The Portland Gazette

LIVERPOOL, JUNE 17.

Meeting at the Town Hall, for the formation of a Church Missionary Society.

A most numerous and respectable assemblage of the inhabitants took place at the Town Hall on Thursday last, agreeably to public notice, to consider the means of forming, in this place, an Auxiliary Society to promote the conversion of heathen nations, under the auspices of the Church of England.

Sir John Tobin, the mayor, having taken the chair at twelve o'clock stated, in a succinct manner, the object of the meeting, and observed that the specific views, and more particular details of the Society which it was proposed to form, would be explained by the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth, and the other reverend gentlemen now assembled.

The Rev. Mr. Bickersteth, after congratulating the meeting on its having obtained the sanction of the high and respectable names under whose auspices it was now assembled, stated that the great purpose of the Church Missionary Society was to impart to such nations as had not yet received it, the christian revelation, according to the doctrines and discipline of the Church of England. Other societies, having the same object, had long been formed amongst different sects of protestant dissenters, whose views the present society was so far from wishing to interfere with, or counteract, that it was their earnest desire to labour successfully in the same vineyard.

The parent institution, to which this of Liverpool was meant to be auxiliary, had been established near 30 years, and had gradually risen from small means and narrow patronage to the possession of a considerable revenue and the highest protection. Its annual income, which at first was only 2000l., amounted last year to no less a sum than 30,000l., and it was now able to enumerate amongst its most zealous patrons, the chancellor of the exchequer, the lord president of the council, an archbishop, three bishops, and many other individuals of the first respectability. The necessity of such societies would not be disputed when it was recollected that out of 800 millions of souls, the estimated population of the globe, not less than 600 millions are absolute heathens! Of these a very considerable part were degraded in the scale of civilized beings, and reduced to abject misery, by the most gross and cruel superstitions. Of this Mr. Bickersteth said he had himself been witness, in western Africa, where he had resided for some time. It was found that improved civilization and increased happiness followed regularly in the train of christianity. To improve the temporal and eternal condition of these poor creatures, the most active efforts were employed. No less than 150 christian labourers were already engaged in this service, amongst which there were 19 clergymen of the established church. From 8 to 10,000 children, selected from the heathen nations, were now educating for the purpose of diffusing the benefits of religious instruction in their respective countries, and a number of schools, comprehending from 1 to 200 had been established for that purpose. He was happy to say, that the promise of success was correspondent to the magnitude of the exertion.

It was then moved that a society be formed for the above purpose, which being put was carried unanimously. -After the organization of the society, the meeting was addressed by a great number of gentlemen, and adjourned to a future day.