Rev. Mr. Jackson, and Rev. Mr. Jobson; and thanks having been voted to the hon. Chairman, the meeting separated.

BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS.

THE annual meeting of this Society, which we are happy to find is rising in favour with the public, was held on Friday evening, the 27th of April, at Freemasons'hall, Lincoln's-inn Fields.

The attendance was larger than on any former occasion; it was highly respectable, J. D. Paul, Esq., the Treasurer, was called to the chair. The Rev. James Hamilton. D.D., implored the Divine blessing on the proceedings of the evening, and on the operations of the Society. The Chairman made a few introductory remarks, and then called on Mr. Yonge, the Secretary, to read the Report, which gave an interesting and encouraging view of the position and prospects of this important Institution. The Jewish Missionary College, which it has established, promises to lead to the happiest results. At present it contains eight students.

Mr. Manning, Mr. Golthiel, and Mr. Stern, the Society's foreign missionaries, have prosecuted their labours in various parts with gratifying success. Nine missionaries, a female visitor and a Scripturereader, have been engaged in conversing with the Jews in London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, &c.

The female missionary is surrounded by an interesting class of females, several of whom had been baptized during the past

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of this important Society was held on Friday evening, April the 27th, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. It was well attended, but not so well as on the preceding anniversary.

The Lord Mayor had kindly promised to take the chair, but an unavoidable engagement prevented his attendance. At his Lordship's desire, and at the request of the meeting, Mr. Alderman Cardon consented to preside.

The Rev. E. Finch, the Society's minister at Welclose-square Chapel, commenced the proceedings with prayer; after which,

the Chairman expressed his regret at the unavoidable absence of the Lord Mayor, and the pleasure with which he should always render any service in his power to such a valuable Institution as that whose interests they had assembled to promote.

The Secretary then read an interesting Report of the Society's operations during the past year, in the various seaports of England, and in several maritime towns in foreign parts; but we cannot give the numerous details.

The Treasurer, George Gull, Esq., presented the cash accounts for the year. The receipts arising from subscriptions, donations, collections, &c., amounted to the encouraging sum of 3,512l. 18s. 7d. We were sorry, however, to find that the expenditure of the Society had exceeded that sum by 9241.

The cause of this excellent Society was powerfully advocated by the Revs. R. F. Bailey, John Watson, E. Craig, John Burnet, John Bigwood, Thomas Boaz, John Adey, and D. W. Wire, Esq.

WEEKLY TRACT SOCIETY.

THE first annual public meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday evening, 25th April, 1849, at the Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, D. W. Wire, Esq. in the chair. The proceedings commenced, by the chairman calling upon the Rev. W. H. Elliott the Secretary, to implore the Divine blessing; after which he read the Report, containing details of the Society's operations during the past year. Gratifying instances of usefulness had resulted from them. Upwards of 70,000 tracts, besides hand bills, had been published and circulated, which would be greatly increased as soon as the funds were augmented by Christian benevolence, for which an earnest appeal was made. The receipts of the Society for the year 1849, amounted to 2421. 17s. 9d., and the expenditure to 2374 14s. 2d.; leaving a balance in hand of 51. 3s. 7d.

The Chairman then addressed the meeting, pointing out the importance and utility of such agency as this Society presented, for the welfare of the working classes, and urging the co-operation of the Christian public in its support.

The first resolution was moved by the Rev. John Bigwood, and seconded by the Rev. T. W. Jenkyn, D.D. LL.D., and was to the effect, that the Report should be approved and printed; and that while the meeting rejoiced in the success that had already resulted from the Society, it should stimulate to more active exertions in extending its sphere of usefulness, and more earnest and persevering prayer for the blessing of God upon its operations.

The second resolution was moved by the Rev. W. Beven, and seconded by the Rev. Joshua Russell. This stated that the present social and spiritual condition of the working classes called for direct, combined, and persevering efforts, to disseminate among them the truths of the gospel, and that this Society felt it an imperative duty to supply this instrumentality, with a view to their salvation.

The last resolution, conveying the thanks of the meeting to the Chairman, was moved by the Rev. W. Woodman, and seconded by the Rev. W. Tyler. The resolutions were unanimously adopted; the addresses were able and encouraging. The benediction having been pronounced, the meeting separated.

LONDON CITY MISSION.

THE fourteenth anniversary of this Society was held, May 3rd, at Exeter-hall, when the great room was filled, in every corner, by most eager listeners to its proceedings. J. P. Plumptre, Esq., M.P., filled the chair; and we observed a numerous body of gentlemen on the platform, among whom were the Hon. A. Kinnaird, Sir E. N. Buxton, Rev. Dr. Cumming, Revs. Bickersteth, Smith, Brock, Messrs. Bevan, Farmer, Hitchcock, &c., &c.

After prayer by the Rev. J. Robinson, the worthy Chairman expressed his thanks to the Committee and to God for the privilege he now enjoyed; and he assured the meeting of the warm and increasing interest he felt in the Society. It was to him a matter of much thankfulness to God to see such a large assembly of professing Christians, whose great object was to improve the spiritual and eternal interests of our fellow-mortals. The Rev. J. Garwood then read the Report, which stated the great progress that had been made in the Society's operations. Seven years ago the Society had sixty-one missionaries, making known the saving merits of Christ crucified. They had now 214 missionaries engaged in the same holy cause. The receipts, seven years ago, were 5,5381. 17s. 9d.; but the increase had been steadily progressive, till the last year, when they had amounted to 19,0697., being the largest increase-by 2,9221.,-of any former year. The aid now received from the clergy was equal to that from the ministers of all other denominations. Thirteen missionaries had been added to the Society, supplying the most destitute parts of the town. Various other topics of much interest were given in detail, to which we cannot advert. Their agents had paid visits to the dying beds of 3,085 poor persons during the past year. There were three classes to whom the missionaries had paid particular attention; the first com

prised thieves, fallen females, and other outcasts of society; the second were the superstitious and disorderly Irish; and the third were working men, who were very poor. About 2,736 persons had been induced to attend public worship; 18,168 meetings for prayer and exposition had been held,— the average attendance being about twenty persons. Still it was an ascertained fact that, by steam boats, railways, &c., as many persons left London every Sunday as were left behind to worship God. The Committee had obtained one missionary for the Irish in London, who can talk with the people in their own native language. Various instances of success had attended the efforts made for the police, for Greenwich, and other hospitals and work houses. The Society had lost three missionaries by death, and in the prime of life. The visits paid by their agents, were very numerous; 2,611 copies of the Scriptures had been distributed, with more than a million tracts; and 512 persons had been received as communicants in different churches, on the recommendation of the agents. Many ragged schools had been also opened by them. An earnest appeal was made, in conclusion, to country congregations, to afford the means of supporting missionaries for particular districts in London.

The Revs. E. Bickersteth, G. Smith, J. Tucker, Dr. Cumming, and J. Rattenbury, then addressed the vast assembly, in their own peculiar and energetic manner, and were briefly followed by Mr. Strachan, Revs. W. Brock, and W. Hill. Mr. Bevan proposed thanks to the Chairman, with loud applause; and to this motion he briefly expressed his pleasure in presiding at that meeting. A hymn was then sung, and the very interesting services were terminated.

THE NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE
SOCIETY.

THE sixty-ninth anniversary_meeting of this Society was held at the Hanoversquare Rooms, on Monday, April 30th, the Marquis of Cholmondeley in the chair. Prayer having been offered by the Rev. W. Holderness, the Chairman said that he had taken much pleasure in the Society for many years, and it always gave him pleasure to come forward in its support. Major Sotheby, the New Military Secretary, then read the Report, which stated that 2,041 copies had been supplied for the use of soldiers, including grants to barracks, hospitals, &c.; to her Majesty's ships, 1,276 copies; to merchant seamen, chiefly sold at low prices, 16,276 copies; to boatmen, &c., 2,953, and 1,261 copies at the London Docks, sold on the same scale. The total number of Bibles and Testaments, during the year, had been 23,175,

the largest number ever made by the Society in one year,-making a general total of 500,093 copies, since its formation. The receipts of the past year had been 2,439l. 9s. 5d.; the disbursements, 2,4371. 3s. 1d. The Revs. C. B. Gribble, E. Craig, Thelwall, E. Pizey, Conolly, Brian, W. Holderness, with Captains Aylmer and Harcourt, and General Slater, moved and seconded the various resolutions. The Doxology was then sung, and the meeting broke up.

LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

THE anniversary of this Society was held at the Hanover-square Rooms, on Thursday, April 26th, the Marquis of Cholmondeley in the chair. The Rev. Mr. Hughes, the Secretary, having offered prayer, the Chairman stated that the leading object of the Society was to promote the great work of Christian education in Ireland; and he was happy to find that its efforts had not been in vain. The Rev. Secretary read the Report of the Education Society in Ireland. Though the Society had to encounter many difficulties, it had more than kept its ground. While the instruction had been scriptural, the education was practically an unlimited one; for the children of the Established Church amounted to 58,122; Protestant Dissenters, 15,713; and Roman Catholics, 46,367. The receipts for the year in the diocesan and general societies, gave a total of 37,295l. 12s. 10d.; showing a decrease of more than 3,000l. Various paid officers of the Society had increased its efficiency; and the Committee are about to pursue other measures to increase that efficiency.

After Lord Teignmouth had briefly moved the adoption of the Report, the Bishop of Cashel powerfully advocated the cause of scriptural education, and boldly censured the measures of Government, by the Minutes of Council, &c., which gave assistance to the Roman Catholic system of education. The Rev. H. Stowell and W. Rowe, with Lord Bernard, Rev. Mr. Beamish, and Dr. French, urged the many claims of the Society on the sympathy and liberality of the British public. The motion of thanks to the noble Chairman followed, which his Lordship briefly acknowledged, when the assembly immediately broke up.

PROVINCIAL.

ORDINATION AND REVIVAL OF THE INDEPENDENT CAUSE IN THE TOWN OF BURWASH, SUSSEX.

THE revival of the cause in this longneglected place, will gladden the hearts of all who love to hear of the spread of the gospel. For nearly twenty years this

chapel, the oldest in the county, has been closed, except occasionally, when a minister could be obtained. The want of the necessary funds and supporters being the cause of its declension.

About two years ago an effort was made by a few remaining zealous friends to reestablish the cause, which by the blessing of the Great Head of the Church has been crowned with success.

On Good Friday, April 6th, 1849, the formation of a church, and the ordination of the Rev. T. S. Watson took place; who received a unanimous invitation two years since to become the stated pastor, through whose energy and self-denying labours the cause has been raised to its present position. The ordination service was commenced by the Rev. J. Elsom, of Heathfield, giving out appropriate hymns, Scripture reading, and prayer. The Rev. W. Davis, of Hastings, delivered a most excellent introductory discourse; then followed the formation of the church and communion,- the Rev. J. N. Goulty, of Brighton, presided at the table, and received the members. The usual questions were then asked by the Rev. W. Davis, and responded to in a very satisfactory manner. The Rev. J. N. Goulty offered the ordination- prayer, with the laying on of hands; the Rev. J. B. Talbot, of London, was appointed to give the charge, but was unavoidably detained in town; this part was sustained by the Rev. J. N. Goulty, who delivered a solemn and impressive charge to the minister. Singing and prayer closed the morning service.

In the evening the Rev. Wm. Tyler, of London, preached to the people a most interesting and luminous discourse on their duty to their minister.

THE Rev. John Protheroe, late of Bulford, Wilts, having accepted the unanimous invitation of the church assembling in Emma-place Chapel, Stonehouse, Plymouth, to become its pastor, commenced his stated labours there on the last sabbath in January last.

MANCHESTER-BOWDON DOWNS.

THE REV. Henry Christopherson has retion to the pastorate of the Congregational ceived and accepted an unanimous invitachurch in the above place.

HALSTEAD, ESSEX.

THE Rev. John Reynolds, of this place, has received and accepted a cordial and affectionate invitation to the pastorate from the church assembling in the Old Independent Meeting, and has already entered upon his labours. Mr. Reynolds will be assisted in the discharge of his duties by a junior minister.

CHARMOUTH, DORSET.

THE REV. J. F. Newton having resigned his pastoral charge over the church and congregation at Charmouth, in consequence of illness, to the deep regret of his people, who held him in high estimation, has been succeeded by the Rev. F. Smith, who, since his pastoral charge at Sidmouth, has been residing some time at Broadwinson, and engaged in ministerial labours in different localities. Mr. Smith having preached at Charmouth for three months, received a most cordial invitation from the church and congregation; and enters upon his labours with every prospect of success and comfort.

FRANCE.

THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF LYONS.

We have been greatly delighted to welcome the pastor of this most interesting church, the Rev. G. Fisch, to this country. He has come to plead with British Christians on behalf of those extensive plans of usefulness now carried on by the church over which he presides. The Committee of the Evangelization Society supports, besides the Pastor of the church, two Ministers, who evangelize each a suburb of the city, -four Colporteurs, and five Evangelists, four Chapels in Lyons and its suburbs, and two in the neighbourhood,--three Schools, containing 190 children,-three Sundayschools, for men, women, and children,one Daily Adult School, in which 350 soldiers were admitted in five months,-and an Infirmary for sick women, who were formerly exposed to serious ill-treatment in the Roman Catholic Hospital. Such are the objects for which Mr. Fisch will appeal during his visit to this country. He is entitled to the warmest and most generous reception the churches can give him.

CANADA.

in. In his present mission to this country we trust he will be so welcomed by the churches as to realize his most sanguine expectations. The pressures on the colony in which he labours with so much success, have rendered it indispensable that he should appeal to British benevolence on behalf of his own place of worship. We doubt not that such an honoured servant of Christ, "whose praise is in all the churches," will meet with that encouragement which he deserves. His church has contributed "to its ability, yea, and beyond its ability;" and we believe that he has only to lay open his case to the Congregationalists of London and the Provinces, to secure a hearty response, which will gladden his own heart, and stir up to fresh zeal and devotedness the people of his charge. Such a man, however, needs no letters of commendation from us or any of his brethren; his "works praise him in the gate."

IRELAND.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,—I think it is due to your benevolent readers, several of whom have most generously contributed to the fund for relieving a very large and distressed family, under the title of "A True Picture of Irish Misery," (which you kindly inserted in your April Magazine,) to express their gratitude as well as my own, for the response thus given to that affecting appeal. Every letter we receive from the family is filled with expressions of the greatest thankfulness; in short, their transition from the extreme of misery to comparative comfort is a wonderful proof of the Divine goodness and faithfulness in succouring the people of God, when ready to perish. Should you

"I felt within myself, as if the Lord would hear and answer prayer, and when on the very verge of all hope (at the moment lying on my bed with a severe attack of illness, from intensity of cold,) my daughter Anne came into my room, pressed forward, drew the curtain,-'Good news, my dear papa; a letter from our friend the Doctor.' Fall on your knees,' I said to her, and let every member of my family

do the same, and exclaim in admiration of the Divine goodness, My Lord and my God!'

"Some were so overjoyed, that tears of gratitude were shed, while others leaped for joy. What benevolence have the humane English shown on our behalf! They are nothing short of a heavenly race of people."

May 4, 1849.

APPROACH TO JERUSALEM.

THE approach by the Gaza road is perhaps the least favourable for a first impression of Jerusalem. When, after surmounting one by one the rugged summits of the surrounding mountains, expecting every moment to look down on the Holy City, a bare wall and a Turkish fort sneaked unimposingly into view before me, I must candidly own that I did not experience any of those powerful emotions which a first view of Jerusalem might be expected to awaken. Some people seem to have their feelings in such admirable discipline, that they have but to say to a sensation, "Come," and it comes: but such is not the case with me. Yet to a traveller approaching by almost any other route, when he looks down upon the city, and sees at a glance all the objects which remind him of her ancient glory and present degradation, the sight can scarcely fail to call up sensations of the most vivid description. But the view that I saw reminded me of nothing more than that Jerusalem is a Turkish town of some 15,000 inhabitants. The sight of one of the first objects which met my eye on entering the city- the words "English Magazine," in large letters over a shop-was not much calculated to restore my mind to a more congenial tone;

and in truth I was never during my stay in Jerusalem, altogether able to overcome the prestige of my first impression. And, in addition to this, so many things are shown which the traveller cannot possibly believe, and so many things which he does not know whether to believe or not, that a general feeling of vague and undefined doubt is apt to cast its shade upon the mind. - Ferguson's Pipe of Repose.

THE DEAD SEA.

FROM Bethany we struck into a path a little to the south of Jericho-road, and leading directly to the head of the lake. This was, if possible, even more dreary than the other on all sides rose peak above peak, blasted and desolate mountains, each like the crater of an extinct volcano. And as I descended into the silent plain of the Dead Sea, the only living creature in sight was a long thin snake, like a whipcord, seemed quite in character with the scene. that, curling itself away among the stones, But there was nothing gloomy in the colour of the lake itself; on the contrary, it was naked rocks around were but covered with a deep and beautiful blue; and if those foliage, and those barren sands with verdure, it would indeed be a lovely and enchanting scene. And such it was once,

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even as the garden of the Lord before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah." But as I drew nearer to the water's edge, its character seemed to change, and I perceived how rightly it has received its name. Like the mirror held to the dead man's face, no breath of life dimmed the polished brightness of its surface - the gentle breeze played over it unheededthere it lay, motionless and dumb, with its blue eye turned up to the naked sun, in a fixed and glassy stare. The first thing I did was to take a dip in the water; which I found extremely agreeable. To a person unacquainted with swimming, the sensation of being able to lie like cork upon the surface must feel something akin to the acquisition of a new faculty; the only difficulty I experienced was, that I floated so high out of the water that I had some trouble in keeping myself straight; being apt, like a little boy's ship that has not its keel in the centre, to turn over upon one side. But in everything there is an art, and by and-by I found out the art of lying comfortably upon the Dead Sea : thus I lounged on my luxurious water-bed till I passed into a waking dream; and thoughts from a far land came stealing upon my soul, and I forgot that I was lying upon a grave. On coming out, and for some time afterwards, I experienced a greasy sensation upon the skin; but did not find any incrustation of salt, as some other travellers have done.-Ibid.