desire for the well-being and extension of this Society.

The Rev. Basil Woodd seconded the resolution. He observed, that to those who loved the Established Church of this kingdom, it was most gratifying to observe the increasing zeal displayed by her in the present day. The Society the meeting was now met to support, was styled, "A Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts;" and it had been mainly instrumental in preserving the colonies dependent upon this empire from the contagion of heathen vices, by the constant supply of welleducated and excellent clergymen and able teachers. He believed he was correct in stating, that, in the year 1748, there was no Christian establishment in Nova Scotia; but now there were in that country, no less than twenty-eight clergymen, and fortyfour schools. In 1782, so destitute was Canada, that, in the whole of that vast district, there was no place of worship. At the present time, it possessed twenty-four clergymen and nineteen schools, while Lower Canada had 103 missionaries and 100 schools. In Africa, and in various parts of the East Indies, similar changes had taken place, and it was the intention of the Society materially to increase its labours in this latter vast territory, which contained no less than 80 millions of souls, but not more than one million of even professing Christians, the remaining 79 millions being sunk in the most awful state of heathenism. Those unhappy persons had the strongest claim upon British liberality, yet it was not till within the last thirty years that any exertions had been made in their favour. He trusted that such exertions would be made in this country as should give to the Society a power of carrying their blessings to a far greater extent than they had heretofore been enabled to do; and as a member of the Established Church, though he sincerely wished prosperity to all truly beneficial societies, he was especially interested in the success of this particular one.

The Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart (Bishop of Quebec Elect) proposed the formation of a District Committee, to promote the interests of the Parent

Society. He dwelt upon the very im portant assistance which this Society rendered in the Canadian territory, which indeed gave it a peculiar claim upon the public support, from the subsisting connection between the people of North America and this country. The funds of the Society were, he regretted, very deficient, but he relied upon the liberality of the Meeting to supply much of that deficiency.

The Rev. Archdeacon Bayley seconded the resolution.

The Rev. Christopher Benson moved that the Lord Bishop of the Diocese be requested to act as Patron of the Society. He observed, that the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts could now come before the public with still stronger claims than ever to that public support, which he trusted and felt convinced would be given to it. The Government of the country had done much to promote its success, and would undoubtedly continue so to do; but the Government ought not to be left comparatively unaided in the good work. The people of England ought to come forward with energy and liberality to its support, and then success would be made certain; for the Society had an ample field for labour, and only wanted the means to make it yield a plentiful harvest-a harvest that would amply reward all, whọ assisted to gather it in.

Mr. George Marriott seconded the resolution.

The Rev. Joseph Simpson proposed the list of Officers of this Society, and the resolution was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Otter.

The Rev. Professor Le Bas, Rector of Shadwell, moved a resolution for the meetings of the Committee, which was seconded by John Thornton, Esq.

The Rev. J. W. Cunningham congratulated the Meeting on the energy displayed by the Parish of Clapham, on the present as well as on many other occasions, when an opportunity was afforded them of forwarding the cause of the Gospel. He hoped, as a new plant had been planted in India, it would be watered by the Divine blessing, and shed its influence over all parts of that extensive country. He was always glad to see a Society

endeavouring to graft itself on the affections of the middle and lower classes of society, and throwing around itself a rampart of the hearts of the British people. If he were asked why be were a cordial friend to this Society, he would say, first, because of its antiquity; 2dly, because of its more immediate connexion with the Established Church; and 3dly, because it was the first Missionary Society in this country. He had always found, that what was old had something strongly to recommend itself to the judgment and opinions of men. He would say of the Established Church, that the longer he knew it, the more he regarded it; because the more often he recollected that it was the religion of thousands and tens of thousands of wise and good men, that he was not cast alone upon the waters, but that there were millions who were treading the same path to immortality. When it was argued that the Society had not done much, he would reply, that for a length of time it was the only Society that did any thing, and that it was the first to commence the work of converting the world. He was glad to have this opportunity of advocating the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and would endeavour to follow up the principle in that parish with which he was more immediately connected, so as to graft upon the Society another branch. He believed that nothing was better calculated to benefit his parish, to promote the interests of his church, to serve his country, and to promote the cause of God. He concluded by moving a vote of thanks to the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart, for having attended the Meeting.

Mr. W. C. Walters seconded the resolution, and laimented that the Society had been hitherto so inefficiently supported; but he was confident when its proceedings and objects were fully known, that the members of the Established Church would gladly contribute their money and exertions to forward the pious work. He alluded to the circumstances which led to the establishment of the Society — the -wretched state of the first settlers in America almost destitute of any worship whatsoever, and of the word of God-without Churches, without

Ministers, without Sacraments. Such was the deplorable picture; a number of flourishing states, spreading over a great extent of country, increasing in wealth, power, and populousness, yet at the same time degenerating from the manners and faith of their ancestors, and sinking into ignorance and irreligion. In less than a century, indeed, the majority of the people knew little more of religion than the common notion of a Deity. To this picture he would direct the attention of those who doubted the importance of missions, religious institutions, and a standing ministry. The condition of those settlers was a forcible proof of the advantage which mankind derive from Christianity, not only with respect to the future, but to the present life; from this source they had derived most of the advantages and comforts of civilized life. After alluding to the Episcopal Church of the United States of North America, which, he observed, evidenced, by the purity of its doctrine and the piety of its members, the zeal and utility of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, from whence it sprang; he enforced the duty of providing for the religious instruction of those provinces of North America now under the dominion of Great Britain. He further urged the glorious prospect which is now opening upon us in our Eastern empire, as a motive for more extended exertion: concluding with expressing an earnest hope that Great Britain, which had carried her arms and her enterprize into every corner of the earth, would be foremost in conveying the everlasting Gospel to all nations.

Thanks were then voted to the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart, who acknowledged the honour paid to him; and declared, that the best proof which they could give of their sincerity, would be by the liberality of their contributions.

Mr. Marriott read, by desire of Dr. Stewart, a letter which he had received from America, describing the particulars of a visitation among the tribes of Indians, within an extensive district.

The Rev. G. C. Gorham, Mr. Lloyd, Mr.Thornton, and Mr.Thomas Hankey, proposed several other resolutions of

thanks to the Chairman and other gentlemen, who had always been zealous in promoting the success of this Society.

The Chairman congratulated the Meeting on the, establishment of the present District Committee in this parish, and he anticipated from it the best effects. He hoped that in future the reproach would be wiped away from the Established Church, of being indifferent to the diffusion of the blessings of this Society. He trusted that the Meeting would come forward liberally in its support. They were now ready to receive contributions, and the smallest, as well as the largest, would be most thankfully received. In the parish of St. Botolph's, Bishopsgate, a Committee had been formed, under the auspices of its pious, learned, and indefatigable Rector, Bishop Blomfield; and he believed there were nearly 70 subscribers, of 5s. yearly. They could not follow a better example.

RESOLUTIONS.

1. That the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, having for more than a century prosecuted its important objects with great benefit to the Plantations and Colonies belonging to the Crown of England, and having recently extended its operations to the British dominions in the East, deservedly claims the cordial approbation and support of all sincere Christians.

2. That a District Committee in aid of the Society be now formed for Clapham and its vicinity; and that all annual Subscribers of half-a-Guinea, or of any larger sum, and all Contributors of Five Guineas or upwards, be -Members of this Committee.

3. That the Lord Bishop of the Dio

cese be respectfully requested to accept the office of Patron.

4. That the Rev. W. Dealtry be the President. That the Hon. and Rev. W. L. Addington, the Hon. James Stewart, Sir R. H. Inglis, Bart. M. P., Thomas Hankey, Esq., Benjamin Harrison, Esq., John Thornton, Esq., be Vice-Presidents. That Henry Sykes Thornton, Esq. be Treasurer. And that the Rev. Henry Laing, LL.D. be Secretary.

5. That the Committee meet once a quarter, in order to further the objects of the Society, and that they be empowered to prepare an Annual Report.

6. That the Annual Subscriptions become due at Christmas; that the Annual Meeting be held as soon after Christmas as circumstances will admit; and that the smallest Donations and Subscriptions will be thankfully received.

7. That this Meeting gladly embraces the opportunity afforded by the presence of the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart, to express the cordial satisfaction, with which they have heard of his appointment to the Bishopric of Quebec, and they hereby offer to him the tribute of their warmest wishes for his health and happiness, and for the success of his pious labours in the important station to which Providence has called him.

8. That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the Rev. Anthony Hamilton, Secretary to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

9. That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Rev. W. Dealtry, for his able conduct in the Chair.

The sum collected after the Sermon and at the meeting amounted to 1451.

A MEETING was lately held for the purpose of forming a District Committee in aid of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, at the Magistrates' Chamber in Aylesbury, Sir J. D. King in the Chair.

The Rev. Mr. Finch having apologized for the absence of the Earl of Buckinghamshire, the Hon. R. Smith,

the Rev. Sir Geo. Lee, Mr. Rickford, and the Rev. Mr. Rush, opened the business of the Meeting. He said that the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was incorporated in the year 1701, during the reign of William III. Its first object was to send Missionaries to North America, and it was a proud consideration that the existence of an epis

copal church in that country was in consequence of the efforts of this Society. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge had been previously established, but that Society had now transferred to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel the part of its original business which regarded the sending abroad Missionaries. This Society now sent Missionaries to many other parts of the world. Still the demand for Missionaries was so much increased, that treble the number were required that were employed in 1816, and for the last four years the expenses of the institution had exceeded its income by 6,000l. a-year. He therefore called upon all persons for support, more particularly upon the members of the Established Church, as the institution could not go on without increased funds.

The Rev. Basil Woodd gave a short detail of the commencement and beneficial progress of the Society. He alluded to the formation of the Society in 1701, and said that the spiritual necessities of our colonies abroad loudly called for relief and assistance. Many of them were then totally destitute of ministers and the means of public worship, while infidelity and superstition had awfully increased. At this period an exemplary clergyman, the Rev. Dr. Bray, suggested the formation of this Society. It was reported that in 1748 there were no churches in Nova Scotia; there were now in that province 28 clergymen and 44 schools. Canada

was in the same destitute condition: it now possessed 24 clergymen and 19 schools. The total number of missionaries in the North American territory amounted to 103, and the number of schools to 100. Of late years the Society has directed its attention to Africa. At Cape Town an episcopal church was erected, and a national school consisting of 328 children. Missionaries also had been stationed at the Bermudas, New South Wales, and Norfolk Island. Since the appointment of Bishop Middleton to the metropolitan city of Calcutta, the Society had directed its attention to India. That distinguished Prelate had strenuously recommended the erection of a Mission College for the specific object of the translation of the sacred

VOL. VIII. NO. 1.

Scriptures into the various dialects of Hindostan, and for the education of missionaries and schoolmasters for the instruction of the natives. The proposal met with the zealous co-operation of the Society, in an immediate grant of 5,000l. together with the appropriation of the sums raised in consequence of the King's letter. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge immediately testified their cordial approbation of the missionary establishment by a vote of 5,000l., and also a subsequent grant of 6,000l. for the endowment of five scholarships, to be henceforth designated "Bishop Middleton's Scholarships." The Society for Missions to Africa and the East, commonly called the Church Missionary Society, in the month fo!lowing, passed an unanimous vote of 5,000l. towards the building of the College, and had subsequently remitted the farther sum of 3,000l. in aid of the general design. Shortly after, the Bible Society granted 5,000l. for the specific object of translating the Holy Scriptures at the Mission College. Since the adoption of this measure, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge had transferred to the superintendence of the incorporated Society five European missionaries and six native teachers. In the establishment of an episcopalian government in the West Indies, the Society had also been eminently instrumental. The Bishops of Barbadoes and Jamaica had commenced their arduous functions, and it was humbly expected, by the Divine blessing, that the most essential benefits would result from their superintendence. In Barbadoes the Society had a school of eighty-eight little negroes. These now read the New Testament, and learnt to repeat, in Scripture language, "The Faith and Duty of a Christian," abridged from the Institutes of Bishop Gastrell. Religious instruction appeared advancing among the slave population, and the clergy took their regular turns in superintending their education. In Nova Scotia a College existed, known by the name of King's College, to which, at the representation of Dr. Inglis, the present Bishop, who had stated its dilapidated condition and urgent want of support, as well as its importance to the

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