13th Report of the Bri. and For. Bible Society. 153

and that he has so particularly favoured this country, by selecting from it his instruments for exciting this feeling, and giving operation to it, are motives for grateful adoration and praise. That the labourers in this vineyard are increasing all over the world, is no less a subject of joy and devout thanksgiving. Their zeal, their exertions, their rivalship, their success, will ever be hailed by the Society which inspired them with fraternal congratulations, and a cordial disposition to encourage and assist them. But the British and Foreign Bible Society will never relinquish its claim to precedency in this labour of love; it feels that no charity can be more noble than that to which it is consecrated, and that no labour is more calculated to promote the glory of God in the highest, on earth peace and good will to man, than that to which it is exclu sively devoted.

"Thy real glory, Britain," to adopt the language of the Committee at Lausanne, "that which shines in the present day with so much lustre, is, the glory of enlightening the whole world with the bright beams of the Gospel; of making the ocean on whose bosom thou art so majestically seated, proclaim to the four quarters of the world, Behold your God; and, by the force of mild persuasion, bringing all nations to reply, 'Henceforth he shall be our God, and we will rejoice, because our eyes have seen his great salvation.'

6

Such indeed is the interest which the British and Foreign Bible Society has excited, that the prayers and benedictions of thousands attend its progress, and are offered up for its success; and a suspension of its functions would be felt and lamented as a calamity in every quarter of the globe.

In the mutability of human affairs it is possible, however, that the existing favourable opportunities for circulating the Holy Scriptures may suffer some diminution; and it is certain, that, in a few years, both those who have devoted themselves to this benevolent duty, and those for whose more immediate benefit it has been undertaken, will be overshadowed by that night in which no man can work.

This, in addition to the awful considerations already stated, appeals most powerfully to the feelings and principles, the benevolence and piety, of every believer in the Scriptures, to lose no opportunity in communicating to all who want it, the blessing of that Divine Revelation which an all-merciful God designed for the whole human race. The call for the Scriptures is more than ever extensive, loud, and importunate; by the blessing of God, the call shall be answered, and the desire shall receive its accomplishment. It has appeared to not a few, when contemplating the wonderful success of the Bible Institution, and the facilities opening to its progress, "That the Angel, having the everlasting Gospel to: preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and: kindred, and tongue, and people, has commenced his flight in the midst of heaven."

Whether this sublime vision is now offered to the eyes of man

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Report of the Synod of Philadelphia.

kind, or is to diffuse its lustre over the days to come, we may be allowed to enjoy the hope which it inspires, and to anticipate the blessedness which will flow from its realization.

With these feelings, it remains only to offer devout supplication to Almighty God, that he will perfect the work which be has so abundantly prospered: that the zeal which he has inspired may never relax, until the spiritual wants of every believer in revelation shall have been supplied; until the tidings of salvation shall have been communicated to every inhabitant of the earth.

"Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things; and blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.”

Report of the Synod of Philadelphia, on the State of Religion within their bounds. Harrisburg, October, 1817.

From the free conversation on the state of religion, it appeared, that the condition of the Church is not more unprosperous than formerly; on the contrary, a number of occurrences indicate that "God is in the midst of her, and will help her, and that right early:"

In general, there appears to be a punctual and serious attention to the public ordinances of religion. Congregations in many places are growing in numbers and respectability. Additions to the Church by the baptism of adults, and by admission to the communion, have been more numerous than usual. And greater numbers are actively engaged in disseminating the word of life, and endeavouring to promote its salutary influence upon the rising generation.

Much good appears to have been done by the Sunday Schools, which have been generally established in our cities, towns, and villages. A great number of children, who formerly were sinking in the mire of ignorance and pollution, are now taught to read the Scriptures, and to venerate the principles and practice of religion; and some of them have even afforded comfortable evidences of true piety.

Bible Societies have increased in number; and more effectual measures have been adopted, especially by females, to supply those who are destitute with the word of life and with religious tracts. To distribute the Holy Scriptures and promote their influence, there seems to be a happy concurrence of almost all religious sects. From these combined efforts we observe not only that the needy are now generally furnished with the word of God, and the careless and profligate have in many instances been awakened to regard its precious contents; but also that great harmony seems to have been produced among different sects of professing Christans, as they are more frequently brought together for a cordial co-operation in promoting the advancement of their common Christianity. In connection with Bible Societies, we rejoice to observe that efforts to raise missionary funds, and to send forth the heralds of the cross

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Moral Society in New-Jersey.

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to preach the gospel to the heathen, and frontier settlements, appear to be daily increasing.

But while the Synod rejoice and congratulate the friends of religion on these hopeful appearances; they must confess, that in walking around the walls of Zion, they have discovered a number of things to deplore. In almost every part of our bounds intemperance, profaneness, and sabbath-breaking prevail. It does not appear that these immoral practices are more prevalent than formerly, or that the children of the kingdom have any reason to be discouraged; on the contrary, we have heard that associations to enforce the observation of the Sabbath, and prevent the intemperate use of spirituous liquors have, in some instances, produced happy results. We lament, however, that such abominations too generally exist; that the sources of individual and family enjoyments are dreadfully polluted by them; and that the ordinances of religion, with regard to multitudes, are rendered ineffectual.

The Synod were much concerned to hear that in almost every part of our bounds, there is too much reason to apprehend, that the duty of family prayer is neglected by many professing Christians who are the heads of families. In some parts it has been stated that even elders of the church habitually neglect to ask a blessing: with the provision of their tables. How can we expect that God will send us a blessing when we forbear to ask and seek! How can we expect that the olive plants will rise and flourish, when the refreshing benedictions of heaven are not solicited by parental prayer? Upon the whole, the Synod apprehend that the state of religion within their bounds is such as ought to encourage their exertions, and authorize them to rejoice with trembling.

MORAL SOCIETY OF NEW-JERSEY. Agreeably to public notice, a number of persons from different parts of the state met at Trenton, on Tuesday the 11th day of November, for the purpose of forming a State Society for the suppression of vice and promotion of good morals: Joshua M. WalJace, Esq. was appointed Chairman, and J. W. Scott, Esq. Secr'y. The committee appointed for that purpose presented a draft of a constitution for the Society, which being amended was adopted. To give a correct idea of the design of this society, we observe, that its great object is to labour by proper methods, to prevent rather than to punish crimes. We insert the following article of the

constitution.

"In no cases shall legal coercion be resorted to, except those in which persuasion, admonition, and other mild measures are found ineffectual."

The following gentlemen were appointed officers of the society. for the ensuing year:

Joshua M. Wallace, Esq. President.

Gen. John Beatty, Rev. S. Wilmur, John Frelinghuysen, Esq. Joseph C. Hornblower, Esq. and Rev. L. I. F. Huntington, VicePresidents.

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American Education Society at Boston.

J. W. Scott, Esq. Secretary.. Charles Rice, Esq. Treasurer. Thirty-one managers for the ensuing year were then chosen—as follows:

Rev. Wilhelmus Elting, Jesse Upson, Esq. Rev. Asa Hillyer, Job S. Halstead, Esq. Rev. John F. Clarke, Samuel Bayard, Esq. Ercuries Beatty, Esq. Dr. Samuel Forman, Rev. John Cornell, Charles Ogden, Esq. Daniel Garrison, Esq. Rev. Jonathan Freeman, Rev. Ambrose Ogden, George Haywood, jun., Robert M⭑Necley, Esq., James Giles, Esq., Henry Vanarsdalen Esq., Rev. George S. Woodhull, Rev. Isaac V. Brown, Rev. David Comfort, Rev. Samuel B. How, Isaac W. Crane, Esq., Rev. W. C. Schenck, Benjamin Smith, Esq., Theodore Freliughuysen, Esq., Samuel J. Read, Esq., Dr. John Van Cleve, Rev. John M'Dowel, Andrew Howell, Esq., Charles Ewing, Esq., Dr. John T. Woodhull.

The following persons were appointed a committee to prepare an address to the public, to be printed along with a copy of the

constitution :

Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, Rev. G. S. Woodhull, Rev. Mr. How, Rev. Mr. Brown, Rev. Mr. Huntington.

Next meeting of managers to be at Trenton, the 2d Wednesday in January next, at 11 o'clock A. M.

The Society resolved that their next annual meeting be held in Trenton on the first Tuesday of next November.

EDUCATION SOCIETY.

Boston Oct. 21.-The "American Education Society" held their second annual meeting on Wednesday last; when an appropriate sermon was delivered in the Old South Church, by the Rev. Mr. Chickering of Woburn, from Ephesians i. 10. The collection that was taken up on the occasion amounted, we understand, to two hundred and twenty-four dollars, twenty-five cents.

After divine service, the Society retired to the hall of the Massachusetts Bank, for the transaction of business. An able and animating "Report" of the proceedings of the "board of directors" was read, and will soon be laid before the public. From this document it appears, that one hundred and five individuals in the several stages of education, have received assistance from the Society, and that these beneficaries are found in eight of the U. States, and in ten different colleges. Piety, talents and indigence are the only indispensable qualifications required in those who seek the patronage of the Society. No applicants have been rejected in whom these requisites were found. Notwithstanding the large expendi tures of the last year, it appears that a balance of twelve hundred dollars or more, remains in the treasury.

A common sentiment of brotherly love and christian zeal seemed to animate the whole Society, and inspired the most pleasing anticipations of its future prosperity and happy influence on the interests of Zion.

It must be a high gratification to the christian public, to learn the prosperity of this infant institution, the American Education

Pleasure and Happiness-an Allegory..

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Society. It was formed under auspices peculiarly favourable, and has commenced its operations with the most flattering prospects. Those most slow of heart to admit the felicity of its plan, and the practicability of its object, at the outset, we hope are by this time convinced that the Institution is founded in wisdom, connected with energy and prudence, and conspires with great effect to aid the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom.

The smiles of divine providence are so clear upon every exertion that is made in these days, for the enlargement of the church, that it is hardly admissible to question the expediency or practicability of any plan that christian benevolence may propose; ere it is mentioned it is matured, and multitudes are ready to rise up, and carry it into execution.

A few years ago the boldest imagination would have trembled at its presumption if it had been led to anticipate one half of what has since been achieved. The most ardent friends of Zion, twentyfive years ago, did not expect that the advance of an hundred years would place the church on the high ground she occupies at this moment, without a miracle. They calculated the future triumphs of truth by the past; like some in these days, they were more disposed to judge of what God would do from what he had done, than from what he has promised to do. Let us beware of the fallacy by which they were beguiled of many pleasures that flow from anticipation of the fulfilment of God's promises, and rejoice in the evidence furnished us by passing events, that the reign of Satan is short, and that the kingdom of Christ shall speedily swallow up all other kingdoms. Bost. Recorder.

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.
PLEASURE AND HAPPINESS,
An Allegory.

(Concluded from page 143)

"I promised," said Happiness," to lead you to my mansion but this is the hour of morning sacrifice, and we must first repair to the altar of Devotion." So saying, she conducted me to a temple of the most simple architecture, where all the inhabitants of the valley were already assembled. A cloud of fragrant incense, "which was the prayers of saints," curled in white wreaths among the trees, and thence ascended in a stately column to the sky, When the solemnities were concluded, Devotion, the priestess, with a serene brow, pronounced a benediction, and dismissed the assembly.

Withdrawing silently from the temple, we repaired to a spacious hall in the mansion, where long tables were spread, furnished abundantly with plain and wholesome provision. At these tables a healthy, handsome woman presided, called Temperance; who did the honours of her board with perfect grace, and with the warmest hospitality. But there was one very singular custom upon a certain signal given by herself, every one present immediately ceased to regale; and if a cup or dish had been tasted by any of the company afterwards, it would have been considered as a personal affront to the lady herself. Happiness assured me, that