Missionary Retrospect and Foreign Intelligence.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Ward | A large sum of money was immediately

(Extract from the Asiatic Mirror for Hundreds who had seen him in the the

Domestic Religious Intelligence.

THE annual meeting was held on the 7th of February, (the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth in the chair.) The Report, which took an hour and three quarters to read, presented much information, of an encouraging kind, of the progress of this widely-extended institution. The number of Bibles and Testaments, distributed since its commencement, including 25 languages, amounts to one million and three-quarters. The limits of our work prevent our inserting any of the highly interesting speeches delivered by the bishops of Norwich and Gloucester; W. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. Sir T. Acland, M. P.; Sir George Grey; Rev. G. Clayton, Watson; Drs. Mason and Thorpe. The bishop of Norwich intimated it would probably be the last time he should attend such a meeting, and said, "I cannot fully express the heart-felt satisfaction I experience, in meeting so many excellent men of all religious persuasions. I take this opportunity of expressing my approbation of the conduct of the Protestant Dissenters in this Society; and am happy that the time is arrived, when, laying aside every minor consideration, Christians of dif ferent denominations have the wisdom to perceive, and the piety to feel, that unity of heart is far more important than uniformity of sentiment" What a blessing would it have been for the world, had such sentiments been earlier understood; and how lamentable, that thousands in Europe, who call themselves Christians, should still remain so ignorant on such an important subject.

sorry to add, that our anticipations of being gratified with its perusal are not likely to be realized, as Dr. Chalmers has refused to print it. Dr. Collett, of America, and Dr. Nicol, of London, engaged in prayer; and the service of the Church of England was read by the Rev. Rowland Hill. A sermon by the Rev. A. Fletcher was preached at the same time, at Mr. Upton's meeting, In the evening a ser Church-street.

sermon was

mon was preached at the Tabernacle, by the Rev. Mr. Jones, of Syrior, from Isaiah, lii. 15. Mr. Maslon, of Hert ford, preached at the same time, in the court-yard adjoining the chapel. On Thursday evening, the Rev. Mr. Harris, of Cambridge, preached at Tottenham Court-chapel, from Acts, iv. 20. The next morning, Friday, a preached by the Rev. H. Campbell, M. A. at St. Bride's-church, from Acts, xvi. 9. A very interesting meeting of this Society was also held at Spa-fields'chapel, on Thursday morning, at ten o'clock. W.. Alers Hankey, Esq. the Treasurer, was in the chair; and after prayer by the Rev. Mr. Kent, of Graves end, and the rules of the Society having been read by the Rev. Mr. Platt, the Secretary (the Rev. George Burder) read a long and very encouraging report of the proceedings of the past year. Our limits prevent us from giving ex tracts of interesting facts relating to the different stations; especially those in South Africa, where indeed" the wilderness is become a fruitful field." The meeting was then addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Bogue, of Gosport; Bennett, of Rotherham; Hamilton, of Leeds; Patterson, (lately from St. Petersburgh); Griffin, of Portsea; and Drs. Mason and Collett, of America. The Society had sent to the heathen LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. during the last year seventeen mission

THE first meeting of this Society was held at Surrey-chapel, on Wednesday, May 14. The Rev. Dr. Chalmers, of Glasgow, preached a most instructive and encouraging sermon from 1 Cor. xiv. 24, 25. He considered the sending of the gospel of Christ to the heathen by a spiritual instructor, depending upon and imploring the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to make the gospel effectual to the salvation of sinners, as an ample missionary apparatus,' sufficient for converting the most uncivilized barbarians, as well as the most polished classes of European society. The strength of argument, and the eloquence of this extraordinary discourse, baffled all attempt at description; and we are

aries had expended upwards of 19,000l. and received about 21,000l. The sums collected after the public services this year amounted, we understand, to about 1,3601.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

SCHOOL SOCIETY.

THE anniversary meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday, May 13, at Freemasons'-hall, Before eleven o'clock in the morning, the hall, which was fitted up with great neatness for the accommodation of ladies, was filled in every part by a respectable throng of persons of distinction; a considerable number of ladies and gentlemen of the Society of Friends were also present,

Soon after twelve o'clock, His Grace the Duke of Bedford entered the hall, and took the chair amid great applause. His Grace was accompanied by the Marquis of Tavistock, Sir John Jackson, Bt. Sir James Mackintosh, M. P. Charles Barclay, Esq. M. P. Henry Brougham, Esq. M. P. His Excellency the French Ambassador, Lord Ossulston, Lord William Russell, the Sultan Katteghery, Baron Strandman, Dr. Hamel, Mr. Mallet, the Secretary of the Elementary School Society at Paris, Mr. Moran, and a considerable number of ministers from various parts of the country.

When the Duke of Bedford took the chair, he informed the meeting that His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, who took a deep interest in the wellbeing of the Society, was every moment expected. His Grace begged leave to repeat the deepinterest which he should ever take in its welfare.

The business of the day was then opened, by reading the Report of the current year's proceedings.

Chartres, Count Lainé, and several Prefects, and Functionaries. His Majesty had directed that the Catholic and Protestant boys should be educated in different schools, to admit of their receiving religious instruction from their several pastors. In Russia, and the north of Europe, it received every support. In Rome, no objections were started against its introduction; and Cardinal Gonsalvi, on the part of the Pope, desired that books of the Society should be forwarded for perusal. In the kingdom of Hayti it had also obtained a footing. In Spain, Africa, America, Sierra Leone, and other places, similar success had marked its progress.

Many gentlemen, ministers, and others, addressed the meeting. It is due to the patriotism and liberality of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, to insert some of the sentiments which he delivered on this occasiou. In proposing thanks to the Treasurer, William Allen, Esq. (of the Society of Friends,) his Royal Highness paid this gentleman a just tribute of This Report was of the most gratify- praise, by remarking, that he had suping kind: the sum of 10,000l. which ported this cause when, but for him and was required to clear off some old debts, one or two others, it would have sunk. and erect a proper school-house, had, He then very eloquently stated his conwith an additional sum, been procured viction, that the broad and liberal ground within the last year; Mr. Owen, of which this Society took, was the bounden Lanark, had contributed 1000l. to this duty of every man who respected the vested subscription. It appeared from rights of conscience. It was the way, the Report, that the system of this So- he said, to include every class, allowing ciety had been widely spread in every their parents to worship God, and train quarter of the world. In the Borough-up their children, according to their own road Free School alone, 12,000 chil- religious principles. His Royal Highdren had been educated, independently ness further stated, that on those of its being the centre from which in-grounds, although he could add little to structors were initiated into the system, the observations which had been made, and sent to every part of the world. he considered it the duty of persons in Jews' school, for the education of 400 the highest stations of rank to support boys, had also been established in such an institution as this. Houndsditch. The Auxiliary Society, in Southwark, had also done much in support of the system, and the parish of Newington had erected a school on the principle of the Association, which would be opened in a few days. The THE annual meeting was held at the most satisfactory accounts were also re- City of London Tavern, at seven o'clock ceived from Scotland and Ireland: in in the morning of Thursday, May 5; the latter country, the Catholic clergy, in Joseph Reyner, Esq. (the Treasurer,) in many instances, lent their aid to the the chair. The practical results of this diffusion of education, according to this institution are becoming more and more system. The same intelligence was re- evident many instances of their useceived from India, where the mission-fulness to the conversion of sinners be aries co-operated in the undertaking. The most favourable accounts had also been received from the continent of Europe. In France, according to the information conveyed by Mr. Moran, (who first introduced the system into that country,) the most liberal support had been given by the King, the Duke de la

A

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

ing stated in the course of the meeting.

The number of Tracts circulated the last year, exceeds three millions and a half; a large proportion of which have been circulated by poor persons, who would otherwise have been destitute of the means of support: these having been furnished at very low prices.

LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

THIS Society met at the same place on Friday the 16th, at seven o'clock, Samuel Mills, Esq. (Treasurer,) in the chair. During the last year, the number of children and adults had increased from 19,000 to 27,766. We are sorry to find the Society is more than 1,600l. in debt. Much good is doing among the rising generation of Ireland, by this and other societies. The Hibernian Sunday School Society, in Dublin, alone educates upwards of 50,000.

It is a highly gratifying circumstance also, which augurs well for the interests of Ireland, that the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society have resolved to print the entire scriptures in the Irish letter. The Baptist Irish Society printed a Primmer in this character, for the use of their schools, two years since: the only one that has been published.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

THE annual meeting of this Society was held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, on Wednesday morning, May 14. The members and friends breakfasted together at six, and the chair was taken by Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M.P. at half-past six o'clock. The Report, which will shortly be published, contained truly gratifying accounts of the success of Sunday schools, both abroad and at home: under the latter head of intelligence, it is computed that not less than 200,000 children are now receiving religious instruction in Sunday schools connected with the various Auxiliary and Country Sunday School Unions in the United Kingdom, besides those schools not so connected.

There was a very full attendance; and, upon the whole, it may be consider ed the most interesting anniversary of this Society.

The following ministers and gentlemen addressed the meeting: the Chairman; the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith; Rev. Messrs. Hamilton, Watson, Marsden, Hillyard, Morrison, Ivimey, Upton, and Evans; Lieut. Buck; Messrs. Marriott, Lloyd, Gale, and Jaques; E. Lord, Esq. of New York, and S. J. Browne, Esq. of Cincin pati, Ohio, United States.

We acknowledge ourselves in debted for many of these sketches, to a weekly newspaper, entitled The PhiJanthropic Gazette ;" which we cordially Iccommend to our readers. Price 7d.

SOCIETY FOR GAELIC SCHOOLS.

THE Sixth Annual Report of this Society has been recently published, with an Appendix, containing a list of the Society's schools in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland; with a map, to illus trate the stations where the schools have been founded, from the commencement, in November, 1811, to November, 1815. The Report is principally composed of extracts from letters of correspondence, which attest most fully the wisdom and utility of the plan of teaching the vernacular tongue, instead of English, which had been done till the establishment of this institution. We rejoice exceedingly in the prosperity of these schools; which emanated from the Welch schools, taught by the late Rev. Mr. Charles, of Bala, and which have produced the Native Irish Schools since established by the Baptist Irish Society. We would gladly make many extracts, were we not prevented by want of room; the follow ing must suffice:

66 Being at Glencelvie, I visited the school at Greenyard; I found there a crowded school, of all ages-79 in number. The progress they have made, during the winter season, is very great, indeed surprising. Their teacher seems to have been at great pains with them; as many who, four months before, could not read a word in Gaelic, now read the Old and New Testament with ease and propriety. Some, who have fought the battles of their country, spilt their blood, and lost their limbs in its service, attended this school. Retired on a pension, they are now devoting their leisure hours to learn to read the gospel of peace; and have made great proficiency. In short, the schools have been of inestimable advantage to the parish."

The number in the schools last year was 3557. It is added, "Besides the numbers entered on the teachers' lists. there is reason to believe, that many other individuals, particularly such as are more advanced in years, have derived essential benefit from these schools. Parents, in particular, have learned to read through the medium of their chil dren at school. At one station, taught by a female, a young girl of seven years old was in the habit of teaching her mother to read; upon which the grandmother, observing the progress made by her daughter, resolved to begin. She then condescended to be taught by her own grandchild, and is said to have made good progress."

We are sorry to find, that there is an intimation of reducing the number of