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Bethel Union Annual Meeting.-The Fourth Anniversary Meeting of the Bethel Union and Seaman's Friend Society, was held at the City of London Tavern, on Wednesday, the 17th of September. From twelve to fifteen hundred respectably dressed persons were present, of whom a great proportion were ladies. At six o'clock precisely, the Right Hon. Lord GAMBIER took the chair. The Rev. G. C. SMITH, of Penzance, gave out a hymn, which the assembly joined in singing, and the Rev. Mr. Davis, of Walworth, prayed. The meeting was then addressed by Lord GAMBIER, who congratulated the friends of the society on the great progress it had made since the last Anniversary. Mr. ASHLEY read the Annual Report, detailing the flourishing state and extension of the society. The Rev. Dr. COLLYER appeared on the platform, at this moment, and was received with considerable applause. Mr. Ashley read letters, apologizing for their absence from Earl ROCKSAVAGE, Mr. WILBERFORCE, and Capt. FRANCIS AUSTIN, R. N. The Rev. G. C. SMITH, of Penzance, moved the first resolution. He thanked God for his gracious mercy in sparing him to advocate a cause, which, as long as life was left him, lay nearest his heart. As he had once been a sailor, he never could forget the cause of sailors, or the promotion of their eternal welfare. Having been but lately on the. margin of eternity, he had occasion to review his past life, and he assured the meeting, there was no part of it he looked back to with greater satisfaction than the early prosecution of the business which they were then assembled to promote. It was a proud gratification for him to see that all the objects of the institution prospered, and he still hoped th would prosper under the patronage of the gallant and noble Aural who presided on that evening. NEVILLE, one of the Presidents of the Bethel Union, at PortsGeneral mouth, bore testimony to the good effects of the society, as he had opportunity frequently of witnessing them.

The Rev. Mr. HILLYARD, of Bedford, proposed the second resolution. Captain BASILGATE and the Rev. Mr. ISLAM next addressed the meeting. The Rev. G. C. SMITH delivered an account of Donations. The master of a ship, PHILLIPS, presented the annual cargo of his vessel, 10. 14s. The Rev. Dr. COLLYER in rising, was received with marks of the most distinguished applause, which continued for several minutes. While addressing the meeting, the Doctor had occasion to read some papers, but on finding some difficulty in doing so, he said in the most impressive manner, "I find there are other things, besides time, which make a man old, and I find myself now ten years older than I was a month since.' The meeting seemed deeply affected by this obser vation, and a general expression of applause was given. He then read a few extracts, and concluded by saying, "Such are the fruits of our labours, the inculcation of love to God, and charity to man. The Rev. Mr. EMLY, Mr. Alderman KEY, the Rev. Messrs. GILBERT, DAVIS BROWN, SMITH, and Mr. T. PHILLIPS, also addressed the meeting; after which his Lordship returned thanks, and it broke up.

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A gentleman, by birth a German, publicly renounced Judaism, lately, in the Episcopal Chapel there, and was baptized into the Christian faith, according to the rites of the English Church.

The congregation of Independent Dissenters, at Shelton Potteries, Hanley, Staffordshire, having investigated some charges of immorality alledged against the Rev. Mr. Farmer. their Pastor, have found the whole to be without foundation, and have unanimously requested him to resume his labours. The Rev. Edward Parsons, of Leeds, presided on the occasion.

Some of the Sunday papers, still feeding on their delightful repast of slander, in despite of proof, general opinion, and private feeling, are throwing out their darts against an esteemed and benevolent minister, whose philanthropic actions none but the most unclean reptiles in human form would construe into acts of indecency. He may let their dirt dry-and it will easily brush off.

Pennant in his account of Religious Customs in North Wales, says, that" in church, the hearers usually spit at the name of the Devil, and smite their breasts at the name of Judas."

The Reverend Rowland Hill, who has now attained his 80th year, has lately been preaching at Plymouth and Dock in behalf of the Missionary Society:-about 5000 persons attended on the

occasion.

PHILANTHROPIC INTELLIGENCE.

FOREIGN.

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Civilization of the Indians. A society has been for d at Bangor,' says the Boston Daily Advertiser, consistiu principally of gentlemen of that town and Hampden, for the laudable object of promoting the civilization and the moral and religious improvement of the Perobscot Indians. They have already established a school at Old Town Island, the principal Indian village, about 12 miles from Bangor, and have employed Mr. Josiah Brewer, a graduate of Yale College, as instructor. There are already 30 children in the school, and it is stated that if there were means of clothing and supporting them, there would be as many more. The tribe consists of about 300 persons. Mr. Brewer, in addition to his labours in the school, encourages and instructs the Indians in their agricultural pursuits.

Emancipation of Slaves in Russia.-In the government of Livonia, including the province of Oessel, 39,043 males, and 38,483 females, have been liberated from slavery during the early part of this year. In this emancipation of the peasantry, the Emperor Alexander is said to take a lively interest. It is, however, to be wished that he would never suffer his attention to be diverted from giving freedom to his own people to imposing slavery in the other parts of Europe,

The Chamber of Correctional Police of the Tribunal of Bordeaux, has condemned the Sieur Scolan, a captain of long standing in the navy, to be deprived of his rank, and prohibited from exercising his profession, for being engaged in the Slave Trade.

A resolution has been taken by the American Legislature, declaring, by law, the Slave Trade to be PIRACY. Of course this declaration can affect only subjects of the United States; but, with regard to them, we presume that it wholly annihilates the protection of their national character, so that if an African slave trader should be captured by an English or French cruizer, the American Government would not in any way interfere to save him from the fate which might await him by the law of France or England.We cannot conceive any good reason why our own and every other Government which has renounced the Slave Trade should not join in adopting the American principle: the consequence of which would be, the certain and entire abolition of the Slave Trade; for no one would venture to embark in it if declared piracy all over the world.

HOME.

Mr. R. Martin, the Member of Parliament for Galway, is diligently occupying his leisure time in carrying the operations of his bill into effect, to prevent cruelty to animals. He has had several brutes, in the shape of men, brought before the magistrates, and fined, and has even shewed them kindness, by sharing the fine with them. We regret that so humane a man should have been more than once called to order by the bench, for habitually profaning the sacred name of God.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

FOREIGN.

If we are to credit the statement of the West India planters, they are fast going to ruin. Messrs. Wilberforce and Buxton have led to this fatal result! If so, we can but see the righteous retribution of heaven in the punishment of the guilty, who have so long punished the innocent. It seems that these people are not quite destitute of feeling, for though they cannot feel for others, they can feel for themselves.

The master of a Greek vessel and his crew astonished the inhabitants of Marseilles a short time since, by carrying the cargo of their small vessel, consisting of rice, to the market-place, and distributing it gratis to the poor. It may easily be supposed that their customers increased hourly, when their circumstances were made known; and several other cargoes might have been easily disposed of on the same terms. These poor men, it seems, were caught in a dreadful storm in the Mediterranean, and having be-, taken themselves to prayer, according to the forms of the Greek

church, they made a vow to give their cargo to the poor, if Providence should be pleased to spare their vessel and their lives for the sake of their wives and families. The storm abated and they gained Marseilles in safety, where they rigidly performed their vow. It is to be observed that the master and crew of a Greek vessel, are all joint owners in certain proportions of ship and cargo.

The government of the Netherlands has issued a decree, suppressing two Roman Catholic societies. One was called "The Catholic Society of Belgium,' and had its principal establishment at Brussels; the other, which took the more general title of The Roman Catholic Society," had its chief seat at Utrecht. The ground for suppressing these societies is thus stated in the preamble to the decree :- Because they were formed without the knowledge and consent of the government, and because they have shewn themselves, by divers circumstances which are peculiar to them, to be institutions, the further existence of which would influence the public tranquillity in a manner the extent of which cannot be foreseen.

The Protestant Episcopal Church, at East Shefford, Upper Canada, was destroyed by fire, on the evening of the 15th of July. It was discovered about 11 o'clock, and so rapid was the progress of the flames, that in about a quarter of an hour from being first observed, the tower fell outwards, followed in a short time afterwards by the roof and walls of the building.

HOME.

Union Hall, September 1.-On MR. ALLENS taking his seat, the following complaint was put into his hands, by a young lad, who stated that the applicant was unable to attend herself, in consequence of ill-health. The name of the lady aggrieved was not mentioned:

"A Quaker lady has been repeatedly refused admittance at the Quakers' Meeting House, on the Lord's Day, and once forcibly prevented by the door-keepers, acting by order of the Elders. Is this legal? Is not every Church, Chapel, or Meeting, of any persuasion, to be free of access during hours of worship?'

The Magistrate, on reading the above, observed, that it certainly was illegal to prevent the entrance of any person into a place of worship of whatsoever denomination. The Toleration Act specifies that such places are to have unbarred doors, during the time of service; however, the act does not cite whether the Church Authorities have the power of expelling persons from their doors. Had an assault been committed on the lady, by the individual who prevented her entrance into the Meeting House, on this occasion, he would have no hesitation in granting a warrants against him: Mr. Allen added that she had her remedy by action at law. On a subsequent examination, it appeared that the lady attended the meetings, but was not a member of the

Body of Friends, yet she insisted on speaking when she felt moved so to do, and having often disturbed the society, was at length gently refused admission. The magistrate advised the congregation to prosecute, and she would be heavily fined for disturbing worship; but having declined so to do, the parties left the office as they came, the lady resolving still on using what she deemed the privilege of a free-born woman.

The Death of Lord Powerscourt will be a great loss to the religious and benevolent societies in Ireland, of all of which this pious peer was a warm advocate and supporter.

Some persons have, we are informed, purchased the lease of a house in Fleet Street, which they have underlet to Richard Carlile, at a weekly rent for the purpose of enabling him to vend his numerous publications. Persecute truth, and it will be seen to flourish; persecute error, and many will be induced to embrace it from sympathy for the sufferers. Carlile was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fines of 15007. The three years expired in November last, and he has since been, and now is held in Dorchester gaol for the fine, although all his stock and huosehold furniture were seized and sold as for the fines. His sister was also sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of 5007. Her two years imprisonment expired also in November, and she who stated in her petition to the House of Commons, that she never possessed any property, has been also detained, and is still detained for her fine of 500%. The consequence of these absurd persecutions has been the propagating of infidel opinions to an extent which they could not otherwise have reached, and at length to the interference of persons in a way calculated to call public attention more closely to matters, which those who promote persecutions wished should be suppressed. These facts speak for themselves. -Morning Chronicle.

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