Christian Knowlege among the poor: Thousands

and ten thousands of children have been snatched from the jaws of ruin, from ignorance and vice, and educated in the fear of God, in the CharitySchools originally foftered and reared, through Great-Britain and Ireland, by their parental care, and which at this time contain above forty thoufand. To this part of the plan the following teftimony is borne by a celebrated prelate, in a charge delivered so long ago as the year 1716, though published only a few months fince. He is speaking of the great and neceffary duty of catechifing-" The "late encouragers of Charity-Schools are never

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enough to be commended for their care and diligence on this head, by which they have deserved "well of God and man, and have done the church "of England and the pure religion of Chrift ex*"cellent fervice; and verily they shall not fail of their reward t.”

A multitude of Bibles, Common-Prayer-Books, and a variety of Religious Tracts, adapted to the

The learned and eloquent Bishop Atterbury's Charge to the Diocese of Rochefter, in Mr. Nichols's publication of The Epiftolary Correspondence, &c. Vol. II. p. 260.

capacities

capacities and fpiritual exigencies of the poor, amounting, within the fpace of the laft fifty years only, to near three millions, have been printed and diftributed by the Society, not only through England and every part of Wales, the ifles of Scilly, and of Man, but their care has been extended to the Greek church in Paleftine, Syria, Mefopotamia, Arabia, and Egypt, as well as to the converfion of the Heathens in the East-Indies, where Schools and Miffions have been established for that purpose, Translations of the proper books having been made, the inhabitants of these different countries have had opportunities of hearing and celebrating, every "one in his own language, the wonderful works " of God,"

I do not enlarge upon these several objects of the Society's bounty, because, in general, the world is now well acquainted with the nature of them; and the particulars may be feen in the annual account of it's proceedings. That much good has been effected, is known to all those who have been concerned in carrying these benevolent designs into execution, or who have by any means happened to

fall

fall within the reach of their influence; but how much, it never will, nor can be known, till manifefted by that day, which fhall manifeft all things. The diligence of the husbandman, with the quantity and quality of the feed fown, will then best appear, when the harvest shall crown his toil, and "the valleys stand so thick with corn, that they "shall laugh and fing."

Thus engaged in well-doing, be not ye, therefore, weary; "for in due time ye fhall reap, if ye faint "not." Look back with joy and pleasure on what has been done; look forward with hope and confidence on what may be done. The adversary is not weary of exerting his endeavours to fupprefs and extinguish the religious fpirit among us; be not ye weary of exerting yours (as they always have been exerted) to cherish and support it. Confider the profpect which presented itself to the first preachers of the Gospel, when they entered upon the task of promoting Chriftian Knowlege; and confider the event: remember the mustard-feed, and view the tree which it has produced. Ye are fellow-labourers with them and according to the measures of his grace, and the

;

course

course of his difpenfations, Chrift will be with you, as he was with them. Apoftolical is your work, and suitable will be your reward. Go on, then, and profper, in the name of the Lord; looking forward to that triumphant hour, when the scene shall open, of which that now before us may ferve to convey fome faint refemblance; when the innumerable company of those rescued by your charity from the hands of the deftroyer, and numbered among the children of God, fhall be feen clothed in the robes of righteousness and falvation, arranged in shining circles around the throne, and heard finging Glory to their Redeemer, who fitteth thereon, for ever and ever.

FINIS.