thus thrown on the Society's care, and a corresponding increase in the expenditure which it entails. When the Fund originated, £1,350 sufficed to meet that expenditure; last year it required £4,673, and during the year on which we are entering it will probably need at least an equal amount. Though actually called the WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND, it should be distinctly understood that it seeks the comfort, not only of the families of DECEASED MISSIONARIES, but also of RETIRED MISSIONARIES themselves. During the year the Fund will have to provide for FORTYONE WIDOWS of missionaries; for THIRTY-SIX CHILDREN; and for NINETEEN MISSIONARIES who, by length of service or through broken health, have been compelled to retire from their accustomed work. Several of these esteemed friends commenced their service in the Society more than forty years ago. Some of them represent the early work of the Society in China, India, Africa, and the South Seas. And amongst the children it is pleasant to know that there are many who, by diligence in study and excellent behaviour, are fulfilling the earnest desires of their best friends. While paying due regard to every case that may be brought before them, the Directors are anxious to administer the funds placed at their command wisely and with care. They would wish that this Fund should completely meet all the claims made upon it. The obligation which it acknowledges is of a distinct kind; and the Directors feel sure that the friends of the Society prefer that it shall continue to be met in this distinct way. They regret to report that, last year, there was a deficiency in the Fund amounting to upwards of £350. The Directors feel sure that the increased number of Churches aiding the Society, their increased resources, and their growing liberality are more than sufficient completely to meet these increased claims. And they trust that, at the first Communion Service of the new year, the widow and the fatherless will be remembered with loving sympathy, and the wants of those who have served Christ's Church in bygone years will be fully and fitly provided for. (Signed) JOSEPH MULLENS, ROBERT ROBINSON, EDWARD H. JONES, Secretaries. MISSION HOUSE, November 22nd, 1876. It is hoped that, should it be found impracticable to make the Sacramental Offerings now solicited on the first Sabbath of next month, our Christian friends will kindly embrace the first Sabbath in FEBRUARY for the occasion. VII.-Notes of the Month, and Extracts. 1. DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES. The Rev. JAMES SADLER, Mrs. Sadler, and child, returning to AMOY, and Miss TRAVERS, bound for HANKOW, China, embarked at Liverpool for Hong Kong per steamer Diomed, November 4th. 2. ORDINATION OF A MISSIONARY TO INDIA. Mr. WILLIAM W. STEPHENSON, of Lancashire Independent College, having been appointed by the Directors to the Society's station at NUNDIAL, South India, was on Tuesday, the 7th of November, in Rusholme-road Congregational Church, Manchester, ordained as one of its missionaries. The Rev. W. G. Mawbey, of Cuddapah, South India, described the field of labour. The Rev. Professor Scott, B.A., LL.B., delivered the charge. Other portions of the service were conducted by the following ministers: -Revs. A. Thomson, M.A., of Manchester, H. Oliver, B.A., of Newport, and J. R. Bailey, of Carlisle. 3. THE JOHN WILLIAMS. Under date Sydney, September 1st, 1876, the Rev. J. P. Sunderland writes: -"The John Williams came into port yesterday morning. Considering the amount of work done, we have reason to be thankful she got back in such good time. She has brought the Rev. S. J. and Mrs. WHITMEE and six children, Rev. H. ROYLE, Mrs. ROYLE, and daughter, Rev. S. H. DAVIES, and Mrs. JONES. I am happy to report the vessel in good order." The John Williams again left Sydney, bound for New Guinea, on the 13th of September, having on board the Rev. S. ELLA, together with supplies and stores for that mission. 4. CENTRAL AFRICA-MISSIONS AND COMMERCE. The following gratifying testimony to the material results of Christian missions in the interior of Africa is borne by HENRY TAYLOR, Esq., a merchant residing at the Society's station of Molepolole in the Matebele country. Addressing the Directors under date August 9th, 1876, Mr. Taylor writes:"The traders of this part of the country desire me to convey to the Society their very best wishes for the success of the new mission to the Lake Tanganyika. They trust that by God's help the greatest blessing will attend the labour of the few noble men who have so readily come forward to open up a fresh field of missionary labour. Those unacquainted with the history of South Africa but little know the vast amount of commerce that has in all cases followed the steps of missionary labour. Some fifty years ago but little was known north of the Vaal River. I do not think I am far wrong if I say the trade of the country now is little short of £250,000 per annum, the diamond fields excluded. For these great results the London Mission have much to be proud; such names as Livingstone and Moffat will live in ages to come. Were I to mention the strides the Zambesi trade has taken of late years I should scarce be believed. It has been hoped by many that the Society will yet try and establish a mission in the Bahrutsi Valley, where a large field would be open to them. Now that the country is so well known, there should be no fear that the fatal results that attended the first mission would again occur." 5. AN EXAMPLE WORTHY OF IMITATION. An esteemed and zealous honorary Secretary of one of the Society's largest Midland County Auxiliaries, anxious to promote the New Year's Offering scheme, and to increase the circulation of our Periodicals, has issued amongst his friends the following circular: LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. DEAR SIR,-I enclose circular and cards in reference to the new year's offering for 1877, and shall be glad to supply you with as many as you are likely to require for Sunday-school and families connected with your chapel, if you will let me know the number. It is very important that a record should be kept of parties to whom collecting cards are issued, and that their return be duly looked after, and the amounts remitted to the Treasurer of the Auxiliary. May I ask whether the Monthly Chronicle, the Juvenile Missionary Magazine, or the Quarterly Paper, or any of them, are circulated in your school? The Chronicle, published at 1d. monthly, can be supplied at a cost of only 7s. per 100; the Juvenile Magazine, published at d. monthly, at 3s. per 100; and the Quarterly gratuitously. It is a common practice, I believe, to supply the Juvenile Magazine as a gift every month to scholars subscribing one halfpenny per week, and pay the cost of 3s. per 100 out of the subscription. It is very desirable that the information contained in these periodicals should be communicated more extensively than is usual to both juveniles and adults. And your aid in accomplishing as large a distribution as possible in your school during the coming year will be highly esteemed. If you will inform me what number you will take for your school on the above terms, I will arrange for their regular supply. Hoping soon to hear from you on both the above subjects, I am, dear Sir, &c. Peill, Madagascar........ 10 0 0 6 0 93 6 900 Welford......... 16 2 0 Wellingborough 3 18 0 Wigton Morpeth. Cong. Ch........ 16 3 9 H. Coghill, Esq.......(A) 100 0 0 Dock Newport (Mon.). 0 14 0 592 99 14 4 16 4 0 Winkfield. Mr. G. Pitt.... 5 0 0 512 28 17 8 3 7 3 North Tawton......... Salisbury. Endless Street Scarborough. Bar Ch. ...... 65 10 10 Shaldon, near Teignmouth 2 1 5 St. Leonards. Auxiliary .. 38 6 1 10 0 0 Stourbridge. Auxiliary 14 11 0 3 8 6 Sussex. Auxiliary Horley. Mr. H. Donkin 1 0 0 The Quinta........ Per Rev. E. A. Wareham. Keyston 449 Littlehaven............. 12 29 Glasgow. W. Lindsay, Esq., IRELAND. Londonderry. Congregational It is requested that all remittances of Contributions be made to the REV. ROBERT ROBINSON, Home Secretary, Mission House, Blomfield Street, London, E.C.; and that if any portion of these gifts is designed for a specific object, full particulars of the place and purpose may be given. Cheques should be crossed Bank of England, and Post-office Orders made payable at the General Post-office. YATES & ALEXANDER, Printers, Chancery Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, |