Collections and Donations received for the United Foreign Missionary Society, in the Months of July, August, September, and October, by the Rev. Peter Kanouse. REV. JOHN OWEN, M. A. LATE ONE OF THE SECRETARIES OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN (From the London Missionary Register.) No. 3. At a meeting of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, held on the 30th of September, the Right Hon. the President in the chair, the following minute, drawn up by his Lordship, was put on record : The President stated, that he had now to discharge the melancholy duty of reporting to the Committee the death of their secretary, the Rev. John Owen, which took place on Thursday, the 26th of September, at Ramsgate. In adverting to the afflicting dispensation, which has deprived the British and Foreign Bible Society of the invaluable services of its late secretary, the Committee cannot resist the impulse of duty and affection, thus to record their grateful testimony to his zeal and unwearied exertions. As no one was more deeply impressed with a sense of the great importance of the institution to the best interests of mankind, no one laboured more strenuously and effectually to promote its influence and prosperity. To this object, which was ever near to his heart, his time, his talents, and his personal labours, were unremittingly devoted. The correspondence, which his official situation imposed on him, was alone sufficient to occupy the time which he could spare from his professional duties; but the energies of a superior mind enabled him to extend his care and attention to every branch of the multifarious concerns of the society, and VOL. IV. 9 to accomplish more than could have been expected from individual efforts. His pen and his voice were incessantly employed in its cause. The former was frequently and vigorously exercised in elucidating the principles of the institution, or in defending its character and conduct against misrepresentation or aggression. To his pen the world is indebted for a luminous and authentic history of the origin of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and of its progress during the first fifteen years of its existence; in which the characters of truth and impartiality are throughout conspicuous: while his eloquence, so often and successfully displayed in advocating the cause of the institution, impressed on his audiences that conviction of its utility, which he himself so strongly felt, and which the progressive experience of eighteen years has now so amply confirmed. But his eloquence was entitled to a higher praise: it was the effusion of a heart in which candour and liberality ever predominated: it was characterised by that suavity of disposition which had endeared him to the affectionate esteem, not only of his colleagues and the Committee, but of all who were in any way associated with him in transacting the business of the society; while his great and diversified talents commanded general respect and admiration, and never failed to produce, in public meetings, an harmonious feeling of mutual regard among all who had the privilege of attending them. In the year 1818, Mr. Owen, at the suggestion of the Committee, undertook a journey to the continent, principally with a view to the recovery of his health, which had materially suffered in the cause of the institution; but also for the purpose of visiting the Bible Societies in France and Switzerland. ties, or for rendering those already existing more active and efficient. The committee, while they deeply lament, individually and collectively, the loss which the society has sustained, cannot but devoutly express their gratitude to Almighty God, for having so long granted it the benefit of the zeal and talents of their beloved associate: to the indefatigable exertion of that zeal and those talents, the British and Foreign Bible Society, so far as regards human instrumentality, is essentially indebted for its present prosperous state; while to the same cause must, in a great measure, be ascribed that indisposition, which has so fatally terminated. The committee, fully persuaded that all the members of the institution will most cordially sympathize with them, on an event so peculiarly calculated to affect their feelings, Resolved, that this brief memorial of the merits and services of their late secretary be published in the monthly extracts of correspondence. Of his conduct during this excursion, it is sufficient to say, that it tended to raise the reputation of the institution of which he was the representative, and to cement that happy union which had so long subsisted between the British and Foreign Bible Society and its continental associates; and that his advice and experience were eminently useful, in forming arrange ments for the establishment of new socieTo this official document, we shall subjoin from a sermon, preached on occasion of Mr. Owen's death, by the Rev. William Dealtry, Rector of Clapham, some notices of his character, and of his latter days : Among the individuals who have been raised up, in these latter days, for the benefit and consolation of mankind, few can be mentioned who have either been engaged in works more important, or who have brought to the task abilities more remarkable, integrity more perfect, and devotedness more entire and unremitted, than your lamented minister. My first recollections of your late pastor carry me back to the early period of my residence in the university of Cambridge. At that time I had no personal acquaintance with him; but it was impossible, even then, to listen to his sermons, without being impressed with the persuasion that he was a man of no common abilities, and of no ordinary character.* The history of many following years, in It was about this time that the report of his re markable qualifications as a minister attracted the attention of the late excellent bishop Porteus, under whose patronage he accepted the curacy of Fulham; and to whose unalterable kindness during all the remaining days of that venerable prelate, he ever professed himself to be deeply indebted. which he discharged the various and important duties of a parochial minister, warrants the assertion, that had he continued in such a situation with competent leisure, he could not have failed to stand in the first rank among his brethren. So long as the opportunity was afforded him, his parochial labours were indefatigable; and there are many individuals still living, who can bear witness to his success. But he was called to appear chiefly in a different character: and, by a course of circumstances, which it is here unnecessary to detail, his name has, for the last eighteen years, been associated with some of the most extensive operations of christian benevolence. In ceasing to be the minister of a parish, he became more entirely the servant of the public. When his ardent and charitable mind first interested itself in the cause of the British and Foreign Bible Society, he little anticipated, I believe, either the formidable nature of the service which he undertook, or the continually growing demand which it would urge upon his time and attention. Happily, however, if it required extraordinary endowments, it found in him a person suited to the task, and willing to spend and be spent in the promotion of its christian object. I know of no qualification demanded by that institution of its secretary, which he did not remarkably possess; nor of any emergency that befell it, in which he did not rise to the level of the occasion; and when to this it is added, that the progress of the society afforded ample scope for his various powers, and that, perhaps, in no other situation could they have been so fully called forth, or employed so beneficially to mankind; it seems reasonable to conclude, that providence smiled upon his undertaking, and sanctioned the prosecution of it. Those, who may hereafter furnish us with a complete description of his character and talents, will have much to tell, which, in this brief sketch, I can scarcely notice. They will speak of the fertility of his imagination; of the quickness of his perception; of his lively and innocent wit; of the soundness of his judgment; of his almost intuitive knowledge of character; of his extemporaneous and commanding eloquence; of the facility with which he could turn his mind to any subject proposed to him; of his unwearied diligence and unconquerable resolution; and, particularly, of that cheerfulness of disposition, and that frankness, candour, and urbanity, which seemed to be interwoven with his nature. But, upon these and similar topics I have no leisure to dwell. The great excellence in his character to which I would most particularly advert, is the consecration which he made of all his talents to the best and noblest objects. When I consider how deeply his mind was often affected by a sense of the responsibility connected with his official situation; when I reflect upon the many important discussions, both private and official, in which the concerns of the society necessarily engaged him; when I look at his numerous journeys, on its behalf, into all parts of the kingdom; at the multitude of crowded meetings in which he poured forth the treasures of his powerful mind; and at the extensive correspondence which he maintained with the agents and friends of the institution in every quarter of the world; not to mention the valuable publications, which, during that interval, he found leisure to compose, and his weekly ministrations in this sacred place it is to me matter of surprise, not that he finally sunk under his exertions; but that, for a period of eighteen years, he could bear up under those incessant and overwhelming occupations. In stating that he consecrated his talents to the glory of God and the benefit of his fellow-creatures, I tacitly assume, that he was influenced by christian motives. The principle which carried him on in his laborious career, through evil report and good report till his frame was worn out and exhausted, was the divine principle of love to God and love to man. This principle, and this alone, could have sustained him under his manifold difficulties, and have kept him steadfast and immovable in the work. And did he ever express any concern that he embarked in this cause? Was it a source of regret to him, that he had left out of sight his worldly interests; and, on account of his devotedness to the society, had exposed himself to discomforts and disquietudes, which assailed him even to the last? Every person who was acquainted with him will bear witness to the contrary: and a short record of his own, subjoined to some notes concerning the progress of the institution, and written apparently within the last few months, will, by most persons, be deemed conclusive as to the same fact. The sentence runs thus:— How sweet to have toiled in this work! And, if wasted with labours more abundant, he is compelled to withdraw I HAVE DONE. The last words occur at a short distance from the other; as if, after a pause for reflection, he had felt himself convinced that his strength was already worn out, and that in this great cause he should labour no more. The situation which he so long held in the society required a man of a large and liberal mind: and such he was, in the best sense of the word. His was not that spurious liberality which looks upon all creeds with equal indifference, and regards all as equally unimportant; his own views were clear and decided; he was in heart, as well as by profession, cordially attached to the doctrines and discipline of that church, of which he had the honour to be a minister. But, upon matters of inferior moment he loved not to dwell: his delight was, without compromising any of his principles, to contemplate the points upon which Christians can agree, rather than to provoke debate on those in which they may differ: and, instead of indulging a spirit of harshness, even toward those whose sentiments he totally disapproved, his conduct was uniformly that of candour, and kindness, and benignity. I have hinted at certain painful circumstances, which, in addition to the weight of his ordinary labours, very frequently came upon him from some hostile quarters. This is not the place in which I could persuade myself to enlarge upon such a subject; and, were not the fact too notorious to be entirely overlooked, I should have passed it over in silence. It is consoling, however, to observe, that the hostility which your valued minister was called to sustain, arose entirely from his attachment to the important work in which he was so assiduously engaged, and from the diligence and success with which he pursued it; and if he had a personal enemy, that enemy had most assuredly a friend in him: in his mind, no feeling of harshness could ever remain. "I have witnessed, with no little pleasure," observes a common friend, "his conduct and demeanour when he was provoked into-I should rather say, for it is THAT which I mean, when he bore, with unperturbed and inexhaustible good humour, what would have provoked almost any other man; and when he suffered to remain in the quiver, arrows which he could have sent forth with unerring aim and vigour." I have, myself, seen him on many such occasions: and a harsh or unbecoming word never, in my presence, fell from his lips. The only feeling, I am persuaded, that he ever entertained toward his most determined op ponents, might be expressed in the words of our liturgy. "That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts; we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord." The pain arising from this unremitted hostility was, doubtless, much alleviated by the kindness of his numerous friends. There was, indeed, something in his character and deportment peculiarly suited to gain the affections of all that approached him: and seldom has any man, within the circle of his acquaintance-a circle, which included some of the most distinguished individuals both in church and state-been more highly esteemed, or more generally beloved. But the great source of his consolation, and the crown of his rejoicing, was the wonderful progress of his Beloved Institution. Was every successive year charged with new troubles and additional anxieties?—but the great work was also steadily advancing. Were there many adversaries ?—but a great door and effectual was opened: kindred Societies, both in the Eastern and Western World, were not only rising in rapid succession, but were effectually communicating their own spirit to many subordinate Associations, within the sphere of their respective influence; and testimonies were continually pouring in, from all quarters, of the moral and religious effects consequent upon this increased diffusion of the Holy Scriptures. These things abundantly compensated him for all his anxieties; and he dwelt, with especial delight, upon the prospect now apparently opening before the face of all people, of life and immortality brought to light by the Gospel. We are often reminded, that, amidst the bustle and tumult of public occupations, there is great danger lest Personal Religion should be forgotten; and lest, even while endeavouring to promote the salvation of others, we should be tempted to neglect our own. In admitting the propriety of this remark, I cannot allow that it is applicable in the instance before us. I might refer to the unaffected humility of the deceased, as often manifested in his ready deference to others: "I have seen him yield,” |