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idol. Mr. W. and myself, went to see them. They behaved with great politeness, and conversed with freedom. One was an elderly man, who had seen the Scriptures, and professed, in some degree, to approve of themn.

I have not been able to go to the villages around us during the past week; but have been engaged twice a day, for several hours together, at the Gunge, which has much exhausted my spirits. Last evening a number of brahmans and others, loaded Kangalee and me with abuse; and manifested the greatest enmity against the gospel that I have ever seen in the country.' The following is an extract of Mr. C.'s letter to us in March:

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I informed you in my last, that I was going to Keble Eshor. Brother Kangalee and I went; and were absent from home four days. There was a vast concourse of people they heard the word with great attention. We were two days amongst them, and distributed several thousand tracts. Last Lord's Day-week was a great day among the Hindoos. About 20,000 people were at Cutwa, to bathe in Gonga; among whom we were engaged four days without intermission. The Gunge people, who have lately ma

nifested much opposition, stirred up the country people against us, so that few could be persuaded to take papers; and they that had taken them, mostly returned them. Kangalee was much discouraged, and so was I; but I endeavoured to encourage him, telling him, that though they triumphed, yet we were not conquered. The next day we went out, and gave away four bundles of papers; and not a dog moved his tongue against us. The people among whom we were to-day were generally intelligent, and could read and write. Two or three disputed. One, in the face of hundreds of people, ingenuously confessed that he was lost; and that he did not know whither he was going, nor the reasons for what he did. This evening, reviewing the work of the day, I gave thanks to God with a heart full of joy. What a pleasure to be able to preach to a hundred villages at once, and to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation to thousands in a day !'

"Our beloved brother Fernandez has appropriated 10,000 rupees to the mission. He wished the brethren to accept the sum immediately; but this we declined: he however applies the interest to the support of the mission."

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HOME INTELLIGENCE.

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. Ar the Annual Meeting of the Hibernian Society, held at the New London Tavern, on the 12th of March, 1807, which was respectable and numerous, the following Report was made by the Committee:

Report of the Committee of the Hibernian Society, for the Diffusion of Religious Knowledge in Ireland. THE Committee beg leave to state, That, soon after their appointment, in addition to other means for pronoting the great object of the Society, they commenced an extenive correspondence with intelligent Christians in Ireland, in order more

precisely to ascertain the religious state of the country, and consequently the measures which were most proper to be adopted.

The following detail is submitted as the result of that correspondence: a detail which, in the judginent of the Committee, further evinces the importance of those exertions, with

a view to which the Hibernian So

ciety was instituted.

The province of Connaught, which comprehends several counties in the west of Ireland; and the province of Munster, which comprehends several counties in the south, appear to be the most destitute of religious knowledge, and the means of ne quiring it.

In the counties of Waterford, to their children being taught to Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Wexford, read the Bible as a school-book; and Carlow, there are, compared and as many of the parents, who with the population of the country, cannot themselves read, seem anx but few Sunday-Schools; in many ious that their children should not of which the attendance is very dis- labour under the same disadvancouraging. The proportion of Pa- tage. pists to Protestants in these counties is twenty to one; scarcely any of the former, and few, comparatively, of the latter, possess copies of the Scriptures.

The expence of a school, for the instruction of 50 children on working-days, varies from 10% to 461. according as a neighbourhood supplies more or fewer parents who are willing to pay a small sum for their own children, or persons who are inclined thus to aid the children of others.

Some judicious correspondents recommend, that all the children should pay a trifle; which, they say, would cause the schools to be better attended than if they were entirely free.

The province of Leinster stands next in order, which, though much more favourably ciscumstanced than the provinces already mentioned, is stated to be, in some places, destitute of the means of acquiring religious instruction. In the county of Kilkenny, which belongs to this province, the Committee are happy to report, that there is a monthly-It meeting of the clergymen of the established church, whose zeal has stirred up very many, and whose exertions have been attended with the best effects.

The province of Ulster, more generally called the North, is by far the most enlightened part of reland; and the desire of hearing the gospel seems increasing among its inhabitants.

Upon a review of the state of religious knowledge in the country at large, the Committee are assured, that, notwithstanding the fervent picty and zeal of some eminent clergyinen, the exertions of the Missionaries in the connexion of the late Rev. Mr. Wesley, and the labours of some Presbyterian and Independent ministers, the latter of whom are principally confined to northern counties, many parts of Ireland continue to exhibit all the traces of spiritual barbarism, in a degree, which the friends of Christianity cannot too deeply deplore, or too zealously endeavour to obliterate.

Great difficulties occur in the establishment of Sunday Schools, the Catholic priests always manifesting, as might have been expected, much opposition. A's children in the south have no regular employment, at is thought that week-day schools would be more encouraged by their parents; more especially as even the Catholics do not, generally, object

is apprehended that few persons, qualified to teach in these schools, would be obtained in the south; but, it is hoped, that some might be found in the north. It appears, however, that teachers from England would be preferable. In many places, the disposition of persons of property and influence is friendly to the improvement of the inferior class of inhabitants. some, it is to be lamented, a total indifference prevails.

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There is reason to believe that many of the Roman Catholics would thankfully receive, and cagerly read, the Scriptures, could they obtain them. At the same time, it may be presumed, many of their priests would exert their influence to prevent them.

The Committee are also endea vouring to obtain information relative to the best method of introducing religious knowledge among those to whom, if the scriptures were read, or sermons were preached, except in the Irish language, they would be unimpressive and unwelcome. This is the more import, ant, as it is presumed that the number of such persons cannot be less than two millions. It must be added, that the Catholics, in various parts of the country, have an aversion to the English language, as being emphatically the language of Protestants; and that this aversion is promoted by their priests.

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While the Committee have been engaged in procuring information, in order to determine where their exertions were most needed, and could be best directed, they have, in the mean time, entered upon the more direct prosecution of the business with which they were en trusted. They have employed, for some months, a preacher to labour in the city of Cork and its vicinity; and have, at different times, voted small sums to various zealous ministers who have made excursions under their patronage. They have likewise engaged a wellrecommended preacher for twelve months, who, at present, is employed in preaching and establishing Sunday-Schools round Loch Neagh, in the province of Ulster. They have also engaged Mr. D. Cook, minister of the gospel near Auchlachroy, to itinerate for three months during the summer, in different parts of Ireland. They have likewise the prospect of obtaining the services of two other ministers in the same way; and also two preachers, recommended by the Rev. G. Hamilton, minister of the gospel at Armagh. The two latter they design sending to the southern provinces.

The Committee have also voted 201. to the Rev. Mr. Shaw, towards the support of a seminary for schoolmasters, lately erected by him,

Under the auspices of the society, Bibles and Testaments, to the amount of more than a thousand, gratuitously sent by the Public, have been forwarded to Ireland, to be distributed by persons, in whose judgment and zeal the Committee can implicitly confide.

The Committee, in the course of their correspondence, have been repeatedly urged by respectable friends. in Ireland to send over a deputation of their number, that they may become better acquainted with the state of things there, to concert measures with friends on the spot, for the future operations of the Society in the different provinces; and likewise to select Committees of Correspondence in various parts of the kingdom.

After maturely considering this matter, they have unanimously re

solved to send over a deputation during the ensuing summer.

The deplorable ignorance and awful irreligion which prevail in that part of the United Kingdom, should operate as a powerful stimulus to the liberality and ardent exertions of every denomination of Protestants; for it is to be lamented, that the state of Ireland has not hitherto made that impression on the minds of those who profess Christianity, which its wretched circumstances were calculated to produce.

Are our fellow-men, yea, our own countrymen, perishing for want of the bread of Heaven, which falls so thick around our habitations? Shall we supinely say, "Be ye warmed, be ye filled, without reaching forth our hands to the poor and needy ? Who are so poor, so needy, as those who are perishing for lack of knowledge?

It is therefore hoped, that Christians will be excited to come folward to the assistance of those whose necessities loudly cry, Come over and help us," and we humbly trust, that, in consequence of the efforts of the Hibernian Society, multitudes, who have hitherto been the dupes of Ignorance and the slaves of Superstition, may be brought into the glorious light, and enjoy the full liberty of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

The following Anecdote, which is extracted from the Report of the Association in Dublin, incorporated for discountenancing Vice, and promoting the Knowledge and Practice of the Christian Religion, recently published, reflects such high honour on the character of the officer therein named, and presents an example so worthy of imitation, that it will doubtless afford pleasure to our readers:

"1804. At no period, since the commencement of the plan for the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures, were the applications so numerous, or so extensive, as in this year; but there was one so peculiarly interesting, that it is thought right to state it in detail. In consequence of a communication with Col. Robertson, of the 21st foot, the Committee

appointed to promote the Circulation of Religious Knowledge in the Garrison, reported, That they had received the most zealous co-operation from that gentleman; that they found his regiment possessed of 300 Bibles, provided at his instance, and with his assistance; as he made it a point, that every soldier who could read, should be in possession of the word of God: that he had purchased for them, at his own expence, a number of moral and religious Tracts; and that in his Regimental Orders, a copy of which the Association entered on their Journals, he had earnestly recommended to his officers and men the purchase of Bibles, &c.; and laid down a plan for regular religious meetings of his regiment. The Committee concluded their Report in these words:

That they returned from their deputation with hearts replete with gratitude to that God who had Vouchsafed them so happy a cooperation with that high and amiable character, A Christian Soldier.' Animated with the most anxious desire to second these benevolent views, the Association immediately presented the Colonel with three dozen sets of H. More's Tracts; and ordered that the soldiers of the 21st regiment should be furnished with such a number of Bibles as they might want, at the price of ls. each."

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the new government, were com pelled to relinquish their livings: they, however, continued to officiate privately; but were, by degrees, exceedingly diminished. In the year 1792, the penal statutes against them were repealed: before which, many persons of the Episcopal persuasion were afraid of attending the meeting houses of the Nonjuring clergy. They, therefore, invited clergymen ordained by English or Irish bishops to Edinburgh and other places, and carried on their worship according to the usage of the church of England. The Scottish bishops in 1804, invited these ministers to join the episcopal church of Scotland. This, however, they declined; for though they professed the same faith, they had no public confessional.

To remedy this, the Scottish bishops agreed, about two

to adopt and subscribe Cars ago,

Thirtynine Articles of the Church of Eng land; and thus to shew their entire agreement with that church. The English ordained clergy then readily acceded to the proposed union, and put themselves under the authority of the Scottish bishops.

This paper then proceeds to state, that the bishops and pastors of the Episcopal church in Scotland are unable to support a decent rank in society; and some of the inferior clergy are in such narrow circumstances, that their emoluments scarcely exceed the wages of a day-labourer. Application is therefore made to such friends of Episcopacy as are willing to contribute to amend their condition; and a respectable list of subscribers is annexed, including some very liberal donations. The number of Scottish bishops is six; and that of the inferior clergy about fifty:

a number certainly not likely to excite much jealousy in the Estąblished Presbyterian Church, nor in the numerous bodies of Scottish Dissenters.

We cannot help admiring the nodesty with which these promoters of Episcopacy in Scotland express themselves; for though in England many of the same gentlemen speak in the most contemptuous manner of

Protestant Dissenters, and treat them as vile schismatics, and their places of worship as abominable converticles, yet they condescend to speak of their episcopal brethren in Scotland as persons of that persuasion, and the places where they worship as meeting-houses. We cannot but think that those who dissent from the Episcopal church in England, are entitled to the same respect as those who dissent from the Presbyterian church in Scotland. It is but crossing the Tweed, and they inmediately become dissenting brethren; surely then, they should not "fall out by the way.'

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"A few young men, meeting once a week for the purpose of religious edification, and wishing to do what is in their power for the furtherance of the gospel, have established a Mouthly Collection, in order to do good in that way which shall appear to be most eligible. Knowing that the Publications of the Religi ous Tract Society have been the instruments, in God's hand, of doing much good, we wish to become subscribers thereto, in the name of Mr. W. 1). our acting Treasurer; and you will oblige us by sending, per coach, a number of tracts, to the amount of the inoney which we now transmit," &c.

I beg leave to add, that the Committee of the Religious Tract Society have entered, with great pleasure, into the views and designs of this Association. These worthy persons have been admitted, collectively, to become subscribers to the

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Religious Tract Society, and to par take of every privilege arising therefrom; and the Committee has presented them with a complete collection of the Society's Tracts.

I have, however, a further purpose in view, besides the mere communication of this intelligence. I would most earnestly recommend to the Members of Christian Churches, and other pious persons connected with them, to form similar Associations for like benevolent purposes; and I beg to suggest the following means and objects for their establishment and exertions:

1. Let a number of Christian friends agree to subscribe a certain sum (say one penny a week, or more) for the purchase of Religious

Tracts.

2. When the subscription shall rise to a suflicient amount, let a number of Religious Tracts be or dered; and let them be distributed among the Subscribers in propor tion to each person's rate of subscription; and let the further ordering and distribution of tracts be continued at such times as the amount of cash in the Treasurer's hands will allow of the same,

3. Let each Subscriber have the sole distribution and circulation of his share of tracts, only let it be a rule, That, in order to afford information and encouragement,every Member be requested to report the mode and the circumstances of bis separate distribntion, and any important and beneficial effects that shall result therefrom.

These appear to me to be leading points for the formation and proceedings of such Societies; and they either include, or directly lead to, a close connexion between members and friends in Christian communities; an active co-operation, for the purpose of extending a know, ledge of the doctrines and duties of the gospel among the poor, the ignorant, and the profligate; and, in consequence, the probable and almost certain increase of attendants on divine worship at those churches, from the members of which the attraction and the impulse have emanated.

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