other hand, we cannot, and will not, allow them to foster idolatry. You will, my friends, I am sure, be very sorry to learn that our friend, the Rev. Dr. Tidman, has been so unwell of late, that he will not be able to read the Report. He has left his room for the first time, this morning. I shall therefore call upon the Rev. Newman Hall to read the Report. The Rev. NEWMAN HALL, Minister of Surrey Chapel, then read the Report.*

The Sixty-fourth year in the history of the London Missionary Society, of which the Directors have now to report, has been distinguished, not only by a great increase of activity and zeal among the avowed friends of the Missionary cause, but also by a lively interest in the subject among intelligent men of various classes, by whom it was aforetime regarded with indifference, if not aversion. This extension of Missionary sympathy has been awakened partly by the marvellous Missionary travels of Dr. Livingstone, by which the social and moral condition of the hitherto unknown millions of Southern Africa has been presented to the Christian and the philanthropist in its true and awful aspect; but in a far more intense degree has the subject of Missions been forced upon the attention of our countrymen by the awful, yet instructive events that have so unexpectedly been permitted, by the providence of God, to befal our Indian Empire. By the deeds of perfidy and blood which have characterised the Sepoy rebellion, the delusion and false security long indulged by multitudes, both in Britain and in India, have been for ever destroyed, and idolatry, in alliance with the principles and spirit of Mahomet, has exhibited its true character-a character only to be understood to be dreaded and abhorred. Politicians and philosophers, who were accustomed to extol the characteristic virtues of the mild Hindoo, have been forward to denounce him as a very demon; and the labours of the Christian Missionary, which were heretofore treated with derision and contempt, are now commended as the best and only preservative of property, liberty, and life.

The Missionary travels of Livingstone, which awakened world-wide admiration, obviously imposed on the Society by which he was sent forth, and by whose funds he was sustained, a solemn obligation to send to the myriads inhabiting the dark land he had penetrated, the light of heavenly truth with its attendant blessings, both for the life which now is, and for that which is to come. In accordance, therefore, with the Resolution passed at the last Annual Meeting, the Directors have adopted the necessary measures for establishing two central and effective Missions, the one north, and the other south of the River Zambese; and with gratitude to the Father of mercies they now report that he has vouchsafed his blessing, and supplied both suitable men for the enterprise, and funds adequate for its execution. Mr. Price, student in the Western College, Mr. Sykes, of the Lancashire College, Mr. Thomas, of the College at Brecon, and Mr. McKenzie, who has prosecuted a suitable course of study at Bedford, have recently been ordained as Evangelists to the Matabele and Makololo tribes, and will, with their devoted wives, embark for South Africa in the early part of the ensuing month.

In the atrocious crimes of the Indian mutineers, and the awful sufferings of our countrymen, the Directors, in common with the friends of kindred societies, recognised His voice, who maketh the wrath of man to praise him, appealing to the Church of Christ on India's behalf, for a large increase of zeal and extension of labour. The call was too powerful to be resisted, and too urgent to admit delay. The Directors felt therefore constrained to convene a Special Meeting of their constituents on the 18th of February, to consider the claims of India for augmented efforts, when it was resolved :

"That the London Missionary Society having, for the last half century, employed devoted labourers in different parts of India, whose various exertions God has been pleased to crown with distinguished success, should take its fair proportion of effort for extending the blessings of the Gospel among the teeming multitudes yet involved in heathen darkness;

As the full Abstract of the Report will obtain extended circulation in a separate form, it is presented here greatly abridged.

and that, accordingly, the Directors employ their best efforts with all classes of their constituents, to enable them to send forth, within the next two years, at least twenty additional Missionaries, to aid in carrying onward this great enterprise."

The answer already given to their appeal, is sufficient to convince the Directors that, in this proposal they have the hearty sympathy of their friends throughout the country: within three months nearly £11,000 have been promised towards the object, and a confident hope may be cherished that, by the close of the year, additional funds will be realized adequate to its full accomplishment.

The Directors are sensible that nothing short of the peculiar urgency of the claims of Africa and India, would have justified two special appeals to the liberality of their constituents in such close succession; yet they are gratified to state that, nevertheless, the Ordinary income of the Society, with a single exception, has advanced in all its various branches.

The General Contributions from Great Britain and Ireland, including Subscriptions, Donations, Collections, and Dividends, amount to £44,043 7s. 8d., being £1779 4s. 3d. more than the year preceding.

The generous Bequests of departed friends, reach £8401 4s. ld., being £1702 159. 8d. in excess of the legacies of last year.

The Sacramental Offerings to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund, with the yearly Dividends, present an aggregate of £2321 17s. 9d., being £119 178. 8d. more than those of 1857. And in addition, the fund has received an increase of £899 6s. 5d. 3 per cents. reduced, being a legacy of the late Mr. Flanders.

The contributions from Missionary Stations have yielded £16,511 9s. 10d., being £2191 13d. 2d. more than those of the year preceding.

The total annual Income from these ordinary sources is £72,143 11s. 3d., being an increase of £6659 28. 8d.

The amount received from the Australian and Foreign Auxiliaries is £819 5s., being less than the preceding year by £1048 1s. 6d.

The Expenditure of the Society for ordinary purposes has been £64,059 13s. 9d., being a decrease on that of the former year, of £2799 158. 1d., without involving any diminution of the Society's operations.

The preceding statement is exclusive of the Fund for the establishment of new Missions in South Africa, amounting to £7076 6s. 5d., and that promised for the extension of Indian Missions, approaching the sum of £11,000.

The number of the Society's ordained Missionaries last reported was 152; and it is an unusual demand for gratitude, that, in the interval, death has not been permitted to diminish that number in a single instance; while two additional Brethren, Messrs. Blake and Jones, have been sent forth to strengthen the Missionary band in India.

In presenting an Abstract, compressed within the narrowest limits, of the History of the Society for the past year, the Directors begin as usual with,

POLYNESIA.

In the distant Isles of the Pacific, the first labours of the Society were wrought; here its earliest trials and severest discouragements were encountered; yet here, under God, it has achieved many of its noblest triumphs over barbarism and crime; victories which are still extending, and will continue to extend till the last blood-stained altar of Polynesia is overthrown, and her last stronghold of idolatry shall be added to the conquests of the Prince of

Peace.

In TAHITI, where the power of the Gospel first triumphed over paganism, it has in later years no less successfully encountered popery-popery in alliance with political power and military despotism. Rut, apart from the baneful influence of its profligate professors, and

the patronage it can extend to the unworthy, Romanism has exerted her influence for sixteen years in vain. At the close of 1856, the period to which the latest returns extend, the number of Protestant Christians included in the Mission Churches of Tahiti, amounted to 1680, a number exceeding that of her happiest times of self-government and freedom.

The Rev. William Howe, amidst many obstructions, continues in charge of the Bible Depository and the Press, and renders also most valuable services in the defence of the truth, and in animating and sustaining the minds both of the Native Pastors and their flocks.

Our devoted Brother, Mr. Howe, though forbidden to commend the Gospel to the Native Christians, regularly preaches to the British and other foreigners located at Papeete; and in a letter recently received, he gives a gratifying report of the conversion of a resident who Lad long been an enemy to the faith of Christ.

"You will be glad to hear," writes Mr. Howe, under date 17th January, ult., "that there is also an awakening among a few of the foreign residents, the most remarkable of whom is that of Mr. Salmon.

"Mr. S. was brought up in the Jewish religion, but when quite a young man he was convinced of the truth of the Christian religion, about which time he visited Huahine. Unhappily for him, he subsequently became affected with infidel principles, and for many years maintained them, and brought forth those fruits which are their natural offspring. About nine months ago, however, his feelings were earnestly moved to give the whole subject another candid and serious consideration, and this he has done, and the result has been that he has applied to me for Christian baptism, which will take place (D. V.) on Sunday next, in the forenoon, in the Bethel Chapel. This is a breach into the enemy's kingdom in this small place, for which we were hardly prepared, and its effect upon the mass will be considerable; may it be favourable, that many others who have drunk into his former spirit may be brought to see the folly and the danger of their principles."

In the SOCIETY ISLANDS, the political strife that in former years occasioned much pain and sorrow to our Missionaries, has happily ceased, and the condition and prospects of their several Churches are truly encouraging.

The Mission Churches of the HERVEY ISLANDS continue to present the same aspect of vitality and beauty by which they have been distinguished in former years; and whether we regard the general habits of the people, the progress of education, the observance of the Sabbath, or the number of consistent believers united in Church fellowship, these Christian Islanders would bear an advantageous comparison with any equal number of our countrymen.

The Rev. Aaron Buzacott has been compelled, by severe and long continued suffering, to retire from his beloved work in Rarotonga. He has been greatly honoured by his Divine Master in all the varied labours by which that Island, once a moral desert, has been transformed into the garden of the Lord.

The Island of Aitutaki, which it would not be extravagant to describe morally, no less than physically, as a Polynesian paradise, still enjoys the faithful and laborious ministry of the Rev. Henry Royle, on which God has abundantly bestowed his richest blessing. The people of his charge have long been distinguished by zeal and liberality, which would supply a profitable example to the Churches of Britain.

In the SAMOAN or NAVIGATORS' ISLANDS, the restoration of peace, which was announced in the last Report, has happily been preserved, and our Missionaries have been able to prosecute, without interruption, their various efforts for the social and religious improvement of the people; and, notwithstanding occasions of sorrow and discouragement arising from the former degradation, and the peculiar habits of the Natives, they are cheered by the evident progress of their Churches in knowledge, enjoyment, and usefulness.

In the Educational Institution at Malua, Fifty-seven young men, of approved Christian character, are preparing for the work of Teachers and Evangelists. The Native Agents throughout the Islands are all supported by the contributions of the people, and, during

the past year, they have transmitted to the funds of the Parent Society upwards of £600. In addition to this remittance, they have also expended above £300 in the purchase of the Scriptures.

The advancement of the kingdom of Christ among THE ISLANDS OF WESTERN POLY. NESIA is no less wonderful than gratifying. When first visited by the lamented Williams, the barbarous people presented a spectacle the most pitiable, and yet the most revolting, and their sanguinary habits and cannibal practices seemed almost to defy the zeal and compassion even of the Christian Missionary, while it seemed also to foretell the utter extermination of the races. But the transformation since wrought in multitudes should convince the most incredulous that the influence of the Gospel, when accompanied by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, is sufficient to enlighten the darkest understanding, to subdue the vilest and most vehement passions, and to invest even the murderer and the cannibal with the attributes of rectitude, purity, and love.

The Journal of the Missionaries who accompanied the "John Williams" in her twelfth voyage to the New Hebrides and Islands adjacent, supplies the following delightful narrative of the work of God in Aneiteum, an Island now occupied by our Presbyterian Brethren, Messrs. Geddie and Inglis :

"When Messrs. Geddie and Powell first came to take up their residence on this Island," write the Missionaries, "it was resolved at a meeting of the Chiefs and people to resist by force their landing. To this measure one Chief only was opposed. Do not hurt them,' said he, lest we get into trouble. Let them land; but steal from them and annoy them as much as you like. They are very little; we can kill them at any time should such a measure seem necessary.' This counsel the savages carried out to the letter, by stealing from the Missionaries everything on which they could lay their hands. But he that stole, now steals no more. Everything is as secure on the Missionary premises, though exposed to the Natives by night and day, as if it were placed under lock and key. When the Gospel first affected the minds of the people, and began to produce a visible impression cu the surrounding darkness, one of the heathen Chiefs became much enraged, and resolved to assassinate Mr. Geddie. He often lay in wait for him, and one night he was concealed behind a bush not far from Mr. Geddie's house, with a war club in his hand ready to strike when the Missionary passed by. The villain attempted to raise his arm with the intention of accomplishing his purpose, but his resolution failed, and there did not remain sufficient strength in him to enable him to inflict the fatal blow. This degraded heathen was ultimately brought to the foot of the cross, and is now a consistent member of the Mission Church. So conspicuously does the hand of God appear in the preservation of the Missionaries in the first stages of their Mission.

"We spent the Sabbath at Mr. Geddie's station, and it was truly a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The substantial plastered chapel, which contains a congregation of between 400 and 500, was crowded. Mr. G. preached a sermon in the Native language to a peculiarly attentive congregation; every one present seemed in earnest to catch the words as they fell from the preacher's lips. After sermon we assembled with the Church to commemorate the dying love of our blessed Redeemer. Around this table were assembled with us all the seamen belonging to the John Williams,' who are members of the Church, the Rarotongan and Samoan teachers, and no less than a hundred Natives of Aneiteum, all of whom, a few years ago, were degraded cannibals.

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"On Monday we held a Missionary meeting in the chapel. The place was well filled with a deeply attentive congregation. Money has not yet come into circulation on this Island, but the people offered willingly of such things as they had to help forward the work of God on the neighbouring Islands. At this meeting some of the Native Christians were set apart for Missionary work at Fotuna and Tana. "At Aname, the Station occupied by Mr. Inglis, the population amounts to 1900. His Sabbath congregation averages from 500 to 600. He has four Out-stations. The average attendance at all the places, including Aname, is about 1000. The number of Church members is 64, and of candidates for Church fellowship, 24. Mr. Inglis is assisted in his work by 30 Native Teachers, including one Samoan, who has laboured there since the com mencement of the Mission. Of the population, 1850 are under Christian instruction; 900 of these read the Gospel of Mark, and 400 read very well.

"When the John Williams' visited Aneiteum in 1854, there were upon the Island 1400 heathen; but now their number does not amount to 100."

Of the Island of Mare or Nengone, the voyagers present the following report :

"The Missionaries have been obliged to discontinue sending teachers to preach to the heathen, the latter having several times threatened to kill them if they did not cease their visits. Nor would they allow them to sleep in the place whither they had gone, although it was late on Saturday night. One Chief shook his spear and threatened to run one of the Teachers through, but the Teacher spoke so kindly, that he was afraid to injure him.

"The Missionaries have been all round the Island, and they suppose the population to amount to 8000. The number who have given up heathenism and desire religious instruction, amounts to no less than 3000. At Waeko, Mr. Jones's Station, the number of Church members is eighty, and the number of candidates for Church fellowship about 100. At Guahma, Mr. Creagh's Station, the number of Church members is seventy, and candidates for admission 300. Mr. Creagh is assisted in his work by two Rarotongan, one Samoan, and one Nengone Teachers."

The "John Williams" also visited Eramanga, where the devoted Missionary whose name she bears fell a martyr to his benevolence and zeal. The Rev. G. N. Gordon, sent out by the Presbyterian Churches of Nova Scotia, committing himself to the Divine care and protection, resolved to enter upon this hitherto barren field. His reception by the people is thus described :

"As soon as we arrived we went ashore, and shortly afterwards we were visited by several Eramangan youths, who had been at Samoa. They were clothed, and looked very respectable. They were delighted to see us. On Monday we again went ashore, accompanied by the ladies and children. We trode with very peculiar feelings, the spot where Williams and Harris fell martyrs to their own devotedness; and our feelings may be more easily imagined than described when we shook hands with Kauiaui, the murderer of Williams. * * * "On the 17th June, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, with the two Rarotongan Teachers and their wives, parted with their friends on board the John Williams,' and took up their abode in Eramanga. We accepted Mrs. Gordon's kind invitation to take tea with her that evening in her new and humble home. We afterwards had a prayer meeting, and, having commended our esteemed friends to the care of Him who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, we parted with them, and proceeded to the vessel. We shall not soon forget the happy look of the Chief Mana, when it was remarked to him at parting, that he had now got his Missionary. 'I have,' he replied, whilst his black eyes beamed with ineffable delight."

The Island of Lifu, like that of Eramanga, has hitherto enjoyed the services of Native Agents only, and in the former their progress has been great, as will appear from the following statements of the visitors :

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"We reached this Island," they write, "on the morning of the 26th. We stood in for Anerewede, the Station of Tui and Kakorua. As we approached the shore, we saw the natives in great numbers coming along the beach towards Tui's house; most of them were more or less clothed, and they were delighted to see us. After the Teachers' supplies were put ashore, we had a meeting in their large stone chapel, which is 114 feet by 38 feet, and the walls are three feet thick. It is seated throughout and has a respectable pulpit and reading-desk. It holds a thousand people, and is filled every Sabbath. "On Saturday morning the 27th, we reached the great bay on the south side of the Island. We came to anchor on the north side of the bay near Ipahne, the place where the Teacher Apolo resides. Wamya, the Chief of the place, and Apolo, were soon on board. The former is a fine looking young man, and speaks a little English. Me want Missionary,' was one of his first sentences. He was very respectably dressed, and conducted himself in a very gentlemanly manner.

"The information communicated to us by Apolo, was of a nature no less encouraging than that given us by Tui. Nearly the whole of the population have turned from heathenism, and greatly desire Missionaries. We arranged with Apolo to have the ordinance of the Lord's Supper on the following Sabbath, and he engaged to inform the other Teachers.

"On Sabbath morning the 28th, we all went ashore, accompanied by the captain and first officer of the John Williams,' and as many of the ship's company as could leave the vessel,