· 3. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. THE Twenty-second Anniversary of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall, on Wednesday, May 3d; the Right Honourable Lord Teignmouth, the President, in the Chair. His Lordship being compelled by indisposition to leave the meeting before its conclusion, the Chair was taken by Admiral Lord Gambier, one of the Vice-Presidents. The Rev. A. Brandram, the Clerical Secretary, read an Abstract of the Report; in the Introduction to which, the following Resolutions were contained, as the final determination of the Society on the subject of the Apocrypha: 1. "That the fundamental law of the Society, which limits its operations to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, be fully and distinctly recognized as excluding the circulation of the Apocrypha. 2. That, in conformity to the preceding Resolution, no pecuniary aid can be granted to any Society circulating the Apocrypha; nor, except for the purpose of being applied in conformity to the said Resolution, to any individual whatever. 3. "That in all cases in which Grants, whether gratuitous or otherwise, of the Holy Scriptures, either in whole or in part, shall be made to any Society, the books be issued bound; and on the express condition that they shall be distributed without alteration or addition." On the subject of these Resolutions, which, with the Report, were unauimously adopted by the General Meet ing, it is unnecessary for us to offer any remarks. Our opinion of their character and tendency, and of the influence under which the Committee were led to adopt them, is well known to our readers; and we see no reason to alter it, notwithstanding all that is contained in the angry pamphlets which have issued from the Scottish metropolis, and eagerly circulated in all parts of the British empire. We yet hope that the time will come when the subject will be reconsidered, and when the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society will be at liberty to afford assistance to kindred Institutions, especially in Roman Catholic countries, and in the Greek church, the conductors of which may conscientiously differ from Protestant Christians respecting the Canon of Holy Scripture, and may as yet, and till these subjects are more freely canvassed in those countries, deem it their duty to publish with the Sacred Oracles, books which others justly deem Apocryphal. Our hope is founded on this principle, that the absolute want of the Holy Scriptures is a far greater evil, than that mistaken attachment to the Apocryphal books which prevails in some churches, and which all genuine Protestants equally lament. We are also sure, that several of the Subscribers to the British and Foreign Bible Society have been misled, and in many instances abused, by misrepresentations; and that the real opinion of the Society has not yet been either sought or obtained. Several facts of a very encouraging nature were detailed in the Report. The King of Prussia has ordered a public collection to be made in all the Protestant churches in his dominious, in aid of the funds of the Prussian Bible Society. There is reason to believe that the late Emperor of Russia retained to the last a sincere attachment to the Bible Society; and that the withdrawal of his patronage in the latter part of his life, was occasioned by circumstances which he could not control. The Emperor Nicholas, his brother and successor, has confirmed his subscription to the Institution. Notwithstanding the Firman issued by the Turkish Government, prohibiting the circulation of the Bible, the distribution of it has of late considerably increased, in different parts of Asia, The issues of the Society during the past year have been 110,963 Bibles, and 175,439 Testaments; making a total, since its establishment in 1804, of The Speakers at the Anniversary were the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry; Lord Calthorpe; the Bishop of Salisbury; the Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel; Baron Pelet de la Lozere, Representative of the Paris Bible So ciety; the Right Honourable Charles Grant; the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London; the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, Vicar of Harrow; the Rev. Dr. Tilly, Secretary of the South African Bible Society; Colonel Phipps; the Rev. W. B. Fox, late Missionary in Ceylon; John Thornton, Esq., Treasurer; the Rev. W. Marsh, of Colchester; W. Allen, Esq.; the Rev. W. Ellis, Missionary from the Society and Sandwich Islands; General Ord; the Legacies 36,462 1 4. PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY. is under engagements to the amount of At the General Meeting, held May 4th, at the London Coffee-House, Ludgate Street, the President, Lord Bexley, took the Chair; which was afterwards filled by Admiral Lord Gambier. The speakers were, the Earl of Rocksavage; the Rev. C. Jerram; the Rev. W. Marsh; the Rev. John Peers; the Rev. R. Newstead; W. W. C. Wilson, Esq., M. P.; H. Pownal, Esq.; the Hon. and Rev. G. T. Noel; the Rev. B. Woodd; the Hon, and Rev. L. Powis; the Rev. C. S. Hawtrey; the Right Hon. Sir G. H. Rose; the Rev. Mr. Bailey; and Admiral Lord Gambier acknowledged the vote of thanks, and closed the Meeting. Among other Resolutions were the following: "That this Meeting has heard with sincere pleasure, of the increasing success of the Society's labours among Seamen; and that they view the continuation and extension of such efforts as highly important. That this Meeting cordially approves of the Foreign objects and proceedings of the Society, especially the publication of our devotional forms, in the languages of the East; and that they earnestly recommend this, and every part of the Society's object to the patronage of the public." £. s. d. 2351 15 6 2342 20 Receipts of the year The Collections at the Sermon and Speech delivered by the Rev. Robert ing called upon to propose a Resolution "I might well feel embarrassed at beto this large and respectable assembly, were it not that the most diffident must be encouraged by having listened to the noble and elevating sentiments which have falleu from preceding speakers, and the Christian liberality which has charac terized the general proceedings of the meeting. There is also another source of encouragement in attending this anniversary of the Prayer-Book and Homily Society, in having the honour to lay be fore your Lordship and the Society, a copy of the Book of Common Prayer in the Indo-Portuguese language, which has been printed solely at the Society's expense, and which is principally designed for the benefit of a class of persons among whom, in common with others, I have been engaged as a Christian Missionary, for some years, in the island of Ceylon. When I had last year the honour of attending the anniversary of this Society, I stated that we had the Liturgy of the Church of England already in use there, in three distinct languages; the volume which I have now the honour to present, will furnish it in a fourth, to a numerous class of the inhabitants of that interesting island, to whom the others were comparatively useless; and, I repeat with exceeding pleasure, the auticipated usefulness of this invaluable book, among a people sunk in the deepest ignorance, and misled by the worst errors of Popish superstition and heathen idolatry. Already have we found the great value and benefit of such an assistant in our public devotions, even from the detached portions which we have been enabled to print, in producing that reverence and decorum which become the house of God. I cannot, therefore, but look with peculiar satisfaction on the completion of a volume which promises such extensive usefulness. The very observable neatness and elegance with which the work has been conducted through the press, reflect much credit upon the agents of the Society employed in its printing department; and far more does the liberality of the Society,-aware beforehand that the copies must, for the most part, be given away, from the abject poverty of the people for whom they are generally designed,-call for our grateful acknowledgments. I have therefore unfeigned pleasure in using the opportunity thus afforded me to present to your Lordship and the Society over which you preside, the thanks of the Society to which I have the happiness to belong, for the very kind and handsome manner in which this work, at the suggestion of our late highly respected and revered friend the Archdeacon of Colombo, was so promptly taken up and so liberally executed. To these I am sure I may add, as their humble representative on this occasion, the thanks of the poor people for whom this benefit is desigued, and to whom I am expecting shortly to return, accompanied by this proof of the Society's Christian sympathy and regard. Presuming to occupy the attention of your Lordship and this assembly a few moments longer, I may perhaps be permitted, as it is in strict accordance with the direct object of the meeting, to advert to one or two of those distinguishing features of the Book of Common Prayer which particularly struck me in executing the translation of it now upon the table, with all due care and diHigence which my circumstances would allow. The foremost of these was, what indeed must strike every one who is more than a superficial reader or hearer of it, the Scriptural Character of the Liturgy: a peculiarity, the importance of which will be estimated by every one in proportion as he regards the Word of God; for it will occur to his mind, that if you take away from this volume every part which is divinely inspired, you reduce a large octavo into a very small pamphlet. When, therefore, it is considered that by far the greater part of this venerable compilation is in the direct language of inspiration, and that the rubrics interspersed through it enjoin and perpetuate the regular and daily reading of the sacred volume, which it has done to the great confirmation and establishment of the Christian religion in our own land, for ages gone by, and is doing now wherever it goes; every one who values the Bible itself, will rejoice at its going forth into every land and language where the Bible has prepared its way: And this the more, because no Christian will forget to associate with this desire, the delightful recognition that, wheresoever the sacred Scripturcs go, either in whole or in part, there also goes their Divine Author, the eternal Spirit, to enlighten and awaken the consciences of men, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.' The only other feature which I shall take the liberty to mention, as having forcibly struck me, is in close connexion with the former, I mean, the Doctrinal Fidelity of the Liturgy. It is impossible to go over it with any attention, and not to perceive that the grand and peculiar doctrines of Christianity, as revealed in the Bible, are interwoven with its very texture, and breathe in its very spirit; even through those parts which are confessedly of human composition. Not only are the doctrines of the fall of man, and his consequent entire depravity, misery, and helplessness recognized, but also the whole plan of human redemption is distinctly traced in the sacrificial death of Christ for the sins of the world, the operations of the Holy Spirit on the heart, aud that moral renovation which must pass upon all men before they can enter heaven. And while there are impious men in our day, who can make a trade of Infidelity, and openly blaspheme that Name which is above every name, and to which every knee shall bow, that Saviour in whom we trust, and whose honour should be dear to our hearts; Christians will know how to prize a volume which has done more than any other,-save the Holy Scriptures,-to throw a sacred guard around the doctrines of the adorable Trinity, and to defend the equal Divinity and Godhead of the Spirit and of Jesus Christ our Lord." 5. LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS. THE Anniversary Sermon before this Society was preached at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, on Thursday evening, May the 4th, by the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, M. A., Rector of Albury. His text was, John i. 49. The congregation was very numerous, and the collection amounted to £135. 168. The Annual Meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall, on Friday morning, May the 5th. The Chair was taken by Sir Tho. Baring, Bart., President, at twelve o'clock. After the Jewish children had sung a Hebrew hymn, they were addressed by the Rev. Basil Woodd, and dismissed. The Report was then read by the Rev. C. S. Hawtrey; and Sir Robert Harry Inglis, Bart., Treasurer, laid before the meeting a statement of the financial accounts. The Speakers were, the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry; the Right Hou. Sir George Heury Rose, M. P.; the Rev. Lewis Way; the Rev. Charles Simeon; the Hon. and Rev. Gerard T. Noel; the Rev. Edward Irving; the Rev. J. W. Cunningham; the Rev. W. Marsh; Captain Maynard; the Rev. Dr. Pinkerton; the Rev. Hugh M'Neile; the Hon. Capt. Noel, R. N. The following are the principal Resolutions which passed at this Meeting :"That the Report, of which an abstract has now been read, be adopted and printed; and that this Meeting regard, with renewed feelings of gratitude to Almighty God, the proofs which it affords, that his blessing has attended the labours of this Society, in behalf of his ancient people, during the past year. That this Meeting, considering that the great field of the Society's exertions must necessarily be in foreign countries where the mass of the Jewish nation is to be found, contemplate with satisfaction, the gradual diminution of prejudice amongst the Jews on the Continent towards Christianity, as manifested in their general readiness to receive Christian books, and to converse with Christian Missionaries, and especially as evinced in a late instance, by their admission of a Christian Preacher to address them in their synagogue. "That the increasing spread of education amongst the Jews in different coun tries, is hailed by this Meeting as a hopeful circumstance; but while they rejoice in that, and in every other means now employed for their moral and religious instruction, they are deeply convinced all human exertions will be ineffectual for. their conversion, without the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, which they earnestly trust may be abundantly poured out upon the House of Israel. "That while this Meeting deeply lament the obstacles which oppose the circulation of the Scriptures, and the exertions of Missionaries in Palestine and Syria, they derive encouragement to persevere in this department of their work, from the signs of the times, and above all, from the declarations of Holy Writ." The Collection at the doors, at the conclusion of the Meeting, amounted to 83/. 198. 6d.; and the receipts of the past year are 13,250, 10s. 8d. This excellent Society, which is worthy of the countenance and support of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, has of late been assailed in one quarter with much unchristian rancour, and in another, with shallow and flippant ridicule, by persous who ought better to have understood the nature of their vocation. The Institution was manifestly formed in obedience to the call of duty; it exists as a monument of enlightened zeal in the cause of Christianity; and its prospects of usefulness, especially in its foreign operations, are increasingly cheering. (To be continued.) ANNIVERSARIES LATELY HELD IN DUBLIN. RELIGIOUS TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY FOR IRELAND. THE General Meeting of this Society was held on Monday, April 10th, in the Lecture-room of the Dublin Institution. The Chair was taken by Mr. Serjeant Lefroy. The Resolutions were proposed and seconded by the following Gentlemen :-Rev. B. W. Mathias, Rev. Dr. Singer, F. T. C. D., Rev. Mr. Kyle, Rev. Mr. Wilson, Rev. P. Roe, and Johu M'Clintock, Esq. 'The total number of original and compiled Tracts and books, published by your Society, during the period of five years, is of the former fifty-seven, of the fatter 161, in all 218. The Report, from which the following extracts are taken, was read by the Rev. D. Stewart. Publications. The Committee have carried through the press, during the past year, twentysix Tracts, original and compiled, twenty small books, five Tracts, reprinted as books, and one hundred and fifteen reprints: in all one hundred and sixty-six; which exceeds the number of the former year by forty-eight, Issues of Tracts and Books. The Issues of Tracts and books, in Of cluding those sold in London during the past year, have been considerably greater than during any preceding year. Tracts issued at full and reduced prices, the number is 474,411; the number gratuitously issued amounts to 30,590, in all 505,001, which exceeds that of the former year by 100,631. The number of books is 63,564, being an increase over the former year of 14,156; thus the total number of Tracts and books issued during the past year is 561,565, being an increase of 114,787, and from the commencement, upwards of 2,500,000 Tracts, 217,000 books. Auxiliaries. The Dublin Auxiliary Religious Tract and Book Society has five depositories in different parts of the city, besides a central and general one, which has been removed to No. 4, D'OlierStreet, in all of which the publications of your Society may be purchased by retail. The receipts of this valuable Auxiliary, including sales, during the past year, have been 1777. 9s. 5d.; its is sues of Tracts and books have been 17,500, and the total from its establish ment in 1820, 150,000. To the Dublin Ladies' Tract Association, your Society is much indebted for their valuable assistance. Its operations are becoming more extended, and its usefulness proportionably augmented. The number of Depositories and Lending Libraries connected with this Association is forty, of which thirteen have been opened during the past year. It has circulated upwards of 20,000 Tracts and Books, and since its commencement, 82,678. Depositories. In order to increase the number of Depositories in different parts of the country, the Committee transmitted a circular to a number of friends to this important object, soliciting their co-operation; and they are happy to state, that several new Depositories have in consequence been opened. At Youghal one has been established, which it is expected will be very useful in that part of the country;-others have been opened at Waterford, Loughrea, Kilkenny, Monaghan, Roscrea, Newtown-Hamilton, and other places, which promise to be efficient channels for disseminating your publications throughout the country. Lending Libraries. In addition to the number mentioned in the last Report, twenty-two new ones are now to be recorded, so that at present there are about 140 Depositories and Tending libraries in connexion with your Society. Desirous to afford every encouragement in their power to Auxiliaries, your Committee increased the allowance to them on the Society's publications, from twenty-five to thirty-three and a half per cent. on all purchases to the amount of 58. and upwards. Before concluding this part of their Report, the Committee would direct your attention to the subject of itinerating libraries, adverted to in a former Report. The plan on which these Institutions are conducted in East Lothian, in Scotland, where they were first established, is the following: A district of country is marked out, and a number of villages selected, the most convenient of access to all the inhabitants; the books are divided accordingly, and each division placed under the care of some person of good character, who will exchange these books at stated periods to the inhabitants of the village and neighbourhood. This person acts gratuitously. At the end of a certain period the division is removed to another village, and its place supplied by another, containing a set of books, entirely different. Thus, by a very simple process, each village enjoys the benefit of all the books; and at a very small expense the poor of a whole district may be furnished with useful, entertaining, and instructive books. These Institutions, by which a small collection of religious books is made to furnish instruction successively to the inhabitants of many villages and hamlets, from their adaptation to the state of this country, the reading population of which is so rapidly increasing, while yet religious works are so inadequately supplied, deserve the serious attention of all who are employed in the noble attempt to illuminate, exalt, and bless their countrymen. Finances.-England. The establishment of an office in London, as the centre of operations in England, is found, by the experience of another year, to justify the expectations that were formed from the adoption of that measure. It was stated in the last Report, that nine Associations had been formed to aid your funds, in addition to which, four new ones have been esta blished at Clifton, Deptford, Woolwich, and Margate. The sum of 1947. 11s. 6d. has been received from these Auxiliaries during the year. Besides these, several Depositories have been opened for the sale of your publications: 125,139 Tracts, and 9,921 books have becú issued from your central depository in London; and your funds have received, in Subscriptions and Donations, 1517. 9s. 6d.; from Collections after Sermons, preached on behalf of the Society, 357, 128.; and from the sale of your publications, 807. 8s. 7d.; in all 4634, 18. 74d. Scotland, In the month of December last, a deLutation from your Society visited Scotland. They attended the Annual Meeting of the Glasgow Auxiliary, and proceeded to Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, and other places, in all of which they met a friendly réception, and collected about 2007. From the Glasgow Auxiliary, whose continued liberality demands your best acknowledgments, the sum of 401, has been received during the past year. Ireland. In adverting to the receipts which have been contributed by Associations in |