practice. The union of hearts, and purses and hands, have rendered that practicable; for which solitary efforts would had been totally inadequate. How would it have gladdened the hearts of our pious ancestors to have witnessed what (thro' divine mercy) our eyes have seen! May I add, with what inexpressible delight must they (looking down from their thrones) behold the activity which at present prevails among the friends of Jesus for the propagation of his name! Some calling forth the strength of their own religious denomination, and others uniting the exertions of all the lovers of Christ, overlooking, in their zeal for the great object, their petty quarrels and minuter differences of sentiment; rivalling, but not opposing one another in their zeal for our common Lord. Some directing their efforts to one particular object or description of persons, and some to another; but all labouring for the honour of Jesus and the salvation of souls; some attending to the interests of the gospel at home; and others stretching their views and their armn to the uttermost parts of the earth. Schools erected in all quarters for the religious education of the young, asylums for the reformation of the abandoned, and places of worship for dispensing the ordinances of the gospel to the poor; the rude inhabitants of the villages enlightened, and the wild mountaineers tamed, by the communication and influence of evangelical knowledge, and the Jewish stranger within our gates, neglected till now and despised, receiv ing our commiseration and aid! Societies formed, funds collected, and prayers daily offered up for all the inhabitants of the world. In a word hands skilful and zealous at work, not only at home, but in Tartary and India, to translate the Scriptures into languages which never before expressed the blessed name of Jesus;missions sent to the frozen shores of Greenland, and to the burning sands of Africa, and faithful men devoting their lives to the service of Christ and of precious souls, on the western, as well as on the eastern continent, among the wretched Hottentots, and in the remotest islands of the Southern Ocean. - What a glorious sight! Can such fire have been kindled without a live coal from the altar of God? or, Can it exhaust itself in vain, when the Scriptures are made to speak all languages, and the servants of Jesus, like the angel mentioned in the Revelation of John, are flying to every nation and kindred, and tongue and people, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth? Is it possible that the name of Jesus shail not in due time bẹ made known to all the world, and continue to be remembered in all generations? These efforts are indications of the Divine intention, means which he will bless for accomplishing it, tokens that the days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.' name shall endure for ever; his name shall be continued as long as the Sun, and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed.' This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord.' SURRY CHAPEL.. · -- and • His Mr. Hill, the stated minister, commenced the public services of this anniversary, by reading the Liturgy of the Established Church, with appro priate portions of Scripture. After which, extemporary prayer was offere ed by Mr. Bowden, of Tooting. Mr. Peddie, of Edinburgh, then delivered an excellent discourse on Psalm xlv. 17. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shail the people praise thee for ever and ever.' He directed the attention of his audience, 1st, To the pro mise in the text, that the name of Christ shall be remembered in all generations; and, 2dly, To the means which God has employed, and will employ for its performance.' Under the first head, it was observed, that many names, once celebrated, have been for ages buried in oblivion; no Vestige, remaining of their splendid achievements or ingenious performances, but that one name survives (may it live for ever!) a name of more value than ten thousand of those which form the prominent figures - 1 in the page of the historian; and this survives notwithstanding all impedi ments, and the hostility of Hell and Earth. The means by which this name has been and will be preserved, were then pointed out, ، The volume of the ordinance of preaching, and the active exertions of the a recommendation of Mission Scripture, which naturally led to Mr. Banister, of Wareham, concluded with prayer. Mr. Hill pleaded the pecuniary cause of the Society; and read an affecting passage from a letter lately received from one of the Missionaries. The collection was liberal beyond example. TABERNACLE. In the evening, Mr. John Clayton, junior, preached a discourse, well suited to the solemn occasion, on Isa, xxix. 8. It shall even be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth; but he awaketh, and his sout is empty or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold he drinketh; but he awaketh and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite; so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.' From these words the preacher proposed, 1st, To take a view of the Church's enemies; 2dly, To examine their expectation of success; and, 3dly, To expose their final overthrow. The conclusion was properly adapted to promote the great objects of the Missionary Institution. Mr. Collison, of Hackney, offered up the prayer before sermon; and Mr. Geary the concluding prayer. MOORFIELDS. Thursday Morning. . The annual business of the Society was conducted at the Rev. Mr. Wall's meeting-house, the former place of meeting not being sufficiently capacious; nor, indeed, was this, great numbers, it is said, being unable to procure admission. The gradually increasing attention of the religious public to the Report of the Directors, is a strong proof of the increasing interest which is taken in the progress and prosperity of the Society. The chair was occupied, as usual, by J. Hardcastle, Esq. Trea surer of the Society. Mr. Waugh solemnly implored the Divine presence and benediction, by an introductory prayer. The original plan of the Institution was read by Mr. Platt; and the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting by Mr. Buck. The Report, which was very copious, was read by the Secretary; and, we believe, proved a source of great satisfaction to the numerous assembly, who heard, with heartfelt delight, that God hath, to many poor heathens, in different parts of the world, granted repentance unto life. The conversion of many of the Hottentots in South Africa, and of a very considerable number of slaves in the Western world, occasioned many thanksgivings to God. While the Committee withdrew to nomi. nate Directors for the following year, Dr. Collyer delivered a very animating address to the Society, whose satisfaction and delight was too great to be altogether suppressed. The 133d Psalm, descriptive of the harmony which pervaded the assembly, was then sung; and Mr. Hogg, late of Thrapston, concluded the pleasing solemnity with prayer. TOTTENHAM COURT CHAPEL. This spacious place of worship was filled at so early an hour, that the service commenced soon after five, instead of six o'clock. The prayers of the church were read by Mr. Huckwell, the curate of the chapel. The prayer before sermon was offered by Mr. Mark Wilks, junior, of Salisbury. Mr. Richards, one of the Ministers in the connexion of the late Lady Huntingdon, and who has for several years statedly resided at Hull, preached the sermon, on Ezek. xvi. 60, &c. Nevertheless, I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. Then shalt thou remember thy ways; and be ashamed, when thou shalt reseive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger, XVII. ٥٥ (Sodom and Samaria) and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.'-The preacher first noticed the pleasing promise made to the Jewish nation, that, notwithstanding their transgressions, God would remember his covenant, &c.; 2dly, That they should painfully remember their former ways of sin and folly; 8dly, That Jew and Gentile shall in due time be happily united in the Christian Church; 4thly, Thaṭ there will be the nearest relation, as well as the closest union, between them; 5thly, That some of the unworthiest and vilest characters shall be made partakers of pardoning mercy and gospel grace; and, lastly, That all these happy effects shall be produced by a New Covenant. improvement of the subject included gratitude for the covenant of grace, the encouragement it affords to backsliders, &c. the motives it suggests to mutual love among Christian professors, and a powerful incitement to the Missionary Society to ths exercise of faith, prayer, and exertion, ST. BRIDE'S CHURCH. The The use of this elegant and spacious structure was again kindly granted to the Society, by the Rev. Rector and the Officers of the parish. A very large congregation was early assembled; when the prayers were read by Mr. Jones, the Curate. The sermon was preached by Mr. Martyn, jun. Curate of Pertenhall, near Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire. The text, Psal. xcvi. 10-18. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth,' &c.—In discoursing on which, he considered, 1st, The nature and extent of the kingdom of God; 2dly, The duty and privilege resulting from them; and, 3dly, The encouragement afforded by the present times. The sermon concluded with an animated exhortation to exertion and liberality. On Friday afternoon, the usual business was transacted at the School Room of Sion Chapel, when thanks were voted to the Ministers who had preached the several sermons, with a request that they might be printed for the benefit of the Society; thanks also were voted to the Ministers and Gentlemen who had granted the use of their several places of worship. The Sermons, we understand, are already in the press; and, it is hoped, will be published July 1. SION CHAPEL. The last public Meeting was held in this place, for the commemoration of the death of HIM, whose glorious gospel it is the sole object of this Society to promulgate. A vast number of communicants attended; and in consequence of some new regulations, a greater degree of regularity was preserved than on some former occasions. Mr. Bogue presided, and gave an introductory address, &c. Prayers were offered up by Mr. Hunt and Mr. Hill. Exhortations, during the service, were given by Dr. Smith, Mr. Roby, Mr. Cockin, Mr. J. Townsend, and Mr. Wilks. The elements were distributed, and other parts of the service conducted by Messrs. Evans, Edwards, Cloutt, Breech, Hunt, Ball, T. Williams, Bannister, Davison, W. Hopkins, Hopkins, Griffiths, Dr. Winter, Messrs. Cobbin, Jackson, Smith, Lewis, Maslin, Raban, Sowden, W. Williams, Dunn, Platt, Buck, Meffin, Dryland, Gore, Sloper, Kirkman, and Hilliard. The following Ministers also assisted in the devotional parts of the former services: Messrs. Lewis, Griffith, J. W. Perey, Smith, Cobbin, Brooksbank, Mumford, Raffles, and Hyatt. Thus concluded the Fifteenth General Meeting of the Missionary Society, a meeting which, we believe, afforded a high degree of gratification to the thousands who attended its various services. No abatement of Christian zeal, love, and harmony, was observable; on the contrary, the early and numerous attendance of the congregations, and especially the unparalleled liberality evinced by the collections, seem to indicate a growing concern to spread the name of Jesus to the uttermost ends of the earth. A printed paper, giving a general statement of the various missions undertaken and supported by the Society, was distributed at all the places of worship. This not only presented a view of the multiplied engagements of the Society, and the degree of success which has attended them, but exhibited also the present condition of its funds. For the information of our Readers who were not in town, we shall here subjoin the latter part of it : A General Statement of Receipts and Disbursements, from May 1, 1808, to May 1, 1809. N.B. The expenditure within the past year, has exceeded the income of the Society £.2082 5s. 9d.; part of which has been discharged. By the Sale of Exchequer Bills, to the amount of ............ ..1027 19 3 The balance remaining due to the Treasurer, May 1, 1809, is 1054 6 6 £.2082 5 From this statement of the accounts, is will appear that the most strenuous exertions of the friends of the Society are absolutely necessary to recruit its funds, that the future Directors may be enabled to support the Missions already established, and to commence others, in places to which the providence of God may direct their attention. This representation, enforced by the Ministers at the close of their sørmons, called forth from a generous public new and unexampled efforts. The Collections were as follows: BRITISH AND foreign BIBLE SOCIETY. On Wednesday, May the 3d, this Society held their Fifth Annual Meeting at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, which was most numerously and respectably attended. The Right Honourable Lord Teignmouth, the President, read the Report of Proceedings during the last Year. His Lordship then delivered a brief Address, which, by its simplicity, energy, and piety, produced a sensation throughout the whole Assembly, which no description can represent. The Bishop of Durham, in mov ing the Thanks to the President, expressed in very emphatical and impressive language the satisfaction it gave him to be connected with the Society, and to witness the happy effects with which its exertions had been attended; and Mr. Wilberforce, in seconding this Motion, as well as afterwards in moving the Thanks to the Secretaries, delivered his sentiments to the same effect with his usual eloquence and feeling. After reading Extracts of Correspondents from different parts of the world, each of the Se cretaries (viz. the Rev Mr. Owen, of Fulham; Mr. Hughes, of Battersea and Mr. Steinkopff, of the Savoy) addressed the Meeting as did several Gentlemen from Ireland, Wales, and Reading. The Archbishop of Cashel and the Bishop of Salisbury expressed, through the President, their regret at being prevented by urgent business from giving their usual attendance. No language can convey an adequate idea of the union, cordiality, and devout gratification which distinguished this interesting Anniversary. -- When it is considered that this Society has appropriated already 30007. to translations of the Scripture in Bengal;-that it has given birth to institutions similar to its own in Germany, Prussia, Sweden, Pennsylvania, and Nova Scotia, abroad; to five in different parts of Ireland, and to several in England; that it has printed, or aided the printing or translating of the Scriptures, either in whole or in part, in no less than 27 langnages;—that it has been the instrument (as the Report very impressively stated) of communicating the words of Eternal Life to Cottages and Prisons, to Kindred aud Aliens, to the Poor and Afflicted, in our own and foreign countries ;" and that in its administration and support, Christians of all denominations, who make the Scriptures the standard of their faith, most zealously and harmoniously co-operate, it will scarcely be thought extravagant to affim, that no Institution of a religious nature ever accomplished so much within the same period of time; or promised, under the divine blessing, to produce so rapid, peaceable, and effectual a diffusion of the Christian faith over the habitable world. Subscriptions are received by the Collector, Mr. Smith, 19, Little Moorfields; Mr. Seeley, Bookseller to the Society, 169, Fleet-street; the Treasurer, at Down, Theraton, and Co.'s; and by the Secretaries. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. On Thursday morning, May 11th, the Religious Tract Society held their Tenth Anniversary in the great room of the City of Londou Tavern. The attendance was numerous beyond all former example, it being supposed that 600 persons were present. After the Secretary (Rev. J. Hughes, of Baltersca) had read the Report, several Gentlemen addressed the company, in a mamer calculated to affect every mind, with the excellence and importance of the Institution. Various instances of benefit derived from the perusal of Tracts were specified; and the whole impression was of the most encouraging nature. much as The large gratuitous distributions of the Society having exhausted its funds, many additions were made to the List of Subscribers, sistance is still wanted; but its friends have had too many proefs of the Divine Favour to doubt, for a moment, respecting the means of ensuring adequate support. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. The General Meeting of the Hibernian Society, for the diffusion of reli gious knowledge in Ireland, was held at the New London Tavern, on Friday, May 12, at seven o'clock in the morning. The meeting was much more numerously attended than on any former occasion; and we were happy to see many gentlemen from Ireland present. The report which was read from the chair contained pleasing intimations of the increasing usefulness of that infant Society. The Committee have lately particularly directed their attention to the establishment of schools upon the plan recommended by Dr. Bell and Mr. Lancaster. These promise to be of peculiar advantage to the lower orders of Society in lieland. They have also some laborious preachers of the gospel in that country, who not only preach wherever Providence favours them with an opporla aity, but also go from house to house instructing the people. |