At the commencement of this century, the whole Protestant missionary staff throughout the world amounted to ten societies only.  Of these, however, two only had really entered the mission-field with any degree of vigour—­viz., the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; and, above all, the Society of the Moravian Brethren.  The Wesleyan, Baptist, London, and Church Missionary Societies, though nominally in existence, had hardly commenced their operations.  There were, besides the above, two small societies on the Continent; two in Scotland; and not one in all America!  How stands the case now?  The Protestant Church, instead of ten, has fifty-one societies; the great majority of which have each more labourers, and a greater income, than all the societies together of the Protestant Church previous to 1800!

If the last sixty years be divided into three equal periods, nine societies belong to the first, fifteen to the second, and twenty-four to the third.

The following facts, collected from statistics of the great missionary societies up to 1861, will afford—­as far as mere dry figures can do—­a general idea of the present strength of the mission army of the Protestant Church, with some of its results:—­

There are now 22 missionary societies in Great Britain, 14 in North America, and 15 on the Continent of Europe; in all, 51.  These employ, in round numbers, 12,000 agents, including ordained missionaries, (probably 2000,) teachers, catechists, &c.; occupy 1200 stations; have 335,000 communicants from heathendom; 252,000 scholars; 460 students training for the ministry; and are supported by an income of L860,000 per annum.

The greatest results have been attained by England.  Connected with her great societies, there are nearly 7000 agents, 630 stations, 210,000 communicants, 208,000 scholars, with an annual income of L510,000.[A]

[Footnote A:  One or two facts in connexion with missionary effort may interest our readers:—­

Mr Mueller of Bristol supports, in connexion with his famous Orphanage, 22 foreign and 80 home missionaries.

The Moravian Missionary Society has sent, since 1732, 2000 missionaries, of whom 643 have died in mission service; 9 on mission journeys; 13 on the voyage out or home; 22 by shipwreck; and 12 were murdered.

Gossner of Berlin alone originated and conducted a mission which has sent out 141 missionaries.  Pastor Harms of Hermannsburg has also, by his own efforts, built a mission ship, and has sent out 150 missionaries, of whom 100 are colonists, and proposes to send 24 every two years.

Ten years ago there was little or no fruit among the Kohls of India.  There are now 30,000 receiving Christ.

In India there are 500 missionaries; in Tinnevelly, above 70,000 Christians.

The American Board alone has sent out in fifty years 900 missionaries (500 being native) and 400 teachers; 55,000 have been received into church—­membership, and 175,000 children passed through their schools.