human race, the assembly of the whole Behold us, O Lord, and the children whom thou hast given us! Happy men, who, being justified by the Saviour, shall receive in that day the reward of your labours, and also shall hear that glad encomium, Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord!" The Board of Managers offer to Almighty God their fervent prayer, that many such stars may arise and shine in the firmanent of the Church and of the World. They are encouraged the more to hope for such an event, when they consider how many Schools of the Prophets have recently been reared in the midst of us, and how many of our Youth are at this moment preparing for the service of their Redeemer. May the Angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, soon reach the utmost limits of his destination! and may our ears soon be saluted with the joyful sound from every region under heaven, of -Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ!-The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever ! Home Proceedings. BRITISH AND FOREIGN bible SOCIETY. DOMESTIC BENEFITS OF THE SOCIETY, Activity of the Tewkesbury Ladies' Asso ciation. IN tracing the Domestic Benefits arising from the British and Foreign Bible Society, we have had repeated occasion to notice the advantageous influence of Ladies' Associations; and now add another instance, from the Report of the Tewkesbury Auxiliary Bible Society. To the Ladies' Association your Committee are greatly indebted. That Institution (which owes its origin to the judicious remarks made by the Hon. and Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of this Diocese, as to the great benefit that would result even from Penny Subscriptions, when his Lordship did this Society the honour of presiding at a former Anniversary) has become the grand agent in the distribution of the Bible around us. Alive to all the tender sensibilities of their sex, prudence, diligence, and perseverance, have led them to seek out the abodes of the Poor who were destitute of the Scriptures, and to devise the best means by which their want of them might be supplied. Since the formation of the Ladies' Association (not a year and a half) they have sold, of Bibles, 421; of Testaments, 119; making 540 copies : and have now subscribed for 306 Bibles.' Advantages to the Poor from contributing for Bibles. It is well stated in the Tewkesbury Report Poor for Bibles, some persons seriously object, as if it connected with it unkindness, and even cruelty; but the fact is, that considerable benefit has resulted, in various ways, to the parties contributing. To the mode of collecting from the In many instances, it has been pro. ductive of an increase of carefulness and industry in their habits. It has given a higher tone to the feelings and morals of many, than they have usually possessed: it has induced them to take a generous interest in the good of their fellow creatures: and thus have they partaken of the pleasure of communicating, as well as of receiving benefit; and, in some instances, the Collectors have witnessed, with delight, that this pleasure has not been inconsiderable; so that a real advantage is imparted to their moral character, by receiving from them their little contributions in such a cause. But farther, it is evident, that the Sacred Book itself has, on this account, been held in greater esteem, and has been more carefully preserved and read. And, still more, the very act of collecting the pence has been the occasion of discovering that wretchedness, and of devising means for its alleviation, which otherwise had remained, The following narrative cannot be read by the Friends of the Society, without thankfulness that they are instrumental in bringing home to the bosom of the wretched the consolations of the Divine Word. The Committee of a Benevolent Society at Deptford, formed for the purpose of visiting and relieving the Sick and Distressed, having received information that a poor aged woman had met with a bodily injury which had reduced her to a state of the utmost wretchedness, sent their Visitors to her. They went on a sharp 44 winter's evening, and found her lying on a heap of rags, not deserving the name of a bed, without either sheet or blanket; and her afflicted body covered only by a tattered silk cloak and a ragged bedquilt. The window-panes were broken. She had no fire, nor any money to purchase fuel. When the Visitors expressed their concern at finding her in such deep affliction, she replied, My distress is indeed great, but far short of what I deserve: I thank God that it is no worse; and pray for resignation to his will, that I may suffer without murmuring." Notwithstanding the extreme wretchedness of her situation, she appeared serene, and even cheerful; and, on being requested, gave them a short account of her former life. She had been brought up with respectable prospects, and received a suitable education; as was evident from the gen propriety and correctness of her language. Until her fortieth year, she had lived comfortably. After that, in consequence of an adverse change in her circumstances, she opened a little School: but was frequently unable to procure the money due to her; and was, at length, from ill health and other causes, obliged to relinquish that employment. For a considerable time she had only nine-pence a-week to support her; and, during the last three years, she had subsisted principally on what she had picked up in the streets, and at fishmongers' stalls. "Three weeks ago," said she, "I met with the accident which now confines me; and though, during the time I have been thus confined, I have been destitute of most of the necessaries of life, I can trust in my Heavenly Father." A Bible which she had received, through the Deptford Bible Association, lay on her tattered bed. She laid her hand upon it, and said, "At six years of age, I could read my Bible; but I have learned more before in all my from it during this affliction, than I did life. Oh, what a treasure is the Word of God!" The same persons frequently visited her afterward; and uniformly found her evincing the same resigned, contented, and thankful disposition; the same tranquil reliance on the Word of God; her Bible always appearing to furnish her chief support and consolation. The Bible a Blessing to Sailors. The Domestic Benefits of the Α Society extend to all classes and to men of every occupation. Member of the Society sent from Hull, under date of March the 16th, the following account of a Meeting of Sailors: I attended the General Annual Meeting of the Hull Marine Bible Society, on the 26th ult. It was, I think, without exception, the most novel, appropriate, and interesting, that I have ever witnessed. The centre of the National Boys' School Room, where we met, was planted with from four to five hundred Seamen. The. sight of such a number of that class to which our country has, under Divine Providence, been so much indebted, who have been our bulwark and have so often turned the battle from our shores, affected me very much. You would have been delighted, to see the honest tarryhand wiping away the tear, while addressed by the speakers. SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION tón, with the Committee of the OF THE GOSPEL. FORMATION OF DISTRICT COMMITTEES. WE rejoice to find that a beginning has been made, in the establishment of Local Associations in support of the Society; as we may hope, by this means, to see the great body of the Established Church brought into a system of habitual contribution in support of Missions to the Heathen. Storrington District Committee. A Committee, under this title, was formed, in aid of the Society, at a Meeting of the Clergy and Laity of the Deanery of Storring ton, held at Steyning, on the 27th of April; the Rev. Dr. Hind in the Chair. This Association embraces the Deanery and the neighbouring Parishes. All the Clergy, and all Annual Subscribers of Half-a-Guinea and upward, are Members. The Committee will meet on the same days and at the same places, as the District Committee of the Christian Knowledge Society: and also annually, at Storrington, on the day of the Bishop's or the Archdeacon's Visitation. The Arch deacon is President; the Rev. W. Bradford, Treasurer ; and the Rev. W. Woodward, the Rev. George Wells, and the Rev. M. Irving, Secretaries. Lewes Deanery Committee. At a General Meeting of the Lewes Deanery Committee of the Christian Knowledge Society, held at Cuckfield, on the 6th of JulyJoseph Baker, Esq. Vice President, in the Chair-a District Committee of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was formed for the Deanery and the contiguous Parishes, under the sanction of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. This Committee is identified, still more than that of Storring Christian Knowledge Society for the District; the President, VicePresidents, and Secretaries of that Committee being requested to act for both Committees, which will also meet at the same times and places. The Committee consist of all the Members of the Corporate Body-of all the Annual Subscribers of One Guinea to the Society, as Associated Membersof all Annual Subscribers of Halfa-Guinea and upward to the Committee-and of all the Clergy and others the "Subscribing Members of the Lewes Deanery Committee of the Christian Knowledge Society, resident or sojourning within the Deanery. The Rev. Thomas Baker, the Rev. Thomas Baden Powell, and the Rev. Dr. Holland, are appointed Treasurers; with such other Members of the Incorporated Society as may now or hereafter be resident within the Deanery. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASHBOURNE BRANCH ASSOCIATION. ON Sunday, the 8th of August, the Rev. Henry Davies preached at Ashbourne, and the Assistant Secretary at Bonsall. The Annual Meeting was held, on Tuesday, August 10th, in the Chancel of the Church; Sir Matthew Blackiston, Bart. the President, in the Chair. The Meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Bickersteth, Cooper, Davies, Sim, Shipley, Hake, and Dewey; and by Messrs Cooper and Radford. The Rev. Edward Cooper, of Hamstall Ridware, took an able view of the claim of the Society to the character of a Church Society; and stated, that its proceedings are more evidently under the direction of the Clergy of the United Church than those of any other Society; all who are Members of the Society being Members also of the Committee, while a limited number of Laymen are elected thereon. This Association, under the fostering care of its President and the Vicar of Ashbourne, raised, in the last year, about £.230. The sum of £.50 was collected after the Sermons and Meeting. The Derbyshire Association raised upward of £.900 in the course of its last year. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. ANNIVERSARY. THE Society has had the advan tage, at this Anniversary, of the THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE DERBYSHIRE assistance of the Rev. William ASSOCIATION. THE Annual Meeting was held, on Wednesday the 11th of August, in the Old Assembly Room; Sir Matthew Blackiston, Bart. in the, Chair. The Rev. Thomas Dikes and the Rev. R. W. Sibthorp, being in the neighbourhood, assisted on this occasion. The Rev. Messrs. Johnson, Bickersteth, Lowe, Davies, Bryan, Dikes, Evans, Sibthorp, Wawn, Bagge, and Sim, and W. Newton, Esq. addressed the Meeting. Upward of £.35 was collected at the doors. On Thursday Evening, a Meeting was held at Stanton-le-Dale; the Branch Association of which village had contributed upward of £.70 in the last year. The Rev. Messrs. Dikes, Bickersteth, Davies, Sibthorp, Hey, and Wawn addressed a large company assembled together. The sum of £.14. 10s. 5d. was received at the doors. Henry Cox, Esq. in the absence of the Vicar, the Rev. John Garton Howard, was in the Chair. On Friday Evening, the Rev. Henry Davies preached at Bonsall. On Sunday, the 15th, he preached at St. Michael's, Derby, in the Morning; at St. Peter's, in the Afternoon; and at Breadsall, in the Evening the Collections amounting to upward of £.43. At the small village of Breadsall there was a crowded congregation; and such a lively interest was taken in the affecting statements of Mr. Davies, that the contributions exceeded £.15. August, 1819. Ward, one of the Senior Missionaries at Serampore, who has visited this country for the re-establishment of his health, after a residence in India of nearly twenty years. On Tuesday Evening, June the 22d, Dr. Ryland, of Bristol, preached, at Carter-Lane Meeting House, from John xvi. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin;-and, on Wednesday Morning, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Great Queen-Street, the Rev. Thomas Edmonds, of Cambridge, preached from Rom. x. 14, 15. At the conclusion of Mr. Edmonds's Sermon, Mr. Ward addressed the congregation, and expressed much sorrow at the insufficiency of the funds for the support of persons waiting to proceed to India; and urged the various grounds of Encouragement which the state of the Mission furnished -particularizing the Translations executed and in circulation, the six or seven hundred Converts from among Hindoos and Mahomedans, the Progress of Religious Feeling in India, the 8000 Children under instruction, the increase of Religion in the Army, and the Efforts of kindred Societies. Mr. Ward paid an affectionate tribute to the memory of the late Rev. Henry Martyn, whom he considered as carrying personal religion to a degree of elevation and sublimity rarely equalled. In the Evening of the same Day, Mr. Ward preached at Sion Chapel, from Acts xxvi. 18-from the power of Satan unto God. 3 A is THE WORSHIP OF THE IMAGE OF A MONKEY. To him offerings are made and prayers presented, by Brahmins appointed for that purpose. In this Discourse, Mr. Ward drew, from his own knowledge and observation, an affecting picture of the various modes in which the dreadful power of Satan is exerted among the millions of India. Our Readers will be hereby stimulated, we trust, to more earnest prayer and greater exertions. The most fearful Power of Satan is exhibited in Heathen Countries. It is apparent in their religion. In India, it is universally maintained 1. That THE ONE GOD IS AN INSULATED BEING; that he is separate from all created intelligences; that he has nothing to do with creatures, in which class the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer, are placed. Thus the connexion is destroyed between God and his creatures. To the One God, not a single prayer is offered; no tribute of praise ascends. 2. That MAN IS NOT AN ACCOUNTABLE CREATURE. Believing man to be entirely material, and attributing all action to spirit, they assert that he is the chariot and God the charioteer; thus exonerating themselves from all accountableness. 3. That THE PRESENT STATE IS NOT A STATE OF PRODATION. If man be not a responsible being, the wicked cannot be exhorted to forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. The Gentoo, in accordance with this sentiment, gives himself up to the commission of iniquity. These Three Articles form what may be called their PHILOSOPHICAL Creed. That which may be denominated their POPULAR Creed maintains 1. That BATHING IN A RIVER WASHES 5. Another branch of their religion consists in OBSCENITY AND ABOMINATIONS, Christian Audience. so detestable as not to be stated to a It is a religious rite, to bring these things, with shouts of applause, into their temples. There are the most abominable paintings upon the image of one of their goddesses, which is publickly exhibited for a whole month. I have been obliged to close my windowshutters; and to seek for my children, apartment. As lust and cruelty constithat I might remove them to a distant tuted the religion of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, so it is in India. The crususpension upon two hooks; in the elty of the Gentoo Religion appears in ment, and drawing a snake through it; piercing of the tongue by a sharp instru in the devotees throwing themselves from elevated places upon knives; in pilgrims perishing in the hot months by the road side; and in their throwing themselves, the wheels of the chariot of Juggernaut. in order to insure future happiness, under 6. To this add, that HUMAN SACRIFICES formed a part of the ancient Religion of the Hindoos; and that, even now, Mothers drown their Children as an act of religion. They lead the Child into the water, and encourage it to go forward till it perishes. Our God 7. The BURNING OF WIDOWS. of the fatherless. By way of trial, the is the husband of the widow and the father cinder: she then bathes in the Ganges, Hindoo Widow first burns her finger to a walks round the pile, and throws herself AWAY SIN. Thus one part of their Creed by the side of her husband. She is then contradicts another: for the Second Article of their Philosophical Creed implies, that Sin is a nonentity. In conformity, however, with this article, millions of people repair to the Ganges every morning and evening, to wash away their sins. 2. That ALL SIN IS CONSUMED AND TAKEN AWAY BY THE REPETITION OF THE NAME OF GOD. the whole population. 3. That THEIR CREATED GODS ARE TO BE WORSHIPPED. One of these is an infamous character. He is renowned for li centiousness, and his festivals are abomi nable. 4. Another part of the popular religion tied to him-the son kindles the pile-and loud vociferations drown her cries. The Widow sits in a large grave-the husband is laid on her knees and those who are present trample in the earth. 8. The BURYING OF WIDOWS ALIVE. The Preacher applied his subject in a very forcible manner, in awakening the gratitude, pity, and zeal of his hearers. We have particularly noticed, in the reports of several of Mr. Ward's public addresses, a very earnest desire to lead his hearers to especial prayer for the Divine In |