On Sunday the 15th instant two sermons were preached by the Rev. William Schofield, of Melbourne, in the temporary Wesleyan Chapel, Yarra Street, Corio, in behalf of the above institution. The evening service was numerously attended, and in a most impressive sermon the Rev. gentleman urged the claims of the heathen upon their generous and christian sympathies. The collections were considered good in these times of general depression.

On Tuesday evening the Public Meeting was held in the same place. After singing and prayer, the Rev. Andrew Love, the respected minister of the Presbyterian Church, was called to the chair, and thus opened the business of the meeting: -

"It is well, my friends, when we are prepared to give to the world a suitable apology for our conduct, and to show that our actions are based upon right principles, and flow from proper motives. But happily for us, and for the cause in which we are now assembled our conduct on the present needs no apology. The position in which your kindness has placed me, prevents me from entering upon any topic, within the range of missionary enterprise, or of missionary duty, as a heart, that has for years glowed with the pure warm flame of love to the great and noble cause, would incline me to do. But still I may be permitted to say a few words on the subject of Christian missions in general.

It would appear that many who admit the propriety of sending the gospel to the heathen, and give of their means for this laudable purpose, are exceedingly ignorant of the spirit in which the good work ought to be undertaken, in any of its departments. By many, their part of the work is considered as being fully accomplished, when, in compliance with the request, or importunity of some Christian neighbour they have subscribed their mite to the funds of some Missionary Society. This is the lowest motive that can possibly influence any, if indeed it can be called a motive at all. The spirit in which the missionary work ought to be engaged is one of deep devotedness, in seeking the present and eternal good of others, by every means in their power. It is a spirit of pure and disinterested love to the souls of perishing sinners. A love of the same character, though certainly coming infinitely short of it in degree, as that which induced God to send his Son on his mission of mercy to this world of sin.

Last time I had the honor of addressing you in this place, I was led from the nature of the resolution entrusted to me, to speak of the great good which had been effected in various parts of the world through the efforts of Christian missionaries. But, my friends, when we place before us a map of the world, and single out the few spots into which the gospel has really and happily obtained an entrance, we are grieved to think how few, in comparison with the vast multitudes of human beings that occupy the several quarters of the globe, have ever heard of Christ and his salvation, and how much smaller is the number of those who have really received the truth in the love of it. At such a spectacle the heart sickens, and we sigh for the improvement of the moral wilderness, and wish that it were within the power of human effort to root sin and its lengthened train of evils from the earth. It is in this spirit of anxious solicitude for the spiritual and eternal well-being of the perishing millions of our fellow men, and of deep devotedness to the means, by which the knowledge of sin and salvation may be brought to all, that we ought to engage in everything connected with missionary pursuits. And to this we are encouraged by the promises of God - by the fulfilment of important predictions with regard to the in bringing of the Gentile nations - and by the spirit which now animates all the churches, and leads forth their sons to the wide and arduous field of missionary labour.

But further, it is a work which ought to be engaged in, in the spirit of cordiality, and of mutual help. Christianity is a reasonable thing, and to the understanding and to the reasoning powers the doctrines on which we build our faith must be submitted. But though it happens that in this matter, as in almost everything that comes within the province of testimony and opinion, there may be different views entertained upon some particular points, yet this should not be permitted to influence the sentiments or the conduct of Christians on those broad and comprehensive measures, kept in view by missionary schemes, for the amelioration and improvement of the degraded heathen - measures suggested by Christian benevolence, and carried forward in various parts of the world with various degrees of success. Division of labour is much praised, and certainly it has been productive of many and incalculable advantages to society. But division of power, has, in many instances a contrary effect. "A three-fold cord, Solomon says, is not quickly broken." This requires no illustration. In the actual work of a missionary there must indeed be a division of labour, but certainly there might be a cordial co-operation among Christians of every denomination, in the means employed for carrying forward the great and blessed work.

It is praiseworthy and laudable that the various classes of Christians have their Missionary Societies, and all the apparatus in motion for carrying out their several views with regard to the heathen. But still much greater good might be expected, by a general movement in one particular direction. Would Christians only, in this one thing at least, forget their distinctive differences, and under the influences of true Christian sympathy meet, like a band of brothers, on the common and extensive field of missionary enterprise, of making known the salvation of Jesus to the ends of the earth, with most fervent, and charitable cordiality of soul.

But whatever may be the views we severally hold on this subject, let us never forget, my friends, that we ought to engage in missionary enterprise in the sense of duty. We must feel that we are under the strongest obligations to communicate to others, as far as our means reach, the blessings which we have ourselves received. Let us remember that the missionary work, in so far as regards the means of its support, is not to be undertaken as a matter of simple option or inclination - but as a matter of stern and imperative duty.

The apostle said that he was a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians. Now in no sense of the word could he be a debtor to them as the world generally understand and use the term. But we can see his meaning when we look at the circumstances in which he was called to preach the gospel, and the great grace that was given him. And in like manner, if we value as we ought our Christian privileges, and if we are indeed grateful for the measure of grace which has been bestowed upon us, we will feel that we are debtors to the heathen, in the sense of the apostle, and will see no way by which we can pay that debt, but by striving to the utmost of our power to bring those who are ignorant of the gospel to the knowledge and possession of the blessings, which through it we ourselves so highly enjoy.

Christian sympathy for the heathen, amidst indescribable ignorance, superstition, abominations, and cruelties, is a proper and becoming feeling; but if the matter be limited to mere compassion, however tender, very little good in the way of means and influence will be effected. The work must be engaged in, in the sense of an indispensible duty - of an obligation bearing with irresistible force upon the understanding, and the conscience shutting us up to the conclusion that we can no more neglect this work, than we can any other act of Christian obedience. "He that is not with me," says Christ, "is against me."

And, my friends, how can we say that we are on the side of Christ if we neglect this great and important work, which is evidently destined in the providence of God, to carry out the purposes of his lovingkindness to the heathen? We have much to make us thankful, and to cause us to take courage. We have not the same difficulties to encounter - we have not the same obstacles to retard our progress - not the same disasters to depress our spirits, which, in the first years of missionary enterprise, had well nigh driven our fathers and predecessors from the field. Let us take courage then, and let us go forward in the blessed work of seeking the christianisation of the degraded and perishing heathen, in the spirit, and using the language of Nehemiah "The God of heaven he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build."

An Abstract of the Report of the parent society was then read.

The Rev. W. Schofield of Melbourne moved the first resolution, viz; - "That the report now read be received; and that this meeting expresses its gratitude to the Great head of the Church for the prosperity vouchsafed to this and other Christian Missionary Societies, and acknowledge the obligation and importance of earnest and persevering prayer for a still more glorious fulfilment of those promises which relate to the gathering of the Gentiles into the fold of Christ, and the establishment of Messiah's universal reign."

Mr. Schofield said he was exceedingly delighted with the chairman's opening speech, couched as it was in terms which breathed a truly catholic spirit. In reference to the report, the adoption of which he had to propose to the meeting, there were many discouraging particulars. The judgement of Divine providence had been abroad in the earth , and especially in the West India Islands much mission property had been destroyed by the devastating earthquake. The falling off in the Funds of the Society was a matter much to be regretted. These difficulties had reminded him of the first Missionary Meeting at which Mr. Wesley was present when the question concerning America and the need of sending Missionaries thither was considered and fifty pounds collected towards defraying the expenses of Messrs. Broadman and Pilmoor who volunteered their services for that work.

He also remembered what great benefit had resulted to the West India Islands in consequence of Dr. Coke, then on his way to America to join the mission there, having been driven to Antigua by stress of weather, where the Doctor was so affected with the abject condition of the slave population that he was induced to place a missionary there, which proved instrumental he had little doubt in contributing very materially to the native abolition of slavery in those islands.

Mr. Schofield then referred to the state of the missionary at most of the stations mentioned in the report. The Rev. gentleman also detailed the circumstances which led to his appointment to this colony in 1827; his subsequent labours at the penal settlement of Port Macquarie, in Van Diemen's Land, where he was encouraged by witnessing the power of the truth upon those most abandoned individuals who formed the subjects of his charge during the period of four years. And after suggesting means for the effectual supporting and carrying on the great missionary cause, the practicability of which he illustrated by a reference to statistical and financial numbers, he concluded by urging the necessity of earnest prayer, in which it was most desirable christians should unite.

Mr. J. Dredge moved the second resolution, which was as follows: -

"That this meeting is duly affected with the consideration of the moral destitution and spiritual degradation of heathen nations, especially of the heathen population of this extensive territory; and regarding the blessed gospel of our Lord and Saviour as the only divinely appointed instrument of the world's deliverance from the bonds of sin solemnly resolves to use every consistent means for the extension of the TRUTH throughout the world."

The resolution which I have just read, and which I now propose for the adoption of this meeting embodies, amongst other considerations, two points of surpassing importance and interest to the Christian philanthropist. The first relates to the wide spread moral gloom which hangs over the minds of unevangelized men, involving them in all the awful disabilities, degradation, and ruin of sin: the second discovers the only means by which the darkened intellect may be unveiled, the captive spirit liberated, and redeemed multitudes raised to "glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life." And there is exhibited in reference to these considerations such a depth of Christian pity, and an ardour of Christian zeal, which, refusing to be enslaved by the dogmas of creeds - or repressed within the narrow limits of party feelings, breathes the expansive, the generous spirit of evangelical anxiety to make known the riches of the Redeemer's grace among the Gentiles.

As I have not the presumption to attempt an investigation of all the interesting topics of this resolution, I shall avail myself of the privilege conferred by the etiquette which confides to me its introduction to this meeting, to select that most consonant with my predilection and most in harmony with my feelings. My heart warms with interest then in favor of "the heathen population of this extensive territory" - my eye turns with voluntary haste to the heathen which people Australia's wilds - especially that province which claims as it truly deserves , the distinguishing epithet of Australia the happy - and deeply am I affected with the consideration of the moral destitution and spiritual degradation of Australia's native sons.

On this occasion surely, arguments would be a waste of words, to endeavour to excite in the minds of this assembly sympathy with these heirs of many and various woes. This meeting is more concerned to be assured of the capability of improvement, and to learn the means by which their sad condition may be ameliorated than to listen to oft recited tales of their distress. What then, it might be asked, is the remedy we propose to apply to obviate the miseries of these people? The answer to this question is found in the resolution before the meeting, it is "the blessed gospel of our Lord and Saviour."

And, in proof of their entire capability of understanding the solemn verities of our holy Christianity in those particulars necessary to salvation, and of their being brought to an experimental sense of Divine forgiveness and triumph over the fear of death, I beg permission to introduce the following narrative, as given by the Rev. Walter Lawry, some time since a Wesleyan Missionary in New South Wales. "Many years ago," states Mr. Lawry, "I was dining with Sir Thomas Gisborne, who was a truly Christian English gentleman, at Parramatta. An English philosopher was present, who had visited New Holland with the view of ascertaining what kind of beings the aborigines were. He set about examining the craniums of the blacks, and pronounced them to be of the ourang outang species. I had laboured amongst them two or three years: and a young man who had become the subject of pulmonary disease, was then dying, but a dying Christian. I invited the Doctor to accompany me on the following morning, stating that I could produce an argument quite new to him in his investigations. He accompanied me; and on entering the room where the young black was lying, I said to him, now Thomas, relate to this gentleman what you were, what Christianity has done for you, and what are your hopes and views concerning another world. He gave as clear an account of his heathen, wretched, polluted condition as any man could do in a few words. He then detailed the operation of the Spirit of Christ on his heart, giving him to feel that he was a sinner, and needed a Saviour. He then spoke of embracing Christ by faith; and concluded in the language of the apostle, "The sting of death is sin, the strength of sin is the law, but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I then thought that I had a fair opportunity of coming into direct contact with my antagonist; and asked him, whether he ever saw a monkey die like that young man. With some difficulty I obtained this answer from him: "Sir, my philosophy stands corrected by your Christianity."

But if the native blacks are capable - as this instance shows - of receiving, and enjoying the benefits, the next enquiry is what is the most legitimate mode of dealing with them? The instrumentality must be missionary in its character, and in my opinion - formed from an anxious enquiry into the political relations of the people - we must furnish a missionary to every important tribe. The partial or entire failure of almost every attempt hitherto made to benefit these people presents reasons for strong suspicions that some great, radical defect must have vitiated the different schemes and neutralized their efficiency. And I have little doubt but that defect has, in perhaps every instance, combined with it the erroneous notion which regards the aboriginal natives of New Holland as one extended community, and as such sought to bring into close combination the largest number of persons without reference to their political relations and long standing animosities.

Thus where success - as far as such a gathering is concerned - appeared to excite immediate encouragement, it tended only to bring into contact with each other such discordant materials as speedily and suddenly involved its agents in disappointment, anxiety, and confusion, and dispersed to the winds the labours of months. It is a fact which I regard as incapable of truthful contradiction that in no case in which a large muster of the different tribes has taken place for any length of time, has such a result terminated without bloodshed; and while such have been the effects to themselves, these concentrations have also been attended with the most harassing consequences to the settlers through whose stations they have passed to and fro. The robbing of huts and drays, rushing and spearing sheep and cattle - threatening the lives or murdering of shepherds and stockmen, are offences seldom, if ever, committed by the blacks of the neighbourhood, but are the outrageous proceedings of roaming parties from other localities. As then the black natives of the territory consist of a large number of petty communities, each having its own district of country, and whose concerns are regulated amongst its own members, each tribe possessing little or more of independence according to its fighting numbers and prowess; and as, from a variety of causes, originating in a complication of superstitious rites and usages, deadly animosities, and the most revengeful feelings exist - reason, humanity, and political expediency call for the adoption of means which shall conduce to settle these predatory hordes in their own districts, and provide for them the means of sustenance and moral instruction.

By establishing a mission in every important tribe, where a location should be preserved as a homestead, these objects will be secured; and to render the missionary's operations as simple and efficacious as possible, such a co-operation is desirable on the part of surrounding settlers, as consists in urging the natives to resort to the mission establishment, and on no account to afford them any inducement or permission to remain about their stations; and on the part of the authorities to protect them at the mission establishment, by enabling the Missionary to call in the aid of the police, if absolutely necessary, to prevent the aggressions of their enemies of other tribes, from breaking in upon the peace and security of their homes. Thus isolated under the care of a pious and discreet missionary, whose concern for their welfare is neither originated nor graduated by the amount of endowments or rank in society. The little nation is gathered around him; in due time he knows them all, and estimates the peculiar character and influence of each, and adapts his proceedings accordingly. To the older adults he will perceive restraint is more irksome; and for this case a peculiarity of treatment will be required. For the young of both sexes, employment, not too severe or protracted, combined with moral culture will be essential.

Just so much assistance will be required by the missionary, as - instead of working for them - will furnish example and encouragement in labouring for their own support and comfort. Each tribe thus located within the limits of its own territory, and upon a spot endeared, even to the heart of a savage, by domestic associations, is an abstraction, from the elements of wandering discord, and terror of the settler's flocks and servants, in exact proportion to its numerical strength and influence. And it ought not to be regarded as visionary or extravagant to expect that in due time such an establishment will furnish from amongst its youths and young men individuals who will be prepared to hold flocks and herds of their own; or who will be eligible to hire themselves to suitable masters as stockmen, shepherds, or useful agricultural servants - thus transforming a mass of useless and dangerous mendicants into the most useful and most substantial elements of national prosperity and importance.

It may be said that this arrangement will require much money and many missionaries. This is true. But then as it is a great and comprehensive work, it should be undertaken in a noble, generous, and comprehensive spirit. There should be missionaries of every great section of the Protestant church. Not actuated by hostility to each other, but breathing one philanthropic spirit, and every heart beating in union with the anthem of thrilling interest which at the Saviour's birth burst from a multitude of heavenly beings - praising God and saying - "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men." The work has been begun, and I rejoice that the Wesleyans have had the privilege of its commencement.

I am elated also with the circumstance, that while the thriving town of Geelong is going ahead - as it is significantly said - in reference to the judicious commercial enterprises of its merchants, tradesmen, and respectable country settlers, its future history will contain, with heaven's approbation and blessing, the imperishable honour of being closely associated with the establishment and success of the first, and only Christian mission to the aborigines in the province. It is a matter of deep regret, however, to the conductors of the Wesleyan Missionary Society that hitherto the depressed state of their funds have prevented them from increasing the number of their agents among the Australian aborigines. They have men who are anxious to be sent, but until the Christian public will place resources at their command, they are reluctantly compelled to confine their operations to the employment of only one Missionary.

The Rev. F. Tuckfield in rising to second the resolution observed that in consequence of a hoarseness, occasioned by a severe cold which he had taken, he felt himself unable to enter into the merits of the great question affecting the interests of the aborigines amongst whom, he had the honour of being employed as the only Christian Missionary in this province. He was however relieved from the labour of speaking, and the meeting from the pain of listening to him, by the comprehensive and minute attention paid to the subject by the previous speaker. With all the representations, and with every one of the sentiments to which his predecessor had given utterance he entirely concurred.

In a report which he read at another meeting, and which had since appeared in the public prints, he had given his opinions freely. The report in question had been written about a month ago, and related to the progress and encouraging aspect of the Mission at Buntingdale since February last. Mr. Tuckfield then read some extracts from a report which had been compiled in December 1842, in order to show the difficulties with which the mission had to contend, whilst conducted upon the principle of concentrating the neighbouring tribes, and the almost labour-in-vain which was the result.

After detailing the circumstances which led him to the adoption of the present mode, shewing in a luminous manner the consistency with the relations subsisting between the different tribes, of confining his operations to a single tribe, he mentioned the pleasing fact that, whereas under the former arrangements the natives could seldom remain longer at the station than a few weeks together, - under the present plan they had remained in great peace and harmony ever since February last.

Mr. Tuckfield spoke in high terms of several of the young men, who had not only built themselves slab huts, but kept themselves therein clean and comfortable. About a fortnight ago he had been conversing with three of them about the desirableness of making a paddock to prevent the horses and working bullocks from straying, when they said that, if he would instruct them where to commence, they would cut the timber, and erect the fence. Accordingly the next morning they arose at six o'clock, sharpened their tools, and proceeded to their work; and he was glad to say, they were proceeding with it nearly as fast and as well as white men would do.

That the young men were attentive to the scriptural instruction which he endeavoured to communicate to them would be seen by the following incident which, while it shows that their understandings in such matters, exhibit the growth of children, yet is encouraging as proving that they are anxious for increasing knowledge. He had been conversing on one occasion, about the death of the body - its decay in the grave - its resurrection at the last day - and the glorious admission which good men would have into heaven. They listened with apparent interest and then asked what sort of a place was heaven - was it large, or small? had it a roof, and was that roof covered with grass, or with shingles? what would they have to eat, and would they be clothed, and how? how long would they live, and would they grow old and died again? When informed that heaven was a most glorious place, and that there would be no more death, they were filled with joy and delight. On being asked if they ever attempted to pray to the Great Being when they were alone - one of them said that he prayed very often, but that his heart was very hard.

A boy about ten or twelve years of age having gone to Lake Colac, visited one of the settler's huts, and seeing a white woman to all appearance near death - he looked very sorrowfully at her, and then asked her if she was afraid to die - and wither she expected to go - and if she prayed to the Great Being - and then kneeled down by her bedside and repeated in a very serious manner the prayers which he had learnt at the mission station.

These, though simple circumstances, served, he thought, to show that impressions had been made upon their dark minds. Though he had every confidence in the ultimate success of the present plan, if properly supported, he still felt that he much needed the co-operation of the neighbouring settlers to enable him fully to carry out his arrangements. And he would avail himself of the opportunity of stating, that, to a considerable extent he had that co-operation - for which he now expressed his grateful acknowledgements - and he trusted that this would still be accorded to him by all the gentlemen adjacent to Buntingdale.

The resolution was carried unanimously: and the collection made; after which Mr. Dredge moved and Dr. Clerke seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman: when the doxology was sung - the benediction pronounced - and the meeting dismissed.