub fole, Efq. Old-ftreet Road.

William Sims, Efq. Stepney.

Rev. James Steven, Thornlaugh-ftreet.

Rev. John Townsend, Rotherhithe.

John Walcot, Efq. Greenwich.

Rev. Alexander Waugh, M. A. Salisbury Place, Mary bone

Rev. Matthew Wilks, Old-ftreet Road, Hoxton.

Mr. David Whitaker, Hackney.

Jofeph Wilkinson, Fiq. Milk-fureet, Cheapfide.

Rev. William Winkworth, St. Saviour's, Southwark.
George Erneft Wolff, Efq. America-fquare, Minories.
Mr. Thos. Yockney, Bedford-ftreet.

THE COUNTRY.

Rev. J. Bailey, Clavering
George Bell, Wooler, Northum.
Jehoiada, Brewer, Birming.
David Bogue, M. A. Golport.
S. Bottomley, Scarbro ̊.
George Burder, Coventry.
T. Charles, Bala, Merioneth.
P. S. Charrier, Lancaster.
Jofeph Cockin, Halifax.
W. Davidfon, Newcastle.
- Douglas, Reading.
S. Greatheed, Newport Pagnel.

Gill, Market Harbro. Leicef.
John Hey, Briftol.

Thomas Jackfon, Warmifter.
Jofeph Jefferfon, Bafingstoke.
David Jones, Llangan, Wales.

Kirkpatrick, Sutton, in
Afhfield, Northamptonfh.
W. Kingsbury, M.A. Southam.
S. Lowell, Woodbridge, Suf.
George Lambert, Hull.
R. Little, Henley Green, Staff.

George Livius, Efq. Bedford.
Mr. M'Dowel, Falmouth

Minchin, Efq. Gofport
Rev. S. Mends, Plymouth.
Herbert Mends, ditto.
J. Moody, Warwick.
Edward Parfons, Leeds.
Phillips, Norwich.
William Roby, Manchester.
John Mead Ray, Sudbury.
John Saltren, Bridport.
Jofeph Slatterie, Chatham.
Jonathan Scott, Matlock.
Mr. Robert Spear, Manchefter.
William Skinner, Bristol.
Mr. Walter Taylor, Efq. Southamp
Rev. George W., M. A. Stoke near
Guildford.

Edw. Williams, D.D. Rotherh.
Captain J. Wilson.
Rev. Wood, Rowell, Northamp.
John Blackhall, Berwick.

FOREIGN DIRECTORS.

Rev. J. F. Vanderkemp, M. D.

Macauley, Efq. Governor of Sierra Leone.

Rev. J. Clark, Chaplain, ditto.

Baron Van Shirnding, of Dobryluk, Saxony.

The Prefident of the Religious Society at Bafle, in Switzerland.
The Prefident of the Miffionary Society at New-York, in America.
The Prefident of the Miffionary Society at Connecticut, ditto.
The Prefident of the Miffionary Society at Rotterdam.

TOTTENHAM-COURT CHAPEL.

Thursday Evening, Six o'clock.

The Rev. Mr. Edwards, Curate of the Chapel, read prayers. The Rev. Roles Graham, of Newcaftle, prayed. The Rev. ROBT. BALFOUR, of Glasgow, preached on thofe words, Col. i. 19, 20. "For "it pleased the Father that in him fhould all fulness dwell; and (having "made peace by the blood of his cross) by him to reconcile all things "unto himself; by him, I fay, whether they be things in earth, or "things in heaven." The Rev. Alex. Waugh engaged in the concluding prayer. The Rev. Dr. Lake, and Meffrs. Hogg and Sibree, gave out the hymns.

CHRIST CHURCH, SPITALFIELDS.

Friday Morning, Half past Ten.

The ufe of this noble building having been obligingly granted at the request of the Society, the Rev. William Mannier, Curate of the parish, read the prayers. It was during this fervice, a moment that will not foon be forgotten, a letter was brought to one of the Directors, with the important and delightful intelligence that the DUFF-that veffel in which fa many thousands of Chriftians had embarked their hopes with their Mif fionaries, and which they had inceffantly followed with their wishes and prayers that the DUFF had fafely arrived at Canton, in China. This welcome news could not be fecreted, but was fpeedily circulated, efpecially among the Ministers, who fat, as ufual, around the galleries; but that the whole congregation, which was very numerous, might partake of the joy, Dr. Haweis afcended the pulpit, and publicly announced the happy event. It is easier to conceive than exprefs the emotion of the grateful affembly. It was a moment of uncommon joy. Many an ejaculation was filently offered up to the Father of Mercies; and perhaps few lines have ever been fung with greater fincerity or fervour than those with which the pfalm, which was foon after fung, commenced:

"The Lord is good; fresh acts of grace

His pity ft Il fupplies;

"His anger moves with floweft pace,

"His willing mercy flies."

The Rev. GEORGE WEST, Rector of Stoke, near Guildford, then preached on part of the 15th and 16th verfes of the 9th chapter of Acts

For he is a chofen veffel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, " and Kings, and the children of Ifrael: for I will fhew him how great "things he mutt fuffer for my name's fake." The congregation departed from the church, bleffing and praifing God, and congratulating each other on this eminent instance of his goodness.

SCOTS

248

SCOTS HALL.

Friday afternoon, Four o'clock.

The Society met again to conclude their public bufinefs, the Rev. Mr. Ray, of Sudbury, in the chair.

A ferious difcuffion now enfued, refpecting the best means of procuring a fufficient number of pious Miffionaries, who appeared to poffefs radical qualifications for the work, and for giving them, at certain hours, fuch inftructions as were most needful, without taking them from their employments. The Society was informed that feveral perfons had enjoyed thefe advantages in London, under the tuition of fome of the Directors: but it was thought exceedingly defirable that the fame advantages might be extended to various parts of the country; and therefore it was deter. mined, "That Minifters in the country take under their eare perfons, in their own congregations, approved by the Committee of Examination; that the perfons fo admitted to tuition be confidered, during the first half year, as probationers; and that they continue, during that term, as much as may be at their refpective employments. That if, at the expiration of it, they be fully approved, they fhall receive such advantages as the Directors think proper.'

་་

By this method we may hope that godly young men in the country, propofed to, and approved of by, the Committee of Examination, may receive folid advantages, rendering them well qualified to bear the glad tidings of falvation to the Heathen; and ready, when hereafter called upon, to go forth to thofe places for which their abilities and conftitution may render them mott fuitable.

Thus clofed the public meetings of the Society. But, before the company feparated, it was propofed, that as many minifters were in town who diligently employed themfelves, in their refpective circles, in village preaching it might be profitable to meet together, to confer on the most ufeful method of performing that fervice. Accordingly a meeting was held at Haberdafhers' Hall, on Saturday morning, at feven o'clock; when a very pleafing hour was spent, in rehearfing what God had lately done in different parts of our own country. It appeared more plainly than ever that the fame fpirit of philanthropy, which gave rife to the Miffionary Society for the converfion of the Heathens abroad, had occafioned new and more vigorous exertions than were ever before witnessed for the convertion of Heathens at home. It was evident, to the joy of every heart, that "the fields are white already to the harveft;" that much good had already been done, and that new and effectual doors feem to be opening in very many places. Such was the apparent advantage of thefe communications, that it was determined, by the Minifters prefent, that, if fpared another year, they would devote a larger space of time to this exercife. Several imal tracts were produced, and others mentioned, which feemed well adapted for the fpread of ufeful knowledge in the villages, and calculated to facilitate the introduction of the gospel into new places. It is in contemplation to establish a repofitory for thefe in London, under the direction of fome Minifters, from whom they may be obtained on reafonable terms.

It is with great fatisfaction we ftate, that all the meetings of the Society, both for devotional exercifes, and for the difpatch of business, were well attended. Thefe who engaged in prayer and preaching appeared to be much affilted in their work. As great a number of Minif ters from the country attended as on any former occafion; and multitudes

of

of thofe, who formed the vast assemblies, could say, "It is good for us to be here."

From the news received on Friday, that the fhip had fafely arrived at Canton, it was concluded that the Miffionaries had reached the places of their deftination, and had entered upon their apoftolic work. But it was little expected that the next poft fhould bring to our ears ftill more delightful news from Captain Wilfon himself. As foon as this interesting letter came to hand, as many Directors as poffible were convened at Haberdashers' Hall, to whom the important contents were communicated. A printed abftract, prepared against the hour of meeting, was fent off by Saturday's poft to their friends in the country. The letter itself was printed on Monday, and fent to many parts of the kingdom, But as many of our readers may not yet have had an opportunity of perufing it, and as all would wish to retain a copy, we think it neceffary to give it a place in this number.

DEAR SIR,

To JOSEPH HARDCASTLE, Esq.

I WROTE you laft from Rio Janeiro, dated the 15th of November, which I hope you received, informing the Society how kind our heavenly Father had been in wafting us fo far in perfect health and fafety; we can now further fay, from experience, that he has never left us from that time to this. At prefent I can only give you the outlines of our voyage, which, no doubt you will be all glad to hear.

After receiving a plentiful supply of every thing needful (which I was enabled to pay for, having cash of my own), we left the port the 19th. From that time to the 3d. of December nothing material happened, only the weather getting gradually colder. But the Lord fhewed us we were going the wrong way, by fending a fevere gale from the South. We could now fee that to beat round Cape Horn would be folly to attempt. After fhipping feveral heavy feas, by which we loft fome of our stock, we bore up to go by the Cape of Good Hope. This was a great trial, being in latitude 39 and longitude 50 Weft, and having now a line to run of 262 degrees of longitude, befides latitude. However, we had foon reason to rejoice; for, by the 24th of January, 1797, we were in longitude 133 Eat. Had we laid to another night, ere we bore away, we must have loft ali our stock; instead of which, the Miffionaries had fresh meat twice a week (besides din ing with me as before related) all the way; and though we had repeated gales, we never had occafion to batten down our hatches once: add to this the inestimable bleffing of the public ordinances of our God, and the Miffionaries every means of improvement. Refpecting fome things that happened on the voyage, you must ftay till I have the happiness of once more feeing you, which I truft will not be long after you receive this. Thus were we carried along in a most pleasing manner. On the 30th of January we rounded New Zealand, and the 4th of March made Otaheite; but from various winds, we did not anchor in Matavia till the 6th, where we were received in the moft friendly manner.

Here mark the dealings of divine Providence: a large houfe which the natives had built for Captain Bligh, was just finished, the whole ifland in perfect peace, Pomaree and his fon Otoo being abfolute fovereigns of the whole ifland, and likewife Eimeo; thus our bufinefs was expedited; for instead of many chiefs as we expected, we only had to make our errand known to Pomares. This we were fully able to do, our God having kept VOL. VI.

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