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Sketches of Foreign Mission Work.

Hawaiian Board was formed, and the responsibilities incident to properly organized religious communities largely placed upon the natives themselves. The number of church members was 19,679, and nearly as many had died. These, subtracted from the total number admitted, indicate a loss of 12,000.

It is pleasing to learn that those who viewed the plan of native pastorates with some apprehension are able to testify to its beneficial character.

The Sandwich Islands are now removed from the sphere of foreign missionary operations. The work to be done is doubtless very great, but it is as usual within the power of the churches in those islands to do that work, as it is for the churches of England or America to do theirs. Strong faith, patient toil, fervent zeal, are needed there and here. In the short space of fifty years what has God wrought? A ruthless despotism has been peacefully supplanted by a constitutional government. A barbarous and filthy race of people has adopted many of the habits of civilized life. The murderous tabu has given place to full religious liberty. The superstitions of heathenism have been exchanged for the worship of the true God. From indescribable depths of moral pollution human beings have been rescued; slaves of sin have become free in Christ; and not a few who once were the sons of darkness have entered on the inheritance of the saints in light.

It seems almost a sin to look at cost in men and money when such results have been obtained; yet a moment's consideration of it may be advantageous. The total number of missionaries, male and female, with lay teachers and helpers is from first to last 156. The money cost of the mission up to 1869 was 1,220,000 dollars, and in addition to this 150,000 dollars for the Micronesian mission. One glance at that contingent of christian labourers, and one reading of that money bill may make us blush that the whole world has not before this been put in the way of everlasting life. The contributions of the native churches themselves in gold for the year ending May, 1870, were, for various purposes, 31,070 dollars.

In conclusion, let us turn from general statements to observe a special illustration of the value of mission work. In May, 1841, there died in peace a woman of remarkable intelligence and courage who had for twenty years maintained an honourable christian course. The name of Kapiolani deserves to be written amongst the heroines

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of the church on earth. She was descended from the old Hawaiian kings, possessed considerable property, and resided on the shore of that bay where captain Cook was murdered in 1779. In early life she was a depraved heathen; but when the missionaries arrived she speedily commenced not only to hear, but to do the will of God. Her resignation in the hour of affliction was only equalled by her resolute bearing in the time of health. Around the great volcano of Hawaii there lingered a strange and weird superstition. In the mountain's fiery depths, simple people said the goddess dwelt who required their continual sacrifices, and whose vengeance menaced an apostate nation. Kapiolani determined to break the spell, and disregarding all entreaties she proceeded to the volcano. A prophetess who claimed to be inspired, and because divine to have no need to eat, brought what she said was a letter from the goddess Pele, and warned the christian woman of her grievous peril. Kapiolani insisted on the prophetess reading the communication, and when the poor puzzled creature had poured forth "a torrent of unintelligible sounds," rejoined thus,-"You have pretended to deliver a message from your god, which none of us can understand: I, too, have palapala, and will read you a message from our God, which you can understand." The prophetess silenced, Kapiolani proceeds with her train to the abode of the goddess. Down they go to the edge of the crater, and in that wild and awful region the christian heroine eats the consecrated berries, throws stones into the fiery pit, and thus pleads for the true worship. "Jehovah is my God. He kindled these fires. I fear not Pele. Should I perish by her anger, then you may fear her power. But if Jehovah save me, when breaking her tabus, then must you fear and serve Jehovah. The gods of Hawaii are vain. Great is the goodness of Jehovah in sending missionaries to turn us from these vanities to the living God." Then with praise and prayer the memorable scene concludes.

Once, when bidding farewell to guests who had partaken of her hospitality, Kapiolani touchingly contrasted her joy with the gratification they had expressed. "Our happiness," she exclaimed, with a thrill of emotion, "is the joy of a captive just freed from prison!"

How much happiness like that do we mean to have the privilege of communicating? If the duty of publishing the gospel to all nations is imperative, surely the luxury is sublime!

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ROME.

WE have much pleasure in calling attention to the amount contributed by friends at Broad Street, Nottingham, for the mission to Rome. Two young ladies undertook the work of collecting, and their testimony is that they never obtained money so easily, and never knew subscriptions so cheerfully given for any object as for this. The subscriptions are promised for five years. Will our lady friends throughout the connexion take the hint? An equal amount might be raised in many churches, and something in every church, by similar agency and without in the least interfering with our contributions for Orissa. But whatever is done, should be done promptly. The Freeman for March 21st, contained a most interesting account of Mr. Wall's "admirable work" in Rome, by the Rev. A. M'Laren, of Manchester, describing what he saw for himself during his recent stay in Rome. The testimony is the more valuable since previously to his visit, Mr. M'Laren states that he had doubts as to the wisdom of our having an Italian mission. If unable to send out an English missionary, we might surely cooperate with this devoted man by sustaining an Italian evangelist, and the sooner the better. At any rate let two young ladies in each church, on reading the above, imitate the example of our friends at Not

tingham, and we shall soon know what the General Baptists can do for Rome.

"THEY ALL WANT TRACTS."

MR. HEATH, when riding one day in Jamaica, saw some people, old and young, busily engaged in sugar-making. He had with him English, Chinese, and Coolie tracts, and was glad to find people who were rejoiced to get them.

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A Coolie said, "Me can't read English." But on getting one in his own language, he looked at it, and then exclaimed, Ah, this for me country book!" As Mr. Heath passed along he gave a few to some people who were feeding the fires under the coppers. They feared at first that they might be tax-papers or summonses, but were pleased when they found they were "good books." He had ridden nearly a mile when he heard voices behind him, and on looking round saw a man and boy running after him. As soon as they had got within a dozen yards, one exclaimed "Hi! me most dead with running!" On Mr. Heath inquiring what they wanted, they replied,

Minister, please give us some tracts.' He then asked if all those he saw running at a distance were coming for the same purpose? "Yes," was the reply; "they all want tracts."

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Received on account of the General Baptist Missionary Society, from
February 18th, to March 18th, 1873.

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Communications for the EDITOR of the MISSIONARY OBSERVER should be addressed to the REV. J. C. PIKE, Leicester.

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the General Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by T. HILL, Esq., Baker Street, Nottingham, Treasurer; and by the Rev. J. C PIKE, the Secretary, Leicester, from whom also Missionary Boxes, Collecting Books, and Cards may be obtained.

THE

GENERAL BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1873.

CO-OPERATIVE INDUSTRY.

THE fifth Congress of the Co-operative Societies of the kingdom held during the past month in that great industrial centre Newcastle-on-Tyne, shows in a very decided way the rapid and real progress this important movement is making. Notwithstanding some disadvantages, a few mistakes and a little discord, the principles of co-operative labour are deeply rooted in the intelligent convictions of many powerful minds. Complete co-operation in industrial works, in its rewards as well as in its processes, has now gained a foremost place amongst the more prominent features of the civilization of this latter half of the nineteenth century. It is one of the several phases which industry has presented during its chequered history, and is, of all those through which it has passed, confessedly the most important in its character, and the most replete with promises of good to the world and the church. The principle has been enunciated with clearness and persistency by some of the wisest thinkers, endorsed by the most active philanthropists, and adopted with commanding vigour by working men, and by them carried on to such signal success, that it has fairly acquired a lofty and impregnable position amongst the notable civilizing influences that surround us.

Born in the quiet of the philosopher's study, nourished by the anarchy and turmoil of a gigantic revolution, it at last settled itself in its best forms in one or two homes, where it slowly grew in stability, breadth, and power. Remaining for a time in the places of its nativity, it afterwards sent out numerous rootlets into the towns and villages of our land, and by their uniform growth has fostered the highest hopes for the social welfare of men. The late Lord Brougham said, "Co-operation is becoming a power in the State." And the good Prince Albert seems to have had glimpses of the theory when he declared, "Depend upon it, the interests of classes, too often contrasted, are identical, and it is only ignorance which prevents their uniting for each other's advantage. To dispel that ignorance, to show how man can help man, ought to be the aim of every philanthropic person." The last few years have witnessed new applications of the principle thus described. Triumphs have been won where they were least expected, and successes gained far beyond the cherished hopes of the most sanguine. Some of the largest commercial establishments have formed co-partnerships

VOL. LXXV.-NEW SERIES, No. 41.

between labour and capital (e.g., the Crossleys of Halifax), and others have had the courage, kindness, and justice to enact as the rule of their trade, "that half the net-profit of the business shall be equitably divided among all the assistants, according to the wages received;" and such is the position of the whole movement both here and in France, that it is only necessary to understand it in order to appreciate it; and appreciating it, to thank Him who is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

It is scarcely possible that co-operative industry could have acquired such a standing without some drawbacks. Eager and fervid advocates were sure to exaggerate its importance, and proclaiming it as a new gospel, anticipate impossible advantages from its unfettered sway. Such men have been. Many would misunderstand its nature, misconceive its object, and array themselves in violent hostility to elements supposed to be inherent, but really as foreign to it as to themselves. Such men are yet. Nor could it be expected that the plan would be worked out in every case with such wisdom and sagacity as to forbid the expectation of a total collapse cherished by persons anxious for such a result. Such failures are on record. Moreover, the emancipation of labour from the dominion of capital could not be effected without inflicting temporary loss in some cases, and requiring self-sacrifice in others. These are the necessary and inevitable sufferings some must vicariously endure in all cases of social and moral transition.

Putting out of view the accidents of this form of industrial economy, we inquire into some of its significant features in their relation to the church and the world. It is certain that the fraternal association of labourers on equal terms, collectively owning the capital with which they work, is immensely promotive of the efficiency of labour. Man's destiny is work. Labour is the law of God, and obedience thereto is the condition of human growth, happiness, and well-being. Industry dignifies as well as rewards all-the prince equally with the peasant, and the hodman as much as the student. No man is justified in shirking it, but every one is bound to work with such wisdom and care of his resources, as shall cause his labour to bring the largest amount of good to himself and his fellows. Co-operative societies assist in attaining this end, because they are based on the simple principle, that the more thoroughly men consent to help one another, the better off they all find themselves. The aggregate productiveness of labour is multiplied incalculably. Gains spring up out of barrenness, and the wilderness and the solitary place are made glad by a rich and increasing fertility. These distributors of the produce of others have their minds and hands set free to add to the general stock out of which the race is supported; and the ordinary labourer obtains a new spell in his work, which calls forth all that is in him with hundred-fold energy. Instead of being goaded he is allured, and in the place of spurs he has charms. His industrial forces work under conditions that raise their strength and efficiency to the highest pitch, and at once he ascends to a level of existence from which he is able to command more of the solid advantages of life. The dull and dark monotony of daily toil is exchanged for a light, cheerful, happy, and highly productive play. Servitude is stripped of its curse, and work is crowned with gladness and joy.

Let these effects spread through society, and indigence is dried up at its source, and indolence strangled at the birth. The sum of the world's means of enjoyment is augmented, made universal in its distribution, and there is the strongest conceivable inducement that men should praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works towards the children of men.

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This mode of performing the labour of life would not be barren of moral results. Prudence, economy, and self-government, are virtues that all men honour. It is proved by unquestionable facts that co-operative societies stimulate prudence, develope economy, and train in the art of self-mastery. The eye acquires a readier perception of the "power of littles," and the hand a more delicate sensibitity for the small gains of life. Skill in management is fostered, and the educational influence of a sense of responsibility is supplied. A healthy self-interest comes in to check waste, indulgence, improvidence, and vice. The fierce anger of competition is assuaged, and a healthy and beneficial, because brotherly, rivalry is called forth. The baits and inducements to fraud, deception, and chicane are, in many cases, removed, and in others considerably enfeebled. The opposition of interest between buyer and seller, master and servant, is gone, and with it the temptation to adulteration, false weights and measures, "eye-service," and the uncounted host of the tricks and sins of trade.

It also prophecies the removal of one of the most serious difficulties of our time, that springing out of the disturbed relations of capital and labour. Strikes abound. Trades' Unions are numerous, and some of their revelations heart-rending. Masters and labourers cannot agree. The sound of mutiny against their captains is heard proceeding from the ranks of the soldiers of indsutry. The individual is still the centre and circumference of all effort. Men care for others so far as that care rewards themselves. Monopoly reigns in every circle of life, and each man is bent on being a monopolist as far as he is able. The spirit of the despot is not far from any one of us. Every one is looking on his own things and not also on the things of others. But it is manifest that the long-standing feud must be healed before there can be any solid progress of society. So long as this violent conflict of classes, struggling for opposite interests, endures, the workman getting the barest pittance for his labour, and therefore seeking by any means to increase his pay, or to give as little as possible for it; and the capitalist, finding plenty of labourers, and taking the one who will work for the lowest sum, we shall certainly not have any harmonious adjustment of the claims of labour and capital.

Co-operative industry, by enjoining a friendly emulation in the pursuit of a good common to all, indicates the method by which these long-opened wounds may be healed, the covetousness and avarice of men checked, the rewards of labour fairly distributed, the selfishness, native in us, fettered in its action, and benevolence and justice nurtured and maintained. Modifying the relations between master and men, it removes the fuel which fed the fire of discord and ill-will, unites them together in work, advantage, and hope, and promotes an ardent concern in the general good of all mankind.

It can never be supposed that the New Testament, which specially commands us to "look not every one on his own things, but also on the things of others," is unrelated to a movement based on its teaching, affording one of many ways of compliance with its demands. Certainly Christianity does. not require men to be indifferent to their own interests. The gospel of the grace of God has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come.

Most inadequate is that estimate of its value which limits it to saving men's souls at the end of their journey, and remaining satisfied with bright pictures of the next world, leaves him unhelped and unbefriended in the difficulties of this. Self-interest is the centre of the world's movementthe life-blood of its bounding activity—the mightiest propelling force in the

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