An institution has been founded in Holland, with the title of "THE SOCIETY OF PUBLICK UTILITY."

"This Society owes its origin to John Nieuwenhuizan, a minister of the Sect of Mennonists." It was founded in 1784, and 'in its growth has borne eminent marks of divine protection." "This body proposes to labour unremittingly in the advancement of piety and good morals, in conformity with the fundamental principles of Christianity. Its object is to propagate useful science and knowledge; above all, that which is indispensibly necessary for those citizens least favoured with the gifts of fortune, and which, by cultivating the heart, must necessarily direct their actions to a moral end. This is an end,which the society has principally in view, in order to contribute as much as possible to the publick felicity."

Any man may be a member of this society, "whatever may be the Christian sect of which he makes profession, or the rank he occupies in society." The society is divided into sixteen departments, and the number of members is more than six thousand three hundred. A general assembly of deputies from the several departments is held every year, in August.

"The Society considers it a duty in the first place to endea

vour to destroy all false and hurtful ideas, and to substitute for them, others more enlightened, and which shall correspond as much as possible with the wants of every one."

The objects of the society are promoted by publishing and circulating books and tracts of useful tendency, and by establishing schools on the principles of the society, or of publick utility.

"This Society is anxious to promote the development and growth of true Christian principles in man; but it abstains from touching upon any dogma adopted by particular sects. It is disposed to subdue prejudice; but it neither advances nor patronizes any particular system. Its wish is to form good citizens; but it does not enter into any discussion upon political matters, and confines itself solely to demonstrate, that the happiness of a state is founded on good morals, and on the respect and submission which is yielded to the constituted authorities. thing conspires to bear testimony in favour of the plan of the founder, who, after a pretty long career, sometime ago, closed a useful life, and carried with him to the grave, the sweet satisfaction of having been permitted to behold his work crowned with the most happy and unexpected suc

cess.

Every

Abridged from the Philanthropist, No. 17.

This

is laying the axe at the root of the tree, and, with the blessing of God, it must succeed. As we have given an account of foreign institutions, we shall now give the following Circular, relating to one in our own country.

Third Quarterly Circular of the Prudential Committee of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

To all Foreign Mission Societies, and other Benevolent Associations, &c.

Beloved Brethren, Friends and Helpers,

We have already addressed you on the interesting subject of the education of Heathen youth and children; and we have the satisfaction to know, that the attention of many, in the different parts of our country, is engaged to the object, and that not a little has already been done for promoting it. It is important, that the present favourable disposition should be improved, and directed in the best manner. We have therefore thought it advisable, in the present Circular, to make a concise statement in the way of preamble, and to give out a form of a constitution for the organization of societies, in aid of the Heathen School Fund. And we have only to request, very affeetionately and respectfully, that

such measures should be speedily adopted, and actively pursued, as the wisdom of our friends, in their associated and individual capacities, may deem the most suitable and effectual, in their respective circles, for advancing the great and benevolent design; always guarding with particular care, that nothing be done to diminish or to discourage the contributions for the support of Missionaries, and the translation and dispersion of the Holy Scriptures.

With Christian salutations, we are your servants in the Gospel. By order of the Prudential Committee.

S. WORCESTER, Clerk,
Charlestown, Aug. 30, 1816.

This letter, as given in the Recorder, is accompanied with a "Preamble," as well as the form of a Constitution, which we should cheerfully insert, if our limits would permit. The following particulars from the "Preamble" are too interesting to be omitted :—

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The Missionaries at Bombay, are of opinion. that the whole expense of a school, which should contain fifty children, might probably, on an average, be brought within the small compass of twelve dollars a month. A hundred, then, of these poor objects of pity and of charity, might, for three hundred dollars a year, be taught reading, writing, and the various branches of our common school learning, and at the same time be instructed in the divine morality and religion of the gospel. Thus educated, they would carry the Holy Scriptures into their respective families, and, in a man

of the Board, to be expended by said Board in the education of Heathen children and youth, with a par ticular view to the diffusion of the Gospel.

3. We agree to pay annually the sums annexed to our respective names, until we shall give to the collector, written notice of our withdrawing from the Society.

4. There shall be an annual meeting of the Society, at which a Collector, and such other officers as the Society shall think proper, shall be chosen.

5. There shall be an annual sermon delivered before the Society, if circumstances permit.

It is believed, that a heavy charge lies against the white people of this country, for their treatment of the Indians. If it may be cancelled by kind treatment in future, and by contributions to bless them with a Christian education, we shall have reason to adore the mercy of the Lord.

Dear Friends,

WE esteem it a favour which calls for our grateful acknowledgment, that we have been afresh made sensible, on this occasion, of our Heavenly Father's love, and have felt that it reaches to all our dear friends, wherever they are situated.

We observe with pleasure the increasing desire manifested by friends to obtain a guarded and useful education for their children. The reports on the schools under the notice of this meeting, indicate the religious care and good order prevailing in them, and have yielded us great satisfaction. The improvement of

the understanding, and the commu. nication of that knowledge, by which it may be more extensively prepared for the service of Him to whom we must all render our account, are duties not to be neglected. We desire however to impress upon all, whether parents, or those to whom they intrust their tender offspring, the supreme importance of inculcating the first of duties, the love and fear of God.

A watchful parent will at no time be more alive to the welfare of his children, than when they are passing from the age to which we have

just adverted, to the succeeding stage of life. The situations in which they are then placed, and the companions with whom they associate, may have a decided influence on their future character. We would therefore encourage both parents and masters, not to relax at this critical period, either in care or counsel, or in proper restraint, tempered with kindness. Here we would advert to the importance of good example, and to the great blessing which will attend the labours of those whom we are now addressing, as they seek to become preachers of righteousness, in life and conduct, to those around them. How inviting, how instructive, it is, to behold such, as by the purity of their lives, by the meekness of their spirits, and by the benevolence of their characters are adorning their profession! This is a duty which is enjoined by the highest authority; and we earnestly press upon all, to consider whether their moderation, their self-denial, their habits of life, are such as become the Christian religion.

The amount of sufferings reported this year, occasioned by claims for tithes, and other demands of an ecclesiastical nature, with a few for military purposes, is upwards of fifteen thousand pounds. Our brethren of all the Yearly Meetings on the American continent have again given proofs of their love by written communications. The interesting work of Indian civilization still occupies their attention. In some of the tribes, the improvements which, notwithstanding the late commotions, have been gradually going forward, are truly encouraging. In others, those who are concerned in this good work, have probably already renewed their exertions, where the ravages of war had desolated many of the settlements. The persevering labours of friends in Virginia and some other parts, to procure the freedom of many ne

groes, illegally, as well as unjustly held in slavery, have in several instances been crowned with success; and it is very gratifying to observe, that the rights of this injured people are still dear to our American brethren. We hope that in this country, friends will continue to feel a deep interest in the welfare of the African race, and not dismiss the subject from their thoughts, until such wise and prudent measures may be adopted, as shall promote and finally secure universal emancipation.

So excellent is Christian love in its nature and effects, that it is deeply painful when we hear of any differences existing amongst us. How can those who are at variance one with another, unite acceptably in the performance of worship to Him who is emphatically styled Love? It is an awful consideration that that disposition which separates man from man, does at the time estrange him, and will, if it continue, eventually separate him from his Creator. We therefore earnestly recommend to friends, to watch the first appearances of discord; patiently and kindly to endeavour to assist those who may be thus affected, or who are in danger of becoming hardened towards their brethren. Christian charity, and tenderness for the infirmities of our friends, are bonds in religious society. These do not preclude that kind and tender admonition, that exercise of our discipline in the spirit of the Gospel, which we have from time to time been engaged to recommend. Although we are not a numerous society, yet if we are preserved in love, and dwell under the government of Christ, we may hope to fulfil the designs of Divine Providence in having gathered and established us as a separate religious body: we may show forth the excellence of the Christian religion by the spirituality of our worship, and by the purity of our lives.