pular, in France; and that by far the greater part of the population seems to be still destitute of the means of instruction.

Netherlands.

Your Committee have received a valuable and interesting Statistical Account of the Schools of Holland and Flanders, in a Report of a Royal Commission appointed for that purpose. This Official Document presents very satis factory evidence of the zeal felt throughout nearly all the Dutch and Flemish Provinces, in the revival of Public Schools, and in the extension to all classes of a degree of education suited to their various circumstances and duties.

The Report chiefly regards the year 1825; which year, we are informed, although not remarkable for any great change in the regulations respecting Primary Instruction, was yet distinguished by the zeal of men in office of every rank for its extension and improvement, and by the noble efforts of private persons in the same cause. As the Commissioners wished for the present chiefly to confine themselves to the statistics of the subject, their account of particular proceedings throughout each province is brief, but at the same time highly interesting and instructive. Great prosperity had, upon the whole, attended the establishments for education. The Model Schools of Haarlem and Lierre had supplied a number of well-qualified Teachers; and instructions of the same kind, given in the Southern Provinces, had been attended with considerable

success. Associations among Teachers, established in every part of the king; dom, had powerfully contributed to call forth the intellectual capacities of their members. The plan of filling up va cancies by a fair competition among candidates, which in the North had long been found the best mode, was coming into general practice throughout the Southern Provinces; and had proved very useful, both by exciting the emulation of other seminaries, and by presenting models for their imitation. These institutions were, it seems, welcomed in all parts with the liveliest gratitude, and are essentially promoting the cause of education.

Germany and Prussia.

The Education of the Poor has long been a prominent object of attention in Germany; and the importance attached

to Popular Instruction in that country may be estimated from the fact, that several Journals entirely devoted to the subject are published in its different parts, and are sold to the extent of many thousand copies monthly. The Model Schools on the British System, established under Mr. Vanselow's superintendence at Koenigsberg, are reported to be in a flourishing condition, and to be exciting an interest in the improvement of other Schools in that quarter.

Denmark.

No part of Europe displays greater efforts for the improvement and extension of Popular Instruction than Denmark. All its Schools are under the patronage of the King; who has charged our zealous Correspondent, the Chevalier D'Abrahamson, with the task of recommending the adoption, throughout the whole, of the Monitorial System: and to that indefatigable Individual, your Committee are again indebted for a Tabular Statement, exhibiting the continued success of his efforts. According to this statement, the Monitorial System had been adopted, on

31st December, 1823, in 244 Schools. 1824.. 605 1825 114S 1826 1545

And it will be adopted, in 1829, by 344 more so that, by the end of the present year, it will be exhibited in no fewer than 2646 Schools.

From the Appendix, we extract Mr. D'Abrahamson's general view of the Plan of Education adopted in Denmark:

These three principles we consider to be quite settled-First: That there is a certain amount of elementary instruction, which all ought to have; since, without it, none can reach that condition of well-being, which, as rational creatures, all ought to enjoy-Second: That, in addition to this, each condition and rank in society ought to enjoy, in the fullest measure, whatever higher instructions they can put to a profitable useand Third: That superfluous instruction is very often useless instruction.

Such are the fundamental principles with which we started, and the soundness of which experience has confirmed. Elementary Instruction has proceeded, during the last few years, with renewed

zeal. The King has devised a plan for accelerating at least Primary Instruction among his people. I. Every Village must have its School. II. Each School is divided into two departments. III. The lower ranks must have instructions, according to the Mutual System, in reading, arithmetic, writing, geography, orthography; and, for Boys, gymnastic exercises; and each child, individually, religious instruction. IV. The higher ranks have (besides this) simultaneous instructions in, 1st, mental arithmetic2d, the history of their native country -3d, continuation of orthography-4th, ditto of geography-5th, reading of manuscript-6th, natural history-and 7th, for boys, gymnastic exercises-and individual instruction in religion. V. At the age of 14 or 15, Young Persons receive the Rite of Confirmation; and are, by that act, admitted into society: their social existence then commences; for, until this, they are treated as in their nonage, but, after this, are considered as members of civil society: then commence their civil rights, when they make oath before a magistrate, hold property, &c. VI. No one, and you will mark this essential and constant rule, can receive Confirmation (nor, consequently, pass from a state of nonage) without first being able to read, write, and cast accounts, and without what is considered a requisite knowledge on the subject of religion. Thus it is absolutely necessary that every individual of both sexes and of every rank-all, in fact, without exception, should receive elementary instruction, as that which is for the advantage of all. In reference to this statement the Committee remark, in conformity with the general principles of the Society, that, in respect of religious

instruction,

-it is desirable that a distinction should be observed, between the lessons of a merely popular, and those of a strictly religious institution: in order that the attention of the Churches may be more pointedly directed to their own peculiar responsibility; and that the respect for conscience, which permits the main tenance of religious differences, may not be neutralized in its operation by the partial bestowment of public benefits.

Russia.

There is little new to communicate respecting this vast empire, by far the greater part of which is still involved in

mental darkness; yet it is gratifying to find that the cause of Popular Instruc. tion is not wholly neglected. The En glish residents at Saint Petersburgh still continue to interest themselves in the Monitorial Schools there. Mrs. Chapman, who, in consequence of an application for a Schoolmistress, sent to your Ladies' Committee, was appointed to the Foreign Girls' School, has arrived in safety; and, according to the latest accounts, was meeting with every encouragement.

Italy.

The central position of Italy, the intellectual energy and genius of her children, the liberal provision made by many of her provinces for the encouragement of polite literature and the fine arts, and the remains of that commercial spirit which once contributed so much to her splendour and influence-all unite to render her, in the eye of the Christian Philanthropist, one of the most interesting portions of the globe. Your Committee cannot, however, with the exception of Tuscany, discover that much is doing either for or by Italy, in reference to the education of the lower orders. In Tuscany, a Society, established for objects similar to your own, has, indeed, existed for several years. The efforts of this Association appear to be so vigorously exerted, that Twenty-seven of its Schools are now in operation,

Spain.

But a few years ago, very hopeful prospects of success attended the attempts which were then made at Madrid for the establishment and propagation of Monitorial Schools: but ignorance and misrule again predominate; and, under their baneful influence, the minds of

men are either perverted by superstition or rendered callous by scepticism and unbelief: hence the fountains of Scriptural Instruction are again closed; and any effort to re-open them would, at present, be attended with manifest peril to its authors.

From one quarter alone, on the confines of the country, your Committee have been informed, through the kindness of a Correspondent, that children are receiving instruction in the Holy Scriptures according to the British System; and that there is a prospect of the practice spreading more widely, without encountering any serious check or molestation.

The general condition of this fine portion of Europe seems, however, to be extremely unfavourable, in all that respects the best interests of its inhabitants; and, while we painfully contemplate the picture thus presented by the ally which twenty years ago so strongly attracted our sympathies and regards, and whose territory soon after became so extensive a theatre of British Warfare, it becomes us to ponder deeply the responsibility under which we are placed, by the very superior share of religious and political advantages, which, through the favour of Providence, we enjoy. We sympathized with Spain, and seized the first opportunity of assisting her, when she rose in the energy of a devoted patriotism, to throw off the foreign yoke which had been artfully laid on her neck: but surely the bondage which she now suffers is of a worse kind; and the more pitiable, if it be voluntarily endured. Hence, should any opening be presented by which we might peaceably assist in her emancipation, it ought to be rendered available to the utmost extent of our resources.

Portugal.

The recent history of our more ancient ally, Portugal, is such as must also excite the sympathy of every generous and pious mind. A system of Primary Instruction,communicated by proper Teachers, would, no doubt, powerfully contribute, both to the mitigation of the calamities under which her people labour, and to the return of a happier order of things; but every opening for usefulness in this way seems, for the present, to be completely closed. Even in Madeira, our Schools have severely suffered.

In contemplating the present condition of Portugal, it is painful to reflect on the indifference which we have shewn to the moral and religious condition of its inhabitants during the long course of our alliance. We have assisted each other in times of danger: we have enjoyed many of the advantages of mutual commerce; and we lately congratulated them on the attainment of a political constitution, liberal and well-regulated like our own but we have never yet taught them to train up their Youth in those Christian Principles and Virtues, which, at once, promote the formation' of a Liberal Constitution as their best patron, and in return present the best security for its permanence and vigour. Nov. 1829.

Much, however, as this is to be deplored, it is gratifying to find, that, if not in their own country, the Portuguese have received, in ours, a strong testimony of our attachment to the Bible, and of our sense of the great importance of Scriptural Instruction during the period of youth. Among the Emigrants who sought refuge last year in England, it was discovered that many, both children and adults, could not read; and a School was accordingly opened for them at Devonport, to which your Committee had the satisfaction of contributing a grant of slates and Portuguese Lessons. Owing to the speedy re-embarkation of these exiles, this School dispensed its benefits for a short period only; and, during its progress, had to encounter many disadvantages arising from the peculiar circumstances of the Scholars : yet it is gratifying to learn, that many of the Soldiers shewed an eagerness for improvement, in which they were encouraged by their Officers-that many continued their attendance almost to the day of embarkation-and that several expressed their gratitude for the benefit afforded them. The influential men among them must, doubtless, have been struck with the prompt attention, paid by the great and free Nation which received them, to the moral and religious wants of their poor countrymen. Under such circumstances, to have called them off from the amusements by which they might have sought to beguile their sorrows, or from the idle complaints and denunciations in which it is natural for men so situated to indulge, and to have induced them to take an active part in so noble an exercise of Christian Philanthrophy, was an office worthy of the best times of our country; and must have given them a lesson which we trust they will not forget, and which Providence may yet enable them to practise. The scholars, also, we may hope, will retain, amidst the trials and vicissitudes of private and political life, some beneficial recollections of the precious truths presented to their minds while among us.

RHENISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

SOME account of this Institution, with the appointment of its First Missionaries, appears at pp. 353355: from a Letter of the Rev. Ernest Frederick Ball, Pastor of the Reformed Church at Hoerslgen, 3 T

Origin and Formation of the Society.

The Society of Elberfeld was instituted in 1799, in consequence of the formation of the London Missionary Socie ty, and of the Missionary Zeal awakened in various parts of Germany by the first reports of the exertions of that Institu tion. At first, the Elberfeld Society was both a Missionary and Tract Society; and, what is still more remarkable, a Bible Society also: for, before the Bible Society was commenced, the Elberfeld Society distributed Bibles, according to its means, among the poor. From its funds, it sent also contributions to the Missionary Seminary at Berlin, under the superintendence of Mr. Jænickéto the Danish Missionary-Institution at Halle, from whence Missionaries have been sent to Tranquebar-to the Moravian Society and, afterward, to the Bâsle Society also.

The Barmen Society, established in 1818, began by contributing to the funds of these Societies, and especially to the Seminary at Basle; but, at length, the friends at Barmen were led, by several providential indications, to found an Institution for the Education of Missionaries. This Seminary has been formed several years; and, as soon as the first Missionaries were ready to depart to the Heathen, the Lord opened the door to them, to enter South Africa.

In 1828, the Societies of Barmen and Elberfeld were united; the internal affairs of each Society being still managed by its appropriate Committee, but the direction of the foreign and general concerns being devolved on a Committee formed of Deputies from both Societies.

The two other Societies in this province (Cleve-Berg), that of Cologne and that of Wesel, have been invited to join the union. They have consented; and they are represented, in the direction of affairs, by deputies appointed by them from among their Missionary Friends residing at Elberfeld and Barmen.

The Societies, thus united, form the Rhenish Missionary Society; the first act of which has been to send out the Four Missionaries with whom you have become acquainted.

report of the

Zealous Exertions of a Pious Englishwoman in St. Petersburgh. Of this Lady's early initiation in habits of benevolence, he says

devoted Christian, to be brought up by It was the peculiar privilege of this a Lady distinguished for benevolence; who sometimes took her as her companion when she visited the abodes of misery and woe, and at other times sent her as the almoner of her bounty to relieve their distresses. By this means she acquired a talent for conversing with the poor in various languages, in a familiar, affectionate, and instructive manner -a talent, which has since proved invaluable, and which God has blessed to the good of many. Those persons, who have never made the attempt, can form no conception of the difficulty of conversing in this way yet those, who are beginning to engage in the delightful work, should be greatly encouraged by the assurance that this, like every other talent, becomes brighter by being used.

She appears, however, not as yet to have acted on the true principles of a Christian; but, about seven years since, a Russian Lady of high rank was made an instrument of great good to her.

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After conversing with her a short time, the Princess said, "Are you not an English Woman ?" 99 Yes "Do you ever go to Chapel? No"-"Then come along with me," said the Princess : step into my carriage: I am going, and I will take you thither." She consented; and it may be truly said, that Now commenced her happiness. Before this period, she was an intelligent, industrious, and kind-hearted woman: now, she became a religious one. Her labours were transformed into Christian Labours ; and were followed up with an ardour and perseverance which I have never seen exceeded. In her visits to the poor, she now carried Books and Tracts, as well as food and raiment; and when she found persons unable to read, which was frequently the case, she made it a point to read to them, and to explain what they could not understand.

I consider her prompt assistance as, becoming extensively engaged in the in a great measure, instrumental to my circulation of the Holy Scriptures. She

gave me two of the first Finnish Bibles that ever passed through my hands: and when there was a great demand for the Sacred Volume in that language, she actually sold her watch, in order to furnish One Hundred Bibles to the poor, at reduced prices! This was a noble effort in the Cause of God: it augured well as to future usefulness; and the expectations, which were excited by it, have been more than realized. We hear of Ladies in England taking a part of a district, and using every effort to put the inhabitants of it in possession of the Word of God: I rejoice at it: we bless God for it-but this zealous woman has taken a whole city for her sphere, and perambulated it alone; and has succeeded beyond all expectations: in the course of a few months, she has sold more than One Thousand Five Hundred Bibles, and Testaments, and Psalters; and in this blessed work she is still actively engaged.

In labours so abundant, a variety of interesting particulars have come to our knowledge. One of the most striking and important is as follows. She furnished a certain poor family with a Psalter-the first Sacred Book which they ever possessed. In the course of a week, she called to see what had become of

the newly-purchased volume: as she entered the room, she found a young person reading it after a few observations on the excellency of the Scriptures, she took the Psalter, and read the Psalm which begins with Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered, unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. A thin partition separated this family from several others; some of whom, hearing an unusual conversation, came in: another and another followed, until seventeen persons were sitting or standing round her, listening to the words of Eternal Life. This was a fine opportunity, and it was not permitted to pass unimproved: she explained to them the nature of Divine Forgiveness, and the only way in which it can be obtained-shewed them how desirable it is to possess this blessedness-and then pressed home the important question to their consciences, "Do you possess this blessedness? Do you see your need of it? Do you earnestly desire it?" At these solemn appeals, one woman began to weep, and walked away. 66 Stop!" said my warmhearted friend, stop! remember that

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our Lord Jesus Christ shed tears over the sins of others, and it is no disgrace for you to weep over your own sins. Come back, and hear more about it." The woman returned; and the subject was continued, until the place became a Bochim, a place of weepers :" every one was in tears; and when she rose to come away, they asked her, with much solicitude, "When will you come to see us again?" She has been to see them again, and has provided them with 50 copies of the First Book for Children; and hundreds of persons in that neighbourhood are now deriving advantages from her visit: some are learning the alphabet-others are reading the Scriptures, with which she has furnished them-and others are listening, perhaps for the first time in their existence, to the joyful sound, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

Is not this cheering? Is not this the way to promote a revival? If only one in twenty of the disciples of Christ were to evince an equal solicitude for the salvation of sinners, it would soon turn the wilderness into a fruitful field.

Mediterranean.

WE have been favoured with a communication from the Rev. H. D. Leeves, of a subsequent date to that which is quoted at pp. 443, 444, from which we extract some

Further Particulars relative to the Jewish Converts.

The first of the Eleven Baptisms took place in the beginning of March. The individual, who had the courage first to follow the example of the two original Converts, was the Young Man, of whom Mr. Hartley, in his Letters from Smyrna, has given you some interesting details. Like the younger John, he was only 17 years of age; and, like him, had already by his parents been promised in marriage. The day for the nuptials was fixed; and, only ten days before the ceremony was to take place, he chose to renounce all his earthly connexions and prospects, which were considerable, being of one of the richest Jewish Families of Constantinople, and to unite himself by spiritual bonds to his Saviour. He was baptized at Pera by an Armenian Priest; and remained in concealment for 40 days, until he supposed-vainly, indeed, as appeared by