THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.CO

VOL. III.] Saturday, August 23, 1817,

Seventeenth Anniversary Meeting of the

[No. 22.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, (IN LONDON.). THE Annual Sermon for this Society was preached by the Rev. Daniel Wilson, on Tuesday morning, the 6th of May, at St. Eride's: this church being more convenient than St. Anne's, Blackfriars, on account of its greater proximity to the place where the meeting is held. The Sermon was founded on John iv. 35, 36; and the present very remarkable state of this country, with respect to its means and disposition to communicate the Gospel, and the openings in the Heathen world for its reception, afforded Mr. Wilson an opportunity of giving a most impressive view of the state of the world, and our duty to act accordingly. He considered the text under the two heads of "the aspect of the fields," and " the encouragement to the reapers to enter into them."

The Annual Meeting was held, as usual, at Freemason's Hall, at two o'clock. The Right Honourable Lord Gambier, Vice Patron, and President, in the Chair. The Lord Bishop of Gloucester, Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Grant, upwards 100 clergymen, and more than 1200 other members of the Society, ladies and gentlemen, were present. Many were unable to get in, for want of more room.

A suitable place for the annual meetings of the various Benevolent Societies of the country, somewhere in the neighbourhood of Lincoln's Inn Fields, has long been wanting. We confess that we should greatly rejoice to see a building erected, which would contain 3000 persons, who would, if the building were erected with this design, hear with perfect case, both to themselves and to the speakers.

His Lordship, the President, opened the business of the meeting with that piety which so eminently marks his character, praying that the spirit of their great Master might be present on the occasion. The Secretary then read the Report, which was by far the post encouraging which the Society has yet had to present to the public. The accounts from Africa were particularly promising; 21 adults amongst the re-captured Negroes having been baptized in one day at Regent's Town, in the colony of Sierra Leone. The income of the Society, notwithstanding the difficulties of the times, had increased more than 30007, and amounted last year to 19.0007. But such has been the calls upon its funds, that its ex penditure has exceeded its income nearly 20007.

The Bishop of Gloucester moved the printing of the Report, and called upon the mecting to bless God for the success which he had been pleased to give. A success which manifestly called for their admiring gratitude and determined perseverance. This motion was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Paterson from Russia, who stated the encouraging fields of labour in Tartary, Turkey, and Persia.

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338 Anniversary of the Church Missionary Society.

under the patronage of the great and good Emperor Alexander. Alluding to the death of the late Martyn at Spiraz, he stated his hope, that the Society would exert themselves in Persia, till they had built a christian church over the tomb of Martyn. He mentioned several circumstances showing the disposition of Mahometans to receive the word of God.

The Rev. Dr. Thorpe made a very animated speech relative to the scenes of the Society's labours, and the interest which his countrymen in Ireland felt in the progress of this cause: he concluded, by making a motion approving of the proceedings of the Society, which was seconded by R. H. Inglis, Esq. and carried unanimously

The Assistant Secretary, in acknowledging the thanks of the meeting, expressed his persuasion that all united in giving the glory of any good done to God alone. He contrasted the scene which he then beheld, with what he had seen in Africa at the same time last year, in the school at Yongroo, and in the worship of the spirits of the dead. He trusted that the encouraging tidings which the Report contained from Africa, would excite the meeting to exertions and prayer.

Charles Barclay, Esq. M. P. moved thanks to various friends of the Society, which was seconded by the Rev. R. P. Beachcroft, Rector of Blunham, who, after an interesting address, concluded with a peculiarly appropriate and eloquent quotation from Bishop Hall's writings, as the universal testimony of Scripture to the Saviour, the great subject, ever to be brought before the Heathen.

The Rev. J. W. Cunningham, of Harrow, in moving thanks to the preacher, which was seconded by the Rev. David Hughes, disclaimed all intention of praising him; yet could not avoid noticing the energy of his delivery, and the vast accumulation of wellauthenticated facts which he brought before the public.

The Rev. Daniel Wilson beautifully marked the danger of selfadmiration and self-praise creeping on the mind, instead of a simple reference of all to the glory of God. He accepted the thanks only, as expressing the pledge of the meeting to exert themselves anew in this cause.

The thanks to the noble President and Chairman being respectfully moved and seconded by the Rev. Edward Burn and the Rev. Hans Hamilton, his Lordship replied, by stating, that he considered his connexion with these Societies as a greater honour than any earthly titles or distinctions. His Lordship concluded the meeting by reading, with much devotion, the 117th Psalm, which had been sung in the church that morning.

We cannot but remark, with thankfulness to God, that throughout the day, the genuine spirit of the Gospel seemed remarkably to prevail-an bumble ascription of all glory to God, with affiance on his grace and blessing, and sincere affection toward other Christians in their exertions to extend his kingdom in the world.

The Rev. Mr. Corrie, one of the chaplains of the Hon. East

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India Company, who resided several years in India, returned to this country about two years ago for the recovery of his health, which has happily been re-established. On the 14th of April, he embarked again for India, where, we trust, he will long be spared as a blessing to the country.

He is accompanied by the Rev. Bernard Schmid, and his brother, the Rev. Deocar Schmid, two Lutheran clergymen; and by Mr. John Adlington, who is intended for orders, but too young to be yet ordained. They all sailed in the Carnatic, for Calcutta.

This Society has granted £100 toward the establishment of the Missionary Seminary at Basle in Switzerland-the same institution to which the Missionary Society last year presented £200.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. THE Anniversary Meeting of the British and Foreign School Society was held on Tuesday, May 13th, at Freemason's Hall.

Before eleven o'clock in the morning, the hall, which was fitted up with great neatness, for the accommodation of ladies, was filled in every part by a respectable throng of persons of distinction; a considerable number of ladies and gentlemen of the Society of Friends were also present.

Soon after twelve o'clock, His Grace the Duke of Bedford entered the hall, and took the chair amid great applause. His Grace was accompanied by the Marquis of Tavistock, Sir John Jackson, Bart. Sir Jas. Mackintosh, M. P. Mr. Barclay, M. P. Mr. Brougham, M. P. His Excellency the French Ambassador, Lord Ossulston, Lord Wm. Russel, the Sultan Katteghery, Baron Strandman, Dr. Hamel, Mr. Mallett, the Secretary of the Elementary School Society at Paris, Mr. Moran, and considerable number of Mini

sters from various parts of the country.

When the Duke of Bedford took the chair, he informed the Meeting, that his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, who took a deep interest in the well being of the Society, was every moment expected. His Grace begged leave to repeat the deep interest which he should ever take in its welfare.

The business of the day was then opened, by reading the Report of the current year's proceedings. This Report was of the most gratifying kind-the sum of 10,000l. which was required to clear off some of the old debts, and erect a proper School-house, had, with an additional sum, been procured within the last year. Mr. Owen, of Lanark, had contributed 1000l. to this vested subscription. It appeared from the Report, that the system of this Society had been widely spread in every quarter of the world. In the Borough Free School alone 12,000 children had been educated; independently of its being the centre from which instructors were initiated into the system, and sent to every part of the world. A Jews' School, for the education of 400 boys, had also been established in Houndsditch. The Auxiliary Society, in Southwark, had also done much in support of the system; and the Parish of Newington had erected a School on the principle of association;

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Speeches at the Anniversary meeting of

which would be opened in a few days. The most satisfactory accounts were also received from Scotland and Ireland: in the latter country, the Catholic Clergy, in many instances, lent their aid · to the diffusion of education according to this system. The same intelligence was received from India, where the Missionaries cooperated in the undertaking. The most favourable accounts had also been received from the Continent of Europe. In France, according to the information conveyed by Mr. Moran (who first introduced the system into that country,) the most liberal support had been given by the King, the Duke de la Chartre, Count Lainé, and several Prefects, and other Functionaries. His Majesty bad directed that the Catholic and Protestant boys should be educated in different shools, to admit of their receiving religious instruction from their several pastors. In Russia and the north of Europe it received every support. In Rome no objections were started against its introduction, and Cardinal Gonsalvi, on the part of the Pope, desired that the books of the Society should be forwarded for perusal. In the kingdom of Hayti it had also obtained a footing. In Spain, Africa, America, Sierra Leone, and other places, similar success had marked its progress.

William Allen, Esq. the Treasurer, then read the financial statement of the accounts of the Society. The Treasurer took a retrospective view of the great difficulties the Society had to struggle with in past years, yet he could not help acknowledging the hand of God in its support; for in a moment when there appeared to be no immediate prospect of help, and those few friends who joined with the late lamented Joseph Fox, had exerted themselves to the utmost, they received a sum of 500l. from a benevolent individual. This worthy man, whose name he might now mention, was Richard Reynolds of Bristol, who at different times had contributed between 2 and 3000l. to the funds of this Institution. And when he viewed the prosperous situation of the Society, which is this day freed from the incumbrance of its debts, and the buildings erected with only a further advance. of 2,5007. he could not help thinking, that if ever the hand of Providence was manifested in support of a benevolent institution, it was evident in this.

Sir John Jackson proposed the adoption of the Report, on which be pronounced the warmest panegyric.

The Rev. J. Townsend seconded the motion, and took a warm and energetic view of the state of education in this country. He said, that he should be ungrateful indeed, if he were not an advocate for gratuitous education, having himself received it in Christ's Hospital. The Rev Gentleman paid a just tribute to the early instruction he had received from an excellent mother, and very beautifully described the importance of education to the present and future welfare of man.

The Marquis of Tavistock proposed a motion of thanks to the Prince Regent, and their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex, for their patronage of this Society.

Mr. Chas. Barclay, M. P. seconded this motion, and paid a just

the British and Foreign School Society.

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tribute to the merits of the Society. Wide as this system of education had been diffused, there were, he was sorry to say, 6000 children uneducated at present in the Borough of Southwark.

The noble chairman lamented the absence of the Duke of Sussex, which he apprehended was occasioned by indisposition. He then read a letter from the Duke of Kent, dated Brussels, May 5th, which contained the strongest expressions of His Royal Highness's anxiety for the success of this Society.

Major Torrens proposed a vote. of thanks to the Duke of Bedford, as President of the Society. He pronounced an eloquent panegyric upon his Grace, whom he described as the hereditary friend of all that was noble, free, and liberal, in England. He also described, in forcible terms, the quantity of female talent which this country produced, and strongly urged the advancement of the Female School.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex entered the room amidst the applauses of the Meeting.

The Rev. John Paterson gave a most encouraging account of the general disposition of the people in many parts of the continent to read the Scriptures; and mentioned the case of a number of boys at Gottenburgh, who, of their own accord, had formed a Juvenile Bible Society, which amounted to 400; and that some of the boys who had no money at command subscribed a penny per week, to be taken from their dinner allowance. He mentioned the universal instruction of the people in many parts of Sweden, which he had visited, and the custom of that country in refusing marriage to persons until they were able to read. He paid a just tribute to the Emperor Alexander, who, among the various objects of his expanded benevolence, was engaged in promoting Schools on the improved system.

The noble chairman acknowledged the thanks of the Meeting, declaring, that such were the transcendent advantages of this Institution, that he dared not have withheld his support and exertion in its favour.

George Phillips, Esq. in proposing a vote of thanks to the Ladies of the. Committee, strenuously urged still greater exertions in the female department, from the important effects which education always has on the human mind, and very properly described those advantages in promoting the happiness of families, as servants, or the mothers of families. He expressed his regret, that the female department appeared to be deficient in the state of its funds, and relied on the assistance of the Ladies to support this important department of the Institution.

The Rev. Dr. Waugh, in seconding the motion, took an extensive view of the blessings of instruction. Like the God of nature, in an intellectual point of view, it said, Let there be light.'Light is daily diffusing its beams in all directions; and, while the ladies are entitled to the warmest thanks of the Meeting for their active exertions, he reminded them of the strong claim which is laid on them from the rank which they held in society. Here the