him? but how could the same result be expected from young men who went out and succeeded each other with such rapidity, and who had not time to take those measures of which one a long time in the country could easily avail himself? After pointing out the extent of the districts in which the missionaries had to operate, he contended that the number of those engaged in the work fell far short of what was required.

He thought the society required concentration, but he would not withdraw one from the station he now occupied. He suggested that their number should be increased-that there should be so many at each large station as thatif one was removed by death or enervated by disease, the business of the mission should not be at a stand-but that others might be on the spot to take up the labour and carry it on. In order to achieve this great object, he recommeded increased exertions throughout the country. They bad an encouragement in the great increase of their funds in this year. But their funds came from probably 3000 churches in the country. Why should not each church exert itself to give an increased stimulus to missionary exertions? He should like to see some of the rich men of the country giving support to one or two or more missionaries, according to the extent of their means, which they might do without any diminution of their present rank and state in society. He threw out the same suggestions to some of the rich churches of the country. Let them recollect that there were eight hundred millions of their fellow-men in the darkness and vice of heathenism. Let them attack that great enemy of human happiness, and attack it on its own shores; let them increase their missionary labours, and they might expect, with God's blessing, to see results a hundredfold more than they could yet show. The Hon and Rev. Speaker, after expressing his surprise and regret that more young men of talent had not offered themselves for these missions, went on to show that few, if any of them, presented those difficulties at the present day, which the early missionaries had to encounter ; the way was smoothed for those who

might now go out, and instead of the fierce cannibal whom the best missionaries of the society had to deal with, the missionary of the present day would find a mau considerably advanced in civilization—one who had exchanged the axe and the musket for the loom and the plough -who was, in fact, changed from a ferocious and almost intractable savage, to a mild and civilized man, knowing and valuing the arts by which so great an improvement had been made in his condition, and ready to show his gratitude to the successors of those pious men who had been the means of releasing him from his former destitute condition. If the three thousand churches, from which he supposed a great portion of the income of the society was derived, would but make a renewed effort, and each only to double its present amount of subscriptions, they would give an increase of missionary means, the results of which would be incalculable. They would soon hear-or if it did not occur in their time, its advent could not be long beyond it -of prayer and the praise of the Lord from districts and countries which were now the haunts of the wandering savage, but which would then present scenes of civilization and industry, of religion, morality, and peace, and from which a contented and happy people would send forth hosannahs to the Son of David. Such a state would be only a prelude to the general peace and harmony of mankind; and what a gratification to every member of the society to have to say, I have done my part in this great work.' In conclusion, the Hon. and Rev. gentleman pronounced a warm eulogy on the late Noble President of the Society; all that now remained to the society, was to catch a double portion of Lord Gambier's spirit and energy in the same grand cause, and to join in that anthem in which he no doubt had taken a part, of Glory to God on high on earth peace; good will towards men."

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The Meeting was also addressed by the Bishops of Winchester, and Lichfield and Coventry; the Marquis of Cholmondeley; the Rev. Messrs. Bickersteth, Harlewood, Stowell, Venn, and Ward, and the meeting adjourned.

very encouraging, from the increased desire of the Jews to search the Scriptures, and to listen to the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. It was true that many difficulties had arisen in the course of the year, but still the work of Jewish conversion was going on, by the simple preaching and reading the Scriptures. In Holland, Poland, and several parts of Germany it had been greatly successful. In Smyrna, the labours of the Society had assumed a most promising aspect. In Algiers also, the agents of the Society had begun to operate; and with the hope of being able to do much good. The Report concluded by exhorting Christians, by the memory of the injuries which their ancestors had inflicted on the Jews in this country, to do all in their power to conciliate them, and to let them see practically that the religion of Jesus was the religion of true charity and brotherly love.

The Meeting was addressed by the Revs. E. Bickersteth, J. Hatchard, A. M'Caul, H. Stowell, W. A. Evanson. R. Shaw, J. P. Plumtree, Esq. M. P. Sir. G. Rose, Bart. M. P. &c.

The speech of Mr. M'CAUL, one of the Society's missionaries, appeared to us most interesting. Adverting to the numerous and important changes which were taking place in the world, he could not but regard them as indications that the time for Zion's salvation was come. They were rising up and shaking off their former opinions and prejudices; and though with respect to some of them, Judaism had been exchanged for infidelity, even that change was, in itself, remarkable. For 1700 years, they had been bound down by Rabbinical principles; now they were inquiring for themselves; availing themselves of the benefits of education; cultivating what was called Christian learning; casting off favourite customs; renouncing their distinguishing dress, mingling freely in the company of Christians, the persons they once shunned and hated. Then, he thought, that the efforts of Christians in behalf of the Jews, might be regarded as another proof that the time of their salvation was nigh. How did the heathen of old know that the day of grace was come

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to them? Why, when they found that Jews, who had formely been so prejudiced against them, went amongst them and preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. By the same sign the Jews would know that their day of grace was come. Then, look at the manner in which these exertions to spread the knowledge of the truth were regarded by the Jews themselves, In the north of Europe, the number of Jews was great; in Russia, perhaps, about 1,300,000, in Poland, 400,000, not including Prussian and Austrian Poland. The Gospel had been preached to many of these by the Scottish missionaries and others, and the rooms in which they preached had been crowded. Several of them had received books, and some had made a good confession of faith in Christ, and had been baptised in his name. Mr. M'Caul then related several instances in which converts had given decided proofs of their constancy, and had been the means of converting others of their brethren. The distribution of books had been attended with the divine blessing; though he could have wished that the offer of the books had been entirely gratuitous, as, however the price might be reduced, the poverty of the Jews in Poland prevented them from purchasing. In some cases, the Jews themselves had mentioned this, as arguing but small affection for them on the part of Christians. The meeting could hardly be aware of the extreme ignorance of most of the Jews in Poland on the subject of Christianity: the fact was, that all they knew of Christianity, was from seeing crucifixes stuck up on every rising ground, and finding those who bear the Christian name bowing down to them, and ascribing cures and miracles to them. Hence the very word they employed, when speaking of crucifixes, was synonimous with idols; and they considered Christians were as much idolators as the ancient Canaanites and Amalekites. It was of importance, therefore, that instruction should be imparted to them, and the instances of success which had attended the operattons of the society were sufficiently encouraging to induce per

severance.

THE Twenty-seventh Anniversary of this society, took place at Exeter Hall, on Saturday May 4, the Marquis of Cholmondeley in the chair.

The Rev. J. Hatchard opened the meeting with prayer, when the Noble Chairman addressed the meeting, and congratulated them on the continued success of the society. It was highly gratifying, that in the course of the year several thousands had been added to the numbers who attended their schools in Ireland, Roman Catholics as well as Protestants. There were few institutions which had stronger claims on the attention of the public, than that in aid of which this meeting was assembled. He had seen a little work on the subject, published by a Rev. gentleman, who was a long time in connexion with the society,* and which, in a manner calculated to allay prejudice, pointed out in clear and strong terms, the plan and objects of the Society. The object was, the diffusion of the benefits of a religious education in the sister country-an object which all must feel an interest in who valued the peace and happiness of that part of the United Kingdom.

The report stated that the number of schools and scholars in connexion with the society, had been greatly increased within the year. The number of schools was 1690, and the number of scholars 100,113, and after deducting those who attended both day and Sunday-schools, 82,399 had derived benefit from the society. This was an increase of 121 schools, and 8,674 scholars in the past year. There were 2,524 Roman Catholics in the schools in Ireland this year more than the preceding. The number of Day-schools was 770, containing 62,712 scholars; of whom 27,014 were Catholics, and 35,698 Protestants. The number of Sunday-schools was 494, containing 29,116 scholars; of whom 17,459 attended the day-schools The number of adult schools was 419, and the number of those who attended were 7,882. Thes schools were spread over 29 counties in Ireland. There

* Brief Account of London Hibernian Society, by the Rev. T. Webster.

had, in the course of the past year, been distributed by the society, 6,712 Bibles and 19,612 Testaments -being a total of 26,324 copies; and making from the commencement a distribution of 299,677 Bibles and Testaments, besides some bundreds of thousands of spellingbooks. The amount of income in the last year was £9,170. 9s. 5d. The expenditure was £8,679. 13s. 2d. but as there had been a balance due to the treasurer from the previous year, which was since paid off, there remained a balance against the society of £94. 2s. 2d. Among the contributions received within the year, was one of £30. from Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land, being the fourth donation from that colony, for the purpose of aiding Scriptural Education in Ireland. The report concluded by making a powerful appeal to the meeting to continue their unabated exertions in a cause which gave promise of such glorious results.

The Earl of WINCHELSEA observed that it was impossible to look at the condition of that part of the United Kingdom to which the operations of the Society more directly referred, without feeling deep sorrow at the state of mental degradation to which so many of its inhabitants were reduced. He had scarcely words to describe what he felt åt knowing that condition, and at finding the immense catalogue of crime, which was now daily presented amongst its inhabitants-and from what cause did this proceed? In his opinion, it was chiefly owing to the length of time in which that country had been left in darkness and ignorance. Could they witness this state of mental and moral destitution without feeling that they owed it as a duty to their God and to their country, whose welfare was in so great a degree involved-to take the means within their reach of bringing those so destitute to a knowledge of the great truths contained in the Sacred Scriptures-to a knowledge of God-and to a sense of the duty they owed to their fellow-creatures?-for it would not be denied that a due sense of religion was the surest and best foundation

for moral and political conduct. And the meeting might rest assured that the condition of the people of Ireland in both respects would not be improved until pains had been taken to give them religious instruction to give them a religious education founded upon a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. When he considered the system of national education which had been adopted in Ireland with the sanction and support of the government-when he considered that was an education not founded on the whole Biblethat only mutilated extracts were given, and even these not from the authorized version, but partly from the Douay translation-when he considered that this was not the Scriptural education which it was the object of the Society to diffuse-nay, when it was decidedly opposed to that which experience had shown was alone calculated to root out the errors of superstition and the vices of irreligion, he thought they were all bound as sincerely believing Christians to come forward and assist in promoting an object which in its results was so important to the cause of truth.

The

Rev. J. W. CUNNINGHAM of Harrow, said that he knew of no Society which had stronger claims on their support than the present. It had, amongst others, this peculiar claim--that it gave the greatest share of Scriptural knowledge at the least possible expensetwo circumstances which, in the present state of Ireland, was of the highest importance. He felt much gratified that the Committee had abstained from any comments on any other society, or on any other system of education which had for its object the instruction of the people of Ireland. After lamenting the bareful effects of so many conflicting opinions raised by party feelings, in which simple truth seemed scarcely to be the object of some, Mr. C. confessed he had himself been, in this respect, a culprit, and taken too bigotted and passionate a view of Irish questions. He felt constrained to differ from the Noble Earl (of Winchelsea) in some part of his remarks, yet he would, if he might be permitted, extend the hand of fellowship to him, for they all knew that in certain great points

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they owed him a debt of gratitude; but however much he might concur with the Noble Earl, and many of those around him, in wishing that every system of education was upon the same plan as this Society, he must, at the same time admit, that those who had sanctioned а different system of education in that country, not only might have done so from the best and purest of motives, but that the plan itself might, under existing circumstances, be reckoned wise and expedient. They were, and the country was, in circumstances in which they could not apply the best system-if they were, they would, no doubt, have given them them that of the London Hibernian; but as they could not give them the best, they preferred giving the best they could They went upon the principle that, 'what cannot be cured must be endured.' If they could not have schools to which the great mass of the children of Ireland might come, they were justified in such a modification of the plan, as would remove the chief obstacles to their attendance; for surely the very best plan that could be devised would be of no avail, if objections existed which would prevent the children from attending, and availing themselves of it. If they did not give the children the whole Bible as a school book, they had a selection of passages from the Bible, which were considered such as could create no difference. The children under the new system had also, and perhaps this was not generally known, the whole of the Gospel of St. Luke, in the Protestant version. Was not this an advantage to those who had been so long, neglected and deprived of any portion of the Scriptures? Surely a little knowledge of the Scripture was better than none at all. It was something to have the opportunity of reading that which would give them a taste for reading and knowing more. was admitted that the Kildare system was not a perfect one. When in Ireland, where Mr. C. visited one of the central schools of that Society in Dublin, the children were taught by as ranka Papist as

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