missionaries sent out by the Society have any claim to be taken home at the expense of the Society; and the Deputation having explained that by the words "full and final discharge of all claims whatever," it was certainly contemplated by the Society that such a case would not arise, and need not be provided for, Resolved, That the Deputation be requested to represent to the Committee the great desirableness of placing all the brethren sent out previous to 1845, on the same footing in this respect as any missionary of the Society; i. e. that if the pecuniary circumstances of the churches are such as to make it necessary in the judgment of any of these brethren to leave Jamaica, he be regarded as free to write to the Committee in reference to such circumstances; and that the Committee be free to consider his application, and, if they deem it right, to aid in providing for his removal from the island in such a way as the facts of each case may seem to justify." 5. A question having arisen as to the position of pastors in Jamaica not sent out or taken up by the Committee, but occupying property now in trust for the Society, the Deputation explained that the Society cannot regard them as having any claim upon their funds under any circumstances, though the Committee will be quite prepared to concur in their occupying trust property on the same terms and conditions as those pastors whom the Society sent out, and which are contained in the trust deeds, or in the accompanying resolutions. 6. That the Committee be respectfully requested to give their aid and sanction in reconveying, as it may be found convenient, all chapel property in Jamaica connected with the Society, on such trusts as are expressed in the model deed now laid by the Deputation before the brethren: and at the same time to pass a resolution not to sell any of the chapel property without the concurrence of a majority of ministers in the island appointed in conformity with the subsequent resolutions. 7. That in the opinion of the brethren, it is exceedingly desirable in the present state of the churches in Jamaica, that the accounts of each station, after being duly audited and signed on behalf of the church, and entered in the church book, should be forwarded early in January to the Committee, with a request that they will examine the same, and give to the church from time to time such suggestions and encouragement as the pecuniary circumstances of each may seem to demand; and that the audited accounts of every church applying for a minister, be laid before any one who may be selected for it by the Committee, for his information and guidance. 8. That the Committee be respectfully requested not to concur in the occupancy of any chapel now in trust by any minister, unless he acknowledge the debts shown by the audited accounts of the church to be due upon the chapel for building and other than casual repairs; and undertake, if required, to meet from the income of the church, the interest and so much of the principal as the annual receipts will allow; and unless he accede to the resolutions now adopted. 9. That while the brethren disclaim all interference with the independency of the churches, they respectfully suggest that the Committee should not allow chapels now in trust to be taken possession of, except by such ministers only as are known to the Committee to be of good character, and are of good standing with the majority of the pastors of the churches, appointed in accordance with the present trust deeds or these resolutions. 10. That in case any church in Jamaica apply to the Committee for a pastor, they be requested to inquire for and obtain one, on receiving from the church at least one half of the expenses of his outfit; and on receiving the concurrence of the majority of the pastors who are members of the Missionary Fund, in charging the remainder to that fund. 11. That none of the foregoing provisions are understood to imply the existence of any pecuniary responsibility on the part of the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society, whose funds are not to be regarded as at all liable for any expenses connected with the carrying on of the cause of God in this island; nor is it intended that they should interfere in any way with the resolutions adopted by the Society at their annual meeting in 1845, except so far as these resolutions may hereafter be modified by the Committee in compliance with the resolution in reference to missionaries sent out since 1840. 12. That it is distinctly understood that no minister who may be hereafter sent to Jamaica, or who may now, or at any future time, be pastor of a church in Jamaica, though not sent out or taken up by the Society, has any claim whatever on the Society for any purpose in consequence of the resolutions now adopted, or in consequence of the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society acceding to them. 13. That in the opinion of the brethren it is most desirable, in order to revive and perpetuate a missionary spirit among the members of our churches, and to carry on the cause of God in this island and elsewhere, that a "Missionary Union and Auxiliary to the Baptist Missionary Society "should be formed, whose object shall be to obtain at least £1000 a year, or an average of one shilling from each member, to be sent home and devoted to such objects as the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society may direct; it being suggested, that in the present state of the chapels and chapel debts in this island, a considerable part of this sum should be spent at the discretion of the Committee to meet chapel debts or aid cases of religious destitution in the island. 14. That we, whose names are attached, heartily concur in all the foregoing resolutions, and will deem the adoption of them by the Committee as the harbinger of better times for the churches in Jamaica: they meet and will remove the misunderstanding that has unhappily arisen between some of the missionaries and the Committee: they define the position of all, and they contain provisions in reference to the chapel property in this island, and the control of it by the Committee, which we regard as just to all parties, while they will prove (as we hope) highly conducive to the peace and spiritual interests of the churches at large. JOSHUA TINSON, Pastor, Rio Bueno. THOMAS F. ABBOTT, Pastor, Falmouth. JOHN CLARK, Pastor, Brown's Town. JAMES HUME, Pastor, Mount Hermon. At the Quarterly Meeting of the Committee, held at the Mission House in Moorgate Street, on the 16th of June, these Resolutions, a copy of which had been previously furnished to each member, were maturely considered. After hearing a variety of explanatory remarks from the deputation, and deliberating on the subject in its various bearings, the Committee resolved, first, that Resolutions 2 to 14 inclusive, be acceded to; and, secondly, that Resolution No. 1 be acceded to, subject to the approval of the next annual meeting. Another Resolution, having relation to the Widows' Fund, remains for future consideration; but this is altogether independent of the rest, and the Jamaica brethren themselves, while they propose it as desirable, agree that " If the Committee are compelled to decline all aid, their decision is not to influence in any way the foregoing Resolutions, nor is it to diminish the satisfaction of the brethren on their being adopted." Questions that have occasioned long and perplexing correspondence are thus apparently settled, in a manner that is perfectly in accordance with the wishes of the brethren in Jamaica. May the practical working of the arrangements conduce to the comfort and usefulness of the Redeemer's servants both at home and abroad! The thanks of the Committee are presented to the following friends The ladies of Salters' Hall, for a case containing mills for corn, and a case of clothing and haberdashery, for the Patna Orphan Refuge; The Baptist Tract Society, for a parcel of tracts, for Madras ; Mr. F. Nicholson, Plymouth, for numbers of the "Patriot," magazines, and tracts; T. C. M., for a parcel of magazines; John Foster, Esq., Biggleswade, for a bale of clothing, for Rev. John Clark, Brown's Town; A friend, for a parcel of magazines, &c.; Rev. C. E. Birt, Wantage, for a parcel of cotton prints and fancy articles, for Africa and Ceylon; Miss Pearson, for a parcel of fancy articles, for Mrs. Capern, Nassau; Rev. M. Bissett, Stevenage, for a parcel of magazines; Mr. R. B. Ridgway, for two parcels of clothing, for Clarence, Western Africa; A friend (unknown), for a parcel of magazines; Mr. Clayton, for a parcel of magazines; Mrs. John Angus, Newcastle, for a parcel of magazines; Rev. Dr. Hoby, for a bale of clothing, for Rev. J. Merrick, Western Africa; Ladies' Working Society, Blackwater, by Mrs. Green, for a box of clothing and fancy articles, for Rev. J. Clarke, Western Africa; Miss Campbell, for a parcel of magazines; Mrs. Birt, West Clifton, for a box of fancy articles, for Ceylon; Miss Wilkin, Hampstead, for a parcel of clothing, for West African School; Friends at Lion Street, Walworth, by Mrs. Green, for a case of clothing and useful articles, for Rev. John Clark, Brown's Town; Mrs. Nash, for a parcel of magazines; Sunday School, Cromer Street, by Mr. T. Gapes, for a box of clothing, &c., for Rev. John Clarke, Western Africa; Mr. Saunders, for a parcel of useful articles, for the same; E. M., for a parcel of magazines; Sunday School Teachers, Brixham, by Mr. John Smith, for a box of clothing, &c., for Rev. P. H. Cornford, Montego Bay. Mr. Merrick has received the box of clothing sent to his care by Miss A. E. Taylor, of Worstead, and returns many thanks to the kind friends who contributed to the work. The robe, and that intended for King William, will be presented to him; and the Worstead friends shall in due time hear how they were received. Mr. Merrick has received the letter of Master W. S. Dendy, of Mr. West's academy, Amersham, and though the box of clothing contributed by the young friends of the school, and others, has not yet come to hand, Mr. Merrick would return many thanks for the supply of valuable clothing which they have kindly forwarded. The parcel of clothing, flannel, and tooth-brushes, kindly sent by friends at Sevenoaks, through Mrs. M. Palmer, has been received. The donors shall soon hear from Mr. Merrick. The parcel of books from the Religious Tract Society, for the use of the Jubilee station, has come to hand safely. A few of them are already in use, and the valuable present will, we hope, prove a blessing to the station. The large and valuable supply of books, slates, &c., from the Sunday School Union, has also been received. They arrived just when they were much needed, which has greatly enhanced their value. The scripture illustration, from R. B. Sherring, Esq., for the use of the Bimbia school, &c., has come to hand in good order, as well as several valuable books, for which many thanks are returned to the kind donor. Martha Vitou desires gratefully to acknowledge the receipt of various useful articles from Miss Forster, West Green, Miss E. Howard, Mrs. Luke Howard, Tottenham, and other friends. The Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society thankfully acknowledge the following donations for the Mission Library : Two volumes of the Baptist Herald, from Rev. W. Dendy; Beaver's African Memoranda, from Mr. S. Stanger; Caste Opposed to Christianity, from the Wesleyan Missionary Society; Lectures on Romanism, by Missionaries in Calcutta, from Rev. J. Thomas; Narrative of Events in Jamaica, from Mr. S. J. Vaughan; Samuel Sharp's Bible, from I. J. Lewin, Esq.; The Age of Great Cities, from a friend; Wenger's Doctrine of the Church, ditto. Further donations will be gratefully received. In the event of a copy of a work already in the library being sent, it will be placed in the library connected with one of the stations of the Society. CONTRIBUTIONS, Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, during the month of March, 1847.-Continued from last Herald. |