of the House of Israel, indications of an awakening attention to the objects and efforts of the Society, have not been wanting among the Jews resident in this country. One proof of this has been the comparative frequency of their publications on the subject of Christianity; which, if they do not manifest any great progress toward a conviction of its truths, argue at least a diminished hostility to its doctrines and advocates. It is plain, likewise, that they read our publications; and there can be no doubt that beneficial effects may be expected to result from amicable and temperate discussions of the points at

issue between us and them.

To encourage this favourable disposition to examination and inquiry, Tracts have been distributed among the Jews living in London; many of whom have willingly received them, as also Bibles which have been lent them. And there is reason to hope that good has, in some instances, been effected by this silent and unobtrusive dissemination of religious truth. With a similar view, though not without a regard at the same time to the instruction of Christians, a series of Monthly Lectures on the Old Testament Types, has been commenced at the Episcopal Chapel in Bethnal Green: at these Lectures Jews are particularly invited to attend.

Schools.

The education of Jewish children, voluntarily given up for that purpose by their parents, continues to occupy the attention of the committee. Nearly 300 of such children have enjoyed the benefit of Christian Instruction in the schools of the Society, since its commencement; and, in several instances, there is reason to hope that the good seed has not been sown in vain. Your committee find no difficulty in obtaining situations, with Christian masters, for the children who are of the age to leave the Schools; and,

Five Missionary Students have been received into the Seminary, since the last anniversary. Of these, four were sent over from Berlin, where they had been previously educated as Missionaries, under the auspices of Mr. Jaenicke. The fifth has been recommended by the friends of the Society in Ireland; and, together with two of those just mentioned, is now on probation in the Seminary, conformably to the rules which have been adopted for its management.

Three Missionaries have been sent out during the year-two, Mr. Wendt and Mr. Hoff, Germans, to Poland; the other, Rev. W. B. Lewis, of Trinity College, Dublin, to the Mediter

ranean.

The Rev. Charles Neat, an English Clergyman, well known to your committee, whose attention has for some time been directed to the Society's objects, has been designated as Missionary to Leghorn and the parts adjacent; and is now perfecting himself in the knowledge of Hebrew, under the teacher of the Seminary.

Mr. Alexander M'Caul, of Trinity College, Dublin, whose mission to Poland was mentioned in the last Report, after spending a year in active and successful exertion among the numerous Jews of that country, returned home in November last, for the purpose of receiving Ordination;

and is now about to return to the interesting scene of his former labours,

The Committee have the pleasure to state, that 77 New Schools have been received into the Union since the last Report; in which, from the present and former Return, there may be reckoned 150 children for each, making a total of 11,555; which, added to the former, amounts to the gratifying number of 323,555.

The Society appears before the Public, rich in benefits procured, but pressed by an honourable need; which would create rebuke, if it should not be repaired in a manner answerable to the good which has already been effected, and to that which remains yet to be done. The seed has been cast upon well-watered furrows-the harvest has abounded-and the fertilizing flood we doubt not will return.

Central School.

The average number of Boys at present in the School is 451, and of the Girls 280.

There have left the School, 278 Boys and 151 Girls; many of whom have received all the benefits of the Institution.

Training Department

Of the Training Masters and Mistresses, this year, there have been received, from the country schools, twenty-one Masters and eleven Mistresses; and, for Missionary purposes, five Lutheran clergymen, with two Schoolmasters and three Schoolmistresses.

Twelve temporary Masters and five Boys, and eight temporary Mistresses and five Girls, were sent out to different schools. Fourteen schools have also been supplied with permanent Masters, and nine with permanent Mistresses.

Two Masters have been trained for Classical Schools, and one Lady for the purpose of introducing the system into her private seminary.

A boy and a girl, who had been

The Committee have divided the Training Masters into three classes: the first, Masters on the pay list; the second, Candidates for situations; and the third, those on Probation : and the same classification has been adopted concerning the Training Mis

tresses.

Pecuniary Grants.

The grants have amounted to 42, and the sums granted to 34157.

Funds.

The Net Income of the Year was 19961. 15s., and the Expenditure 46677. 14s. 11d. The balance in hand is now reduced to 5971. 2s. 7d.

Conclusion of the Report.

The great truths of Religion are designed for all-for families and states; for men and nations. To this end, the provisions were originally made for its collective numbers, when the first triumphs of the Gospel were accomplished. In turning our views, therefore, to the rule of faith and practice, to the regulated state of things in Christian countries, and to the scheme of National Instruction inseparable from those orderly appointments, we look directly to united objects, which Christ and his Apostles have combined. Our limits, then, in these respects, are but commensurate with the boundaries of the Christian household in one state; and, in this country, they correspond, accordingly, to the settled constitution of the realm.

It is enough to have shown, by the clearest documents, concerning this new and salutary method of instruction, that it extends itself with ease and certainty to vast numbers, who must otherwise have wanted such advantages; and what the consequence would be, where this defect should

be suffered to remain, will be calculated in a moment, by those who feel rightly for their own interests, and, by the same sure standard, for the interests of others.

It was manifest, beyond the power of contradiction, that, with respect to the larger districts of our native land, it was hardly practicable, if not quite impossible, to instruct so many in a way so sure, so expeditious, and attainable at so small a cost.

Such an institution could not fail to attract the best regard of the nobleminded the chief in rank and station -the liberal, prudent, and religious -those who honour God; and are deeply mindful, that, in His fear only, the ground must be laid of every benefit in public or in private life, and with reference to present things or future.

The support and maintenance of the work, so happily begun and so successfully pursued, will not, therefore, fail to engage new efforts on the part of those, in whom a reverence for the great Author of their being, begets a just regard for all who share a common nature with them, toge ther with a zeal for the welfare of

their country. The first claims must arise there, however wide may be the compass of that charity, which extends itself to all. Such men we shall be sure to find at the head of plans like that before us; and it is obvious of how great importance it is, that such designs should be so encouraged and sustained. Next to their intrinsic worth, the fair examples, and decided patronage of the chief and most distinguished persons in the public body, will tend most to promote their increase, and to ensure their stability.

If this were the place for replying to the cavil, in which we are sometimes reminded, that the infidel will sow upon the ground which we prepare, the answer would be easy. We need not dread the conflict. The VOL. V.

14

truth will maintain its influence, when it is once implanted in the human mind. The transcendent value of its own discoveries, and the need which we have of what is so revealed in order to render our very being and existence of any real worth to us, will secure that triumph.

Above all, we must first persuade ourselves, that God will forsake His own cause, before we can consent, for any timorous apprehension, to forego our part in the service which we owe to others, or to relax our labour in the welcome task of training many sons to glory.

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

TWENTY-FOURTH REPORT.
New Tracts.

ADDITIONS have been made, during the year, to the Society's Tracts.

To the First Series, for general service, now containing 195 Tracts, have been added

tiousness-On the Seventh Command. The Spiritual Guide-On LicenChrist-The Watchmaker and his ment-Irish Peasant-On Union to Family-The Christ of God-Swiss Peasant-Woodman of SwitzerlandThe Two Old Men-The Nature of an Oath explained--- Letter to a Mother on the Birth of a Child.

Channels for Distribution.

Your Committee have continued to avail themselves of the important channels for the gratuitous distribution oftracts, which have been adverted to in former Reports; considering that, in thus applying a portion of the funds committed to their charge, they are consulting the wishes of their constituents.

Increased supplies have been given to seamen in the port of London, and elsewhere: many thousand tracts have been distributed in workhouses, hospitals, prisons, and convict ships. At the Fairs in the Metropolis and

its vicinity, 105,000 tracts have been circulated. For this object a Tract has been printed, entitled "The Fair ;" and 60,000 of these, and 2000 of a suitable placard, in addition to 5000 other tracts, were distributed at the Fair in Smithfield last autumn. Considerable as this number may appear, it was by no means adequate to the demand.

During the last summer, an extensive distribution of tracts was made on Sundays, in the Metropolis and its environs.

The distresses in Ireland presented an opportunity which your committee thought should not be neglected; and 48,000 tracts were placed at the disposal of those, who engaged in attending to the temporal wants of the Sister Country.

Circulation of Tracts by Loan.

An excellent plan has been arranged for circulating tracts by loan, and exchanging them monthly. The publications of the Society have been divided into twelve parts, or classes, for this purpose.

The Committee earnestly recommend this plan to general attention. The Twelve Parts, containing nearly 150 Tracts, may be had by subscribers, neatly stitched in stiff covers, for 7s. 6d. ; and Books for keeping a regular Account of Distribution and Exchange, at 1s. each. From a Letter of the Friend who suggested this plan, we extract a statement of its advantages:

-

Being done up in stiff covers, they may be kept clean and entire for a twelvemonth together; during which period they may all be read by a considerable number of persons, at a very small expense to the individual, who, feeling the importance of the object, shall adopt this mode of distribution. The loan of them, under an engagement that they shall be returned, to be exchanged for others, at a given period, is also more likely ensure the reading of them, than

the permanent possession, which might induce the procrastination of

the business to a season that would

This

never arrive. The adoption of this plan may be attended with the most beneficial results: those who would not stoop to pick up a single tract of any description, might be induced to look into a neat little book, coming under their notice by being in the hands of a servant or inmate. plan is well adapted to hospitals, workhouses, prisons, and on board of ships, &c. A resident in each of these situations, or one who visits them at stated periods, may make the distribution and exchange, by means of the Loan-book, with the utmost regularity and ease, till the whole is gone through; the person thus employed is brought into immediate contact with the objects of his benevolence, which is an additional advantage, as it may afford the opportunity of ascertaining the good effected by the distribution which might otherwise never be known.

Last Dying Speeches.

The attention of your committee has long been directed to the trash usually sold under the name of " Last Dying Speeches" of criminals; which, instead of conveying any useful lesson, were rather calculated to destroy the salutary impressions which should be caused by these awful events. Your committee had many difficulties to surmount, but are enabled to report, that this class of publications is now exhibited in a form, which, when compared with their prior state, must be gratifying to every reflecting mind. The venders are supplied, with those printed under the control of your Institution; and, during the past year, 206,000 of these papers have been sold. Much that was evil has thus been excluded from circulation, and replaced by a few words of important truth; and the plan has been acceptable to the purchasers,