Anniversaries.--Soc. for promoting the Gospel among the Jews. 175

gland, but to the extension of the general truths of Christianity. The excellent liturgy of the church was admirably calculated to fill the mind with a sober and chastised, though ardent spirit of religious feeling; and the most blessed eflects had already resulted from its circulation. It was a matter of unspeakable thankfulness, that, notwithstanding the formularies of the church were composed when the state of society was widely different from what it now is, yet they were in no wise infected with the taint of the times :-" I mean," said his lordship," popery. Our forms of prayer, and the homilies also, from their simplicity, were admirably suited to the capacity of every rank and class." His lordship then expressed his warmest approbation of the society, in its having extended the field of action into other countries, by causing the prayer book and some of the homilies to be translated into foreign languages.

The report was then read, by which it appeared that the Society had issued considerably more prayer books and homilies during the last year than in the preceding, (the increase in the issue of the latter amounting to 30,000) and that its cause was more warmly espoused, and its utility more generally acknowledged than heretofore.

The morning and evening prayers, the psalter, and the first homily, had been translated into Chinese, and had been distributed in various places, not actually in China, but where those who understand the Chinese language reside. In China itself, the court decides how and what the people shall worship; but in the Chinese colonies no such opposition is encountered. A Chinese servant, re

sident in this country, was presented with a prayer book which had been translated into the Chinese language by Dr. Morrison, whose name was perfectly familiar to him; for upon hearing it, and seeing the book, he exclaimed, "Good man! good book!" This poor heathen had, previous to his receiving the prayer book, been in the habit of burning a piece of paper as an act of worship.

On the shores of the Mediterranean, the calls for religious information were loud and numerous. In Italy, many prejudices against our English creed had been removed through the reading of the prayer book alone. The version of the liturgy into pure Biblical Hebrew was now recommended, for the use of the Jews. Homilies in the Manx language had already been scattered among the people of the Isle of Man. The Report, in conclusion, recommended fervent prayers to God for his blessing upon the labours of the Society, without which all human effort is unavailing.

London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews.-On Friday (the 3rd of May) was held at the Egyptian Hall, Mansion House, the fourteenth anniversary of the above Society, when the Hall was filled with an elegant and respectable audience, among whom was a great number of ladies. The rt. hon. the Lord Mayor having taken the chair, briefly opened the business of the meeting by a short but appropriate address. The Rev. Basil Woodd then introduced to his lordship and the company, the Jewish children, who sang the beautiful anthem, "Hosanna to the Son of David," with great solemnity and effect.

The lord mayor then resigned the chair to Sir T. Baring, the president of the society, who called upon the Rev. Mr. Hawtrey (one of the secretaries) to read the Report.

The Report was now read, and in the first place acknowledged the kindness of several clergymen who accompanied the secretaries in tours to different parts of the country and thanked the ladies, particularly those of Bath and Bristol, for those elegant works, the sale of which had contributed greatly to assist the funds of the society. Four new auxiliary institutions in England and two in Ireland had been formed, and more were expected as the result of the journeys above alluded to. The schools at present contain 38 boys and 44 girls: the number admitted during the last year is 7 boys and 3 girls, and the number apprenticed, 4 boys and 6 girls: 5 boys have been removed by their friends, of whom one has been re-admitted. A converted Jew, father of some of the above children, was baptized at the Episcopal chapel in December last. Two new tracts have been added to the list of the Society,-the sale of the Jewish Expositor has considerably increased-and the Committee are preparing editions of the Prophets in Biblical and in German Hebrew.

The opening of a Seminary for Missionaries to the Jews was mentioned in the

last Report: eight have been received, of whom two are now employed upon the Continent, and two more are to proceed thither shortly.

In Holland, the object of the Society is steadily pursued by Mr. Thelwall, who is the Society's agent there; and at Amsterdam a school has been formed for the poorer Jewish children. Mr. M'Caul proceeded to Warsaw, where he has been since joined by Mr. Becker, another Christian Missionary. At Frankfort the Society's Missionary, Mr. Mare, continues steadfast and active, nor are his labours without encouraging success, some whole families having been baptized.

London Hibernian Society.-On Saturday (the 4th May) the Annual Meeting of the above Society was held at Freemasons' Hall, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester in the Chair.

The Report, which was read by the Rev. Mr. Ritchings, the Secretary, stated: that the number of the Society's Schools in Ireland had increased in the last year from 534 to 575, and the number of scholars was 53,233; 35 of the Schools were under the superintendence of Catholic Priests, from which it would be seen how entirely the Society was divested of Sectarianism. The Society had received 1000 Bibles and 10,000 Testaments from the British and Foreign Bible Society, and had distributed upwards of 80,000 Bibles and Testaments. The progress of the So ciety had been slow but sure, and extends now to 23 counties out of 32, and they now look with confidence to complete success, as the cause is not that of a party, but truly Catholic.

London Female Penitentiary.-The Anniversary of this benevolent Institution was held on May 6, at the Crown and Anchor, W. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. in the Chair. The Report stated, among other things, that in the course of the last year there had been about 150 applicants; 90 of whom had been received, 40 placed out to Service, and 39 reconciled to their friends. The Annual Income of the Society not meeting its expenditure, the Committee had necessarily reduced the number in the house from 110 to 100.

Sunday School Union.-The Annual Meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday morning, May 7, at the City of London Tavern, Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M. P. in the chair. The company assembled to breakfast between 5 and 6 o'clock in the morning, and the chair was taken at half-past six. About 1000 persons were supposed to be present.

The Report stated, that the total of Sunday scholars in London and its vicinity was 52,549 children, 478 adults, taught by 4,870 gratuitous teachers, being an increase of 3,687 scholars in the past year. Several new Sunday School Unions had been formed during the last year. In three counties in Wales, there was a total of Sunday scholars, including children and adults, amounting to one-fifth of the population. The Report exhibited a total of upwards of 600,000 Sunday scholars in Great Britain and Ireland, in addition to which there were many places from which no returns had been communicated.-The Report then alluded to the spread of education generally throughout the world, and especially by means of Sunday Schools; 9000 scholars were stated in the New-York Sunday Schoo! Union, and 24,000 connected with that of Philadelphia.

Irish Evangelical Society-The Anniversary of this Society was held on Tuesday evening, May 7th, at the City of London Tavern; Mr. Walker, Treasurer, in the Chair. The Rev. T. Gilbart, one of the Secretaries, read the Report, which, after stating the miserable and distressed condition of Ireland, particularly in a moral and spiritual view, then considered the plan proposed by this Society for meliorating its condition by means of the Gospel. The 15 stations of the Society were next enumerated, and extracts given from the correspondence of the Society's agents at most of them; stating their reception, labours, and success. Two natives have been encouraged to preach the Gospel in their own language. Sunday and week-day Schools; Bible and Tract Associations; Dorcas and benevolent Societies of various descriptions, have been established in every practical situation.

In the Society's Academy at Dublin, four students have finished their course, and have engaged in the work of Evangelists, and their places are supplied by four others, filling up the number of eight students in the Academy.

Religious Tract Society.-Friday Morning, May 11, at six o'clock, a numerous and respectable company assembled to observe the Twenty-third Anniversary of this useful Society, J. Keyner, Esq. the Treasurer, in the Chair.

The Rev. Dr. J. P. Smith, opened the Meeting with prayer, after which the Report was read by Dr. Conquest, of which we give the following abstract :-

The Report stated that since the last Annual Meeting there had been issued Tracts, in the various series, to the number of 5,222,470, being an increase, during the last year, of 388,700; and that since the formation of the Society in 1799, the number issued amounted to forty-five millions, besides others printed abroad.

To the First Series of Tracts fifteen have been added within the last year; five to the Second, and several to the list of Children's Books and Tracts for hawkers, beside broadside sheets for pasting up, which have been much improved. Liberal grants of Tracts have been made for the use of seamen and prisoners, beside others distributed at wakes and fairs, and to the frequenters of plays.

In aid of the Institution many new Auxiliaries have been formed, particularly an active one at Cambridge. Tracts have been printed in the Manx language, and various sums have been voted to different individuals for the circulation of Tracts in foreign languages abroad.

The Rev. J. Clayton, jun. in moving the adoption of the Report, adverted to a measure recently adopted by the Society of printing the dying speeches, (so called) of the unhappy malefactors who suffer the sentence of the law, whereby, instead of the trash formerly circulated under this title, they are enabled to intermix with an instructive account of the criminal, a variety of serious and salutary remarks. On one occasion lately, not less than 24,000 of these papers were circulated within the compass of a few hours only.

Home Missionary Society-Monday Evening, May 13th, the Third Anniversary of this Society was held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, which was so numerously attended that the two most spacious rooms in the Tavern were crowded to excess; and for the accommodation of others, who could not gain admission, another room was provided at the Old London Tavern, nearly opposite. Three different Chairmen presided over very crowded Meetings, Mr. Fowel Buxton, M. P. was to have presided in the Great Room on this occasion; but being obliged to attend his duty in Parliament, R. H. Marten, Esq. took his place. T. Thompson, Esq. (the Treasurer), presided in the Lower Room; and Dr. Collyer, at the Old London. The Report of the Society was read at each of the rooms; it stated that in the last three years 22 Missionaries had been sent out by the Society, and aid had been furnished to zealous ministers to propagate the Gospel in their respective neighbourhoods; that in the last year several were added to that number, and were travelling in various parts of the country, preaching, &c. with desired effect, although encountering many difficulties. The Missionaries laboured in 159 villages, among a population of 80,000 persons, out of whom they had 15,000 hearers; 15 of the Missionaries had 47 Sunday Schools, in which 177 Teachers were employed, and several thousand children were taught; there were also various Adult Schools, and nearly 200,000 tracts had been disseminated. The interference of the Missionaries, in some instances, had the desired effect with gypsies, some of whom had been admitted into their schools. The income of the Society was stated at 30007. during the last year, and their expenses at 3,500!. which involved them in debt with their Treasurer.

(To be continued.)

ASIATIC ISLANDS.-CEYLON.

THE following letter was received by the Rev. P. M. Whelpley, from a native youth, of decided piety, under the care of Dr. Scudder. The letter was first written in the Tamul language, and translated by himself. Mr. W. in communicating it to the American Missionary Register, says: the "object in making this

letter public is, if possible, to induce some of your readers to adopt the plan which promises so much success, of aiding Mr. Scudder and our Missionaries abroad, in the support of boarding schools of native youth. Twelve dollars and a half a year, for three years, will board and educate one."

September, 1821.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,--By the mercy of the Lord, I was brought into the care of the Rev. D. Poor, at Tillipally, who gave me much religious instruction; but I did not then think much of those great and serious things which have since engaged my attention. When I had been about two years and six months at Tillipally, Dr. Scudder (since the Rev. J. Scudder) arrived there, and Mr. Poor put me into his care. Dr. Scudder communicated to me, that a Mr. Whelpley, minister of the gospel in America, wished to support a boy in this place, under the care of Dr. Scudder, by the name of Whelpley, and asked me whether I deserved that name: but I felt I was not worthy of it. I was, however, taken and supported. What a great act of compassion it is, that you should feed and clothe me, a poor boy, and put me under Christain instruction. I feel it my duty to be grateful to God and to you, lest this charity should condemn me. Dr. Scudder took me, with some other boys, to go and live with him at Panditeripo. He very often expected me while at Panditeripo. After a length of time, I thought how Jesus Christ, the son of God, shed his blood on account of my sins. I repented of my sins, and received Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I since wished to receive the Lord's Supper, and I did receive it. My friends and others ridiculed me, saying, "Ah! have you received the Coomoongar ??*

66

But the hope that Jesus was my Saviour, supported me, so that I was not ashamed. I told them, that if you will forsake your sins, repent of them, receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour, become partakers of his table, and love him, you will go to heaven at your death. But if you do not do so, when you die you must for ever dwell with devils in hell. But they laughed at what I said. Dr. Scudder directed me with some other boys, to carry Tracts written on ollas, and read them to the heathen twice a week, which we continue to do accordingly. Some of these stiff-necked people do not like to hear about Jesus Christ, some attempt to strike us when we go to read to them, and some said to me, you, a beef-eater, are you come to teach us?" Others tauntingly say to us, are you gone from our religion for food and clothing?" But I was not ashamed of these things. Some persons asked me if it was no sin for Christians to kill bullocks, sheep and fowls, and for food to kill them while they shiver and struggle for life? In reply to their questions, I put them another question, "Is it no sin," said I, "to kill creatures in sacrifice to your lifeless idols ?" They allowed it was sinful. I told them God made all things for man, and permitted us to eat what we needed, and therefore it was no sin for us to kill creatures for food. When I asked them how they expected to go to heaven, they said that if they bathe in sacred waters, boil rice at their temples, and give alms to the poor, their sins would be expiated. "If you commit a crime against the government," said I, "and then bathe in sacred waters; go

* Word used for Communion.

to temples, or give alms, will the governor not punish you?" "yes," answered they. 66 Having sinned against God, now by what way can you go to heaven ?" In answer to my question, either by way of fear or scoff, they pointed me to a great road that was near the place, seeming to say by their gestures, if you want a way to heaven, there is one. I told them, that when we were great sinners, Jesus Christ the Son of God came into this world, suffered much, and died on account of our sins; that if they leave off worshipping the devil, and receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they would go to heaven, and if they do not do so, they must go to hell.

I contique to tell these things to all the people to whom I go to read. Some would hear gladly. It is very profitabte to give the word of God to these people, for if they possess the scriptures, their children at least will read them; their children will compare their religion with ours, and then, perhaps the Lord will turn their hearts and incline them to receive the words of eternal life. I always pray for these perishing heathen, and hope that you and the church, of which you are the pastor, will pray for them too. The Rev. J. Scudder often warus and exhorts my school-fellows, who are 17 in number. I do so also; talk to them almost every day. They think much of eternal things whilst they are hearing, but when they leave the room, Satan carries off the seed of divine truth from their hearts. Some of them talk much of serious things. I pray that the Lord, who has brought them under Christian education, brought them from that perdition to which heathenism leads, may graciously pour out his Holy Spirit into the hearts of these dear youths. Please to pray for these youths, and for the heathen, and I beg your church to pray likewise. And so I, a poor sinner as I am, entreat the Lord for you and for your church. May the Lord be with us, and carry on his work.

Yours affectionately,

WHELPLEY.

UNITED STATES.-AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE American Bible Society has the highest claims on the American churches, as being in every point of view a NATIONAL INSTITUTION, whose sole object is to give the Bible, without note or comment, to every destitute individual on the face of the earth. With these just pretensions, it is presented to the benevolence of Christians of every denomination, in all the cities, towns, and villages of our country, in the hope they will adopt the principle, that no sum is too small to do some good, and no sum is so large as to exceed the wants of the institution, as long as one soul remains without the Sacred Volume. Notwithstanding the respectable number of auxiliaries, which are now contributing their aid, there are immense districts of our country, containing a numerous. population, that have done little or nothing to promote the circulation of the Bible. It is in these districts that we hope soon to see auxiliary societies and associations formed to pour into the general treasury their resources.

We now conclude the addresses delivered at the Anniversary Meeting, a part of which will be found at page 23 of our first number.

The following resolution was moved by the Rev. Mr. De Witt, of Fishkill, N. Y. and seconded by the Rev. Mr. Somers, of this city: