tions, in the distribution of religious books and tracts, in China, Siam, India, Australia, &c., West and South Africa, the West Indies, British America, and in every country of Europe. After noticing the Jubilee contributions, and the proposed offer of prizes to different writers, for their publications against the irreligion of the age, the Report alluded to Ireland, as a wide field for evangelical labour. Referring to Great Britain, the Report stated the many grants that had been made to district, city, and town missions, Christian instruction societies; to sailors, soldiers, emigrants; at fairs, on railways, to foreigners, Home missionary agents, and to numerous other miscellaneous objects, amounting to 2,694,000 publications, about the value of 2,800l. The entire issues from the depôt during the year, have been 18,223,955; making the total circulation, at home and abroad, to be about 500,000,000, in nearly 100 languages! The amount received for sales, 44,6037. 16s. 6d. The total receipts, with the sales, 59,495l. 3s. 3d. The Report concluded, by a brief survey of the past fifty years, and commended the Society to the sympathy, support, and prayers of the Christian church, and the blessing of Almighty God.

The series of suitable resolutions were severally spoken to by the Rev. C. Hodgson, Rector of Barton-le-Street; Rev. W. Arthur, Wesleyan Missionary; Rev. A. Bost, of Geneva; the Rev. A. Wells; Rev. G. Smith, of Poplar; Rev. R. Nesbit, Secretary of the Bombay Tract Society; J. G. Hoare, Esq.; and Rev. W. Groser, of Chelsea. The meeting was, on many accounts, of a very interesting character.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of this Institution was held at Exeter-hall, on Monday, the 7th instant, and was numerously attended. On the platform we observed the Bishops of Norwich and Manchester, Lord Monteagle, Sir E. N. Buxton, Bart, M.P., with many more gentlemen, and influential Dissenting ministers. The Earl of Carlisle, on taking the chair, after alluding to the fact of having occupied the chair on former occasions, said: "That as a servant of the Crown, it was most acceptable to him to be the organ of the Royal bounty, which has already flowed from the hands of four successive sovereigns (cheers), and chiefly as a citizen and a Christian man, he was glad to express his full and fervid testimony to this useful, honourable, and healing mission." (Cheers.) After the conclusion of his Lordship's admirable address, Mr. H. Dunn read an abstract of the Report. It stated that 103 new schools had been opened during the year,

providing additional accommodation for more than 10,000 children; sixty-seven in England and thirty-six in Wales. Fortytwo public meetings had been held, and lectures at twenty-two places. The schools in London and its vicinity had received 310 visits from Mr. Althans, and thirty-two public examinations, and eight public meetings. And in the provinces many visits had been paid in most important towns by the agents, Messrs. Wilks, Barton, and Smith. In Wales, very many schools had been established or assisted, by grants of lessons, slates, &c., and also in various colonies and foreign parts. The model schools were still overflowing; in the boys' 919 had been admitted, and in the girls' school, 450; making a total of nearly 50,000 who had received instruction in the model schools alone. The Normal schools had been numerously attended, by the admission of 175 students. The training school for female teachers had been much increased, and eighty-four had been appointed to schools; twenty-one had withdrawn, and forty-two were still pursuing their studies. S. Gurney, Esq., then presented his accounts, as the Treasurer. The amount received was 11,564. 178. 10d., and the expenditure was 11,711 18s. 8d.; leaving a balance due to himself of 142/. Os. 10d.; and he then urged on the friends of this Society an increase of annual subscriptions. The meeting was then addressed by the Bishop of Norwich, W. Evans, Esq., M.P., who afterwards filled the chair; Revs. W. Arthur, T. Boaz, E. Craig, by the Bishop of Manchester, and other gentlemen. The Revs. T. Binney moved, and J. Russell seconded the motion of thanks to the Chairman, and being put and carried and responded to, this interesting meeting separated.

BRITISH MISSIONS.

THE annual meeting of this Society, comprising the Home Missionary, Irish Evangelical, and Colonial Societies, was held on Tuesday evening, May 8th, at Exeter-hall; J. Kershaw, Esq., M.P., in the chair. There was a numerous body of ministers and gentlemen on the platform,"whose praise is in all our churches,"and therefore need not be given in detail, and a large attendance in the body of the hall. The worthy Chairman addressed the meeting in a very manly and Christian spirit, adverting, with much propriety, to the various operations of this combined Institution, and particularly to poor and famishing Ireland. The Rev. Thomas James then read the Report. In the Home Mission 123 agents had been employed, which with ninety-six lay preachers, make a total of 219, ministering to a popu lation of half a million of souls; among

these are 146 churches, with 5,323 members in full communion. But we must refer to the Report itself, for almost innumerable instances of successful enterprise in this popular mission. The amount of the receipts from all sources is 6,445l. 15s. 9d., which is 2731. 13s. 2d. more than last year; the expenditure is 6,9224. 18s. 10d; but the available stock is only enough to meet the next quarterly payments.

In the Irish Evangelical Society the various plans for the erection of schools and chapels is steadily advancing. The Rev. J. D. Smith, in pleading the cause of this Society, had been so successful as to obtain nearly 1,000l. in our great northern towns. But the Committee regret that they have to announce the failure of their income, leaving a deficiency of 4871. 10s. 3d.; the receipts of the year only amounting to 3,701. 3s. 4d.

The Colonial Missionary Society, although it has been in existence but sixteen years, has already accomplished great and mighty results. In the colonial churches are found, probably, 4,000 persons in the fellowship of the gospel, most of whom, but for this Society, might have been wandering as sheep having no shepherd. But now it is supposed that about 20,000 persons hear the gospel; and many thousands of children are instructed in sabbath-schools. The income has been 3,0531. 10s. 7d., whilst the expenditure has been 3,0687. 16s. 4d.; which brings the long-desired balance to a point.

The gentlemen who took part in the proceedings, acquitted themselves admirably. Mr. Wilks represented the colonies in the generous spirit of an Anglo-Saxon emigrant. Dr. Morison eloquently pleaded the cause of Ireland, and Dr. Halley nobly sustained his reputation as a Nonconformist and British Christian; and the audience responded with liberality in aid of the funds; nor can we doubt that the people of this country will ever fail in their support of the British Missions.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society was held at Exeterhall, on Thursday, April 26th. The large hall was crowded. The chair was filled by S. M. Peto, Esq., M.P.; and the platform was occupied by most influential gentlemen and ministers of the denomination.

After singing, the Rev. Dr. Cox offered up a fervent prayer on behalf of the missionary enterprise. After this the Chairman rose, amidst much applause, and, in allusion to the principles and motives of Dr. Carey and his associates, interested the meeting by various details of the progressive efforts of this mission. He powerfully urged

many topics that might tend to keep up the missionary ardour of the churches, and to augment the funds of the Society.

The Rev. J. Angus, the Secretary, then read the Report, of which the following is a brief abstract. The Society has agents in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. In continental India it has thirty-five missionaries, and sixty-five native teachers. In Ceylon and other islands, six missionaries, and more than forty native teachers. There are, also, upwards of 1,800 members, and in the schools, about 4,000 children; the number of schools in India, 102. The number of volumes of the Scriptures printed, between 1837 to 1847, amounted to 503,205;-in all, 743,270. Since 1847, 133,000 more have been issued from the press. The churches in Jamaica contain about 34,000,-there being double the number, both of ministers and members from 1837 to 1847. In the Bahamas, there are three missionaries, ten native teachers, 2,800 members; and in the day-schools, 750 children. Within the last seven years missions have been begun in Africa, in Hayti, Trinidad, France, Madras, and Canada. In Africa many thousand people have been clothed, and parts of the New Testament printed in three of the dialects. In Canada, ten ministers have been aided by the Society, in preaching the gospel extensively. In France, the New Testament in Breton has been printed. Several printing establishments have recently been formed in Africa and Trinidad. The missionaries and native teachers have increased, within the last ten years, from about eightyfive to about 225, not including Jamaica. For the support of these agents the Society has not more than 16,000l. a year available.

Nine hundred churches collected for the Society in Great Britain and Ireland last year; but upwards of 200 of these have given a collection only every other year. If all would form auxiliaries, and if all would collect every year, the Society would be relieved of its difficulties.

The

The total number of the Society's missionaries is not greater, all over the world, than the agents of the City Mission. friends of this mission are, in conclusion, reminded that their gifts are to be divided among upwards of 200 stations in the four continents, and for the support of more than 200 labourers, and all deserving of liberal assistance. The Committee therefore respectfully solicit an increase of their funds, to make up the deficient income of last year, and the liquidation of the debt of the Society; the deficiency in March, 1848, was 5,2341. The total income of the Society for the year ending April, 1848, was under 23,000l.,- -a sum totally inadequate to the support of the entire mission.

The meeting was characterised by its per

tinence and earnestness; the speeches evinced no want of zeal, especially in the powerful addresses of Messrs. Haycroft and Boaz; and, among other advocates, the estimable vicar of Enstone appeared to testify his fraternal sympathy and good will. We regret to find that the Society is so deeply in debt; but the Secretary gratified the audience by announcing a donation of 250%. from Mr. and Mrs. Peto, and 100%. for the Mission at Calabar, and 1007. from the executors of the late Mr. Boyce. The meeting then adjourned until the morrow evening, at Finsbury Chapel.

At this adjourned meeting, J. H. Allen, Esq. presided. After prayer by the Rev. J. T. Wigner, the Chairman said that he would resume the missionary theme,-a theme that should be dear to every Christian heart. The Secretary then briefly stated the objects of the Society. The assembly was then addressed by the Revs. J. Paterson, of Glasgow, W. Brock, Newman, Leechman, and Hinton, in deeplyimpressive speeches, and the proceedings closed with praise and prayer.

THE BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of this Society was held in Finsbury Chapel, in the evening of April 24th; R. Harris, Esq., M.P., in the chair. After singing, and prayer by the Rev. J. Winter, the Chairman said he was happy to see such a meeting, and it gave him much pleasure to encourage them in the good work in which they were engaged; for all would agree with him, that there now existed in the breast of every Englishman a strong feeling of commiseration for the neglected population of Ireland. In conclusion he called upon the Secretary, the Rev. J. Tristrail, to read the Report. From this document it appeared that the Society had now in Ireland 15 churches, 15 Missionaries, and 16 Scripture-readers; 138 members had been added to the churches, and 30 schools had been attended by more than 2,000 scholars. The Relief Fund had, by the blessing of God, been the means of saving many lives. The cashaccount stated that the receipts of the year had been 2,6704. 2s. 9d.; and the expenditure 4,340. 11s. 3d. ; yet the debt had been reduced 861., as compared with last year. The Relief Fund showed a balance in favour of the Society of 1,3881. 9s. 3d. The resolutions were moved and seconded by impressive speeches by the Rev. Messrs. C. M. Birrel, W. Hamilton, J. Bigwood, and J. Burnet. The motion of thanks was made to the Chairman by Mr. Tritton and the Secretary, which he briefly responded to, trusting the meeting would cheerfully meet the appeal now made, and the assembly then separated.

VOL. XXVII.

THE BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of this Society was held on Monday evening, April 23rd, at Finsbury Chapel. Though the evening was uufavourable, the attendance was numerous. Mr. Alderman Challis presided, when, after prayer by the Rev. Mr. Morris, the Chairman expressed great pleasure in meeting with the friends of the Society on that occasion:-" It appears to me a matter of great propriety, that we should commence these great meetings, which show the world the efforts of our Christianity, by presenting to the world a report of what has been done in our own country; for there is an inseparable connection between every effort of Christianity, whether for our own country, or for foreign objects." The Report then read by Mr. Davis, stated the following facts: "The number of central stations, in part aided by the funds of the Society, is 111, which, with subordinate stations, make a total of 297. The missionaries preach to about 23,000 of their countrymen weekly. Large and small, the number of schools is 115, containing 7,000 scholars, calling into exercise 1,000 teachers, thus happily employed. The number of additions to the churches during the year has been 562; the present number amounts to 4,335. Yet the Committee deem it necessary to reduce their expenditure to their actual income, owing to the low state of their funds. The abstract of the Treasurer's Report states as follows: By subscriptions, collections, and bequests, 4,640l. 10s. 2d. Expenditure, 4,645/. 7s. 11d., with a balance against the Society, due in loans, 530l

The Revs. A. M. Stalker, of Leeds, J. Branch, H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, S. Green, G. Low, Esq., and Rev. Mr. Cubitt, effectively moved and seconded the various resolutions. After which the meeting closed with singing and prayer.

BIBLE TRANSLATION SOCIETY.

THIS Society held its annual meeting at the Baptist Chapel, New Park-street, on Wednesday evening, April 25th. John Shoard, Esq., of Bristol, in the chair. After the Divine blessing had been sought by singing and prayer, the Chairman briefly appealed to the meeting on the avowed object of the Society, and that they would sustain their efforts from a sense of gratitude they owed to God, who had given them in their own tongue his holy Word. Dr. Steane, the Secretary, then read the Report, which states the progress that has been made in printing various parts of the Scriptures in the Indian dialects; and there have been printed in the four principal languages, single Gospels, Psalms, &c., &c., to the amount of 59,000; also 48,157 volumes,

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chiefly Gospels, have been issued from the Depository. The receipts for the year amount to 1,4721. 8s. 6d.; and several legacies were announced. The Committee recommend to their supporters, a patient continuance in well-doing," which is most needful for the translators in their arduous work, so that they may be able, as the result of their labours, to give to the nations the uncorrupted Word of God.

The Revs. T. Tucker, R. Rolfe, J. Leechman, J. Baynes, Clarke, Mr. A. G. Burnet, and Rev. Mr. Peacock, moved, seconded, and supported the resolutions. A liberal collection was made; the 117th Psalm was sung; and the Rev. J. Hinton pronounced the benediction,-when the meeting separated.

NEWFOUNDLAND

AND COLONIAL SCHOOL
SOCIETY.

ON Tuesday, April 24th, the annual meeting of this Society was held at Exeter Hall; the Marquis of Cholmondeley in the chair. The noble Chairman said, that with regard to this Society it was most worthy of support, as its grand object was to promote a scriptural education in our numerous colonies. The Secretary read the Report, which showed the increase of scholars in St. John's, and the partial or entire failure of the schools in Bonavista and Harbour Grace. The Report from Canada had not been received. The total receipts were: Home receipts, 1,6547. 15s 4d.; Newfoundland and Canada, 1,450/. 15s. ; the expenditure had been 3,397, 8s. 11d.,-leaving a balance due to the Treasurer of 292/. 18s. 7d. Unless some improvement in the funds took place, the schools one after another must be closed. The vast number of children that left England for the colonies, showed the necessity of providing for them Christian instruction, to guard them against the inroads of popery and infidelity. The appropriate resolutions were ably moved and seconded by the Revs. J. Hewitt, H. Stowell, J. A. Armitage, D. Wilson, C. B. Gribble, and W. B. Mackenzie. After which a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, which the noble lord briefly acknowledged, and the proceedings terminated.

CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.

THE twenty-fourth annual meeting of this truly valuable institution was held at Finsbury Chapel, on Tuesday evening, the 1st of May; Mr. Alderman Challis, the Treasurer, took the chair, and very ably supported the claims of the Society. The Rev. R. Ashton, the recently-appointed Secretary, read the Report, which stated that 100 churches were now associated in this good work, and 2,086 Christian visitors

were engaged in going to the abodes of poverty and of crime; so that 52,566 families had been blessed by the oft-repeated visits of these disinterested Agents of the Society. Their persuasions had induced 2,035 persons to attend the house of God, and 2,449 children to enter the Sabbathschools. Thousands of tracts had been distributed, and 559 copies of the Scriptures also. In 79 rooms and school-rooms, meetings for prayer had been held. In one district 11, and in another 13 persons had been added to the church of Christ, but the aggregate was unknown. The Rev. J. Blackburn, whose gratuitous services had been enjoyed for twenty-two years, had resigned; and Mr. Ashton had been appointed, in union with Mr. Pitman, the longknown and disinterested Secretary. Pitman, in presenting the Treasurer's accounts, stated that the total receipts had been, during the last year, 559l. 6s. 6d.,the expenditure 324/ 19s. 5d.; leaving a balance in hand to encourage their friends to renewed efforts. The Revs. S. Luke, Dr. Morison, G. Thompson, W. Overbury, E. Davies, with Messrs. Leifchild and Wilson, very powerfully urged the various claims of this Society on the audience; and after the benediction had been pronounced the meeting separated.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Mr.

THE fiftieth annual meetings of this Society were held on May 1st, at Exeter Hall; the Earl of Chichester officiating as chairman in the morning, and the Marquis of Cholmondeley in the evening. The platform and the hall were most densely crowded in the morning. The Report gave, first, a narrative of the Jubilee of the Society. The ordinary income had not fallen below that of last year, notwithstanding the Ju. bilee Fund. The general fund amounted to 99,7671; the special funds to 1.826/.; and the local funds, raised and expended on the miss ons, to 9,410,-making a total of 101,003l. The expenditure leaves a surplus of income over expenditure, of 2,325l. The Jubilee Fund was not yet closed, but it had already realized 53,127. 10s., 20,000l. of which was intended for the support of disabled missionaries, and the education of their children, and the surplus would be devoted to various other objects. The Bishops of Norwich, Winchester, and Cashel, the Earl of Waldegrave, Dr. Smith, (Bishop designate of Victoria, Hong Kong.) the Revs. H. Stowell, W. Smith, of Benares, Mr. G. Hoare, and Rev. Mr. Townsend, the African missionary, addressed the morning meeting with much earnestness and zeal.

At the evening meeting, the noble Chairman, the Revs. the Archdeacon Dealtry, J.

Tucker, D. Anderson, (Bishop of Rupert's Land,) R. Davies, C. Hodgson, and Cadman, addressed the assembly with the best effect; and the meeting closed by the usual devotional exercises.

JUBILEE OF THE RELIGIOUS TRACT

SOCIETY.

THIS very impressive meeting, which succeeded to the public breakfast of the Society on May the 9th, on occasion of the Jubilee, demands at least a passing notice. The meeting was held at the London Tavern; J. G. Hoare, Esq. in the chair.

The speeches of the Chairman, (whose father took an active part in the formation of the Society,) and the venerable Drs. Steinkopff and Henderson, from touching references to the past, naturally drew the numerous assembly into the closest sympathy with the avowed object of the meeting.

Mr. Binney followed, and imparted to the whole proceedings a deep tone of solemn and elevated feeling. He was followed by the Rev. J. Sherman and Dr. Burder, (the son of the founder of the Society), in very suitable terms. The last resolution was moved by Mr. Henderson, of Glasgow, and seconded by Mr. Boaz, in one of his most telling speeches. And thus, in pious har mony, the meeting separated.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

THE anniversary of this Institution was held at Exeter-hall, on Thursday evening, May 3rd. Every part of this large hall was excessively crowded, and an intense interest pervaded the whole of the proceedings. G. Hitchcock, Esq. occupied the chair, and he was most deservedly and loudly cheered. After singing, the Rev. A. Buzzacott offered prayer. The Chairman then touched upon various topics of a serious and interesting nature, and frequently elicited loud applause.

Mr. W. H. Watson read an abstract of the Report, detailing the operations of the Union at home and abroad: extracts of communications from many foreign stations, in acknowledgment of help by grants of books, &c., and narrating the progress of Sunday-schools abroad. Five grants had been made in aid of erecting or enlarging schools, making a total of 286, amounting to 6,5521.; and 131 lending libraries had been granted, making a total of 1,957. The revised library now contains a list of 600 volumes, adapted to teachers and scholars. Lectures had been delivered in the readingroom, and at Falcon-square Chapel. The schools in and around the City are the same as last year, namely, 623 schools, 12,642 teachers, and 123,949 scholars. Five new county unions had been formed, and thirty

seven places had been visited by members of the Committee, extending to Edinburgh. and Glasgow. The funds are better than last year. The sales of books had realized the sum of 9,3297.—an increase of 5781., and attributed greatly to the sale of the Bibleclass Magazine, which had now reached the vast number of 20,000 monthly. Many other points of interest were alluded to, especially the recent movement for the revival and extension of Sunday-schools in the metropolis. The benevolent fund amounted to 1,2497. 11s. 84d.

The Rev. E. Craig, Minister of St. James's Episcopal Chapel, Pentonville, T. Boaz, from Calcutta, Dr. Morison, J. H. Hinton, Dr. Beaumont, and W. Brock, addressed the meeting in their very best style of argument, and spirit-stirring eloquence. The Rev. J. H. Price, of Woodham Ferrers, moved, and Mr. Watson seconded the vote of thanks to the benevolent Chairman, which was carried by acclamation; and after singing, this prodigiously vast assembly separated.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THIS Society held its annual meeting on Monday, April the 30th, in Exeter-hall, which was filled to overflowing. Sir Edward N. Buxton presided on the occasion. From the Report it appears that the missions of this Society are in a prosperous condition, although its funds are considerably depressed. In various parts of the world the Divine blessing had rested upon the labours of its missionaries, whose services have been rendered more necessary than ever by the remarkable features of the times. In Wurtemburg the principles of infidelity, which have been everywhere diffused, have been strenuously counteracted. In France increasing good has been achieved. In Austria much has been effected. Great success has attended the missions to New Zealand and Feejee. In India and Ceylon the addition of members has been gratifying.

The Committee expressed their regret that the Society's income would compel them to restrict their future operations. The receipts for the year 1848, were 104,126. 19s. 7d., and the expenditure for the same period was 111,492l. 9s. 3d.; making a balance against the Society, with the deficiency of the preceding year, to the amount of 13,3587. 16s. 1d.

At the conclusion of the Report some large donations were announced to the meeting.

The several resolutions were ably moved and seconded by the following gentlemen: Mr. Heald, M.P.; Dr. Hannah, Mr. Westhead, M.P.; Mr. Pearson, M.P.; Rev. Mr. M'Leod; Dr. Cox; Dr. Newton;