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Forms for the ready Calculation of the Longitude; with the Tables published by Joseph de Mendoza Rios, Esq. F. R. S.

Folio. 4s.

Letters to the Duke of Kent, on the Efficacy of equable and artificial Temperature in the Treatment of Consumption; by Thomas Sutton, M. D. 2s.

Thoughts on various charitable and other Institutions, and on the best Mode of conducting them to which is subjoined, an Address to the Females of the Rising Generation; by Catharine Cappe. Ss.

A Survey of the Road from Calais to Paris; by L. Hebert, Geographer, and G. Dupont, Engineer. 8vo. 9s.

A Picture of Paris; being a complete Guide to all the public Buildings, Places of Amusement, and Curiosities, in that Metropolis; accompanied with six different Routes from the Coast to Paris; by Louis Tronchet. 6%

Letters on India; by Maria Graham. With nine Etchings, and a Map of the North of India. 8vo. 14s.

A Voyage to the Isle of Elba; translated from the French of M. Arsenne Thiebault de

Berneaud. 8vo.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING

CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. THE Annual Report of this Society * for the year 1813 is now before us, and it strikingly manifests the beneficial effects of the increased exertions which it has lately made. The Report is preceded by a Sermon preached by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Chester, on the Sd of June, 1813; being the time of the Yearly Meeting of the Childreu educated in the Charity Schools in and about the cities of London and Westminster. The learned prelate, after pointing out the advantages attendant on the acquisition of general knowledge, even as this life is concerned, proceeds to enlarge on the higher benefits of a Christian education. The following passage deserves a more lasting record than our ephemeral page can give it :

"When in the fulness of time it pleased the Almighty to reveal his Son, the Christian Teacher was called upon to discharge a superior duty, to preach the Gospel of Jesus

Both the General Account and the Annual Reports of this Society may now be purchased by any persons who are not members.

Christ, and to declare the glad tidings of salvation to all mankind. A Saviour had brought life and immortality to light. The grand aim, therefore, of every rational being, was no longer a perishable, but an everlasting reward--not time, but eternity. Hence, education, as the great means to this end, became of a more exalted and spiritual naLure; its object was to make known unto man the purposes of his creation, to communicate a knowledge of the will of the Most High; that knowledge might lead to prac tice, and at length procure for him a glorious inheritance, eternal in the heavens.

"We are too apt to overlook or undervalue the importance of this instruction, because the full effects of it are not instantly and wholly perceived. But the awful truths of religion have seldom, if ever, been duly inculcated on the mind of youth, with out producing the most beneficial result, if not immediately, yet at some future period of life. The precept may for a time be forgotten; the passions may break through all restraints, whilst reason and conscience slumber or sleep. The voice of religion, however, though overpowered, is not often entirely silenced, but is heard at some favourable season, in the hour of stillness and repose, and

before the day of repentance is finally passed. The seed, to all appearance dead, may yet produce a most abundant harvest.

"One of the main advantages which arises from the education of the poor, is the ability which it confers upon them to employ their leisure hours in a profitable and improving manner. Intermissions of labour And them for the most part listless and unoccupied. To avoid this oppressive tedium and languor, they are tempted to the receptacles of sloth or sin, where property is wasted, where health is undermined, and where bad habits are acquired and confirmed. Now had the same persons been able to employ their vacant hours in useful reading, had early instruction opened to them the Bible, the temptations of idleness might not have been felt at all, or, if felt, might have been resisted and overcome.

"Of the blessed effects which even a casual perusal of the Word of God may produce, we have a memorable instance upon record, in the life and conversion of the celebrated St. Augustine. He who was afterwards one of the most illustrious fathers of the Church, had been in his earlier years notoriously dissolute and abandoned. His attention, however, and feelings, were suddenly arrested by an awakening passage, which met his eye upon opening a page of the Sacred Volume. The impression thus excited, was durable, daily grew stronger, and at length wrought in him a deliverance from the captivity of sin. The same means may, in other cases, produce the same effect. THE CONSEQUENCES TO BE EX

PECTED FROM EVERY POOR MAN'S POSSESSING HIS BIELE ARE INFINITE, OF A VALUE BEYOND ALL CALCULATION.

"There is scarcely any plan, however excellent, against which objections may not be raised, and it has been urged against this general instruction of the poor, that it disqualities them from executing, as they ought, the inferior but necessary offices of life. What! can we conceive a situation, however humble, the duties of which will be less willingly performed, in consequence of that small and limited degree of knowledge, which these institutions impart? Is there any agricultural or mechanical employment, is there any domestic or servile occupation, which the poorest will discharge with less fidelity and skill, because the charitable have taught him to read and write? Will they be less faithful, because they know the grounds of their obligation? Will they be less satisfied, because they have learnt that their lot and the whole disposing of it are of

the Lord? On the contrary, who, but for the hopes and consolations of religion, would contentedly submit to hardships, privation, and toil? Banish the idea of God out of the world, and the whole system is disorganized; acknowledge his superintending Providence, and all things work together for good unto all men.

"If we wish to produce the full effects of a religious education, the materials must be prepared and the foundation laid, at a much earlier period than they commonly are. Much evil is occasioned, and much good neglected to be done, before the generality are at all aware of it. None but those who have watched the dawn of the human understanding are sensible, how early and how deep impressions may be made. Children reason not only better, but sooner, than is generally supposed. The work, therefore, if it is to be done to the best advantage, must be begun betimes. From an ignorance or neglect of this truth, all future endeavours are frequently unavailing. Parents, therefore, and preceptors, cannot too strongly be reminded, that the education of children should commence almost from their birth. The years of infancy are the most important, but the most neglected period of their lives. These form the heart, and stamp the character of the future man. And should the engagements and the cares of life devolve the parental charge upon another, yet surely the greatest caution and consideration are required, more than I fear are generally bestowed, in ascertaining the habits and opinions of those persons to whom children are entrusted, and from whose sentiments and principles they naturally imbibe their own. And here we cannot but express a wish, that an increased attention to the morals of youth may be shewn, in our public schools, and seminaries of learning. A knowledge of the ancient languages and the acquisition of human science, both are and ought to be among the prominent objects of these excellent institutions. But let them not stand first in view. An elucidation of the Scriptures, and the inculcation of moral principles are entitled to a far higher con sideration, to the principal share of our time and thought. Let not this opinion, however, either give offence, or be misunderstood. I mean not to affirm, that no anxiety at all is shewn to the concerns of religion; neither do I think that they are less regarded at the present, than at any preceding period; but what I believe and assert, is, that a greater degree of attention is still called for in some cases, and that too

much can hardly be bestowed in any. For Prayer Books, School Books, and fracts, at the end is worthy of the means, an ob- the discretion of the Committee. ject which will always repay the utmost care and zeal. Too long has our youth been educated for the world, let us now strive to educate them for God."

We now proceed to the Report. From this we find, that the constitution of the Society has undergone some material improvements since the date of the preceding Report. The necessary benefaction of subseribing members at admission had then been reduced from not less than two pounds to not less than one guinea. Now, however, all parochial clergymen with small incomes are admi-sible, without the payment of any benefaction at admission, on claiming the benefit of the rule to that effect; and this benefit is extended retrospectively to all such clerical members admitted since Christmas, 1812, as choose to avail themselves of it. Besides this, under the name of Correspouding Members, clergymen, to whom a subscription might be inconvenient, may be admitted to the privileges of the Society without either benefaction or subscription. In consequence of these new regulations, and the exertions of Diocesan and District Committees, thirty of which had been added to the Society's list in the year 1813; the number of subscribing members, which at the end of the year 1810 was 3560, at the end of the year 1813 was 7689. To secure a supply, at once effectual and permanent, of the holy Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Society's Tracts, the farther expedient of a periodical parochial collection is strongly recommended, and the uni versal adoption by the several Committees of a day of Anniversary Meeting, to be holden at some principal place within the limits of their respective operations; when schools receiving books through the Society, may be brought together in the cathedral, or other principal church in the district, after the manner of the yearly meetings at St. Paul's of the London Charity Schools.

Of the parochial and general collections, one third is required to be paid to the Society in aid of its general designs: for the remaining two thirds, books are allowed at the reduced prices of the Society, which are so low, that the parishes will still be gainers by the arrangement, to the extent of up wards of 25 per cent.

For facilitating the supply of all parts of the kingdom, depôts of books have been formed by many of the committees, consisting of Bibles, New Testaments, Common

On the subject of education, the Society congratulates the public on the progress which has been made, and is making, in the establishment of schools in all parts of the kingdom for the education of children of the lower order of the community, especially through the agency of the National Society, most of whose schools are supplied with books by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. In future, it is intended to specify the schools which derive aid from this Society. In the mean time, mention is made of a report from the Deanery of Hedingham, of 30 parishes, in which schools containing 2300 scholars are regularly sup plied with books through the Society; and of another report of the state of the Sunday Schools at Manchester and Salford, belonging to the Established Church, by which it appears, that 7000 children are there in constant habits of religious instruction.

The Memorial of the late Dr. John on Indian Civilization has turned the attention of the Society to the promotion of schools in the East Indies, and a gratuity of 50%. has been voted in aid of that design; (we should have been better pleased, had the vote been 1000l. a year;) and an offer is made of duly appropriating to the same object, the special benefactions of benevolent individuals. The Society also recommends this matter to the attention of its Missionaries and friends in India; and professes its readiness to co-operate in any judicious measure for furthering so desirable an end.

The books issued by the Society, from April 9, 1812 to April 9, 1813, were as follows:-sold to members, for 13,824l. 2s. 8d., the cost to the Society being 22,616/. 1s. 4d. ; 19,880 Bibles, 43,671 New Testaments and Psalters, 45,730 Common Prayers, 41,913 other bound books, and 426,713 small Tracts. Given gratuitously; 2118 Bibles, 7082 New Testaments and Psalters, 2931 Common Prayers, 616 other bound books, and 4083 small tracts. Issued for the service of the Navy, and paid for by the Lords of the Admiralty; 1916 Bibles, 6975 New Testaments and Psalters, 2800 Common Prayers, 742 other bound books, 4033 small Tracts. A farther impression of 2500 copies of the Welsh Bible has been printed from the Society's stereotype plates, and an edition of the Welsh Common Prayer Book has also been completed, to be had bound by members at 2s. 4d. each. A large number of copies of the Arabic Bible stil remain in the Society's Store-room to be

disposed of, when proper opportunities occur. And in addition to several English Tracts placed on the Society's list, 30%. were granted to promote an impression of the German Lutheran Catechism for the use of poor Germans in this country.

Measures have been taken to secure a more extensive circulation of the Society's Tracts, with a view to counteract the pernicious influence of methodistica', impure, or inflammatory pamphlets; and to render the distribution more efficacious, a Committee has been appointed to revise the Society's Tracts before they are reprinted; to report to the Board the expediency of reprinting them at all; and to "recommend such corrections, additions, or other alterations, as may appear to them to be requisite"."

We now come to the East-India Missions of this Society. Of the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Jacobi as one of its Missionaries; of Dr. Middleton's able Charge, and Mr. Jacobi's Reply, we have already given an ample account in the volume of last year, p. 673. He took his departure for India in the month of April, 1813. The accounts from abroad are neither so copious, nor so interesting as they have usually been. Mr. Pæzold, the Missionary at Vepery, had visited a variety of places, and had baptized 34 individuals, of whom, eleven were adults. Mr. Holsberg, from Cuddalore, states, that some of the families were living as became Christians; while others had been overcome by their weakness, but, he trusted, had seen and repented of their sins. He speaks very favourably of a native catechist, who was attached to his Mission; complains of the generally declining state of the Mission from waut of funds t. "It external circumstances being very narrow, he had endeavoured to uphold it with what little of his own he could spare; but himself being in narrow circumstances also, and having no office from Government, nor any assistance from Germany, he was under

and

We confess ourselves to be a little alarmed at the extensive range of the labours of this Committee. Is it intended that all corrections, additions, or other alterations proposed by the Committee, and sanctioned by the Board, of whatever kind they are, may be introduced into traets originally written by Beveridge, Woodward, Kenn, Tillotson, Stonehouse, &c.? How very slight to the eye may be the alteration which shall make these tracts, no longer speak the sentiments of their authors on vital subjects!

Why should this complaint be repeated year after year in vain? Why, indeed, should it exist at all?

" I

great alarm as to what would become of his Mission." Mr. Pohle writes from Trichin apoly in the same strain. "The support of the Mission," he states, "" was attended with great difficulties, especially as their customary receipts from Germany had failed." look up to the Lord," he observes," for help." The bad examples of Christians, he describes as doing unspeakable mischief. He was faithfully aided in his labours by four native catechists and two native schoolmasters. The members of the Tamul Congregation were about 320; of the Portuguese, 137.

The Danish Missionaries at Tranquebar state, that 5000 copies of the Tamulian New Testament were about to be printed at the Calcutta Press; and " they bless God that various nations, in their different languages, are now likely to be blessed with the holy Scriptures." Some account is then given of Dr. John's schools (which we largely noticed in our last volume), containing 550 children, which had been assisted by the Rev. Mr. Thompson at Madras, and Colonel Molesworth of Jaffna. Dr. John had baptized eighteen heathens and five Roman Catholics. The East-India fund received an important aid, by a generous donation of 600l. from an anonymous benefactress.

The receipts of the Society, in 1813, amounted to nearly 32,000l.; and its payments to about 30,7501.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE
SOCIETY.

The following is the substance of the Tenth Annual Report of this Society.

1. EUROPE.

In GERMANY, the different Bible Socie ties exhibit, notwithstanding the miseries occasioned by war, solid proofs of a deep and growing interest in the object of the Society. That at Berlin has completed a second edition of the Bohemian Bible, of 5,000 copies, and it finds at this time a more frequent inquiry than formerly among the poor after the German Scriptares. The Cominittee has aided this Society with 1500 dollars. established, under the patronage of the King A Wirtemberg Bible Institution has been of Wirtemberg, and with a direct appointment to provide for the Protestant population of the kingdom. The Committee, anxious to encourage this Institution, added to their former donation of 2001, a further donation of 3001. The Institution has already an edition of 10,000 Bibles, and 2,000 extra Testaments in the course of printing.

This edition has been printed at the Missionary Press at Serampore by the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society.

Various other sums have been voted, in the course of the year, to promote the circulation of the Scriptures in Germany.

Though the Committee does not stand officially connected with the Catholic Bible Society at Ratisbon, they consider it both a duty and a pleasure to state, that this zealous aud benevolent Society proceeds.with great spirit in printing the German Testament, which meets with so rapid a sale, that the Society can scarcely keep pace with the eager and constantly-increasing demands."

In SWITZERLAND, the German Bible Society at Básle has not furnished an account of its operations; but there is reason for be lieving, that its exertions have not relaxed. The Bible Institution at Zurich, has proceeded with diligence and success. The Committee learning that this Society, by the purchase of Bibles, and printing an edition of the New Testament, bad exhausted its resources, and that it earnestly desired to proceed to print an impression of the whole Bible, granted the additional sum of 2501., to promote this important work.

In addition to the Zurich Bible Institution, and the Bible Committees at Schauffhausen, and at Chur, a similar Committee has been formed at St. Gall, by the exertions of a merchant, venerable both by age and piety.

"I wish," says this venerable correspondent*, “to work while it is called to-day, being now in my 74th year, and feeling desirous to render myself useful in my day and generation. Our Lord well deserves that all the powers of our body and soul be entirely consecrated to him."

In DENMARK, the Fuehnen Society continues its exertions, and has even sent copies of the Scriptures into Norway, Holstein, and Jutland.

The Rev. Mr. Henderson, who obtained permission from his Danish Majesty to reside at Copenhagen, to superintend the printing of the Icelandic Bible, has com pleted that work; and is now preparing to depart for Iceland, to superintend its distribation, and form connexions for carrying on the plans of the Society.

The Committee authorised Mr. Henderson to expend the sum of 501. in the purchase of Bibles and Testaments, for distribution among the poor in Denmark, and to purchase a sup

* In the course of three years this venerable man, whose name is Steinman, has distributed 5,600 Testaments, and 800 Bibles, chiefly to the poor, and has sent 3,000 florins to the Bible Society at Bârle.

ply of the Scriptures for the use of the Green-
Mr. Henderson had procured 300
landers.
copies of the Greenfandish New Testament;
and had encouraged the circulation of the
Scriptures in Bornholm and Norway.

SWEDEN has made considerable progress in providing for the dissemination of the holy Scriptures, chiefly through the zealous and prudent exertions of the Rev. Dr. Brunnmark, who, when proceeding on a visit to his native country, charged himself with powers from the Committee to encourage the formation of Bible Societies, by grants and promises of further aid. Three new Bible Societies have been established in Sweden, viz. the Gothenburg, Westeras, and Gothland Societies, patronized by the Bishops of those dioceses: the second comprehends the provinces of Westmania and Dalecarlia. To each of these new Societies the Committee has granted a donation.

The Evangelical Society in Stockholm has, in the last year, printed 5,000 copies of the New Testament, and 2,000 Bibles; of these, 843 Bibles, and 2,047 Testaments, have been distributed gratis; the joy of the poor on receiving them was very great. The Committee has given 2004. in further aid of this Society. Copies of the Society's Reports, and of certain of the Society's editions of the holy Scriptures, have been presented to the Public Libraries at Gothenburg, Wisby, and Westeras.-The Committee take leave of Sweden, in the words of the Bishop and other Patrons of the Gothenburg Bible Society: "We are at a distance from each other, as to the earthly spot we inhabit; but our joys, our views, our hopes, in this blessed work are the same."

In the RUSSIAN EMPIRE, the Bible Society at Abo in Finland, is pursuing its useful labours with zeal and activity.The Finnish New Testament, on standing types, is in a course of printing. The joy of the Finlanders, in the prospect of being furnished with the Holy Scriptures, is very great; and so liberal have they been, in the midst of their poverty, that their subscrip tions have more than tripled what was ex pected by the most sanguine. In the mean time, the 2004, voted by the Committee, to supply the poor Swedes in Finland with copies of the Scriptures, have been employed for that purpose: the distribution has commenced, and has rejoiced the hearts of many.

Early in last June, the Rev. Mr. Paterson undertook a journey through the provinces of Courland, Livonia, and Esthonia. Mr. Paterson, among many other things, discovered, that in the district of Dorpat in

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