Society for Promoting Christian Know

ledge. (REPORT FOR MAY).

The Lord Bishop of Llandaff in the Chair.

The following members of the Society were appointed to form the Tract Committee for the year ensuing :Rev. Dr. D'Oyly, Rev. Dr. Dealtry, Rev. R. G. Baker, Rev. J. Lonsdale, Rev. J. E. Tyler, Rev. J. G. Ward, Rev. C. B. Dalton.

The following members of the Society were added to the Standing Committee: Rev. William Short, Rev. Benjamin Harrison, Hon. and Rev. R. Eden, Rev. W. W. Champneys, Rev. Thomas Ainger, Edward Badeley, Esq.

The following resolution, agreed to at the last general meeting, having been read; namely,

"That the Standing Committee be requested to prepare an address to Her Majesty, humbly praying that no system of national education may be adopted which does not require the use of the Bible, and Liturgy and Catechism of the United Church of England and Ireland, or which would take the education of the people from the superintendence of the clergy, as heretofore exercised by them;"

The Secretary stated, by direction of the Standing Committee, that the Committee had taken into consideration the matter referred to them, respecting an address to Her Majesty, on the motion of the Rev. S. Robins, and had also received a draft of an address from Mr. Robins; that additional circumstances having taken place since the last meeting, connected with the subject of the intended address, it seemed to the Committee advisable that the matter should be again referred to them, and that such address, when prepared by the Committee, be

presented to the Queen forthwith by the President, should his Grace approve it.

It was agreed, that this be referred to the Standing Committee accordingly.

A memorial was laid before the meeting, signed by the Rev. Hastings Robinson, D.D., Rev. Henry Budd, Rev. Guy Bryan, Rev. C. J. Yorke, and the Řev. H. B. Harris, requesting the consideration of a paragraph in the letter addressed to the Rev. C. Deedes, by direction of the Standing Committee. The memorialists also offered to the consideration of the society certain passages in two of the society's tracts, with a view to their alteration or removal.

This memorial having been read to the Board, it was agreed, on the motion of the Rev. Dr. Russell, seconded by the Rev. J. E. Tyler, that the memorial do lie on the table.

Mr. Rochfort Clarke brought forward the motion of which he had given notice at the last general meeting, and proposed the following resolution for the adoption of the Board:

"That this meeting, having taken into consideration so much of the answer recently returned by the Standing Committee to a memorial from seventyfour clergymen of Somersetshire, in support of a memorial from five clergymen of Essex, complaining of the state of some of the tracts of this Society, as is contained in the concluding paragraph, which is as follows: "The Standing Committee are convinced from experience, and from the failure of all former attempts, that no revision of the tracts could possibly be accomplished, which would afford satisfaction to the members of the Society at large. They therefore feel it their duty to decline recommending the Board to attempt a revision. And

they venture to hope that all the members of the Society will perceive the disadvantages which may arise to its best interests from the further agitation of such questions;' feel called upon to record their conviction, that the interests of this Society will be best advanced, as well as the cause of truth, by a constant endeavour to bring the tracts into perfect conformity with the word of God, rather than by an attempt to retain them in their present state."

This was seconded by Mr. Thomas Dornford.

The motion was negatived.

The following letter was read from the Lord Bishop of Madras, dated February 2, 1839:

"I fear that our venerable Society may accuse me of negligence in not having earlier announced my arrival at Madras. I felt, however, unwilling to state a circumstance in itself so unimportant, until I might have something of real interest to communicate.

"I will not at present hazard an opinion upon the prospects of Christianity in this country, my experience of India being so very limited; but I may safely say that I am full of hope. Much can be done, and I am satisfied that much will be done, for this most interesting land. If we proceed but slowly, may we not hope that the building which we are thus rearing upon the only sure foundation, will be the more durable?

"I have now commenced my visitation of this still overwhelming diocese. I may fairly apply to it this epithet, when I find, that properly to visit every station, will most probably occupy at least twenty-six months out of three years.

"At present I can only request our venerable Society to continue to honour me with its confidence, and to feel assured that I will never neglect an opportunity of promoting its designs to the uttermost of my very humble ability. I can truly say, my heart is in the cause.

"As yet I have not expended any part of the 5007. entrusted to my stewardship; but as I proceed on my long journey, I fully expect that urgent calls for assistance will be made at almost every station. And when it is

taken into consideration, that this diocese is geographically almost as large as that of Calcutta, and that there are circumstances connected with Southern India, rendering it of especial importance to the Church of England, I venture to hope, that in the course of my visitation a further grant may be allotted to me.

"It is my intention to forward to the Society, at the end of each year, so long as it may please God to spare my life, a copy, or rather a series of extracts from my journal, which, in my opinion, may prove of interest.

"Our Diocesan Committee flourishes; and we have in the Rev. G.W. Mahon a zealous and able secretary.

"I have determined to recommend the Society most urgently at every great station which I may visit; and I shall endeavour to excite the liberality of the Christian residents in its behalf. Depend upon it, the Society is not known throughout India as it ought to be. Its claims shall not want an advocate, however incompetent, in me." The Rev. S. Robins gave notice of his intention to move at the next general meeting, on Tuesday, the 4th of June, "That a Committee be appointed, consisting of clerical members of the Society, who shall be requested to consider, and report forthwith to the Standing Committee their opinion, as to whether any and what measures may be taken with most advantage by the Society, for the purpose of counteracting the designs of the Socialists.'

The following notice of motion for the next general meeting was given by the Hon. and Rev. S. Best:

"That on all motions proposing alterations in the rules, and for the election of the Standing Committee and officers, members be allowed to vote by letter, through the medium of the District Committees."

The Rev. R. Monro proposed the following motion to the Board, pursuant to notice given at the last general meeting:

"That a Petition to both Houses of Parliament against the fourteenth clause of a Bill for the better regulating of Prisons be adopted by this Society, to the following effect :

"To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled,

"The Humble Petition of the undersigned Members of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge,

"Sheweth, "That your Petitioners cannot but regard with feelings of extreme anxiety a provision contained in the Bill for the regulation of Prisons now before your Honourable House, to the following effect:

"And be it enacted, That in every prison in which the average number of prisoners professing any one and the same religion, differing from that of the Established Church, confined at one time during the three preceding years, shall not have been less than fifty, it shall be lawful for the justices or other persons having the appointment of the chaplain of such prison, if they shall see fit, to appoint or remove at pleasure a Teacher or Clergyman, acting as such at the time of such appointment in some chapel duly registered as a place of religious worship, of the religion of such prisoners, for the instruction and spiritual assistance of such prisoners solely; and for the persons having the control of the funds applicable to the expenses of such prison, to fix the salary to be paid to such Teacher or Clergyman, and to make order for the payment thereof out of the funds applicable to those expenses.

"That your Petitioners would humbly urge, that the passing of the proposed enactment is at the present time wholly uncalled for, seeing that full toleration is afforded to those prisoners whose religion differs from that of the Established Church, inasmuch as such prisoners are now allowed to receive the instructions of those teachers whose doctrines may be in accordance with their own sentiments.

"That your Petitioners, however, desire most earnestly to call the attention of your Honourable House to the very important difference which exists between the toleration of such instructions, and the actual establishment of teachers by the payment of a salary out of the public funds.

"That your Petitioners believe experience has fully proved that the class of persons in whose favour this enactment is proposed, are by no means adverse to the reception of religious instruction from the chaplains of their respective prisons.

"Your Petitioners therefore humbly beg your Honourable House to refuse your consent to a measure which has a manifest tendency to countenance and encourage extreme diversities of opinion in religious matters."

This motion was seconded by the Rev. David Ruell.

Mr.Cotton moved, by way of amendment,

"That this meeting, while they entertain the most decided objection to the principle of the clause alluded to in the motion of Mr. Monro, do not consider it a part of their duty to petition the Legislature on the subject.'

This was seconded by the Rev. Dr. Russell.

The amendment was negatived. The original motion was put and carried.

It was then agreed that his Grace the President be requested to present the Petition to the House of Lords; and that Sir Robert Harry Inglis, Bart., be requested to present it to the House of Commons.

The Secretary laid before the meeting a letter from Mr. Rassam, detailing the result of his inquiries in passing through Asia Minor. The letter is dated Angora (the ancient Ancyra), December 24th, 1838.

A letter was read from the Right Rev. Bishop Walker, stating that Bishop Russell had kindly consented to represent him on Wednesday, April 17th, and lay the first stone of the Episcopal Chapel in Alloa, the trustees having made their final arrangements for building. The bishop thankfully acknowledges the sum of 100%. granted by the Society towards this good work.

A petition was read from the Rev. Charles Pressly, minister, and from the managers of the chapel at Fraserburgh, in the diocese of Aberdeen, in behalf of the Episcopal congregation at that place. From their statement it appeared that in the year 1746, the old place of worship belonging to the Epis

copalians at Fraserburgh was burnt to the ground by order of government; that after assembling for several years successively in the upper room of a dwelling-house, the congregation had the present chapel erected for their use, by subscription, in the year 1792; but that this building, owing to its dilapidated state, and inadequate size, requires much alteration and improvement; that the estimated cost of these will exceed 500., while the Petitioners have no available fund at their disposal for the purpose. They therefore begged the assistance of the Board.

A letter, accompanying this petition, was read from the Right Rev. Bishop Skinner. The following extract, containing a tribute to the memory of the late Bishop Jolly, will be read with interest:

"Under a deep sense of gratitude for the many recent instances of munificent kindness displayed by your venerable Society towards our humble Episcopal Church in Scotland, I feel not a little reluctant in again appealing to its pious liberality. But being from personal knowledge thoroughly satisfied of the accuracy of every statement in the prefixed petition from the respectable clergyman and managers of the Episcopal Chapel in Fraserburgh, within the diocese and county of Aberdeen, I cannot refuse my cordial sanction to their application, or decline earnestly to solicit for it the generous attention of your Board. And I feel somewhat more encouraged in making this appeal, from my being enabled to inform the Society, that the congregation which now solicits their benevolent assistance formed the pastoral charge, for nearly the last half century, of the justly venerated and much lamented Bishop Jolly, whose meek and humble piety, and no less profound learning, gained for his name a richly merited reputation, far beyond the limits of that portion of Christ's Catholic and Apostolic Church, of which through a lengthened term of years he proved so distinguished an ornament.

But

besides the necessity, which is felt, and in their petition affirmed to exist, for improved and extended accommodation, the Episcopal congregation in

VOL. XXI. NO. VI.

Fraserburgh are most anxious to obtain the erection of a suitable edifice, as a lasting memorial of one who, by his piety and virtues, was not only endeared to them and to their families, but who was universally acknowledged by persons of every religious denomination to have eminently adorned the clerical and the Christian character. And they are of opinion, that no monument could be devised for that purpose more strictly congenial with all the feelings and inclinations of their late revered bishop and pastor.

"I am confident that an intention so truly pious, affectionate, and every way becoming a congregation of Christian worshippers, will be generously responded to by the worthy members of your Board."

The sum of 50%. wss granted in aid of this object.

A letter was read from the trustees of the Church at Wynberg, Cape of Good Hope, soliciting a further grant towards the completion of the building. It appeared from this communication, that the trustees had incurred a personal liability for 500l., hoping to have been indemnified by subscriptions in England and India. They acknowledge with thanks the Society's former donation of 200/.; and add, "Without this we believe the other subscriptions would not have been raised, nor the church erected. In the event of another grant being made, we shall make no further application to the Society for pecuniary aid. We feel much gratified in being enabled to state, that by a recent act of the legislative council of this colony, an annual salary has been appropriated for the maintenance of a resident clergyman in this place."

The Board agreed to grant the sum of 100%. on condition of the whole sum which is required in addition being first raised.

An application, forwarded by Lord Teignmouth, was made by Mr. G. Leith, of Helensburgh, Scotland, in behalf of the township of Binbrook, near Hamilton, Upper Canada. This district, in which Mr. Leith has settled, contains full 3000 souls, among whom great spiritual destitution exists. The distribution of Bibles, Common Prayer

3 с

Books, and Tracts, would be attended with excellent results.

The Board agreed to grant books amounting to 20%.

Sir Walter R. Farquhar, Bart., applied by letter in behalf of the Rev. F. L.Osler, who in June last was stationed by the Bishop of Montreal as Minister of the townships of Tecumseth and West Guillemburg, Upper Canada, the geographical extent of his charge being an area of 240 square miles. The labours of Mr. Osler, who is the first clergyman ever stationed in these townships, have been unwearied and abundant. He officiates in two churches seven miles apart, and in a school-room at a village, where he is now building another church. He has also established six schools, which were in a flourishing condition until the late rebellious outbreaks occurred in the province. His wife instructs the girls in sewing. No clergyman being located for many miles around him, he occasionally visits three stations, distant ten, fifteen, and thirty-seven miles respectively. The present application

was made to the Board for a supply of useful Books and Tracts for a Lending Library, which, in addition to other good objects, this indefatigable clergyman has set on foot.

The Board agreed to grant books to the amount of 251.

A letter was read from the Rev. Dr. Hook, thanking the Board for the grant of books, made at the last general meeting, towards the Leeds Central Church of England Library, and requesting a further supply for three district libraries formed at York Rood, St. James's, and St. Peter's Bank.

Books to the amount of 15. were granted.

At this meeting a large Bible and Common Prayer Book, and Books for the Communion Table, were granted for the use of a new Church at Barrowford, in the Chapelry of Colne.

Similar books were granted in behalf of the Church of Horsley, near Chalford, Gloucestershire, which is being rebuilt by subscription.

Several other gratuitous grants were made.