On Tuesday evening, the 22nd instant, the first missionary meeting ever held on the Hunter took place at the Wesleyan Chapel, West Maitland, when a large and highly respectable auditory of, it is supposed, upwards of two hundred persons of whom a large portion consisted of well dressed ladies, assembled to hear the speeches delivered on that most interesting occasion.

A little after seven o'clock Cyrus Doyle, Esq., entered the chapel, and proceeded to the platform erected for the use of the speakers and being called to the chair, addressed the meeting in a brief and impressive manner, shewing the usefulness of Wesleyanism in the amelioration of the religious and moral character of mankind, especially in that part of the colony where he had been resident for many years - the Hawkesbury.

The secretary, the Rev. Jonathan Innes, having been requested to do so, then read a lengthened detail of the progress of the missionaries wherever their labours have been hitherto exercised; and also, the amount of subscriptions, in order to prove that, however liberally mankind has bestowed for the cause, yet still much remained to be done, there being a deficiency of funds to meet the existing and increasing expenditure.

Most of the speakers exerted themselves with great ability, and elicited much applause from time to time by their scriptural allusions, pertinent illustrations, faithful delineations of unregenerate man, and above all, by the irresistible proofs of the mightiness of Christianity for the benefit of our abject race.

Mr. Jeremiah Ledsum, a local preacher, spoke with much energy, and sincerity: but had he considered himself as making a speech, and not preaching a sermon, it would have been more consistent with the business of the meeting. However, he did his best, and though by no means calculated for the rostrum, he is as pious and pure-hearted an individual as exists in the connexion.

The Rev. J. Weatherstone detailed some very interesting facts relative to the power of the Gospel, amongst even the most depraved criminals at the penal settlement of Port Arthur, in Van Diemen's Land, where he had been stationed: and from close and practical observation, the Rev. Gentleman was enabled to deduce the most gratifying results of reproof and exhortation which had developed themselves even amidst all the horrors of that terrible spot, where men had been found with hearts accessible to the appeals of religion, rather than to be awed by any dread of human infliction.

Upon the Rev. Robert Blain being called on, he delivered a speech replete with clever research, very appositely shewing how the art of printing was discovered just at the time when the bible began to be in demand, while the sister art of paper-making was found out about the same period - that of the reformation: clearly evidencing the finger of God as pointing the means of supplying the increased demand for the holy volume precisely at the time when the interdict against perusing it had been rescinded. This gentleman is an impassioned speaker, brimful of matter, and often so pregnant with ideas, that they hardly give him time to utter them distinctly.

Mr. Crofton, a local preacher, was, as he ever is, whether in preaching or speaking, eloquent and elegant.

Mr. Pullen, another local preacher, made a few observations on the usefulness of the missionary system, and called on the audience to come liberally forward in contributing to its support.

The Rev. J. Innes, on being called on, stated that the night had so far advanced as to preclude his making a long speech, inasmuch as the meeting had yet to hear the Rev. John McKenny, chairman of the district, which announcement produced much applause.

Mr. McKenny then commenced an instructive and entertaining recollection of his early missionary life, in which he had been placed by Providence for a period of twenty-seven years, and gave a forbidding account of the treatment he experienced at his first station: the colonel of the troops hindered him from preaching, and even persecuted by cruel drills, any soldier of a serious disposition: going to the indecent extremity of pulling down their little chapel built by themselves, and burning their religious books, amongst them being a testament, which was snatched from the flames and presented to Mr. McKenny. But he directly after met with a totally opposite reception in Ceylon, where they received him joyfully, marched with him to the commodious edifice erected for divine service, and he was honoured by having an officer for his clerk. A curious contrast in two British Colonies at the same era!

He then stated several interesting anecdotes, derived from Mr. Waterhouse, in his recent visits to the different islands where man-eating had been long practised, but where through the missionary labours, Christianity had triumphantly banished cannibalism. But all his facts went to prove one material result - namely, that although branded by the name of cannibals, yet, wherever and whenever the word of God has been revealed; wherever and whenever the glorious Gospel has shined; the hitherto misguided creatures at once renounced the horrid custom of devouring their fellow men, and embraced Christianity. They erred through hereditary ignorance; they immediately amended upon being taught better things.

The account of the schools of heathen children was extremely picturesque. The hundreds on hundreds of little beings who, but for the power of the blessed bible, would have been trained in the savage rites of their forefathers, now sitting as young Christians, "clothed and in their right mind:" while their heathen parents surround the schools gazing in mute wonderment at the marvellous scene! One savage king actually put down ten gold sovereigns, "the entire amount of His Majesty's Exchequer," which had been saved by trafficking with Europeans; and for what? - Why for defraying the cost of a chapel!

Mr. Doyle put the several resolutions as they were proposed and seconded to the meeting, and they were carried by a majority of hands.

A collection was made which amounted to above £14, which was fair considering the hard times, and that two collections had been made in the same place and for the same purpose on the preceding Sabbath.

Hymns were sung, one at the commencement and one at the conclusion of the business; and a blessing having been emphatically implored upon all who had attended the first Missionary Meeting on the Hunter, with many fervent aspirations that this one might be the forerunner of a series of similar and larger assemblings of the people together, the gratified visitors withdrew, with feelings of mingled gratitude for past mercies vouchsafed them during the year nearly at close, and with a hope for a continuation of divine blessings for that which will speedily dawn upon them.