Liverpool. It is strong and numerous, amounting to upwards of 1400 members. They are on the spot where communications with distant nations, are near, regular, and easy.

I am ignorant of the circumstances of this Mission, except the little I gather from printed statements. However, perhaps none are more suitable, under God, for such an undertaking, than a pious Welch minister. There is no system of church polity better calculated for Missionary exertions than that of the Welch Calvinistic Methodists. Moreover, the Welch language is one of the oldest in the world.—It is true there are many and great dangers and obstacles in the way of Missionaries; and consequently the church of God should pour out frequent and importunate prayers for them.

The meeting for setting apart the young minister for the important work, was held the 4th of November last, at Rose Chapel, Liverpool. His destination is for Kassia mountains, between Burmah and Hindostan.-It is stated that "all the proceedings of the day were peculiarly blessed with the presence of God, his gracious aid and support; and that there was scarcely a dry eye in the vast congregation when the Missionary addressed them."-It appears from the Report, that he had strong and urgent desires of going out as a Missionary many years ago, if the Lord would be pleased to qualify him. It was a matter of great and frequent grief to him to think that so many millions of his fellow creatures were perishing, having never heard of the way of salvation.—The more he experienced the working of the Spirit in his heart, and the more he viewed the glory of Christ, the more he was induced to go abroad to speak of Jesus to the heathen.-Though he had no idea that any Society would ever take notice of him and send him out, yet he thought that God would, in his providence, open some way for him to go. It seems that he was for a long time in this anxious state of mind, without the least

appearance of any way opening to him. He was sometimes afraid that those desires were nothing but the effects of heated imagination, and he prayed to God to undeceive him, and to restore him to his right mind, if he was wrong. -His religious friends at length encouraged him to make some preparations for the work so near his heart. When he began to study and to learn for the end in view, he became more calm and reconciled in his mind. But even then he thought he should never see the time of departure on such a glorious message. However, his determination remained, notwithstanding all trials, equally the same, and his principle stood firm and unmoveable.-Moreover, when he had manifestations of God's favour and lovingkindness in his soul, and when he felt the constraining influences of the Redeemer's love in his heart, the desires of going out became more ardent and strong. But when that holy fire subsided and cooled, some feelings of self-love would arise, and some suggestions of this kind would come in :"Why should I, more than others, leave my country, relations, and friends?"-His feelings were very tender, and his affections for his parents were very strong: the thought of leaving them affected his heart deeply; but the impression that he should sacrifice all things for the sake of Christ, was permanent and firm on his mind.-Besides, the Lord had granted his desire in respect of some particular object, which was an additional obligation upon him. He had often thought, that if his heavenly Father would favour him in a certain way, he should see his path more clear, and would look upon it as a plain proof of his approbation. The brethren, upon examining him, were satisfied with him as a person suitable for the purpose in view;—and the Lord seemed to favour all their proceedings. His constant and fervent prayer now is, since the opening was made by the Lord, that he would always favour him with his gracious presence. Exod. xxxiii. 15. His dependance seems to be fully and entirely on his God.-The meeting

was conducted with great propriety. Excellent speeches were delivered on the occasion; solemn and appropriate prayers were offered up to God, and suitable and delightful hymns were sung by the immense assembly; and the chair was well and ably filled. All of course was spoken in the Welch language; and the meeting lasted three hours and a half. The Lord was very gracious to them on the occasion, in his love and mercy. It is humbly hoped that He will be pleased to incline the heart of some in India to favour this solitary Welchman, this man of God. He may introduce the religion of Jesus among the nations around the hills of Kassia, and prove a blessing to thousands there. Let us pray to God thus to prosper him and others.

The above statement, a translation from the Welch, is pleasing, and may influence the minds of some to the subject of Missions.-Jones of Langan's Missionary sermon already alluded to, on the subject of God's doing great things by small means, is quite suitable and applicable to such a Mission as this. No doubt it will be read with great interest. The Missionary is gone. His name is T. Jones.

We have dwelt rather long on Missionary exertions, as Jones was one of the chief promoters of them, especially by his sermons, and otherwise stirring up the church of God, and the Welch population, to the consideration and support of such a glorious cause. Indeed he was himself a Missionary, and that in a country nearly as dark as that of any heathen people, as to the way of salvation. Certainly no minister did ever live more in the frame, feelings, and spirit of a Missionary than Jones; and few were so successful.

CHAP. VI.

Jones's exertions for Sunday and Circulating Schools, and the Bible Society-his letter of advice to a grandson.

We are now entering upon other very important subjects that deeply engaged Jones's mind. Such institutions as Sunday and Circulating Schools, for training up the rising generation in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, were very near his heart. He was very zealous and active in establishing and promoting Sunday Schools throughout Glamorganshire and the adjoining counties. He stirred up the Methodist societies in these counties to adopt those useful means of promoting the kingdom of Christ and the benefit of immortal souls. It is generally believed that Rakes of Gloucester was the founder of Sunday Schools. His first effort bears date the close of the year 1781.— Having tried the experiment for more than a year, he determined to invite the public attention to a subject which he perceived to be fraught with such benefits.

In 1785 "a Society for the support and encouragement of Sunday Schools in the different counties of England " was established, combining the patronage and energies of all denominations of christians. universally conducted by hired School Society alone expended, years of its existence, no less than £4000 in the salary of its teachers.

The Schools were at first teachers. The Sunday during the first sixteen

The institution of Sunday Schools was now become universal in this kingdom. Still there was one thing wanting to raise the system to the highest degree of efficiency, and that was union. A public meeting was holden July 13th, 1803, in the School-rooms belonging to Surrey Chapel,

and the Sunday School Union was formed. One of its first objects was the compilation of a new Spelling Book. The next object of the Committee was to ascertain, by an extensive correspondence, what parts of the country were most destitute of Schools. Finding in many places that the advantages of the system were greatly diminished, from the need of method and order in the Schools, they pubished in 1800 "A Plan for the formation and regulation of Sunday Schools."

Jones and the principality derived no small advantage from these benevolent institutions, especially in the way of donations, and small elementary books and tracts. Jones also introduced some Circulating Day Schools, similar to G. Jones's and Charles's, into South Wales, principally with a view to the religious improvement of the inhabitants.* The ignorance of the people was very great at this time; few of the lower rank were able to read even their mother tongue. These Day Schools were crowded and greatly blessed. But the Night Schools, opened about this time for adults as well as the young, were still more successful.† Charles, Jones's friend, was the founder of Adult Schools; and he commenced his Sunday Schools nearly at the same time as Rakes. Now the change for the better is very considerable in those parts of Wales. Scarcely a person can be found, who is not able to read the word of God.-Circulating Schools are most efficient instruments for disseminating knowledge in such a country as Wales; for as soon as the pious master has done teaching a certain district to read the scriptures, which is effected in about two years, or less, he goes to another place. How delightful it is to witness several such Schools traversing through a country upon such a glorious subject as filling it with scriptural knowledge, and dispelling thereby moral darkness. The master in general teaches adults by night.-The Highlands

* See Charles's Life, pages 229, 240. + Ib. 337-339.