expected. Their village is surrounded by Tartars, who befriend them as far as lies in their power. The Missionaries have a small wooden church; a printing-house, with (Arabic types cut in England) for printing and dispersing religious tracts in that language among their neighhours. Mr. Brunton has nearly completed the New Testament; which, considering he was ignorant of the language seven years ago, proves him to be an indefatigable man. They have also a cloth manufactory, and as much land allowed them by (the Russian) government as they choose to cultivate; from which they furnish the surrounding country with potatoes, tobacco, &c. In their school they have nearly 40 children, who are all instructed in the Christian religion: several of them have been sent from Tchircassia, the rest are Tartars. This has gained them the goodwill of their neighbours. They are often applied to as arbitrators,' &c. This lended reformers, and continues to be the boast of their disciples in the present day, that they had emancipated their followers from the shackles of Catholic despotism, and had restored to them the freedom of the children of God. freedom, it appears, consisted in reading an erroneous version of the inspired writings, and in venerating as the dictates of eternal wisdom, the blunders of ignorant and interested translators. What crime more foul in its nature, more prejudicial in its consequences, more allied to diabolical malignity, than that of designedly corrupting the sacred Scriptures? and, by such corruption, leading the sincere inquirer into error, and converting the food of life into the poison of death? And do we not every day hear those deformers of the Holy Writ calling on Catholics to read their spurious and corrupted translations?' but Catholics answer,' We will not read your Protestant Bible, we will not drink at the muddy part of the stream, while we can drink with equal ease at the fountain head.' This is indeed a serious charge! Parliaments, Protestant Princes, Bishops, and Churches, are involved in the ilt of authorising, circulating, and recommending to millions of British subjects an erroneous translation of the Bible, made by iznorant and blundering men, who designed'y poisoned the sacred stream of Divine revelation -Whatever we may think of the zeal of the advertisers of the Catholic Bible, we cannot commend their candour or their prudence. Such an intolerant attack upon the Protestant Church, at the moment they are seeking an enlargement of their Catholic liberties, does not seem to be consonant with a peaceable disposition or good policy. Provincial Intelligence. On Sept. 17, 1811, the New Meeting was opened at Saffron Walden, in Essex. Mr. Clayton preached in the morning, from Ps. cxviii. 2:; his eldest son in the afternoon, from Exod. xii. 26; and Mr. G. Clayton in the eveping, from Ps. cxxxii. 14. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by Mess. Carver, Bowers, Jennings, Dobson, Harris, Wilkinson, and W. Clayton.At the doors was collected the sum of 28yl. 118. Sept. 30, 1811, The Cambridgeshire Association for promoting Christianity among the Peasants, held their Half yearly Meeting at Mr. Pine's, Duxford. The Rev. Mr. Town, of Royston, commenced the service of the day by prayer: Mr. Clayton, of Walden, preached; and Mr. Harris, of Cambridge, concluded with an address and prayer. The Rev. Mr. Dobson, of Chishill, preached in the evening. Oct. 30. The East Kent Association held their Half-yearly Meeting at Sion Chapel, Margate; when Mr. At wood preached in the morning, from Mal. iii. 16; and Mr. Shepherd in the evening, from Ps. ii. 18. Preceding evening Mr. Gurteen, from Isa. xii, 4. A discussion lately took place at Lincoln, at a Meeting for the adoption of the system of National Education, on an amendment moved by Sir R. Heron, That the plan of education adopted by the Meeting, should be such as not to exclude the children of Dissenters from the advantage of the education proposed; and that those children should be permitted to attend divine service at the respective places of their religious worship' A dehate arose, on the principle, that it militated against the fundamental object of the society. The Dean of Lincoln, with several clergymen and gentlemen, opposed the amendment, which was negatived; and the original resolutions carried. again in the evening, from Ps. cxviii. 25, latter clause. Nearly 200 people attended on the occasion from the adjacent villages; and the congregation was remarkably serious and attentive.. On the same day the Independent chapel in Southmolton, Devon, was re-opened for divine worship, after having received a general repair, when three sermons were prcached, by the Rev. S. Rooker, of Bideford, from Lukę iii. 16; Rev. W. H. Gardiner, of Barnstaple, from Rev. ii. 12; and by the Rev. J. Gunn, of Ilfracomb, from Phil. iii. 8. Mess. Thorne and Cope, the stated ministers, engaged in the devotional exercises.. The chapel was respectably attended.-Although œco"nomy has been rigidly observed, nearly 450l. have been expended on this occasion; part of which has been raised by the congregation and by a public subscription in the towns to which the clergyman and several gentlemen of the corporation of the place contributed; aud for the rest, the generosity of the public will be appealed to. Feb. 18, the New Baptist Chapel, Romsey, Hants, was opened for public worship. Mr. Shoveller, of Newport, introduced the service with reading and prayers; Mr. Mial, of Portsea, preached from Isaiah Ix. 13; and Mr. Giles, of Lymington, concluded. The uext inorning early a Meeting was held for prayer; and at half past ten a numerous congregafion met to witness the ordination of Mr. W. Yarnold, late of Bristol Academy, to the Pastoral office there. The service commenced with reading and prayer by Mr. Owens, of Southampton; Mr. Giles described the nature of a gospel church; Mr. Clare, of Dawnton, off red up the ordination prayer; Dr. Ryland, of Bristol, gave the charge, from 2 Chroa. xxix. 11; Mr. Saffery, of Salisbury, addressed the church from Neh ii. 17-20; and Mr. J. Bennett, of Romsey, closed the serWe vice with prayer. This decision clearly shews the principles on which the new system is founded. The children of Dissenters must be excluded from its privileges; or, if admitted, thoy must immediately conform to the establishment. are sorry to observe any thing which tends so obviously to separate Christians and Protestants from each other. Dec. 26. A small Independent place of worship was opened at Stritton Parva, a village about six miles from Leicester. The place will hold about 150 people, and has been erected by a Mr. Hudson and Mr. Stevens, from a desire of extending the kingdom of Imunanuel In the morning the Rev. E. Chater, of Kibworth, preached from Acts xxvi. 16; Mr. Harrison, a student at Rotherham, also preached from Isaiah xxviii. 16: Mr. Chater preached Rev S. Raban, late of Hackney Academy, was ordained Pastor of the congregation at Hope Chapel, Clifton Hot Wells. The solemn service was performed at Silver Street Chapel, London; Mr. Platt commenced by reading the scriptures, and prayer; Mr. Jones gave the introductory discourse,' asked the questions, and received Mr. Raban's confession of faith; Mr. Collison, Mr. Raban's tutor, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Jackson delivered a solemn and impressive charge: and Mr. Raban, of Wallingford, concluded. The next Meeting of the Wilts Association is to be held at Devizes, on the Wednesday in Easter Week; when the Rev. Mr. John Sibree is expected to preach, in the morning, On Salvation by Grace;' and Mr. Tozer in the after noon. The Second Anniversary of the Hert fordshire Union for the diffusion of religious knowledge through the towns and villages of the county, will be held at Hertford, April 22; when two sermons will be preached by Mr Newman, of Stepney, and by Dr. Winter, They are, at the same time, exposed to temptations, more fatal than fire, sword, or tempest; and we have failed to supply them with the only arms which they could wield in defence of their souls! A vast majority of them is (as might naturally be expected) sunk in the most awful depths of profligacy; and though exposed every instant, more than others, to be plunged from thence into the abyss of everlasting misery, we have lent no friendly hand for their recovery! O, if your readers heard the blasphemy and obscenity,-if they saw the drunkenness, and worse than brutal sensuality, that prevails (especially) among our navy, how would they shudder with horror!— how would they tremble to reflect Naval and Military Bible Society. means of stemming the torrent of on their own listlessness to the only of London. The Hampshire Association will hold their Half-yearly Meeting at Ring wood, on April 23. Mr. Griffin to preach on the true causes of decay in religion, and the best means to promote revival. To the Editor. Sir, I HOPE the attention of many among the multitude of your readers will prove to have been excited by the extracts, in your January Magazine, from the Report of the Naval and Military Bible Society, and from the letter of Capt. Close, the pious and zealous Secretary of that very important Institution. The extreme deficiency of its support, compared with the extensive and urgent demands for assistance from it, must have produced astonishment and deep regret in every considerate mind, Such neglect of the spiritual necessities of hundreds of thousands of our fellow-subjects, who have gone forth with their lives in their hands,' for our protection in the enjoyment of all that is dear to us, is difficult to be accounted for. On the good conduct and ultimate success of our soldiers and sailors, in defence of our property, our liberties, and our lives, under the favour of God, every thing, at this affecting crisis, depends. Yet they are not only enduring, for this purpose, dangers innumerable, and hardships inexpressible; they are unavoidably deprived, for our sakes, of every religious advantage, but that of reading the BIBLE; and with this, we have taken no care to furnish them! 6 destruction! Let us repent of our past negli gence, and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. By way of incitement, let me add, that the applications which have been received. by the Naval and Military Bible Society from 21,420 sailors and soldiers, form but a small proportion of those which may be expected from the whole of our Navy and Army, when opportunities occur for transmitting their requests. Only a third part of the inquiries which the Society had laudably made on the subject, have yet been answered. On the zeal, activity, and fidelity of the Society's agents, the fullest reliance may be placed; and their patronage, happily, is such as will ensure access to our ships of war, military depots, and garrisons; but the sanction of the Most High has reproved the backwardness, as well as ensured the success of our efforts, by bringing some hundreds of our brave sailors already, and almost miraculously, to genuine and fervent piety. While we have been straining every nerve to raise up Missionaries, and to gain access for them to every quarter of the globe, God has raised up an host of Missionaries in our various ships of war; to whom we have only to send the Scrip tures, that they may read and enforce them amidst crowds of Britons more depraved than Heathens themselves.. LONDON. ON Thursday, May 12, a meeting was held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, to take into consideration the present state of the Academy at Newport Pagnel; which has for upwards of 30 years been supported with considerable usefulness by private endowment, J. WALKER, Esq. in the Chair. By the statements then read, it appears, that on the demise of the Rev. W. Bull, now in his 74th year, the Endowment fails, and the Institution must cease, unless seasonable exertion be made. The following resolutions were unanimously adapted : 1. That this meeting, taking into consideration the statement now read respecting Newport Seminary, its eligible situation, its suitable accommodations, the advantages which have for years past arisen from it, and the extensive field of usefulness connected with it, are of opinion, that its permanent establishment and enlargement are exceedingly desireable. That the statement be referred to a Committee, who shall adopt such regulations as they shall consider proper for the advancement of the object. That the Committee shall consist of twelve. That the Rev. G. Burder, J. Jackson, R. Stodhart, G. Towns, and Messrs. Bateman, Brooks, Dyer, Neale, Scott, Pellatt, and Savage, be a Committee. That Henry Thornton, Esq. be requested to act as Treasurer to this Institution; and the Rev. W. Chapman as Secretary. That a book for Donations and Annual Subscriptions be now opened. A subscription was immediately entered into; which affords a pleasing encouragement, to conclude this useful Institution will be preserved from decay. Auxiliary Society. As a proof of what may be done by the persevering zeal of a few persons, though by no means wealthy, we mention with pleasure the exertions of the Bethnal Green Auxiliary Society, established Jan. 1, 1810, in aid of the Missionary Society. At their second anniversary, held Jan. 21, 1812, Dr. Collyer preached a sermon on the occasion, when the collection and subscriptions amounted to 17. 6s. It is expected that about £100 will thus be raised in the present year. How many hundreds annually might thus be raised, and how many Missionaries employed, if ministers, and others would exert themselves in a similar manner! The occasion for such exertions was never greater than at present, as the expenditure of the Missionary Society is, this year, expected to exceed its income more than Two Thousand Pounds! A Society has recently been established, called The West London Auxiliary Society,' in aid of the Religious Tract Society. The design of this Institution is to distribule Tracts at home and abroad, especially among sick persons and Sunday school children. Mr. Page, 9, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, Treasurer; Mr. Webster, 16, Poland Street, Secretary; and Mr. M'Donald, 81, Berwick Street, Assistant Secretary. the Common Council of the city of A proposal was lately made in London, to grant £500 to the National Education Society; which was negatived by a majority of six,— the numbers being 47 for, and 53 against the motion. Vauxhall Chapel has lately been re-opened by the Rev. Thos. Gardner, who is now the stated minister. RECENT DEATHS. Dec. 1, 1811, William Taylor, Esq. of Newgate Street, London, aged 82. He had been a member of the Baptist Church, in Prescott Street, above 60 years; and became a deacon of it soon after Mr. Booth became the Pastor. His simplicity of manners endeared him to all his friends. In his last illness, his, patience and submission were remarkably conspicuous and edifyfying. His memory will be che rished by many persons, of all deno- Being claims upon him, he has left nearly the whole of his fortune, which was very considerable, to charitable institutions. Died at Warminster, Wilts, on Feb. 18, Mrs. Berry, the excellent and affectionate wife of the Rev. Joseph Berry, of that town. LIST of the Committee of Deputies, appointed to protect the Civil Rights of the Three Denominations of Protestant Dissenters, for the year, 1812-W. Smith, Esq. M. P. Chairman; J. Gurney, Esq. Deputy Chair man; J. Gutteridge, Esq. Treasurer; J. Collins, Esq. Deputy Treasurer; J. Stonard, J. Towle, S. Favell, H. Waymouth, J. T. Rutt, J. Bunnell, G. Hammond, T. Stiff, W. Freme, J. Luck, W. Hale, T. Wilson, N. Child, Eb. Maitland, T. Maitland, W. Alers, J. Wilson, J. Addington, J. Benwell, W. Esdaile, and W. Savill, Esquires. THE progressive state of misery and vice seems to be strongly indicated by the following statement of the increase of criminal offences in the metropolis. - Return of the number of persons charged with criminal offences, committed to the different gaols in the cities of London and Westminster, and county of Middlesex, for trial, at the several Sessions held at the Old Bailey, in the years 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, and 1810: 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 Number of Persons accused 899 1017 1110 1240 1767 Summary of the Census of the Inhabitants of Great Britain, lately taken. MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c. Auxiliary Society, including a Collection by the Rev. G. An Unknown Friend, towards the Purchase of a Ship to trade A Creole Servant Maid Rev. James Scott and Friends, Eastwood, Yorkshire Cambridge Auxiliary Bible and Missionary Society; being a moiety of its Receipts by Subscriptions and Donations for the year 1811, by Mr. John Audley, Treasurer A Young Lady, per Dr. Haweis A Young Gentleman, per Dr. Haweis A Friend, Ditto, ditto dilto Mrs. C. by the Rev. Mr. Greig J. H. L. T. |
