Many local Tract Societies have been formed in different parts of England, which make occasional contributions to the funds of the Society in London, and assist in the diffusion of its tracts. The Report concludes with calling on the members of the society to use their utmost efforts to give efficacy to this mode of instruction, by which they may be made the means of saving souls from death. "A principal purpose of the tracts is to excite attention and inquiry. The Bible, thanks be to God! will soon be every where at hand. If the indifferent can be rendered solicitous for its instructions, by these silent monitions of a tract, the best wishes of the Society are satisfied. It aspires, however, not unreasonably to something more. Wherever it can introduce a tract, it considers itself as having paid a charitable visit, and delivered an impressive discourse. Destitute, as a tract is, of some advantages which attend upon living instructions, it is also exempt from many of the difficulties which preclude or defeat their success it gives less offence; it meets with a less virulent repulse; it is not so likely to produce ridicule; and it dismissed till a more convenient season, it can remain at hand till that season arrives." The Appendix to the Report contains a variety of communications, specifying the benefits derived in particular instances from the circulation of tracts. We shall select a few of the cases. The first is a letter from Stockholm, dated August 19, 1811. "We are, time after time, gratified with pleasing accounts of the success of our labours. A few weeks since, I was visited by an old man from Dalecarlia, who informed me that the tracts we distributed on our journey in 1808, have been the means of much good. We have had reports of a similar nature from Pitca. I have had some very pleasant conversation with one of those who were awakened, who has for some time attended the University at Upsala. He came here on his return home to labour among his friends in the north. I procured him about 900 tracts to distribute, which, I doubt not, will be the harbingers of peace to many. In fact, we are daily hearing of many pleasing instances of the beneficial effects of these messengers of truth, which are sent out to traverse the country in every direction at so small an expense. "The Prince Royal, on visiting one of the prisons in Stockholm, observed that every apartment was furnished with small religious tracts and New Testaments. He afterwards mentioned the circumstance to Baron Rosenblad, Counsellor of State, with much applause, and inquired to whom it was owing that the prisoners were so well provided; on being told, he expressed his approbation of the society in a very encouraging manner." Another correspondent writes from Lisbon, April 4, 1812. "Through Mr. B.'s kind interference, I have received a box of religious tracts, which I find of the greatest benefit to the sick in the Ge neral Military Hospital. They take up one of these when the sight of a larger book would deter them; and as many contain little histories, they are read with the greatest avidity." Chatham, June 3, 1812.-" I have to acknowledge the reception of the generous present of the Syllabaire François' (the French Spelling. book); and La Fille du Laitier (the Dairyman's Daughter); which came to hand some time ago. I have delayed writing, that I might be able to communicate something relative to the reception they met with among the prisoners, and their probable success. "As it respects the Syllabaire François,' it is received with eagerness and gratitude; and the schoolmasters consider it well adapted for the instruction of youth. But La Fille du Laitier' is received with the most ardent desire, and the most uncommon expressions of gratitude I ever witnessed. "Yesterday, I was called to witness a most pleasing scene; a short account of which I shall take the liberty of presenting you with. About three o'clock in the afternoon, two cartels sailed from this river, with 135 prisoners; chiefly invalids and aged men. Mr. T. and myself attended them all the day, and presented each individual with a parcel, containing a Bible or a Testament, La Fille du Laitier,' and other tracts; and I can assure you, Sir, that it was highly gratifying to see the avidity and gratitude with which they received the present. Speaking of La Fille du Laitier,' one said, I have seen this pamphlet before, and was very much gratified with what I read of it; and am now overjoyed to have one for myself, to take home with me, to my family. Another said,This book is highly entertaining; and I am glad to have a copy of it, to take home with me.' "Indeed, Sir, I am at loss to express my feelings, while on board of the cartels. Had we never seen any fruit of our labours, before this day, I am sure we have now witnessed a scene, sufficient to encourage our hope of future success, and to stir us up to a more vigorous activity than ever. While many expressed their gratitude, in the most animated manner, others, with tears in their eyes, could only utter a few broken sentences; but we could read the mute language of the heart.” the Christian Scriptures into the hands of the Jews in the Hebrew language. "A poor student, who studied divinity at the University of Leipsic, having occasion to undertake a journey to his distant friends, was in want of the necessary money for that purpose. He therefore was induced to go to a learned Jew to pawn his Hebrew Bible and Greek Testament. The latter contained the Greek and German text in opposite columns. The learned Jew, little as he valued this book, was, however, prevailed upon to take it, and to give the student half a rix-dollar for it. During the absence of the student he undertook to read it through, with a view to confirm his mind in enmity against Jesus; to ridicule his person in the synagogue, and to be better prepared to testify his zeal for the Jewish faith. His wife and children were not permitted to see the book: he was determined to read it alone, as a sworn enemy of Jesus, and to discover the falsehood of the Christian religion in all its parts. As the student was absent for about seven weeks, the Jew had sufficient leisure to perform his task. But as he proceeded to read, his surprise increased, and a sacred awe pervaded him. Ia reading some impressive passages, he could scarcely refrain from exclaiming, Ah, that Jesus were my Saviour! Having completed the reading, he was astonished at himself, and exceedingly perplexed, that, in spite of his earnest desire to find fuel in the New Testament for the increase of his burning enmity against SOCIETY FOR THE CONVERSION OF Jesus, he had discovered nothing of THE JEWS. THIS Society has lately circulated a paper containing some interesting information respecting the state of the Jews in foreign countries, to which they have subjoined an account of the conversion of two Jews. We will lay the first of these before our readers, as tending to strengthen the view we have been disposed to take of the obligation we are under as Christians to put hatred, but on the contrary much that is great, sublime, heavenly, and divine. At length be charged himself with silly simplicity and blind folly, and resolved to open the book no more. In this resolution he persisted some days. But the consolatory and heavenly instructions which he had read, and which left an indelible impression upon his mind, and the glorious prospect of life eternal which had opened before 'him, did not suffer him to rest either day or night. Now he resolved to read the New Testament a second time, fully determined to be more careful in ascertaining that Jesus and his Apostles had justly deserved the hatred of all Jews in all ages. But again he was unable to discover any thing that is absurd or bears the stamp of falsehood; but much wisdom, inexpressible comforts for an afflicted mind, and a hope of immortality, which seemed to rescue him from that dreadful anxiety with which the thoughts of futurity had often filled him. Still he could not divest himself of his prejudices, but read the New Testament a third time, with the following resolution: If I discover nothing the third time why Jesus and his Apostles and their doctrine should be hated by the Jews, I will become a Christian; but if my wish in first opening the book is now gratified, I will for ever detest the Christian religion. During the third reading of the history of Jesus, his doctrines and promises, he often could not refrain from tears; his soul was affected in a manner which no pen can describe. Now he was quite overcome; the love of the most holy and the most lovely of the children of men filled his very soul. Being fully determined to become a Christian, he went without delay and made his desire known to a Christian minister Now the student returned from his journey, and brought the borrowed money with interest, to redeem his two books. The Jew asked him if he would sell the New Testament. The student was unwilling to part with it, but after some persuasion yielded. What do you demand for it? asked the Jew. A rixdollar will satisfy me, was the reply. The Jew opened a chest, and laid down one hundred Louis - d'ors. Take that, said he: gladly will I pay more if you desire it: and if at any time I can be of use to you, only apply to me, and I will be your friend to the utmost of my power. The student was surprised, and supposed that the Jew made sport of him. But the latter related to him, what change of mind had beeu wrought in him by reading the New Testament, upbraided him with setting so little value on that precious book, and said, Never will I part with this book, and you will oblige me by accepting the money. From that time he became a sincere Christian.” LASCARS AND CHINESE. AN address has been circulated, calling upon Christians to turn their attention to the religious instruction of the Asiatic sailors, who assist in navigating our ships from India, and of whom not less than two thousand annually visit this country. A few of the Lascars call themselves Christians, but have nothing of Christianity but the name: the rest are either Mahometans or Pagans. With a view to their instruction, the Religious Tract Society has ordered a fount of Ben galee characters to be sent to this country, with a view to printing tracts for their use. The London Missionary Society his also engaged two pious young men to learn the Bengalee language, in which they have made such progress that in less than three months they were able to read the New Testament in that language. Their teacher is a Lascar, and with his assistance they are employed in translating Dr. Watts's First Catechism into Bengalee. A third person is endeavouring to acquire the Chinese language, with a view to the seamen of that nation. It is intended also to procure a supply of the Bengalee Scriptures, through the British and Foreign Bible Society. Many of the Lascars can read that language, and manifest no indisposition to reading the Bengalee New Testament, which has been put into their hands. As these men have no employment during the four, six, or nine months they remain in this country, it is presumed that tracts, or the Scriptures, if furnished, will be generally read. by them. It is also proposed, that persons intended for Asiatic missions, or other zealous Christians, shall endeavour to acquire a knowledge of the languages in which these strangers may be addressed; and if their labours should conduce, through the Divine blessing, to the conversion of any of them, it is impossible to calculate the extent of good which may flow from such an occurrence. Every real convert will prove a missionary to his countrymen, on his return to his native home. It is unquestionably a subject of regret and astonishment, as the address to which we have alluded pointedly states, that "notwithstanding all the exertions made by the Christian world, and the many societies purposely formed for propagating Christianity abroad, all of which have sprung up within these twenty years, within that time more than FORTY THOUSAND of these unenlightened strangers have come to this country, and returned again, and yet antil now nothing whatever has been attempted to afford them religious instruction. And what must the enemies of Christianity, and of Christian societies, have had to say on this subject? Why this, these willing objectors said: It may be very laudable in you to expend thousands in sending missionaries abroad, but really it appears irreconcileable, that you should not first look to the heathen who by hundreds are daily found at your very doors, and who by thousands visit your metropolis year after year." Donations and subscriptions are requested by the Missionary Society for this specific object. SEVERAL Societies, for the support of foreign missions, have recently been formed in the United States, and considerable sums have been raised for that purpose. On the 6th of February last, five persons were or dained at Salem, in New England, intended to go out as missionaries to the heathen in Asia. They took their departure for India in about a Their names are fortnight after. Messrs. Newell, Judson, Nott, Hall, and Rice. The three first are married, and are accompanied by their wives. We extract from the Panoplist the following pleasing account of the missionary zeal which has been exerted in America. "The Christian zeal which has been exhibited in the numerous donations, to support foreign missions, and to aid the translation of the Bible into the languages of Asia, is truly admirable, and has excited lively emotions of joy and gratitude in the minds of many. The cheerfulness and alacrity with which ma ny persons offered their money, has rarely been paralleled, even in the annals of religious beneficence. The poor were eager to share with the rich the pleasing satisfaction of contributing to send the Gospel to the heathen. Several instances deserve particular notice. A man in quite moderate circumstances gave a fivedollar bill; his wife, wishing to give her offering also, and not hav ing money in her possession, immediately devoted her gold necklace to this best of causes. A hired girl in Boston gave, without the least solicitation, ten dollars, which she had saved from her wages. She only inquired, if the money would cer tainly go to the missionaries; and, on being assured that it would, immediately requested her employer to pay it. Several other hired girls, in country towns, gave three dollars each; and others less, according to their ability. "The Prudential Committee were agreeably surprised to find the donations greatly exceed their most sanguine expectations. Within three weeks, including the day on which the missionaries were ordained, not far from 6,000 dollars were received in donations, the greater part of which was altogether unexpected." METHODIST CONFERENCE. By the minutes of the last Con- Ireland Gibraltar Sierra Leone 60 soul, come not thou into their secret: unto their assembly, mine honour be not thou united.' Destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not 155,124 known. O brethren, what would 27,823 be our grief and distress, if after all 127 our labours, publicly and from house to house, and after having in the face Nova Scotia & Newfoundland 1,225 of the world vouched for your loyal, West Indies 13,042 your peaceable, and your honest United States 170,000 deportment, we should be deceived in any one of you. We can scarcely think this; but forgive our godly jealousy, and justify our expectations, and ye shall be the crown of our rejoicing when these times of delusion shall have passed away. We know well and feel for the situ ation of the poor, their want of em ployment, and the dearness of provisions: but murmuring and discontent will not alleviate their sufferings: they will rather aggravate them. Be ye therefore patient. Let the richer brethren assist those who are poor, and let all hope and trust in Him, who hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; and in due time you shall reap, if you faint not." 367,401 In an address from the Conference to the great body of the Methodists, after pointing out the grounds of thankfulness afforded by the late parliamentary extension of their privileges, and the additional motives to loyalty which arise from that event, they advert to the disturbances which have occurred in the northern counties, in the following terms. "We must now turn from the contemplation of the benefits with which we are favoured, to the consideration of a state of society which has existed, and we fear still exists, in some of the northern counties. We look at the principles which have given birth to this state of things with the utmost horror; principles which are alike destructive to the happiness of the poor, and of the rich. And although we are well as sured that our societies are uncontaminated with that spirit of insubordination, violence, and cruelty, which has caused so much distress and misery, yet we cannot but dread the operation of its insidious and infectious nature, and the speciousness with which it aims to seduce the credulous and simple. We therefore, as faithful ministers, cannot refrain from sounding a solemn alarm, lest any of our dear people should be drawn away by the dissimulation of evil-disposed men. We proclaim loudly and earnestly, 'Fear the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change.' Avoid them. Come not near them. Say of them, O my NEWCASTLE BRANCH BIBLE A RESPECTABLE meeting was held |