The Report having been read by the Rev. T. T. Walmsley, the Secretary, his Grace thus resumed :-

"I rise with great satisfaction, after hearing this Report, because it developes most clearly the progress of the national system under the care of your Committee. It appears that the number of scholars in your Central School has increased one hundred and sixty-nine; making the number now in attendance nine hundred and seventy-four, being as many as the school can conveniently hold; a decisive proof that the master and mistress have discharged their duty. The state of the Central School is a matter of the very first importance, on the ground that it is the resort from whence all other schools are to receive information.

"The training of masters, another important branch of the Committee's care, has received particular attention; and great numbers of those, thus trained, are now diffusing the system both in this kingdom and abroad. These exertions have not been made without incurring great expense; and it appears that the disbursements have exceeded the annual receipts by upwards of 1000%. This circumstance has been occasioned by many persons having withdrawn their subscriptions from the general fund, and applied them to the support of schools in their own immediate neighbourhood. The expense of training masters in the Central School alone, during the last year, has been upwards of 5002.

"The extent to which the labours of the Committee have gone may be estimated, when we learn that no fewer than two hundred and thirtythree schools have been united to this Society in the course of the last year, making the whole number now united one thousand and nine.

"Your attention is farther called to the increased number of children now under instruction in the principles of the Established Church. It is estimated that the scholars now taught upon the plan and principles of our Society, of whom no official intimation has been received by the

Committee, amount to no less than forty thousand. Of these it is probable that many are, in fact, united to District Committees in the country, though no regular return has yet been received from them. I am happy to say, that the scholars, of whom regufar returns have been received by the Secretary, amount to one hundred and fifty-five thousand. The number of scholars now educating, according to the plan and principles of our Society, cammot, therefore, be much less than two hundred thousand. When you connect this statement with the rapid succession of scholars which takes place in our schools, some idea may be formed of the good which has been done, and which is now doing throughout the island. Nor has the benefit of our plan been confined to this kingdom only; the colonies and several foreign nations have largely participated; a reflection which, to the liberal feelings of an Englishman, will afford the highest gratification.

"The expenditure of our funds has proceeded nearly to their whole extent; and, I trust, we have not been faulty in giving an assurance, that although there is a deficiency at present, we expect a fresh spring in the bounty of our fellow countrymen: Three thousand pounds only now remain, and this we will liberally dispense, trusting, that when the public know our wants, and see our efforts, we shall not have reason to regret our liberality.

"The result of the whole appears to be, that with a sum of about 30,0002. upwards of a thousand schools have been united with this Society, and two hundred thousand children are enjoying the benefit of a religious education. We hope this result shows that your Committee have endeavoured to do their duty. It must not, and will not be forgotten, that putting books into the hands of this immense population may be the means of doing infinite good, if rightly superintended; and the means of doing infinite mischief, if left loose and undirected to their proper channel." Mr. Joshua Watson, the treasurer,

stated, that the Vice-Chancellor and the Lord Chief Baron, the auditors of the accounts, had commissioned him to express their satisfaction at being enabled to render their services to the Society-Various persons of distinction spoke at the meeting, and concurred in testifying the merits and the importance of the institution.

AN ANECDOTE.

DIFFICULT as the consequence of reproof may appear to a delicate mind; yet if the conviction of its propriety was more frequently attended to, effects would, most probably, be often produced; which, if not accompanied with the desired change in the party reproved, might administer some secret satisfaction to the reprover. The writer of the subsequent occurrence, some years since, dined at an ordinary; when his feelings were, for a long time, painfully exercised by the profaneness and indecency, which distinguished the conversation of a person who sat near to him, of genteel appearance. At length overcome by the horrid impiety he interposed with "Hush!" This was immediately resented with "What you mean?" The reply was, "You swore, Sir;" which occasioned an expected return of indignant observations; when, in answer, it was suggested, "You doubtless would be considered a gentleman: now, true politeness must necessarily discover itself in endeavouring to avoid every thing which might excite pain in the minds of our company; and you appear, Sir, not to recollect, that oaths and curses cannot but be offensive to

do

persons of the least moral decency." Reflections upon religion ensued, and methodism was a term not omitted: to all which, retiring, I observed, "Sir, religion is not the subject of my address: my appeal is made to Four feelings, independent of the awful sanctions of that sacred subject. Had you a friend, whose remembrance was dear; if his name was reproachfully used, you would consider yourself bound to vindicate it to the utmost of your power. Remember, Sir, when you are profan

ing the glorious name of God, some one may be present who may rejoice in this, that God is his friend; and who, consequently, cannot hear with indifference his honour attacked."

Truth triumphed; for, as the writer was informed, this confession was extorted, "We are bad fellows, and require to be taken down sometimes.”

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No. 2.]

THE LIFE OF IGNATIUS. (Abridged from Cox's Lives of the Fathers.) IGNATIUS, surnamed THEOPHORUS,* the celebrated bishop of Antioch, was born about the year of our Lord 28. It is certain that at a very early age he was acquainted with the apostles. Chrysostom informs us, that "he was educated by them, always with them, and admitted not merely to their familiar discourses, but to their most

private conferences." We learn also, from the account of his martyrdom, which was written by some who were eye-witnesses of that solemn scene, that he and Polycarp were fellow-disciples of the apostle John."

Having spent many years in this holy society, and given evident marks of exalted piety, Ignatius was placed by the apostle Paul over the Gentile Church at Antioch, the metropolis of Syria. This city, illustrious in the annals of history as the oriental seat of the Roman emperors and their governors, will ever be memorable in the Church of Christ, as the place where the disciples were first called Christians.t. The apostles Paul and Peter are generally acknowledged by the ancients to have jointly contributed in establishing Christianity in this populous city; the former applying himself to the Gentiles, and the latter to the Jews. At length being called off to the ministry of other churches, they appointed Ignatius and Euodius to superintend their respec

Theophorus, one who carries God in his breast;-a name probably given to Ig; natius, on account of his soul being filled with the love of God, and sanctified with an extraordinary portion of Divine grace. † Acts xi. 26. VOL. II:

[VOL. II.

tive flocks. In these situations they. · both continued till the death of Euodius; when the Jewish and Gentile converts were incorporated into one church, and Ignatius set over it by alive. those of the apostles who were still This event took place in the seventieth year of our Lord, and four and Peter; Ignatius being upwards, years after the martyrdom of Paul of forty years of age.

The assiduous attention of Ignatius to the spiritual welfare of his flock, could alone be equalled by his affection for them. Although they were have watched over them with the exceedingly numerous, he appears to anxiety of a parent. He was, indeed, in a remarkable degree divested of every thing that is selfish; and, for a long term of successive years, seemed to live only to promote the best interests of his people. Whilst eminent for his fortitude in encountering difficulties, he was not deficient in symAlthough pathy for the afflicted.

death, in its most frightful forms," to use the language of an ancient writer, "could make no more impression upon

the adamantine mind of

Ignatius, than the dashing waves upon felt the tenderest anxiety for his peoa rock of marble," he, nevertheless, ple; and whilst he himself was longever rejoiced on their account at every ing for the crown of martyrdom, he interval of calm, fearing lest any of his weaker brethren should be overpowered with the storm of perse

cution.

Zeal to preserve his people from the contagion of false doctrine was another prominent trait in the character of Ignatius. Not contented with feeding his flock with the sin3

cere milk of the Word, he solemnly warned them against heretics;*"beasts in the shape of men ;"-for whose conversion, indeed, they were fervently to pray, but utterly to abjure their society.

Anxious to render every part of Divine worship as edifying as possible, Ignatius paid particular attention to psalmody; and for this purpose introduced into his church at Antioch responsive singing, which seems shortly after to have been adopted in all the Christian assemblies. This delightful part of religious service we Inay readily suppose must have been peculiarly interesting to a man of his constitutional warmth and ardent piety. We may behold in imagination this venerable prelate directing the method, and supplying the sub ject, in this part of sacred worship; at one time exciting the acknowledgment of mercies received, at another anticipating promised blessings; now tuning his harp to the mournful strain of penitence, and now to the enlivening song of rejoicing faith."

Pliny's reference to the custom of the Christians joining in singing hymns is well worthy of recollection. In his letter to the emperor Trajan, amongst other practices of the Christians, he remarks, that they were accustomed, on an appointed day, to sing hymns to Christ as a Deity. A circumstance which not merely points out the conspicuous place which singing occupied in their manner of worship, but also affords an unequivocal evidence of the Godhead of Christ being generally acknowledged in the first ages of Christianity.

The emperor Trajan, though de scribed by historians as remarkable for his clemency, was for many years an opposer of the Christians. His

* Two heresies at a very early period crept into the Church of Christ; that of the Gnostics or Docetæ, (here referred to by Ignatius,) and that of the Ebionites. The Gnostics held that the body of Christ was only a phantom; and, consequently, that he was never really incarnate, or really suffered. The Ebionites looked

upon Christ as a mere man; and thus

both of them virtually denied the grand

doctrine of the atonement.

zeal in behalf of Paganism, in connexion with his dread of conspiracies, led him to regard with the utmost jealousy and distrust any associations among his subjects, and to pass a law by which all societies, which were not supported by the royal authority, were considered as illegal; being reputed nurseries of disorder and sedition. Under the sanction of this edict Christian assemblies were prohibited, and the most excellent of men were persecuted in all parts of the empire. Great numbers of them were put to death, as well in popular tumults, as by edicts and judicial proceedings. In this persecution, as we have already related, Clement, bishop of Rome, was condemned to be thrown into the sea; and the venerable Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, though an hundred and twenty years old, was severely scourged, and then crucified.

In the year 107 Trajan visited Antioch, in his way to the Parthian war. Elated with his recent conquest of the Scythians and Dacians, who, during the reign of Domitian, had insulted with impunity the majesty of Rome, the emperor entered the city with all the solemn pomp of a triumph. According to his custom in other places, he immediately inquired respecting the prosperity of the Christians, foolishly deeming their success injurious to his own celebrity, and also probably fearing that their religion would ultimately overthrow the ancient Pagan establishments. No sooner did the report of the emperor's inquiry reach Ignatius, than, regardless of his own danger, this intrepid servant of God came unrequired into his presence.

The conduct of Ignatius on this occasion has been condemned as exceedingly precipitate, and tending rather to irritate than allay the fury of, the royal persecutor. It is certain that the believer in Christ should neither needlessly court persecution, nor cowardly shrink from it, "The zeal, however, which errs is worthy of our respect, whilst that worldly prudence, which contrives every mean device to avoid the cross, deserves

our severest censure. After all, it is by no means evident, that the conduct of this Christian hero may not be vindicated. It is probable that he conceived that this display of courage would not be displeasing to a warlike prince, and his testimony to the innocence of the Christians might not be heard in vain. We are too apt to determine respecting the propriety of actions by the result, forgetting that duty is ours, and events are God's.

As soon as Ignatius was introduced into the presence of the emperor, he was addressed by him in the following manner: "What an impious spirit art thou, thus to transgress our commands, and to inveigle others into the same folly to their ruin!" He firmly replied, "Theophorus ought not to be called so; for all wicked spirits are departed from the servants of God. But if you call me wicked because I am hostile to evil spirits, I confess the charge. For I dissolve all their snares through the support of Christ the heavenly King." "And who," said Trajan, " is Theo phorus ?" "He who has Christ in his breast," rejoined the hero. "And thinkest thou not," inquired the emperor, "that gods reside in us also, who fight for us against our enemies?" "You mistake," replied Ignatius, "in calling the evil spirits of the Heathens gods. For there is only one God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; and one Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son; whose kingdom be my portion!" Trajan contemptuously exclaimed, "His kingdom, do you say, who was crucified under Pilate ?" "His," answered Ignatius, "who crucified my sin with its author, and has put all the fraud and malice of Satan under the feet of those who carry Him in their heart." "Dost thou then," continued the emperor, " carry Him that was crucified within thee?" "I do," replied the venerable saint," for it is written, I will dwell in them, and walk in them."*

Irritated by the undaunted courage of the martyr, a courage which in

Martyrdom of Ignatius.

any other cause he would have admired, the emperor endeavoured to shake his constancy by threats. But, finding him inflexible, he pronounced upon him the following sentence: "Since Ignatius confesses, that he carries within himself him that was crucified, we command that he be carried, bound by soldiers, to Great Rome, there to be thrown to the wild beasts for the entertainment of the people."

During the whole of the interview we may conceive Ignatius standing before the emperor with a firm and manly air; collected in himself, yet probably not without anxiety for the issue of the conference. But no sooner had he heard the final sentence, than every painful feeling vanished from his breast; his countenance brightened, and his eyes glistened with delight. At length he joyfully exclaimed, "I thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast vouchsafed to honour me with a perfect love towards thee; and hast thought me worthy with the apostle Paul to be put in iron fetters." Having said this, we are told, he joyfully put on his bonds; and then having prayed for the church, and commended it with tears unto the Lord, he was hurried away.

a

It has been observed that it is not little remarkable, that Trajan should have sent Ignatius so long and expensive a journey for execution, instead of inflicting upon him summary punishment. Probably the emperor wished to make so public an example of this ringleader of the sect, at once more effectually to intimidate the numerous body of Christians he had left at Rome, and at the same time to excite the magistrates by his own conduct to carry on the persecution with vigour. Whatever were his motives, Divine Providence made it a means of advancing the interest of the Gospel. In consequence of this respite Ignatius was enabled to manifest the blessed support which real Christianity will afford, and also gladden the hearts of thousands by his instructive conversation and epistles. Being now obliged to desist from the public duties of his charge,