Domestic Religious Intelligence. THE trade. The spirit of all the speakers was most truly Christian, and diffused FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY itself over the whole assembly. These OF THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 2. THE REV. E.T. Vaughan, of Leicester, preached before the Society, in the morning, at Blackfriars' church, from 1 John, v. 11, 12; and argued, very ably, that the reception of Christ is essential to salvation; thence urging the lost condition of the heathen, and the duty of attempting to enlighten them by the Gospel. The collection amounted to 2191. 4s. At two o'clock, the annual meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall, the Right Hon. Lord Gambier, President, in the chair. This great room was completely filled, by a most respectable assembly of the members and friends of the Society; from twelve to fourteen hundred of whom were present. It appeared, from the report, that the income of the Society had advanced from 11,000 7. which was the produce of the 14th year, to 16,000l. and that the exertions of the committee were keeping due pace with the augmentation of the funds. The Dean of Wells, Mr. Wilber force, Mr. Stephen, the Rev. Dr. Thorpe, of Dublin; the Rev. Messrs. Simpson and Cowan, of Bristol; the Rev. Mr. Simeon, of Cambridge; the Rev. Mr. Beachcroft of Blunham; the Rev. Daniel Wilson, the Rev. Basil Woodd, Mr. Lewis Way, and Mr. John Thornton, took a share in the business of the day. Mr. Wilberforce was more than usually elevating and impressive; and Mr. Stephen made a most powerful address on the retributions of divine justice against the nations which obstinately persist in the slave are seasons, as one of them well remarked, when Christians meet, not to inflame one another with a false and furious zeal; but to kindle and cherish a sacred fire, which may animate them through the year in their private devotions and retired exertions. A measure of great promise was› brought forward at this meeting. The magnitude of the Society's concerns in Western Africa, and the still greater efforts which it is about to make on that coast, requiring more regularity and commodiousness of intercourse, than can now be obtained, a separate fund has been opened for the establishment and maintenance of such intercourse, by a missionary ship, to be named after the distinguished friend of Africa→→→ The "WILLIAM WILBERFORCE." This fund was opened at Bristol, which, with its characteristic munificence, has already contributed to it nearly nine hundred pounds. The Society's objects will be attained, by the proper application of this fund, without entering into any mercantile pursuit, or incurring any shipping risks: so that the friends of Africa may contribute to this fund, with the fullest confidence that their charity will be applied directly to a great and most important missionary pur THE his accustomed judgment and piety, asserting, in strong terms, the elevation of the Society above all inter ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY ference with the politics of the world, OF abroad. 718,778 Testaments. The receipts of the year have been, and its proposal to all the friends of man, to unite in one common effort of mercy. "Wherever," said his Lordship, "the British and Foreign Bible Society moves, it confers and receives blessings. It is holy in its it is charitable in its ends-for its object: it is pure in its means: and object is, the glory of God: its meaus, and eternal welfare of all mankind." the Bible: and its end, the temporal The various motions at this inter esting meeting were ably supported by many highly respectable persons, ministers and others; among whom were His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, the Bishop of Norwich, the Dean of Wells, &c. &c. There was one feature of the Re port which highly delighted us, viz. Associations; both for reducing exthe increasing importance of Bible pense to the parent Society; and in circulating the scriptures among those poor persons, who value the Bible sufficiently, to purchase it from their small weekly earnings. The immense and increasing scope of the Society's operations in every In all, 1,235,257 copies, exclusive of a very considerable number cir-quarter of the globe during the past year, manifest the necessity and imculated, at the charge of the Society, portance of such an Institution, whose sole object is to benefit mankind by diffusing throughout the habitable globe those sacred Scriptures which were given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for correction, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be Contributions from Aux. Societies 61848 11 9 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto Annual Subscriptions L.3272 10 6 Legacies : Dividends, &c. Sale of Bibles and Testaments, the greater part of which were purchased by Bible Associa -7108.8 1 1312 18 0 every good work.' tions 27560 6 5 Sale of Reports, &c. 361 1 3 27921 7/8 Total 99894 15 6 LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY. THE Annual Meeting of this Institution was held on Tuesday, 9th May, at Freemasons' Hall. The Right Hon. Lord Carrington, President, took the chair. The Meeting was numerously attended. The report of the Committee was most satisfactory and encouraging. THESE meetings commenced on Wed Surrey Chapel. The prayers were read by the Rev. Rowland Hill. The Rev. 3. The Rev. H. Townley, of Paddington, Angus M'Intosh preached from Johu, xvii. (who is about to proceed, in the service of and the Rev. Mr. Davies, of Dublin, enthe society, to Calcutta, for five years) gaged in prayer. THE first anniversary of this society was held on Tuesday evening, the 9th of May, at the New London Tavern, Cheap-nesday morning, the 10th of May, at side, and was numerously attended. It appeared, from the report, that auxiliaries had been formed in Dublin, Belfast, Sligo, Cork, and Youghal; that many preachers had been engaged in different parts of Ireland; that several persons were ready to enter the Theological Academy; and that the Rev. T Loader, formerly of Fordingbridge, was already on his way to superintend this institution. The different resolutions were moved, and seconded by the Rev. Dr. Smith, Messrs. Waugh, Hill, H. Townley, Davies, of Dublin, Wilks, Bogue, Roby, Townsend, Brown, of Belfast; Slatterie, Blackburn, Griffin, and others. BAPTIST ITINERANT SOCIETY. On Thursday, April 27th, the Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Elim Chapel, Fetter Lane, James Pritt, Esq. Treasurer, in the Chair. The report stated, that, in the past year, pecuniary aid had been afforded to about thirty ministers, in England, Scotland, and Wales, engaged in itinerant and village preaching, and to several county associations, which had been supplied with Bibles, Testaments, and Tracts, at an expense of little more than 2001. At the Tabernacle, in the evening, the Rev. Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, preached from Ezek. vi. 15. Messrs. Prankard, of Sheerness, and Burder, of Stroud, of persons who could not get into the prayed. In consequence of the crowds chapel, Mr. Griffin, of Portsea, preached at the same time in the chapel-yard. On Thursday morning, at 10 o'clock, the report of the directors was read: Mr. Roby began in prayer, and some excellent addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Bogue, James, Collyer, Elias, of Wales, H. Townley, Waugh, G. Burder, and others. The present report exceeds, in importance, any former one that has been presented to the public. It commences with an account of the missions to the South Sea Islands. The missionaries state, April 23, 1814, "That the good work of conversion appeared to be going forwards, and that the number of those who had renounced their idols, and desired to be considered as the worshippers of Jehovah, amounted to The society has missionaries in the East, at Java, Isle of France, China, Madras, Vizigapatam, Ganjam, Chinsurah, Belhary, Travancore, and Ceylon. The most important information relates to China, from which we copy the following paragraph: "The directors have received, during the last year, a number of printed copies of the New Testament, translated by Mr. Morrison into the Chinese language. With inexpressible delight, they view these fruits of his successful labours, and humbly anticipate from their dispersion, the most beneficial effects. affords a gratification of no ordinary kind, that the Holy Book, on which their eternal hopes are founded, is, by their laborious missionary, translated into a language which may be read by hundreds of millions in China, and other countries perhaps by more than one-third of the human race." It On Friday morning, at 11 o'clock, the last sermon, on this anniversary, was preached at St. Luke's Church, Old Street, by the Rev. M. R. Whish, A.M Rector of St. Mary, Redcliff, Bristol, from Matt. xxviii. 19. In the evening, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered at Sion, Silver Street, and Orange Street chapels. We understand the amount of the collections to be upwards of £1100. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. THE friends of this institution assembled at an early hour, at the City of London Tavern. It is computed, that nearly 1500 persons breakfasted together. It was a very pleasant meeting, though we think there were fewer facts stated of the utility of the tracts, than at some former meetings. The Rev. Drs. Winter and Smith, Messrs. James, Campbell, Hillyard, Blanchard, Watkins, Hughes, Steinkopff, and Innes, of Edinburgh, proposed the various resolutions. The funds of the society have much increased;-and we understood that nearly one million of the Hawkers' Tracts had been circulated dur ing the past year, principally by pedlars,&c. We were particularly pleased to find, that the Society had printed two tracts in the Irish language, viz. "Poor Joseph," and "James Covey," and that 1000. of these had been kindly voted to the There are missions, it appears, also in Africa, at Bethelsdorp, Theopolis, Vanderwalt's Fountain, Griqua Town, Bethesda, and Pella. The account of a general meeting of these missionaries at Graff Reynet, is peculiarly pleasing. At this meeting" six converted natives, Griquas and Hottentots, were solemnly designated as assistant preachers of the Gospel-Irish Baptist Society. their names are Berend, Jan Hendrick, Andries Waterboor. Peter David, Jan Goedman, and Cupido. On the next day Waterboor preached on Acts, xvii. 30, 31, the first sermon, probably, ever delivered by a Hottentot, preaching from a pulpit." The society has a missionary in Quebec, and another at Trinidad, in the West Indies. Some attention has been paid to the Lascars, at Blackwall, by a committee, in union with this society. Note.-Bengalee tracts have been sent by the Baptist Missionaries at Serampore, for distribution among these people. There are upwards of fifty missionaries, either employed among the heathen, or on their voyage, for that purpose. The expenditure of the society, during the last year, amounted to about £16,000; and the receipts by subscriptions, &c. to upwards of £19,000. On Thursday evening, a sermon was preached by the Rev. John Hyatt, at Tottenham-Court Chapel, from Isaiah, lv. 10, 11. Mr. Innes of Edinburgh, and Mr. Tracey, engaged in the devotional exercises. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. On Friday morning, the 12th of May, at seven o'clock, the London Hibernian Society held their ninth annual meeting at the City of London Tavern. It appears, there are in the schools of this institution, upwards of 11,000 children; an increase of 3000 during the last year. PROTESTANT SOCIETY FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. This society met at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, on Saturday, the 13th of May, at 12 o'clock. The resolutions passed at this meeting having reached us too late for insertion here, we are compelled to refer the reader to the cover. ON THE APPROACHING ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1 BAPTIST DENOMINATION. brethren to dwell together in unity." It is expected, that representatives from each of the Country Associations, and from other churches, will meet this year also. Some of the most eminent for piety and THE month of May has again witnessed usefulness, who have thus united, (Sutcliff the anniversaries of many important In- and Fuller-revered names!) are now stitutions, formed for the purpose of alle-numbered with the dead! After a Prayer viating the miseries of our fellow-creatures; and, we hope, destined to exterminate the contagious diseases of ignorance and vice. These Societies are some of the beneficial effects of pure Christianity; which, as an Angel of Mercy, descending from heaven, enlightens the earth with its glory! Infidelity, the genuine offspring of Superstition, had, for ages, under the direction of the Prince of Darkness, eclipsed her lustre and obscured her rays; but she is now "looking forth as the morning, clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners!" Christians, of several religious communities, enlisted under the "Captain of Salvation," though their uniforms differ, and they have rallied in different parts of the field, have, notwithstanding, marched onward together in the same honourable warfare, under a banner, bearing a motto descriptive of the feeling of every heart, Pro Christo et Patria-For Christ and my Country! Meeting, last year, at Mr. Upton's, in which Mr. Fuller engaged, he said, "Such meetings as this will unite you." Let it be recollected, that many very important Societies will then assemble, especially the Missionary Society, which, from recent events, has a more than usual claim on our united exertions and prayers. Christians of another denomination have cheerfully granted us the use of their commodious chapels for our accommodation. Let us give proof that we have not requested them in vain; but that the friends of the Baptist Missionary Society are sufficiently numerous to fill them, and have zeal enough to meet its increased, and increasing, necessities. Times and Places of Meeting, &c. Tuesday Evening, June 20th. Missionary Prayer Meeting. Dr. Ryland is expected to deliver an Address, at Dr. Rippon's. Wednesday Morning. Baptist Itinerant Eleven. Missionary Sermons, Spafields Chapel. Rev. J. Hinton, of Oxford, to preach. Evening, at six. Sion Chapel. Rev. J. The Crusades of the eleventh century, were undertaken to recover the Holy Land from the power of the infidels! Hundreds of thousands followed Peter the Hermit, each with a cross affixed to his shoulder! Nobles, artisans, and pea-At sants, even priests, enrolled their names, thinking to open, with the sword, a way through the Holy City; and thus to enter Heaven! "It is the will of God," said the infatuated multitude; and under this impression, no sacrifice, either of money or of life, was thought too great, that their pious design might be accomplished. The nineteenth century has opened with a somewhat similar scene: but spiritual in its objects, and holy in its means! A truly Christian crusade has commenced, and the only distinguishing badge is that of the cross! Europe and the world already feel its liberating influence; and the benignant smiles of heaven beam on the road it opens to peace and glory! The present month will, we trust, be again gladdened, by the Annual Meeting of our Denomination in London. For several years past, many of our ministers, and others of our brethren from the country, have united with their brethren in the' metropolis, in objects common to the Denomination, and have found,by experience, "How good and how pleasant it is for accounts from the Missions, and a collection will be made after each Sermon. Thursday Morning, at eight precisely. Union Meeting of Ministers and Messengers at Mr. Ivimey's, Eagle Street. Noon, at 12. Stepney Academical Institution. Eagle Street. Rev. J. Hughes, of Battersea, to preach. Collection after the Sermon. Evening, at six. Adjourned Meeting of Anniversary of the N.B. Ministers from the country, who wish to be accommodated with Lodgings during the approaching Anniversary, are requested to send their names to Messrs. Button and Son, Paternoster Row, where a book is provided for their insertion. |