of thanking the Rev. Prelate and the Honourable Baronet for the friendly manner in which they had introduced his name, nor were those thanks less due to the meeting for the equally friendly way in which the congratulations of his friends had been adopted by them. Gentlemen had been pleased to speak of those excellent men, who in a foreign clime had been removed by death; but few events had excited more general sympathy than the death of that exemplary Prelate, the Bishop of Calcutta, to whose splendid talents, and anxious zeal, and to whose brilliant though short career, he (Dr. B.) was anxious to pay his last sad tribute of respect. It has (continued Dr. B.) pleased Providence to remove those eminent inen from the land of the living; but this, so far from deterring others, ought to teach us the urgent necessity there is for increasing the religious establishment in India. Of the arduous duties and extensive visitations of Bishop Heber, he (Dr. B.) could speak. During his short sojourn in India, he had visited the distant missions of Delhi and Agra; in April, 1825, he (Dr. B.) saw him at Bombay; in October, he was on the coast of Malabar; and on the 1st of March in the present year at Madras; he was proceeding to visit the other missions, and in April he had reached the spot where the pious and excellent Schwartz was buried; here, after fulfilling the object of his visitation, he preached an affecting farewell discourse; in which he stated the improbability that they would see his face again. There was something peculiarly affecting,even mournful, in this; yet little could it then have been thought that on the following morning the world would be deprived of him. It was his (Dr. B.'s) opinion, the object of the missions in India would be most effectually promoted, by the support of the native schools founded by Bishop Middleton; two donations of 1000l. each, besides contributions, had been devoted to that purpose. The object of the schools was not to immediately instruct the native

children in the doctrines of Christianity, but by imparting to them useful knowledge, by putting into their hands proper preparatory books, to create habits of thinking and reflection, by which there was the fairest prospect, that when arrived at the years of maturity, they would not only embrace the doctrines, but become really and indeed Christians.

Mr. J. Watson, (Treasurer of the Parent Society,) thanked the Rev. Prelate, the Hon. Bart. and the meeting generally, for the kind expressions of concern for his health which they had manifested, as also for the manner in which they had been pleased to speak of his humble services. He could assure them he had that day witnessed a spectacle of a most gratifying nature, and had no hesitation in saying, Exeter might truly be proud of the display made on that morning, certainly very far beyond any thing he had witnessed or expected to witness out of the metropolis; and could assure the meeting, such countenance and support would not only be properly estimated and felt by the Parent Society, but by the whole country, whose true interests were best advanced and promoted by such observances.

The Rev. Archdeacon Moore, could not permit a meeting, whose proceedings he had viewed with such deep interest, and with which he had been so highly gratified, to separate, without an expression of their common esteem to the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, for his conduct towards them at all times, and particularly while presiding over them that day; this topic had been ably touched on by others; but he (Mr. M.) trusted he might be permitted to add, in speaking of their worthy Diocesan, that his conduct had been marked with meekness and wisdom, and a zealous attention to the spiritual and temporal wants of all. Mr. Moore moved accordingly, the Mayor seconded; it was carried by acclamation, and the Bishop having returned thanks, the meeting broke up.

"

1

1

REFORT FOR 1825.

Let us

WE now resume our observations on this Report. For several years certain General Notices' with scarcely any variation have stood first in the Report. We must presume, by their annual appearance, that they are the chef d'auvres of the secretaries, and incapable of improvement. examine them. Might it not be reasonably supposed that such Notices would treat only of matters of which it was necessary that the subscribers should be continually reminded, and which were not subject to change? We find, however, that the progress of "the National System of Education" (we presume the National School System is meant) in North America, the produce of the estates in Barbadoes, "consisting," we rejoice to observe, "of a Principal and twelve Scholars," and the instruction of the Negroes, are spoken of year after year in the same words. The style, too, shews the carelessness which pervades the getting up of the Report. In the first sentence we read, "The Incorporated Society was instituted for the management of such funds as might be placed at their disposal by the charitable contributions of the more opulent. Now although we do not clearly perceive to what the phrase "the more opulent" is to be referred, whether to the colonial possessions of the crown of England, or rather to the ministers of the Established Church, we object to it, because it is unauthorised, because it may be said to insinuate that the contributions of "the more opulent" are alone acceptable, and that the mite of the widow, and the poor in this world's goods, is not desired. With the Charter in our hands, we say that the Royal Grantor was graciously pleased to erect and settle the Corporation for the receiving, managing, and disposing of the Charity of his "loving subjects,"-no restriction as to rank, no limitation as to the sum, the contributions of all are to be received, the Two Guineas of an Incorporated member, and the Sixpence

of the unwashed artizan. By the second sentence we find that one hundred Missionaries are employed "disseminating the principles of Christianity in its purest forms," a phrase which we can reconcile with no form whatever. We are next told that "great assistance has been extended in the erection of Churches;" now does this mean that great assistance has been afforded to the Colonists by erecting Churches for them, or that the Colonists have been greatly assisted in the erecting of Churches? The people at large" have been supplied with Bibles; we may certainly gather from this that the compiler of the Report would not have assented to a Resolution passed the other day in a northern county, that the inmates of a lunatic asylum should be attended by a chaplain. We next read that the National System of education has been introduced, under their patronage, (i. e. under the patronage of "the people at large") into the three principal provinces dependent upon England and we are told in the next sentence, that "this powerful engine" will secure to the rising generation every facility for the more general instruction of the "people at large."

We have now gone through the first General Notice, sentence by sentence, and we seriously ask whether a composition so jejune and incorrect be worthy of being annually reprinted?

The next General Notice, "Codrington College, Barbadoes," is another proof of carelessness. It tells us that

an establishment has been formed of a Principal and twelve Scholars," this delighted but surprised us; but on arriving at page 154, we read, "a plan has been formed for giving it (the College) the character of a University, and arrangements have been under consideration for securing to it the services of a Principal and two or three Professors."

We hail with heartfelt pleasure the adoption of this plan by the Society, -with whose general proceedings, be it observed, we do not, for we have

no cause to quarrel,—a plan, the propriety and utility of which has been so ably and eloquently enforced by the author of "Six Months in the West Indies."-See extract in our review of that work, p. 396, ante.

We come now to the diocese of Nova Scotia. The Report here tells us that the consecration and appointment of a Bishop have placed the ecclesiastical concerns of the diocese under an aspect, and that the diocese, as in duty bound, is enjoying the aspect. We read also that certain points have operated unfavourably on the interests of the establishment, and that the religious state of Newfoundland is in a progressive state ;— but enough of verbal criticism, not because we have left no errors to notice, but because we have more important matter wherewith to occupy our remaining space.

We cannot gather from the Report the nature of the grant of 500l. to King's College, Nova Scotia, whether it be an annual or quinquennial grant, or merely a donation.

The information respecting the different provinces in which the Society's Missionaries are placed, is chiefly given by way of recitals of their letters, in the third person. This plan is both lengthy and awkward. Each paragraph commences "The Reverend Archdeacon Coster reports," "The Rev. John Chapman writes." What the public want, are the facts in as small a compass as possible; it would therefore be much better were the interesting parts of the letters of the Missionaries digested, by some one who can write English, into the form of a narrative, giving occasionally a striking extract in the words of the Missionary himself. If we may judge from the trivial and unnecessary information we continually meet with in the Report, the scissors are used but sparingly. We will give a few instances: "The Rev. T. G. Laugharne, Missionary to the Out-Harbours near St. John's, writes, that the Rev. Mr. Coster has communicated to him the pleasure of the Society that he should continue in that service, for which indulgence he begs to return his most sincere and grateful thanks." Mrs. Foreman, one of the Society's

schoolmistresses, " offered to continue her school as well as she could, but her articulation has failed her so much that a child could scarcely understand her; so Mr. Viets told her that she need not trouble herself with the superintendence of a school, for he did not think the Society would stop her pension, in consideration of her infirmities." The following should have been given under the head IMPORTANT. "The Rev. James Cockran reports, that in conformity with the resolution of the Society, he repaired to Halifax early in February, for the instruction of Mr. Willis, who left him to his own discretion." "The Rev. Thomas H. Grantham, Missionary at Yarmouth, writes, that Mr. John Moody continues the Madras school with great ability and diligence. With regard to his Mission nothing has occurred to lead him to make any particular observations, with the exception of the death of Mr. Job Raynard, who was much attached to the Church, but very seldom able to attend divine service from distance and bad roads." p. 69.

The following were intended for the information of the Incorporated, and not for the public.-"The Rev. George Best is much concerned to report the serious indisposition of the Rev. Mr. Thompson, Missionary at St. George's. He at first declined giving him any sort of permission to leave his parish, wishing him to wait until the Bishop arrived; but his malady (of a consumptive nature) assuming a most serious aspect-indeed, by assurances from other quarters, his life would have been endangered had he remained the winter, Mr. Best felt compelled to say he was at liberty to visit his native country for a few months; and he hopes the Society will not think he has taken upon himself too much in this instance." p. 71.

"The Rev. Dr. Thompson, Missionary at St. Stephen's, reports, that the churchwardens are fearful it will be impossible to make any provision for him for a year or two." p. 107.

Our readers would not easily have forgiven us, had we omitted the following interesting and important facts:

"The Rev. Abraham Wood, Missionary at Grand Lake, reports that the parsonage house is erected. A

kitchen, a parlour, and two bed-rooms are finished." p. 99.

"Mrs. Peters has given a handsome carpet for the altar;-Mrs. Peabody, a velvet cushion and hangings for the pulpit and reading desk." p. 103.

Because we have thus noticed some of the inaccuracies and absurdities in the abstract of the proceedings of the Society, let it not be supposed we have met with nothing interesting: there is much that we would gladly extract, and to which we shall hereafter probably direct the attention of our readers. At present we would refer them, in particular, to the letters of that excellent Missionary, Dr. Stewart, now Bishop of Quebec. He makes an earnest appeal, (and would to God his appeal were sounded in the ears of every one in this highly favoured land, instead of being buried in the heterogeneous mass before us,) on behalf of the wretched emigrants who are daily flocking to the shores of our North American provinces. He entreats us not to suffer these unhappy men, thus exiles from our pleasant land, and deprived of the temporal blessings we enjoy, to remain without the consolations of religion, and to live without God in the world. We would refer also to some interesting information from our dominions in the East.

We now come to the "GENERAL ACCOUNT" of the Society. We must believe that this account has been examined and allowed; but strange to say, the names of the auditors are not given; a proof of a slovenly and unbusiness-like habit. We suggest that the different charges should be annually stated under the same heads; thus, in 1823, we have "law expenses" clubbed together with printing, &c.; and in 1825, it forms a separate charge. We wish the charges for building and furnishing the new office in Great Queen Street, had been given separately. We much fear that amongst the furniture there is some easy chair not favourable to exertion.

We have no hesitation in saying that, without explanation, the sum of 2461. for stationery, stamps, carriage of parcels, and postages of letters, foreign and inland, dispersing the Report, and other incidental expenses

in the Treasurer's and Secretaries' departments, is too much. Let any one compute the probable amount of the items specified, and a large sum will remain for "incidental expenses."

But the charge to which we most particularly object, is the sum of 480%. for printing and binding (qu. stitching?) the Anniversary Sermon and Report, Addresses, &c. Now, the amount of the annual subscriptions appears to be about 4000/.; consequently the Subscribers receive in the shape of Reports and Addresses 127. per Cent. upon the amount of their subscriptions! There is such a manifest waste in this particular, that it is almost needless to specify. First, there are the QUARTO copies of the Report, gilt-edged, for the Archbishops, Bishops, and superior Clergy incorporated; then the QUARTO copies plain for the inferior Clergy and Laity incorporated. The difference of the cost of 300 4to copies and of 300 8vo, is about 451.!! Gilding per copy 2s. And why this expense? Is it seemly that money subscribed to advance the most sacred cause should be applied to a most vain and ostentatious purpose? Do we, then, charge those noble and excellent persons with approving of this application of the funds? God forbid! Nay, we are confident there is not one among them who does not in his heart condemn the practice. May this feeling be no longer satisfied with a silent reprobation! Of this, we can have no doubt, that were such an item of expenditure to come under the cognizance of any of our courts of justice, it would be characterized as a misapplication of funds committed to trustees for a specific purpose, as a gross breach of a most sacred trust.

But the retrenchment in the item of printing might be carried much farther than the abolition of the 4tos; the Annual Report might be diminished to one-third its present bulk. Let a separate edition, comprising the Charter, List of Preachers, standing and general Notices, Qualifications of

Two individuals have been named to us who have each received two copies of the Report. Each of their names occurs twice in the lists. Is this a part of the economy of the Society?