From a Gentleman who superintends ons of been afforded of ascertaining the actual state the Society's Schools. Clonmere House, March 29, 1827. DEAR SIR, I HAD the pleasure of receiving your letter enclosing bank notes for 41. for the master's salary of the Garryhill School due the 1st. of April next, and for which I beg to return in the name of the numerous poor of this neighbourhood, my best thanks! when I consider the situation the wretched poor of this neighbourhood were in before your benevolent Society gave your assistance, and the happy state they are now in respect to education, it calls for my unfeigned gratitade. Their School Houses were the most wretched hovels, such, in general, as were too bad for any person to live in, without seats of any kind except sods and stones, and the masters of the lowest description and in general depraved in their morals. In the Garryhill School, I am happy to be able to say, they have a comfortable house that has cost upwards of 2001. in the building, and fitting up with fires constantly kept in them all the winter, and every convenience and accommodation that is necessary for their comfort and usefulness, and a master whose moral conduct is not only irreproachable but exemplary. The number at present on our books is sixty-eight, all of whom attend with the usual regularity. We make a new register to the beginning of every year, which makes the number on the books at present appear small, but I have no doubt, in the summer season, it will increase considerably. As we have no fund for supplying the School with books, or slates and pencils, if you could assist us with two or three dozen of each or more if convenient, we want them very much. I remain, Dear Sir, yours faithfully, Extract from the Twenty-first Report of the London Hibernian Society. Inspectors, Scripture Readers, and General Superintendance. YOUR Committee still adhere strictly to the system of inspection pointed out in their former reports, and are more and more convinced of the importance of proportioning the remuneration of the Teachers to the actual progress made by the Scholars, as determined by the combined results of the quarterly and cursory inspections. The least relaxation of vigilance in this part of your system, would immediately be followed by a diminution of the progress made, not only in Scriptural knowledge, but in all the other branches of education. Your Committee speak with the more confidence on this point, from an opportunity which has This was not built at the expense of the Baptist Society. of some Schools formerly in connexion with your Society, but now under other control; where, though the same masters are employed, and more liberal provisions made than your funds would allow, the degree of proficiency is by no means equal to the former standard. The number of persons employed as general and cursory inspectors, or as village and Sunday Scripture Readers, has been reduced during the last year to forty-nine. Your Committee cannot but regret this reduction, having received continual testimonies through the year, of the beneficial effects produced by these persons on the Schools in general, and more especially on the ignorant and neglected part of the adult population. The employment of Scripture Readers has been especially brought under the consideration of your Committee in the past year. One of your most respectable Auxiliaries recommended the Committee "to consider the propriety of discontinuing this part of your system, as calculated to remove prejudice, to enable them more effectually to repel the charge of proselytism made against the Society, to give a more undivided attention to the instruction of the rising generation, and as a probable means of increasing its subscriptions." Your Committee feel it, however, their duty to adhere to the plan which has been found so eminently beneficial. They are firmly convinced that no alteration in your system will remove prejudice so long as the sacred Scriptures are taught in your Schools; it is by the reading of those Scriptures to persons who have never before heard of them, that many are led to desire instruction for themselves or their children. The reduction of expense effected by the proposed measure, would be very small, unless, together with the Scripture Readers, the system of inspection was also abandoned, than which a more injurious step to the cause of education could not be adopted. It is important to retain the Scripture Readers, not only as a means of awakening attention to your Schools, and communicating Scriptural information to thousands of ignorant persons, who would otherwise derive no advantage from your Institution, but also as valuable instruments for the distribution of the Holy Scriptures. They visit the most obscure, retired, and neglected parts of Ireland; they carry with them Irish as well as English Scriptures, and ofttimes, when the latter are unheeded, the former are eagerly and anxiously desired. Your Society has distributed since its formation one hundred and sixty-seven thousand nine hundred and sixty-one Bibles or Testaments in the English or Irish languages; for which they are chiefly indebted to the liberality of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Collected by the Rev. James Hargreaves. Watford. Part of the Funds of the Watford Missionary Society In the vestry after sermon Mr. Salter ..... Weekly Society, by Mr. Pope, jun... 1 1 0 14 11 1 10 A Friend (annual subscription) Haddenham. Collection after sermon... Penny a month subscriptions by Misses Tyler and Franklin 1 17 Mr. W. Grover, Tring Wharf (annual subscription) 46 4 3 Per Rev. James Hargreaves, Moiety of Collection at Little Wild St. Received by Rev. J. Dyer. Plymouth, by Rev. J. Nicholson.... ...... 6 17 1 Ilford Missionary Association, three quarters of a year by J. Smith 6 0 0 22 Subscriptions received by W. Burls, Esq. 56, Lothbury; Rev. J. Ivimey, 7, HeathcoteStreet, Mecklenburgh-Square; Rev. G. Pritchard, 16, Thornhaugh-Street; or by Rev. S. Davis, 2, Grays-Inn-Lane, who is at present collecting for the Society in London. BAPTIST MISSION. THE Friends to this Mission are respectfully informed, that the ANNUAL MEETINGS of the SOCIETY will be held in LONDON, in the course of the present Month, according to the following arrangement: TUESDAY, JUNE 19. MORNING, 11.-The Committee of the Society will assemble at Devonshiresquare Meeting House, when the Company of all Ministers of the Denomination who may be in town, is particularly requested. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20. MORNING, 11.-Sermon for the Baptist Missionary Society, at Great Queenstreet Chapel, Lincoln's-inn-fields, by the Rev. ROBERT HALL, A. M. of Bristol. Evening, 6.—Sermon for the Baptist Missionary Society, at Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars-road, by the Rev. JOSEPH FLETCHER, A. M. of Stepney. THURSDAY, JUNE 21. MORNING, 9.-Prayer Meeting for the Mission, at Eagle-street Meeting House. Some minister from the country is expected to deliver an address. 11.-Annual Meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society, at Great Queen-street Chapel, Lincoln's-inn-fields. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. CALCUTTA. THE following interesting epitome of the operations of our brethren at this important post, has arrived since the publication of our last number. Calcutta, Nov. 11, 1826. VERY DEAR BRETHREN, It is with no ordinary feelings that we have again the pleasure of addressing you concerning our work and prospects. You are not unacquainted that our trials have been various and repeated; that we have been called to lament over the graves of some who once took an active part in our engagements, and with whom we took sweet counsel; but we sorrow not for them as without hope. "They sleep in Jesus." "The labours of their mortal life End in a large reward." We have had our fears frequently excited by the severe sickness of some of our surviving brethren; but God has been better to us than our fears. He has graciously restored the afflicted, and granted them renewed bealth and strength. When we reflect on all the goodness of God to the afflicted and deceased, we desire to be still, and know that he is God, and that he will provide, if we make him our trust. We not only feel it our duty to trust God, but to praise him; for he hath made us glad by the light of his countenance. He hath done great We things for us, whereof we are glad. have seen his goings in the sanctuary. We have felt the powerful influence of his Spirit, in confirming the weak, restoring backsliders, rousing the thoughtless, reclaiming the prodigal, and granting to those who minister in holy things an unction which has frequently produced such meltings of heart as to prevent utterance, and caused their doctrine to distil as the dew, and as rain upon the tender herb. For this we desire to feel grateful to the Father of Spirits, and to lift up our hearts in praise to him, who is the giver of every good and perfect gift. We would earnestly implore that the Spirit of all truth would for ever abide with us, working all the good pleasure of his will, and fulfilling the glorious promises of the divine word. We know that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God, that this valley of dry bones is to be filled with spiritual worshippers. The Lord hasten it in his time. We have reason to feel thankful that in our weak state we have been favoured with the kind assistance of our American brethren, Wade and Boardman, whose services have been owned and blessed by God. The recent arrival of our brethren Pearce and Thomas, with their partners, is another great source of gratitude and encouragement. We would feel grateful to our heavenly Father for his kind care to our friends while crossing the mighty deep, for giving the winds and waves charge respecting them. While we feel animated and thankful for this seasonable increase of strength, you will bear with us, while we press on your attention the vast importance of maintaining our ground in this populous city. The more we are engaged in the work, and the longer we continue in it, the more do we become convinced of the inefficiency of the means now used to cultivate so extensive a desert. The fields are already white unto harvest, but the labourers are few. We cannot therefore cease to intreat both the Lord of the harvest and yourselves to send forth more labourers. The scenes around are affecting in the highest degree. Here we behold one of the most interesting nations in the world, robbed and spoiled by the great adversary of souls. Our spirits are not stirred within us at witnessing merely a single city given up to idolatry, but a whole nation with one consent entirely devoted to its degraded customs, and ruined by its baneful influence. It is not over a scanty population of barbarians and cannibals that Satan here triumphs, but over teeming millions of the most civilized and interesting portion of the human family. With respect to the wretched state of the heathen, many strange things have been brought to your ears; but could we place these strange things before your eyes, we are persuaded, brethren, that greater exertions would be made to carry on the Redeemer's cause, as it would not fail to excite a greater degree of pity, and produce a greater degree of anxiety for their eternal welfare. sionary. The enemies of the cross of Christ may say, "Where is their God, and where is the sign of his coming?" yet we are confident, and doubt not that you are so too, that through the blessing of God, labour has not been in vain, nor strength spent for nought; and when we call to mind who hath said, "Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession," we are encouraged to go forward, assured that we are occupied in a cause which will ere long fill the whole earth for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Respecting the church in the Circular Road, we are happy to state that since the death of brother Lawson, we have experienced a gracious revival. The Spirit of God has evidently been poured out on the congregation. We have reason to believe that it commenced with the dying breath of our beloved brother. His solemnly affectionate admonitions to some of the young people proved effectual to their conversion. The firmness and happy frame of mind with which he encountered the last enemy, were greatly sanctified in reviving the drooping graces of several of his friends. He died as the patriarchs, leaving a blessing behind bim. His funeral sermon, preached by brother Yates, was also blessed to several, so that during the past year, thirty have been added to the church, most of whom are young people from the age of 13 to 20. Several of these are Portuguese young men, who speak the Bengalee language, and who perform, to a certain extent, the work of missionaries among the heathen, both by their example and faithful addresses. The addition of thirty to a church in one year, will not appear so much to many in England, who are in the habit of receiving much greater accessions in that space of time; but it appears different to us, who have had to labour year after year, and sometimes not to see the conversion of more than one or two individuals. Nor do we estimate the success with which it has pleased God to bless us, by the numbers merely, but also We are led to make these remarks, not because many of the persons brought out only when we contemplate the deplorable of darkness into light, stand in so close a condition of the heathen, but when we con- connexion with the natives. We are hence template our own inefficiency. We expect led to hope that through their instruthis season to be deprived of the labours of mentality the circle will be widened, and two of our esteemed brethren, who for the that the English church in this city will purpose of recruiting their impaired consti- prove one of the most extensive and lasting tutions, are about to visit their native land. blessings to the native population here, and What with constant interruptions through be the means of spreading the word of life sickness, the removal of some to their hea- to more distant parts. The members of it venly rest, and of others to their native are a light shining in a dark place, the episland, we are led to say, 'What are wetles of Christ read and known of all men. among so many? Who is sufficient for When in addition to this you consider the these things?' We do not plead with you contributions they make towards missionary for a field that has yielded no fruit, or that objects, and the means they possess of promises no reward to the faithful mis-spreading the gospel in this idolatrous country, we trust you will not object to one | We feel increasingly persuaded that by of your missionaries giving the chief part of means of this public proclamation of the his time to so important a field of labour. gospel by the missionaries of our society, What the church of Antioch was in the days and by our esteemed and zealous brethren of the apostles, that we bope the church of other denominations in this city, aided by here will prove to the present race of the circulation of tracts, and the Christian heathens. education now imparted in all the missionary schools in the neighbourhood, Christianity is becoming the subject of frequent conversation among the natives of Calcutta, a knowledge of its doctrines is very widely diffused; and a conviction that it is the true way" generally prevails. We are prepared yet to wait a long period for the realization of our hopes; but we fully believe that the precious leaven is at work in this vast mass of population; and that, should our lives be spared to the lengthened period of three score years and ten, we shall have reason to rejoice in the delightful evidence we shall then be privileged to receive, that a great part has been leavened. The vast extent of the population here, while it necessarily requires, according to the usual procedure of the God of salvation, more vigorous and longer continued exertions, will, when the stream is turned, and its multitudes become the monuments of saving mercy, abundantly repay it. Respecting the native church: the last report of the Calcutta Missionary Society contains an account of its present state, and of labours among the heathen. Under the former head, we have little to add, except to express the joy and satisfaction we feel at the arrival of our dear missionary brethren, as it will allow one European brother to reside at Doorgapore, which still appears to us all a most promising station, and which we have been grieved to be able to visit, except occasionally, only on the sabbath. We may mention also that we have lately had the pleasure of again receiving Bagchee (the brahmin who, you will recollect, left us eighteen months ago) into the communion of the church. He appears to have left us chiefly because he could not bear the disgrace which his conduct had brought upon him. Since his departure he has travelled a great distance beyond the Company's territories; but seems never to have denied Christ among the heathen; and indeed was led to return by the persuasion of a young friend at Cattack, who recognized bim while recommending Christ to his countrymen. Satisfied as we feel of his being a sincere disciple of Christ, we have again admitted him to communion; but have deemed it prudent at present to employ him in the superintendence of native schools, rather than as a native preacher. Respecting preaching to the heathen. Occupied as most of us have been during the year with the duties of the English or native church, the Benevolent Institution, the printing-office, the management of the female schools, or some other part of the society's operations, the chief burden of native services among the heathen has fallen during the year on brethren Carapiet and Kirkpatrick. By their exertions, however, with those of brother Fenwick at Howrah, and brother Paunchoo at Doorgapoore, the natives have been very frequently addressed, and a very great number in the course of the year have heard the word of life. On an average, we estimate that during the year no less than twenty native services have been held every week in one or other of the Bungalow chapels connected with our society; and frequently the whole day has been spent in these places of worship. The missionary has attended twice or thrice during the day, conducting public worship, and at the intervals conversing familiarly with one or two who have remained after the preceding service for that purpose. Dear brethren, we faint not under the trials of our patience; and we trust that you will assist us by your prayers, cheer us by your exhortations, and animate us by sending to our assistance still more labourers, that in our exertions in your service we may be stedfast, immoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, assured by his infallible word, that our labour shall not be in vain. Mr. Kirkpatrick has made very pleasing advances in his theological and classical studies since he has been under the care of brother Yates: and we have lately, with great pleasure, admitted him as your missionary, agreeably to the instructions of Mr. Dyer. Mr. Fenwick being about to leave Howrah for Sylhet, where he has procured an appointment under government, it is probable that Mr. Kirkpatrick will supply his place as a missionary to the heathen. We are happy to add, that we have now under instruction another young man who bids fair to be a most useful missionary. Brother Statham, being led by various considerations to believe that it is his duty to visit England for a season, the English services he has hitherto conducted will be chiefly maintained by brother George Pearce, who will reside at Doorgapore, and whose place there will be supplied on the sabbath by one of the brethren from Calcutta. Brother Thomas proposes to live in Calcutta, where a large mussulman population exists, with no missionary expressly devoted to their good. All of the other missionaries |