Hibernian Auxiliary, 18007. Of this last institution, the Lord Bishop of Kildare had become a Vice-President, and had declared himself its cordial friend.

From the address of the Bishop of Gloucester, we extract the following passage:-" My Lord-In rising to move that the Report be received and printed, I cannot but feel that I should much impair the interest which it has excited, by any lengthened observations of my own; conscious as I am, that a very large proportion of the audience around me have hearts accustomed to rejoice at missionary exertions, and which beat high with the hope of rescuing the captives of Satan, and extending the triumphs of their Redeemer. I shall therefore confine myself to one or two observations, which have struck me on hearing the Report that has just been read.

On hearing the Report, and meditating upon it, my eye has glanced from shore to shore, through India, the islands of the Mediterranean, and from the western coast of Africa to the West Indies and New Zealand. On the coasts of India we see the temple of idolatry beginning to totter to its base; and the rising of a college, destined, I have no doubt, to prove a main support of missionary exertions.

But the eye of the Christian may fix itself, with peculiar pleasure, on the state of the negroes in Sierra Leone. Discouragements and difficulties had attended the Society's exertions, in this first scene of its labours: but now we behold the first-fruits of these labours hastening to maturity; and that new creation, described in the scriptures, beginning to unfold itself in all its beauty. We see communities of negroes, rescued from slavery and sin, uniting together in harmony, peace, and love; exhibiting all the virtues of a sober, righteous, and godly life. Well may we say, Happy is the people that is in such a case! Happy the minister who has thus seen the fruits of his labour! Happy the three years which have produced and witnessed such a change! Would to God, that in every triennial visitation of my own diocess, I could witness such improvement! Well then may each of us exclaim, "If such be the fruit of missionary exertions, I will persevere in spite of every opposition and difficulty; God will accomplish His own work, in His own way-the Lord will hasten it in His time."

Mr. Cunningham illustrated the advantages which would arise from the employment of native teachers, when duly prepared in knowledge and by Divine grace, in the instruction of their countrymen, by a circumstance which had occurred to himself:

"It had pleased Almighty God to bring an aged woman in my parish, who had been a great sinner, to see the error of her ways, and to seek mercy through her Saviour. Sometime after this, another woman was brought into much distress of mind on account of her sins; and, as I understood that she was ill, I inti,

mated an intention to visit her. 'No, sir,' said my aged friend, in whose hearing I had said this- No, sir! let me go. You do not know so much as I do. You never was, I dare say, such a sinner as I have been. I can tell her what my distress was before the mercy of the gospel came to my relief, and that the grace of God has now rescued me, and that though I now stand on the edge of another world, yet I have a hope full of glory.' Such will be the strong appeal of the native preacher to his countrymen-I, too, was once bound down by this superstition and idolatry; but the light of the gospel and the grace of Christ have delivered me, and may deliver you.""

Mr. Wilson, in reference to the two Cingalese Christians from Ceylon, who were present at the meeting, said "We not only hear, on these occasions, of missions and of missionaries, but the great object is brought before our eyes. The mind is led, from the representations here made, to view every man as lying in a state of sin and misery, and as having no hope but in one common Redeemer. The distinctions of colour and of country are forgotten. When, in this meeting, we behold two of the inhabitants of Ceylon, once leaders in idolatry, but now Christians and brethren, we identify ourselves with them-we are united-we are one. I know not whether these friends sufficiently understand our language fully to comprehend what I am saying; but if not, I hope some one will explain to them, that, in the name of this assembly, I request them to tell their countrymen, on their return to their native land, that, God being our helper, nothing shall prevent us from sharing with them that heavenly bread which the Giver of all good has showered down so plentifully around our habitations."

"Thank you, sir!" cried out one of these intelligent young men, who both perfectly understood Mr. Wilson's address to

them.

The collections made at this anniversary amounted to 3231. 15s. 8d.-of which 1917. 78. 2d. was contributed after the sermon, and 1327. 8s. 6d. at the doors of the hall.

PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY.

Eighth Anniversary.

The annual sermon was preached by the Rev. John Scott, of Hull, at Christ Church, Newgate-street, on Thursday morning. May the 4th, from 1 Pet. iv. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.

The annual meeting was held on the same day, at the Crown and Anchor tavern. The chair was taken by the Rt. Hon. Lord Gambier, at 2 o'clock.

The issue of bound books, including Prayer-Books, Psalters, and Homilies, had amounted during the year, to 11,581: that of

tracts, comprehending Homilies, the Articles of Religion, and the Ordination Services, had been 34,714.

The receipts of the year were 19871. 14s. 4d. and the payments 2006/. 11s. 4d. The society is under engagements to the amount of upwards of 9001.

JEWS' SOCIETY.

Twelfth Anniversary.

The annual sermon was preached at St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden, by the Hon. and Rev. Gerard T. Noel, on Thursday morning, May the 5th, from Luke ii. 30-32.

At 2 o'clock, the President of the society, Sir Thomas Baring, took the chair, at the annual meeting, in Freemasons' Hall.

The Jewish children who are under the society's care having sung, as usual, both in Hebrew and English, left the Hall; when the President opened the meeting, and the Rev. C. S. Hawtrey, one of the Secretaries, read the Report.

The receipts of the year had amounted to 11,2017.; and its expenditure to 10,6091.

Mr. Solomon, in reference to the state of things on the continent, gave some satisfactory information to the meeting. "In Germany," he said, "the Jews themselves, though perhaps unconsciously, are labouring with us in this great cause. There are Jews of learning and talent, who are endeavouring to break the shackles which that people have so long worn; and this may be considered, not only as a great encouragement, but as an imperious demand on our future exertions.

"In my journeys, I never gave a Testament, until I was pretty well assured, that the person who requested it had no sinister end in view, but asked for the book with a sincere desire to read it. Some who had received copies, would return to me, a few days after, so well acquainted with both the Gospels and Epistles, as to induce me to think that they must have sat up all night to read them; and when to this I add the fact, that young Jews of talent would come to me in secret, to ask the explanation of difficulties, I consider that we have ground of the greatest encouragement in our labours."

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

Fourteenth Anniversary.

Mr. Wilberforce took the chair, at the annual meeting of this society, which was held at the City of London Tavern, on the 6th of May.

The receipts of the year have been 4,6831. Os. 3d.; and the disbursements, 8,3871. 16s. 8d., including a balance due to the Treasurer, Samuel Mills, Esq. of 1,342l. 15s. 2d.-leaving a

balance due to him of 3,704l. 16s. 5d. Of this balance, the Treasurer has generously made a present to the society of 1,000l. thereby reducing the sum due to him 2,704/. 16s. 5d.

NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

Fortieth Anniversary.

On Tuesday, May the 9th, his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester took the chair, at this fortieth anniversary of the society, which was held, as usual, at the King's concert room.

The funds of the society had improved, it appeared, during the year. The Committee had entered on the year with a debt. amounting to somewhat more than 980. The income of the year having been 2,162/. and its expenditure 1,800l. the Committee had been enabled to reduce the debt of the society to somewhat more than 6007.

In the navy, 1200 copies of the scriptures had been circulated; and among the military, 4900 copies. A large proportion of these copies had been paid for, at reduced prices; and many satisfactory proofs were adduced of the benefits arising from this distribution of the word of God among our soldiers and sailors.

In asserting the value and importance of right feelings to the soldier, Mr. Wilberforce, with his wonted felicity of allusion to historical facts, reminded the meeting that, "The great Duke of Marlborough was not ashamed, at the moment when his soldiers were going into action, to call the chaplains to the discharge of their solemn duty in the field, in invoking the blessing of God on the army, at the head of every regiment; and, before he engaged in the battle of Blenheim, it is recorded that he received the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in his tent; not afraid of dispossessing his mind of every other consideration, while he adored that Saviour, who only could support him in life and in death.

"And shall it be said that we are afraid of disseminating the scriptures among our soldiers in the present day, lest we should render them less able to discharge their awful duties? Let that regiment answer, which was among the foremost in the dreadful conflict of Waterloo, and whose attachment to the scriptures is generally known!"

In acknowledging, on the part of his illustrious relatives and his own, a vote of thanks to the royal patrons of the society, the Duke of Gloucester said, "When in the service of my country, I have often witnessed the good effects which have been produced by the dissemination of the word of God among the soldiers. I have heard them, when dying, express their confidence in the merits of the Redeemer, and their hope of eternal life through Him! Their expressions have been such, as would have afforded a useful lesson to the most exalted characters."

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Twenty-sixth Anniversary.

The Sermons were preached on this occasion, by the Rev. Dr. J. P. Smith, of Homerton, on Wednesday morning, May the 16th. at Surry Chapel; the same evening, at the Tabernacle, by the Rev. Dr. Dewar, of Glasgow; on Thursday evening, the 11th, at Tottenham Court Chapel, by the Rev. R. Elliott, of De. vizes; and on Friday morning, the 12th, at St. Clement's Church, Strand, by the Rev. W. Burrows, M. A. of Clapham.

On Thursday morning, the annual meeting was held in Queenstreet Chapel; W. Alers Hankey, Esq. Treasurer, in the chair.

The Report was read by the senior Secretary, the Rev. George Burder; after which, resolutions were moved and seconded by several gentlemen, amongst whom we are pleased to state, was our fellow-citizen Divie Bethune, Esq. We shall give extracts from the speeches delivered on the occasion, in a future number. The income of the year has been 25,4097.-exceeding any former year by 2000l.; but falling short, by 7367. of the year's expenditure, which has been 26,145l..

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY..

Twenty-first Anniversary.

On the morning of Thursday, May the 11th, at seven o'clock,. Joseph Reyner, Esq. Treasurer of the society, took the chair, at the 21st annual meeting, at the City of Loudon Tavern.

From the Report, which was read by Thomas Pellatt, Esq. it appeared, that tracts had been issued, during the year, to the amount of 5,626,674; being an increase beyond the preceding year of 1,583,353. The loss on tracts supplied to hawkers, added to foreign and domestic grants, exceeds 900l.: and the society is under engagements for upwards of 1600l. toward the discharge of which the Treasurer is almost wholly unprovided with funds.

AFRICAN INSTITUTION..
Fourteenth Anniversary.

On Wednesday, May the 17th, the fourteenth annual meeting took place at the Freemasons' Tavern; his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester in the chair.

The Report was read by the Secretary, Thomas Harrison, Esq. It was truly afflicting in its general tenor; as it gave plain indications that the cause of Africa must be contended for, inch by inch, against the cupidity and barbarity of men, who seem determined, at at all hazards, to maintain, to the last moment, the means afforded to them by this traffic, of enormous, but infamous VOL. VII. 2 H