ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRIENDS’ P b s s im t 1 8 7 8 . “ Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” PRtNTOD AND PUBLISHED AT THE ORPHANS’ PRINTING PRESS, 12, BROAD STREET, LEOMIN8TER. FRIENDS’ FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION, 1877-78. Treasurer: JAMES HACK TUKE, H i t c h i n . Secretary: HENRY STANLEY NEWMAN, L e o m i n s t e r . Assistant Secretary:— CHARLES LINNEY, H i t c h i n . Executive Committee: RICHARD ALLEN JOHN T. GRACE WALTER ROBSON STAFFORD ALLEN THEODORE HARRIS FREDERIC SEEBOHM WILLIAM C. ALLEN THOMAS HARVEY J. S SEWELL J. GURNET BARCLAY HENRY HIPSLEY ISAAC SHARP W ILLIAM BECK JONATHAN B. IIODGKIN SAMUEL SOUTHALL J. B. BRAITHWAITE JOSEPH HUNTLEY GEORGE STURGE C. L. BRAITHWAITE CALEB R. KEMP JOHN TAYLOR WILLIAM BREWIN RICHARD LITTLEBOY JOHN B. TYLOR ISAAC BROWN JOSIAH NEWMAN JAMES THOMPSON THOS. W . FISHER HENRY NEWMAN MARRIAGE WALLIS ALFRED L. FOX GEORGE PALMER CALEB S. WILSON J08EPH S. FRY ARTHUR PEASE JOHN E. WILSON THEODORE FR Y STANLEY PUMPHREY ROBERT WILSON GEORGE S. GIBSON ALFRED RANSOM WILLIAM WHITE GEORGE GILLETT WILLIAM RANSOM JOHN WHITING I8AAC ROBSON Indian Sub-Committee: STAFFORD ALLEN HENRY HIPSLEY WILLIAM BECK HENRY S. NEWMAN WILLIAM BREWIN JOHN B. TYLOR Madagascar Sub-Committee: ALFRED RANSOM FREDERIC SEEBOHM WILLIAM RANSOM JAMES HACK TUKE J. S. SEWELL RULES o r THE FRIENDS’ FOREIGN MISSION ASSOCIATION. ]. That the name “ Friends’ Foreign Mission Association” be adopted. 2. That its object is bo aid the spread of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and Mission work abroad, chiefly b j assisting such members of the Society of Friends, or those in profession •with them, as are believed to be called of the Lord to this service. 3. That all Annual Subscribers be members, and that a General Meeting be held annually, at such time and place as London Yearly Meeting may appoint. 4. That the business be transacted by an Executive Committee, to be appointed annually by the General Meeting, -with power to choose a. Treasurer and Secretary. 5. That Friends who feel it their duty to engage in Foreign Gospel service, or to reside abroad for educational purposes, may communicate with the Secretary, who shall bring the matter before the Committee. 6. That the Executive Committee meet at such times and places as it may appoint, and the Secretary or any Sub-Committee shall have power to call a meeting thereof by circular to its members. ELEVENTH ANNUAL BEPORT. MADAGASCAR. R e p o r t o f t h e S u b -C o m m i t t e e . W e have much cause to thank God, as we review the work of our Mission in Madagascar during the past year. In some respects it has been a time of severe trial:— the sudden removal of our beloved friend Alice Mary Thorne (née Sewell) to her home in heaven, and the temporary return of Henry and R. M. Clark to their native land, after nine years absence, together with the return of our friend Louis Street, to America, have thrown upon the few still remaining in the island an amount of work which has strained their powers to the utmost. But, notwithstanding these sources of weakness, help has been given to our friends to carry on their work without serious loss to the Mission in any depart­ ment; and there has been little in the political at­ mosphere to cause hindrance to missionary labour. The work in the country districts is that which has been most affected by the paucity of mission­ aries ; for though native help is yearly becoming more effective,— both as regards the number and efficiency of the workers— yet the wise superintend­ ence of the missionary is still absolutely required ; and, whilst the members of our Mission are so few as to make it necessary that they should all reside in the capital, this cannot properly be given. The Reports of William Johnson’s school at the 6 Capital continue to be very satisfactory. William Wilson, who left England to join the Mission last Eighth-month, is actively employed in the Teachers’ Training Department in this establishment. W e have felt that the repeated appeals for help to­ wards the enlargement and repairs of the school building, call for urgent attention; and we have, therefore, authorised the Committee in Madagascar to commence the work at once, appealing to Friends in England for a special subscription to­ wards defraying the cost. W e have been much encouraged by the liberal way in which our appeal has been responded to, and regard it as a striking testimony to the continued interest of Friends in the Mission. The subscription list for this object amounts to over £800. Samuel Clemes has continued his work with un­ remitting attention, both at the Capital and in the country districts, where, especially, his knowledge of medicine is largely made use of, and proves of great value. Our indefatigable printer, A. Kingdon, has greatly felt the absence of those who in past years provided much work for the press ; especially, as the same cause has prevented the few who remain from spend­ ing as much time as heretofore in literary work. He has, however, been able partly to make up for this deficiency by employing, as translators, several natives who have studied English in our schools. Frank and Rasoa have rendered most valuable assistance. An interesting feature of the work connected with the printing press has been the increased attention paid to Lithography. A youth, educated at Ambohijatovo school, who had made much progress in drawing, has been employed by A . Kingdon in lithographing illustrations for books, and large maps for the use of schools, the latter chiefly prepared by W . Johnson. He has shewn much aptitude for his work, and our small lithographic press has produced much in the past year that has proved both interesting and valuable. Whilst speaking of illustrations, we must make some allusion to the efforts made by our friend Isaac Sharp, to induce his young friends in England to help their brothers and sisters in Madagascar. Mainly through the money raised by them we have had printed, on full sized sheets of paper, many of the plates from the English “ Children’s Friend;” the letter-press having to be supplied in Madagascar. This has enabled A. K. to publish a “ Children’s Friend” at Antananarivo every month. The work is very popular among the young people there, but, as the stock of prints already furnished will be exhausted early next year, A. K. earnestly pleads that a fresh supply may be soon sent out. It will be remembered that Helen Grilpin, when in England, pressed upon Friends here the needs of her school, and received much pecuniary assistance towards its enlargement. W e are glad to be able to say that the alterations required are now com­ pleted. H. Gr. returned to Madagascar last summer, and she now rejoices in the increased facilities for carrying on her important work. When Louis Street left the island last autumn, Sarah T. Street, seeing that Helen Grilpin had returned alone, kindly offered to stay with her for another year. This has proved a great help to her, but, in the prospect of soon losing this assistance, H. Gr. appeals earnestly to her friends for a companion in her work. W e do trust that it may not be in vain. In looking back over the twelve years which have passed since the humble beginnings of the Friends’ Mission, during which, upwards of £40,000 has been furnished by the subscribers, and £30,000 spent in Madagascar alone; and during which period, so much hearty, devoted work on the part of the missionaries has been given; we rejoice to believe that this expenditure— whether of time, work, or money— has not been in vain, but that it has exercised a permanent influence, both as regards the present and future welfare of the Island. In conclusion, we wish again to express our grati­ tude to God for His support and guidance during the past year. Even our exigencies have been blessed in leading to an increased development of native help. And we take courage in believing that the work in which we are engaged continues to have the warm interest of a large body in our Society, who will, we believe, never fail to give the pecuni­ ary assistance needed in the work. And, may our gracious Lord— who, when on earth, was Himself touched with the thought of how few were the labourers— call, make willing, and abundantly quali­ fy others in our Society, to enter into His work in the distant portions of His great harvest-field, as well as in those that are near. J. H. TUKE. IN DIA. R e p o r t o f t h e S u b -C o m m i t t e e . T he circumstances of the past year, in connexion with our Indian Mission, while they point to the continued and increasing calls for Christian labour, 9 have also shown unexpected discouragements and temporary interruptions. The illness of Charles Gayford and his wife,— the former having been more or less prostrated by fever for about the space of six weeks— made a temporary change to Bombay needful for them, since which time, reports as regards health have been more satisfactory. The fact of a change to an European climate being strongly recommended, has doubtless had its weight in inducing our friend C.