for when such an one finds the man reading, and asks him, 'Understandest thou what thou readest?' he frankly replies, How can I, except some one teach me.-These living expositors of the Bible, the Missionary Society wishes to send into all the earth, that in some countries they may both translate the Scriptures and preach their contents; and in others may excite the attention of men to read and assist them to understand the Bible, which they already possess in their own tongue. But the Society is painfully restricted in its operations, by want of funds adequate to the immense field which lies before it. Divine Providence having always supplied the Directors with Candidates for Missionary labours much faster than their funds would furnish support, and the charges of their present Missionary Establishment being far beyond the annual income of the Society, it certainly behoves the friends of the cause to look around in their respective circles, and to consider of the most effective measures to promote the interest of that Institution which has not only been owned by the Lord of Hosts in the prosecution of its primary object, the conversion of the heathen, but has been so eminently useful, in a collateral way, by means of the various Institutions to which it has given birth.' With this view, if a few Christian friends (say five or six) in any town or district, would meet for considering the subject, and continue their meetings weekly, endeavouring to gather strength by the accession, from time to time, of new members from various denominations of Christians, and seeking at every meeting the direction and support of the great Head of the church, much good might be done; and by patiently persevering in these preparatory measures for a few months, they would then be prepared to submit their measures to the public; and though it is not to be expected that patrons of the Missionary labours will be so numerous as those of the Bible Society, yet the influence of the Missionary Society might become far more general than it has hitherto been, and more nearly commensurate to the immense field before them in the world, which lieth in the wicked one, and in the darkness of the shadow of death, to whom it is their earnest desire to send the light of the glorious gospel, and to communicate the knowledge of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. AFRICAN AND ASIATIC SOCIETY. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free Masons' Tavern, on Tuesday, May 5, at Three o'clock, precisely, W. Wilberforce, Esq. in the Chair. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. The Annual Meeting of this Society will be held at the Free Masons' Hall, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, on Wednesday, May 6, at Eleven o'clock, when the Proceedings in the Committee, during the last year, will be reported; ́and other business connected with the General Meeting transacted. -The Chair to be taken at Twelve, precisely. LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY.-The Annual Meeting of this Society will be held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, on Tuesday the 12th of May, at Twelve o'clock, precisely.The Annual Sermon will be preached on Friday morning, the 8th of May, at St. Antholin's Church, Watling-Street, by the Rev. T. Scott, A. M. Rector of Aston Sandford, Bucks. Service to begin at Eleven o'clock. Society for promoting the Observance of the Lord's Day, and for the Suppression of Public Lewdness.-The Annual Meeting of this Society will be held (by Divine permission) on Tuesday the 12th of May, at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, at Six o'clock in the evening. The Chair will be taken at Half past Six, precisely. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.The Annual Meeting of this Society will be held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, on Thursday, May 14, at Seven o'clock in the morning; to close at Ten, precisely. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. The Annual Meeting of this Society will be held on Friday, May 15, at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, at Seven o'clock in the morning. Protestant Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty. The Annual Meeting of this Society will be held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, ok Saturday, May 16, at Twelve o'clock, precisely. SOCIETY FOR MISSIONS TO AFRICA AND THE EAST.-The Annual Sermon before this Society, will be preached on Whit- Tuesday, May 19, at St. Ann's, Blackfriars, by the Rev. Mr. Goode. LONDON. AT a Meeting of Dissenting Ministers of the 3 denominations, held at Dr. Williams's Library, Red Cross Street, on Tuesday the 21st of April, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Rees, seconded by Dr. Rees, That a Petition should be presented to both houses of Parliament, praying the Repeal of all Penal Laws respecting religion. There was, however, a considerable difference of opinion respecting the propriety of presenting such a petition at the present moment: the numbers being, for the petition, 30; against it 26. April 22. It is reported, and we believe on good authority, that should the expected decision of the Court of King's Bench confirm the new and restricted construction of the Toleration Act, there is a disposition, on the part of Government, to relieve the Dissenters from the inconveniences to which such a decision must expose them. 7 0 .9 Q 10 0 W. P. by G. Hodson, 5.-H. Y. 17. 18.- Sarah, 17. Legacy of Mr. Peter Lemaire, late of Castle Street, Borough, Donations at Spa Fields Chapel, left after the Prayer Meeting Derish, of Tottenham, by Mr. Francis Hamilton Miss C. by Rev. J. Clayton, jun. Collections at Crown Court Chapel, April 5. Morning, Mr. Gre 301. 6d. Afternoon, Mr, Thorpe, 211.2d. Evening, Mr. G. Clayton, 217. 65. Gd. 9004 14 14 Collections made in the Counties of Essex and Herts, by Rev. J. Townsend. At Mr. Wilkinson's, Saffron Walden, 151. 8d. Mr. Stevenson's, Castle Haddington, 31/. 3s. Sd. Mr. Maslin's, Hertford, Scots Church, Swallow Street, by Rev. Mr. Nicol, April 12 58 0 10 84 9 6 A List of Contributions, amounting to 431. 15s. 6d. at Bath, received by Rev, Dr. Haweis, is unavoidably postponed until next month, Elegy ON THE DEATH OF DR. VANDERKEMP. DAUGHTER of Zion, put thy sackcloth on, No more shall Afric's tribes, delighted, hear He left the polish'd scenes and arts refin'd, The heighten'd joys and throng'd abodes of me ;- What forceful arms, what deeply skilful plan, What engine vast could such rough natures move? 'Twas simple truth, the cord that fetters man, He woo'd, and broke, and won their hearts with love. By war and death the hero wins his way, And rears his glory on the field of blood; And hate the wretch their arms in vain withstood. Far diff'rent aims expand the Christian's views: Nor seek for glory but above the sky. Thus aged Vanderkemp his work pursu'd, The desert rang'd, or kraal remotely form'd. And led them, step by step, to truth divine. He train❜d their youth, and solac'd sick'ning age; And brought the balm to cure the broken heart! From barb'rous lips, now pure devotion flows! 'en Satan's seat the hallow'd cross displays! The desert blossoms like the fragrant rose, And fruitful valles shout Jehovah's praise. Ah! he hath finish'' now his mission'd course, |