Ellis, from the Sandwich Islands. The Annual Meeting was held on Monday, May 8th, at the City of Loudon Tavern Admiral Lord Gambier in the Chair. The Speakers were, Mr. Alderman Brown; and Captain George Gambier, R.N.; Captain Bankes, R.N.; Rev. Professor Shedd, of New Orleans; Rev. T. Phillips, late of Liverpool; and Captain Cook, of the Cambria; (the ship which saved the passengers and crew of the Kent Indiaman ;) W. Cooke, Esq.; Rev. C. Hyatt; Right Hon. the Earl of Clarendon; and Rev. E. A. Dunn; Rev. W. Thompson; and R. H. Marten, Esq. Among other Resolutions which passed at this Meeting, were the following "That it is at once the privilege and the duty of Christians to avail themselves of all prudent means to disseminate the best principles of religion and morality among all classes of mankind, especially among Seamen. "That this Meeting is grateful for the success which has attended the efforts of the Port of London Society; and that there is an encouraging prospect of increased advantage, by persevering efforts to promote religion among British Sea men. "That this Meeting earnestly requests the liberal support of all; but especially of Shipowners, Merchants, and Insurers of risks by sea,-of Shipmasters and Mates, and of the various Ships' Companies, whose interests (and more particularly those of the families of seafaring men) are deeply concerned in that increased safety and happiness which must attend greater sobriety and morality among Seamen." STATE OF THE FUNDS. Receipts of the Year. Annual Subscriptions Collections Sundries 98 7 0 4 0 92 2 375 15 5 In the course of his Sermon, Mr. Ellis narrated many interesting incidents relative to the natives of the Georgian, Society, and Sandwich Islands; and especially dwelt on those which manifested the influence on the natives of the different character of British seamen. When ships arrived whose captains were religious and the crews moral, every kindness which affection could devise was shown them: they were invited to dinner-parties,the customary port and anchorage dues off, that they might not be disappointed were remitted,—the "tabu" was taken of the supplies which they needed,and the natives were delighted to see them at their meetings for religious worship. But, when ships arrived whose commanders and crews were disgusted; and inquired whether there licentious and immoral, the natives were were two Gods in Britain, one for the Missionaries, and another for the Sailors. With deep sorrow he declared, that more difficulties had been created, in the way of the Missionary cause in Seamen, than he ever found from the the South Seas, by irreligious English Heathen natives: he felt, therefore, au increased attachment to Societies, which, like that of the Port of London, aimed at the conversion of Seamen; for he believed sincerely that this was of more importance than was generally credited to the success of the Gospel in Heathen lands. Total 9. NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY. THE Forty-sixth Anniversary of this Society was held on Tuesday, May 9th, in the Freemasons' Hall: Admiral Lord Gambier in the Chair. The Speakers were, Major-General Orde; Hon. Captain Noel, R. N.; Captain Maynard, Bengal Artillery; Captain Molesworth, R.N.; General Peachy; Captain Edward Parry, R.N.; Rev. Francis Close; Major Horsley; Colonel Le Blanc ; Rev. J. W. Cunningham; Hon. and Rev. Gerard T. Noel; Lieut.-General Ne Phipps, 13th Bengal Infantry. ed by the Meeting ing be given to the Right Rev. the Bishop wich, Colchester, Bath, Bristol, Plymouth, and Torbay, during the past year; and that the warmest acknowledgments of this Meeting be offered to those Ladies, who have so materially benefited the Society by their individual and united exertions. "That while this Meeting feel called upon to record their unfeigned gratitude to Almighty God, for the blessing which has attended the Society's labours through the past year, especially in the recent distribution of 18,000 Bibles to the Army, they lament that the exertions of the Committee are still impeded by the want of adequate funds: they feel it, therefore, their duty to pledge themselves, in humble dependance upon divine aid, to renew 10. THE SUNDAY THE Annual Meeting of this Institution was held May 9th, at the City of London Tavern, where upwards of 1,200 Ladies and Gentlemen partook of a public breakfast: Thomas Pellatt, Esq., in the Chair. The Speakers were, the Rev. Messrs. Ellis and Stewart, of the Sandwich Islands; and the Rev. Messrs. Lawless, Osgood, Kurtz, Drew, Irons, Upton, and Gilbert. ed efforts in obtaining and placing at the disposal of the Committee additional pecuniary support, in order to meet the further requisitions from the Army for Bibles, and to answer the increasing demand from Sailors generally for the Holy Scriptures." There had been issued, during the year, 21,221 Bibles or Testaments; being nearly double the number issued in any former year; aud nearly equal to the entire number issued in the first fourteen years of the Society's operations; making a total of 196,621 Bibles or Testaments issued, by the Society, to Soldiers and Sailors. The receipts of the year were 48637. 8s. 4d., and the payments 47927, 138, 4d. 11. THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Annual Sermons before this Society were preached at Surrey Chapel, at the Tabernacle, at Tottenham-Court Chapel, and at Christ Church, NewgateStreet; by the Rev. Robert S. M'All, the Rev. David Russell, the Rev. Dr. Philip, and the Rev. Thomas Mortimer, A.M. The Rev. William Jay preached at the Poultry Chapel to the Juvenile Societies. The Annual Meeting was held at Great Queen-Street Chapel, on Thursday, May 11th William Alers Hankey, Esq., the Treasurer, in the Chair. The Speakers were, Rev. W. Roby, of Manchester; Rev. T. Adkins, of Southampton; Rev. T. Mortimer; Rev. John Clayton; Rev. Dr. Philip; Rev. John Stephens, of the Wesleyan Society; Rev. John Leifchild, of Bristol; Rev. Rob. S. M'All; Rev. W. Cooper, of Dublin; Rev. Eustace Carey, Baptist Missionary from Calcutta ; Rev. W. Ellis, Missionary from the Saudwich Islands; and Rev. C. S. Stewart, American Missionary from the Sandwich Islands; Captain Gambier, of H. M. Ship Dauntless; the Rev. Dr. Waugh; and Stephen Prust, Esq., of it has pleased Divine Providence of late to visit this country and the world at large, acknowledges, with devout thankfulness to God, the increased measure of support and countenance, in respect to the voluntary contributions which the Society during the past year has experienced, both at home and abroad. With peculiar feelings, also, the Meeting adverts to the affecting bereavements, which have occurred among the Directors and other efficient Members of the Society since its last Anniversary; but expresses its humble confidence, that the Great Head of the Church will still carry on his work, by raising up other instruments to succeed those who have ceased from their labours. "That this Meeting cherishes the most kind and Christian feelings towards all kindred Institutions,-sympathizes with them in the trials which some have experienced,-rejoices in the prosperity of the common cause,-and distinctly avows its deep conviction of the necessity of Divine influence to render successful their respective and combined energies. STATE OF THE FUNDS. Receipts of the Year. Dividends on Stock . 32,578 6 8 1,967 15 8 1,033 3 10 35,579 6 2 tion in every part of the world, deeply deplores the paucity of the supplies which have been forwarded to many important Stations, and most earnestly appeals to Clergymen and Ministers of every denomination to assist the funds of the Institution by Congregational Collections during the coming year. 12. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. THETwenty-seventh Aniversary of this Institution was held on Friday morning, May 12th, at the City of London Tavern Mr. Alderman Brown in the Chair. The Speakers were, the Rev. Edward Irving; the Rev. Edward Bickersteth; the Rev. Spedding Curwen; the Rev. Cesar Malan, of Geneva; the Rev. William Ellis; the Rev. Mr. Henderson; the Rev. T. Philips; the Rev. H. Townley, from Bengal; the Rev. John Dyer; the Rev. W. Marshall; and Mr. Maitland. The following Resolutions were adopt ed by the Meeting : "That this Meeting gratefully acknowledges the efficient and disinterested services of the Missionaries in different parts of the world, in the publication and circulation of Religious Tracts; and earnestly and respectfully requests the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, the Rev. John Arundel, Secretary of the London Missionary Society, the Rev. John Dyer, Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society, and the Rev. John Mason, Secretary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, to attend and co-operate with the Committee in furtherance of the important objects of this Institution. "That the facilities which are now afforded in most parts of the world, for the diffusion of religious knowledge through the medium of the Press, call for the continued and increased co-operation of all the friends of religion; and that this Meeting, while it rejoices in the good which has resulted from Tract Circula 13. THE AFRICAN THE Twentieth Anniversary of this Institution was held on Friday, May 19th, at Freemasons' Hall: His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, the Patron, in the Chair. The Speakers were, Earl Grosvenor, Lord Hervey, the Earl of Clarendon, Lord Calthorpe, James Cropper, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Lawrence, the Earl of Euston, Sir population of the United Kingdom, the That the vast increase of the reading establishment of Schools in foreign lands, day from an increasing Adult Population and the urgent demand in the present upon the Society for continued exertions for supplies of suitable publications, call in the dissemination of pure and Scriptural truth in every part of the globe: and this Meeting recommends, that, in future, it be more fully and distinctly stated, that the plan and objects of this Society are, the circulation of small Religious Books and Treatises in FOREIGN Countries, as well as throughout the British Dominions; trusting that such additional publicity will stimulate the Auxiliaries and Friends of the Institution to INCREASED Contributions in aid of these important operations, That this Meeting, deeply impressed with the important truth, that not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord, the Redeemer's cause is to be carried on in the world, recommends to all its friends the importance of con stant prayer that the ways of God may be known upon earth, and his saving health among all nations." The receipts of the year amount to 12,6377. 15s.; and the payments to 12,2271, 18s. 6d. INSTITUTION. Thomas Stamford Raffles, Zachary It is matter of serious regret, that ceive more ample support. Its labours this important Institution does not rehave, for years, been chiefly confined to the collecting of information, and the urging of measures, tending to the extinction of the Slave-Trade; for the Directors are fully convinced, that little permanent and no extensive good can be conferred on Western Africa, while that nefarious traffic is suffered to continue. In spite, however, of all the vigilance which has been exercised, and in the face of solemn treaties, that trade is pursued with increasing ferocity by the subjects of infatuated governments, which are thus heaping up to themselves wrath against the day of retribution, sooner or later to be expected by all guilty nations from the hand of Him who hears the cry of the oppressed, and will avenge the blood of the innocent. The concluding paragraphs of the Report speak for themselves, and exhibit in a striking point of view the claims of the Institution for public patronage and support :— "The past year has been one of very considerable expense, several cases of grievous oppression having called for the interference of the Directors. "The five Africans, brought accident ally into St. Ives, in Cornwall, in a French slave ship, the Perle, particularly called for the good offices of the Directors. Mr. Wilberforce, indeed, in conjunction with Mr. Stephen, on first hearing of the circumstances, adopted prompt and decisive measures for rescuing these poor creatures from their state of bondage. On application to Mr. Chief Justice Best, a writ of Habeas Corpus was issued for bringing them before him: they were accordingly brought to London; and their case having been examined, they were, by that humane and truly philanthropic Judge, instantly liberated. It was intended that they should have been sent to Sierra-Leone; but this purpose has been delayed, by a severe illness to which two of them have fallen victims: the remaining three, who are now present, will probably leave England for Africa in a few days. The expense attending these proceedings, and their passage to Africa, will amount to between 2007 and 300, which the Institution are bound, and in deed are pledged, to defray; but which they will be unable to do without the liberal aid of the public. "The other expenses of the year have amounted to about 3601. Besides this, the whole of their liabilities at the present moment cannot be estimated at less than 700.; while the balance in hand is only 145/-leaving a deficiency of nearly 6007. "This simple exposition of facts will have the effect, the Directors trust, of - inducing the friends of humanity to come forward, and to afford the requisite aid, both for meeting the existing engagements of the Institution, and for enabling them beneficially to continue their exertions. 1 A further heavy expense has fallen upon the Society, from the necessity under which they have been laid of interfering in behalf of several other persons, suffering under grievous oppression; but whose cases are not yet ripe for being laid fully before the public. This has added considerably to the amount of their liabilities. "The whole Income of the Institution, during the past year, has been only 5531 158. Of this sum there has been already paid, on account of the cases which have been alluded to, upwards of 2001. "This deficiency of Funds has tended greatly to cramp the exertions of the Directors; but looking back to the period of the formation of this Institution, they cannot contemplate the exertions which have been made and the results which have attended them, without feelings of the deepest interest, and of gratitude to Providence for the success which has attended them: for, notwithstanding the distressing facts which it has been this day the duty of the Directors to detail to the Meeting, it cannot be denied that success, in an eminent degree, has attended their labours. For this Meeting must recollect, that, at the period when the Institution was founded, this country alone had but just decreed the Abolition of the Slave-Trade; and that, in Foreign Countries the trade had not begun to be regarded as at all repugnant to the principles of humanity or morality. Since that period, however, the Slave Trade has been declared Piracy, not only by this country but by America; and all the great Powers of Europe, in Congress assembled, have stigmatized it as repug nant to the principles of humanity and of Universal Morality," as "the desolation of Africa, the degradation of Europe, and the afflicting Scourge of Humanity:" and, since that period, Treaties have been entered into with all the Powers of Europe for the suppression of this nefarious traffic; and the New States of South America, outstripping, in the race of humanity, the Parent States of Europe, have decreed the Abolition of Slavery itself. "Great as have been the exertions and success of this Institution, the Report read this day proves that exertions as great are still required; and therefore this Meeting in particular, and the Friends of the Abolition of the SlaveTrade in every part of the United King dom, are requested to support, with a liberality commensurate with the cause in which it is engaged, an Institution which has for so long a period laboured to bring about a total abolition of the Slave Trade; the final triumph of which cause, it has been declared, would be "one of the greatest monuments of the age which undertook it, and which should have gloriously carried it into complete effect." 14. PROTESTANT SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. THE Fifteenth Anniversary of this necessary and useful institution was held at the City of Loudon Tavern, on Saturday, May 13th: the Marquis of Lansdowne in the chair. The Speakers were, John Wilks, Esq., Secretary; the Rev. John Morison, of Chelsea; Thomas Walker, Esq.; the Rev. T. Adkins, of Southampton; the Rev. W. Platt; the Rev. Mark Wilks; the Rev. William Orme; Lord Dacre; Robert Steven, Esq.; and Dr. Brown. Mr. Wilks detailed in his speech the proceedings of the Committee in the course of the year: he related many acts of petty tyranny which they had been called upon to redress, and commented upon them with his usual eloquence and humour. The following extracts will be read with superior interest : "It is delightful to have the opportunity of doing justice to one prelate of the Established Church. The Rev. Dean Wood, in the diocese of Norwich, refused to bury a child, because it had been baptized by a Wesleyan Methodist. A copy of the judgment of Sir John Nicholl was sent to the Dean; but he still refused. An application was then made by Mr. Rowe, to the Right and truly Rev. Diocesan; without delay, the Bishop of Norwich addressed to Mr. Rowe the reply which shall be read, because it does credit to the truly Catholic and Evangelic spirit of a venerable man, whose sentiments are worthy of the apostolic age, and the first and holiest Bishops of the Christian Church. The Letter is as follows:"Sir, Days (says Job) should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.' How far Dean Wood may accede to the truth of this remark as applicable to me, I dare not venture peremptorily to decide; but I am inclined to believe, from the intercourse which has passed between us on former occasions, he will not be indisposed to pay some deference to the opinion of a brother Clergyman, who is now in the 87th year of his age; and I have no hesitation in stating most unequivocally, what that opinion is. The decision of so well-informed a civilian as Sir John Nicholl, justifies, I think, any Minister of the Established Church in pursuing that line of conduct, towards Dissenters of all denominations, which candour, and meekness, and moderation, and Christian charity, must make him auxious to pursue on all occasions; espe cially upon so interesting a one as that mentioned in your letter, and in behalf of an individual, belonging to a sect re markably peaceful, pious, and inoffensive. Be so good as to show the Dean what I have written; he perhaps may be induced to respect my suggestions. I am, Sir, yours, &c., To the Rev. Thomas Rowe, Wesleyan Minister, Lynn. H. NORWICH,' "Would that all the members of the Established Church were imbued with his spirit! Then, if dissent did not expire, at least love would revive; and if we did not amalgamate into one bright orb, we should not be hostile and blood-red stars; but kindly constellations, moving in silent harmony; adding to our mutual glory," and each illuminating well our appro priate sphere!' "The subject of Registration of Baptisms and Births is a point on which Dissenters and Methodists naturally feel a deep concern. It was long supposed that the registration of births at Dr. Williams's Library, and of a Baptism by a Dissenting Minister, was equal evidence: of a Birth or Baptism with a Registration of a Baptism in a Parish Register by a Minister of the Established Church. An Act now repealed, that passed and imposed a stamp duty on those registers of births and baptisms by Dissenters confirmed the hope. But a contrary decision ¿ has been pronounced by the Court of Chancery as well as by the Ecclesiastical Courts. Great dismay has been consequently spread among dissenting congregations throughout the country. That dismay is excessive since such registers, although not equally availing with parochial registers, may materially assist as evidence in any cases of litigated claims. Yet it is highly important that other se curity should be obtained. Parochial registers, as far as they extend to baptisms, are regarded as public records, and examined extracts from them are admitted as sufficient proofs on the matters to which they apply. But dissenting regis-" ters and entries at the Library of births are but secondary evidence, and the original books or entries must be produced, and other testimony must be given as to the signature of the parties and their identity to render them availing and from which, in many cases, Baptists also,. who never baptize their infants, are precluded from the benefit of parochial registers, which extend only to the baptized. To obviate such inconveniences, and meet the wishes of numerous congregations, the Committee have communicated with the Government, and sought that attention which the great body of Dissenters and Methodists are entitled to expect. Their sanction they thought desirable before any appeal was made to the Legislature for relief; and the liberal respect they have ever experienced from Lord Liverpool, Lord Bexley, and their Ministerial friends, encourage confident expectation of just support. The re |