Upon leaving an abode in which important transactions have occurred, the mind is naturally disposed to a solemn retrospect of the past; and the interests of that retrospect will rise in proportion to the importance of those transactions, and the extent of the associations connected with them.

If the interests be of the highest kind—because spiritual and eternal—connected with the establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom; if the associations comprise a long succession of fathers in the Church of Christ and of brethren in the Lord, with whom we have been accustomed to take counsel, and who are now entered into their rest—our feelings must be very deep, and such as it will be impossible adequately to express, or to interchange even with those who sympathise with ourselves.

Such feelings will especially fill the minds of those of us who have longest frequented this Committee-room. My first attendance as a committee-man dates from the close of 1819, forty-two years back. My association with the first founders of the Society, and my Church Missionary recollections, are still more remote. In the length of these recollections I probably stand alone amongst you on this occasion.

I shall not, therefore, seem presumptuous if I put down a few of these retrospective thoughts, as a relief to my own mind, and in the humble hope that, by God's blessing, they may be of some use to my brethren of the Committee, of the present and of future generations.