CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY. VOTE OF FIVE THOUSAND POUNDS TO THE CALCUTTA MISSION COLLEGE. THE East-India Mission Committee of the Society having agreed to recommend to the General Board, to vote the sum of 5000/. in aid of the design of the Bishop of Calcutta detailed in the preceding Letter, the subject came before the Board at a Meeting held on the 8th of June; the Rev. Basil Woodd in the Chair: when it was moved by the Rev. James Towers and seconded by Archdeacon Cambridge, and carried unanimously, that 5000l. should be granted in support of this great design. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. VOTE OF FIVE THOUSAND POUNDS TO THE CALCUTTA MISSION COLLEGE. AT Ar the Monthly Meeting of the Committee, held on the 12th of July-Charles Grant, Esq. VicePresident, in the Chair-a copy of the above-mentioned Letter of the Lord Bishop of Calcutta to the Rev. Anthony Hamilton having been read, on a motion by the Rev. Basil Woodd, seconded by the Rev. James Towers, it was unanimously Resolved-That this Society cannot behold without a high degree of gratitude, the general interest at this time manifesting itself, through every part of the Kingdom, in favour of the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; and contemplates, with peculiar pleasure, the zeal and readiness with which it has adopted the important Plan suggested by the Lord Bishop of Calcutta for establishing a Mission College near Calcutta, and the promptitude with which the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge has agreed to support the said Plan: and that this Society, desirous of co-operating in the same great and common Cause, do now make a like Grant of 5000l. for the same purpose; and that its Corresponding Committee at Calcutta be empowered to express to his Lordship its respectful acknowledgments of the enlarged views which he has so emiJuly, 1819. nently displayed in his plans for promoting the Conversion of the Native Populalation of India; and to request that he will be pleased to accept the sum hereby voted, to be paid by the Society's Corresponding Committee, in such manner and at such times as his Lordship may wish. The Committee had the advantage, on this occasion, of acting under the counsel of a Chairman, perhaps of all men the most competent, from long experience and practical knowledge united to comprehension of mind and elevation of principle, to advise concerning the true interests of India. They had also the benefit of hearing from Lieut.-Col. John Munro, late Resident at the Court of Travancore, and from John Herbert Harrington, Esq. late Chief Judge in Bengal, both just returned from India, the most decided expression of the prothe Bishop of Calcutta's Plan, if bability of good likely to result from adequately supported.. We heartily rejoice in the cooperation of these Three Societies in this great object; and trust that this co-operation will tend to cherish a kind and friendly spirit among their Members, both in their proceedings at home and in their exertions among the Heathen. ARRIVAL OF THE REV. W. JOHNSON, AND MRS. JOHNSON, FROM SIERRA LEONE. The Rev. W. Johnson, with whose success among the Negroes collected at Regent's Town our Readers are well acquainted, has been under the necessity of leaving his Charge for a time, in order to accompany Mrs. Johnson to this country. Her state of health required an immediate return to England; and her debility was so great, that she needed the care and attention of her husband on the voyage. They embarked on board the Echo, Captain Rowe, on the 22d of April; and landed at Portsmouth, after a long passage, on the 28th of June. 2 T Some particulars respecting Regent's Town, and Mr. Johnson's temporary absence, may be seen under the head of Foreign Intelligence, in a subsequent page. We are happy to report the gradual restoration of Mrs. Johnson's health, and the hope of her being able to accompany her husband on his return to Sierra Leone, at the end of the present Rains. He has taken advantage of this visit to England, to proceed to Hanover his native country, in order to see, perhaps for the last time, his Mother and other near Relatives. BISHOP OF Elphin's speECH AT THE HIBERNIAN ANNIVERSARY. In the last Number, p. 260, we mentioned the Address of his Lordship at the Annual Meeting of the Hibernian Auxiliary Society, held in Dublin on the 23d of April; and have now much pleasure in laying it before our Readers. My Lord-It had not been my inten. tion to come to this Meeting to-day; and it is attended with no small personal inconvenience to myself, that I am now before your Lordship. But I have been impelled, by what I felt to be a duty to MYSELF, paramount to all other duties respecting my private concerns. I have hastened to this spot, because I have been accidentally informed, that it was reported of me that I intended to absent myself from this Meeting, because I was hostile to the object for which you are assembled. My Lord, I am not hostile to this Assembly, nor to the object for which it is collected. God forbid that I should ever be hostile to any Christian Assembly collected for Christian Purposes! If I were hostile to this Meeting, would I have this day conducted my whole family to the threshold of its door? Would I, if I were hostile to the purpose of this Meeting, allow my Children, from their small pittance, to contribute to the funds of this Society? No, my Lord, I am not hostile to the object for which you are assembled. It is true, that I neither myself contribute to the funds of this Society, nor do I take any lead or part in the concerns of its bu siness; but it is not because I am hostile to what you are about: on the contrary, I, from my HEART and soul, bid you God speed! It is not necessary for me to trouble your Lordship or the Meeting with the reasons which actuate my conduct. Sufbe cogent and salutary; and that they fice it to say, that they APPEAR to me to ARE the result of genuine, unprejudiced conscience. Should, after this public and honest declaration, the breath of censure or asperity escape the lips of any person upon the purity of my Motives, however much I may regret it, I trust I shall bear it with Christian Patience and Christian Forbearance; well knowing, my Lord, that my heart is open to the Searcher of all Hearts, and that He, that judgeth me, is the Lord. FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTH- This was held in the Spiritual Court, in St. Saviour's Church, Southwark, on Tuesday Evening, the 29th of June. The Assistant Secretary had preached for the Society, in St. Saviour's Church, on the preceding Sunday. Charles Barclay, Esq. the President of the Association, having been called to the Chair, stated the object of the Meeting, and requested the Secretary, the Rev. W. Mann, to read the Report. Motions were severally made and seconded, by the Rev. John and the Rev. E. Bickersteth; the Rev. Solomon Pigott and the Rev. John Perowne (proceeding abroad as a Missionary under the Society); Francis Corbett, Esq. and the Rev. Dr. Lake; the Rev. W. Mann and the Rev. Dr. Thorpe. FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CLERK- On Monday Evening, July the 5th, the Annual Meeting of this Association was held in Pentonville Chapel; the Rev. Thomas Sheppard, M.A. President of the Association and Minister of the Parish, in the Chair. The Chairman opened the Meeting by an affectionate appeal to his Parishioners; and the Report having been read, the Meeting was addressed by the Rev. James Towers, the Rev. W. Johnson (just arrived from Sierra Leone), the Assistant Secretary of the Parent Society, the Rev. John Perowne, Mr. Hassall from Parramatta, and by the Secretary of the Society. The Collection at the doors amounted to nearly 201. A peculiar interest was given to the Meeting by Mr. Johnson's simple and affecting detail of the progress of the Gospel at Regent's Town, in Sierra Leone. MEETING OF THE SERLBY ASSOCIATION. The friends of the Society gladly availed themselves of the opportunity afforded, by the Rev. Daniel Wilson and the Rev. Henry Davies having come into their neighbourhood, to hold a Public Meeting at Bawtry. This took place, accordingly, on the 6th of July. The Room was crowded ; and the win dows and doors so thronged, that numbers were obliged to go away, not being able to get near enough to the windows to hear. It was a very encouraging Meeting. Upward of 151. was collected. FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DONCASTER ASSOCIATION. From Bawtry, Messrs. Davies and Wilson proceeded to Doncaster; where the Annual Meeting of the Association of that town and neighbourhood was held, in the Town Hall, on Wednesday the 7th of July; Henry Walker, Esq. President, in the Chair. The Report having been read by the Secretary, the Rev. W. Ellis, Motions were severally made or seconded by the Rev. Messrs. Wilson, John Scott, Sibthorp, Edward Horne, Ewbank, Davies, and Serjeant; and by Mr. Rowland Hodgson and other Gentlemen. Above 221. was collected. THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHEFFIELD ASSOCIATION. On Sunday the 4th of July, the Rev. Henry Davies preached for the Society, in the Hospital Chapel, at Sheffield. On Thursday the 8th, the Annual Meeting of the Association was held in the National School Room; the Rev. Thomas, Sutton, Vicar of Sheffield, in the Chair. The Chairman opened the proceedings of the day, by proving that the Missionary Spirit pervades the Formularies of our Church. The Rev. M. Preston then read the Report, from which it appeared that the income of the last year had been 4671. 6s. 8d.; while that of the former year had been 172l. 18s. 3d. A Branch Association had been formed at Attercliffe and Grimesthorpe, and another at Eckington and Renishaw. The Resolutions were severally moved or seconded by the Rev. Messrs. Wilson, Davies, Blackburn, John Scott, Best, Serjeant, Spencer, and Harrison; and by Messrs. Brookfield, Carver sen. Todd, and Hodgson. The Room was quite full. A feeling was excited, in behalf of the Heathen and of the Society, not likely to be soon or easily extinguished. Nearly 50%. was collected after the Sermon and Meeting. On Friday Morning, the 9th, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Davies met the Children of the Schools; and addressed them on the Duty and Benefit of taking an interest in the promotion of Christ's Kingdom among the Heathen. ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROTHERHAM The Meeting on this occasion, was held in the Chancel of the Parish Church, on Friday the 9th of July. It was well attended; and was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Blackley, Wilson, and Davies, and by Mr. R, Hodgson. About 151. was collected. SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEEDS ASSOCIATION. Preparatory to the Annual Meeting, a Sermon was preached, on Sunday Morning, July the 11th, at St. Paul's Church, by the Rev. Daniel Wilson. The Meeting was held, on Monday the 12th, in the Music Hall. The President of the Association, Henry Hall, Esq. adverted more particularly to the loss which the Association had sustained in the death of William Hey, Esq., of whose character he felt himself unable to speak as he could desire, and whose absence left among them a sensible void. As a Magistrate, a Professional Man, and a Divine, he was equally distinguished. The force of his arguments at the Anniversary of last year, in favour of Missions in connection with the Church of England, had made such an impression on Mr. Hall's mind, that the strain seemed still to vibrate in his ear. The President having read the Report, the Meeting was addressed in making or seconding Motions, by the Rev. Messrs. Parker, Schomberg, Wilson, Mortimer, Davies, Morgan, Wood, and Jenkins, and by Mr. Sadler and Mr. W. Briggs. On Wednesday Evening, July the 14th, Mr. Davies preached at St. Paul's Church. The Collections at this Anniversary amounted to 1017. 11s. 4d. ANNIVERSARY OF THE KNARESBOROUGH ASSOCIATION. From Leeds Mr. Davies and Mr. Wilson proceeded, on Monday, July the 12th, to Knaresborough; where they attended the Annual Meeting of that Association, which was held under an awning, spread, as before, in the Vicarage Grounds. Motions were made or seconded, by the Rev. Messrs. Charge, Rogers, Wilson, Davies, Redhead, Almond, Cheap, and Ingleby, and by Messrs. Gallon, Charlesworth, Eteson, and Fisher. From Knaresborough, Mr. Wilson returned to London. On Sunday, the Rev. Henry Davies preached Two Sermons on behalf of the Society. The Collections at this Anniversary amounted to nearly 601. Foreign Intelligence. NORTH AMERICA--UNITED STATES BIBLE SOCIETY. THE American Bible Society issues a Paper of Quarterly Extracts from its Correspondence. From one published in August, of last year, we shall quote a few passages. Importance of Female Exertions. In noticing the rapid extension of Associations of Females in support of the Society, the Directors say It is a circumstance which adds no little glory to the American Character, that, while other countries have greatly outstripped us in the early establishment and ample resources of their Male Associations, our Fenales were the first who have asso ciated, to any considerable extent, for benevolent purposes. Female Charitable Societies have spread through the land, with an almost electrical rapidity; and they contribute no small part of the sums which are annually raised for benevolent objects. The station filled by Women in society, no less than their natural tenderness, is admirably adapted to the successful application of these ennobling charities; and, certainly, the Female Character can never shine with so bright a lustre, as when employed in relieving the wants of the distressed, and furnishing to the destitute the means of Eternal Life. Increase and Influence of Auxiliary From the event just mentioned, the Directors would take occasion here to remark, that it is on Auxiliary Societies that every extensive scheme of beneficence must rely for efficient and continued support. It is by means of its numerous Auxiliaries, that the British and Foreign Bible Society is enabled to pour out so vast a stream of beneficence as to make it the wonder of the world. It is on its Auxiliaries that the American Bible Society must depend for that patronage, which can alone enable it to reach those high destinies which Providence seems to have assigned it. It is by means of Auxiliaries only, that the grand scheme of spreading the Scriptures through the world, can be made to embark every man's feelings; for it is by minutely extended Auxiliaries only, that every individual in society can be personally called upon to aid in the promotion of the noble cause. It is by means of Auxiliaries only, that our own Society can hope to accomplish the good of which it is capable; and the Directors anticipate the period as not far distant, when an Auxiliary Society in every county, and a Bible Association in every neighbourhood, shall, in this region, as they have done in others, give perfection to the system of an universal distribution of the Word of God. Extensive Views of the Society. On the destitute state of a great part of our continent, the American Bible Society appears, very naturally, to have fixed a steady and compassionate eye. Emulating, in the extent of its views and the wisdom of its plans, the example of its great Predecessor in Europe, it gives fair promise of accomplishing a similar career of glory. The untried field of Southern America will open to its growing powers a sphere of action sufficiently expanded; and we trust, that the maturity of its growth will be signalized by other triumphs than those which, on the same fields, once encrimsoned the banners of Cortez and Pizarro. BOARD OF Foreign misSIONS. Ninth Anniversary. We have already given, in the present Number, a full abstract of the Report delivered at the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Board. This Meeting was held in the Philosophical Chamber of Yale College, on the 10th and 11th of September, 1818. A Sermon was preached, in the Afternoon of the 10th, at the First Church, by the Rev. Dr. Spring, from Acts viii. 30, 31. The Rev. Dr. Payson was appointed to preach the next Annual Sermon; and, in case of his failure, the Rev. Dr. Nott. The Anniversary of 1819 was appointed for the Third Wednesday in September, at Boston, Massachusetts. Among the other business of the Board, a Memorial was communicated from the Committee of the Foreign Mission School, on the subject of sending an agent to the Sandwich Islands, to prepare the way for establishing a Mission at those Islands, and was referred to the General Committee. Visit of the Committee to the Foreign”TM, Mission School. We extract the following report of this Visit from the official state ment: After the meeting of the Board, the Committee went on a Visit to the School; when an examination took place into the improvement which the Pupils had made in public speaking. Declamations were delivered in Choctaw, Cherokee,Otaheitan, Owhyhean, Chinese, and English. These Declamations, the English excepted, were composed by the Youths themselves. The Declamation of Honooree, in Owhyhean, was delivered with surprising force and animation. As he came to the part which most affected his feelings, the excessive agitation of his countenance and his whole frame, and the unparalleled rapidity and vehemence of his utterance, were so much beyond our standard of animated delivery, as to be rather painful to the audience. The English Pieces, except that of Hopoo, were extracts from the noblest parts of the Rev. Robert Hall's and Dr. Dwight's Sermons. It was interesting to hear these grand compositions uttered by tawny youths, but lately rescued from forests and islands |