at Madras; toward which Government had given 2007. and the Bishop 407. and a copy from Ceylon had been taken to Calcutta, to be printed: so that if the work be well done, the doctrine and worship of the Church of England will be accessible to the Tamulian, or Malabar

natives.

Of the governor, (Sir Robert Brownrigg,) of Ceylon it is not possible to speak too warmly, either in his public capacity, or on account of his private worth. He devotes his whole time and attention to

the happiness and improvement of the people committed to his charge. Chris. tianity is making a slow, but the Bishop thinks, a sure progress under his auspices. He is building Churches, and founding Schools, and making the best provision in his power for converts who make any sacrifices by their conversion. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge can only pray God that his blessing may attend such efforts.

Maternal Education.

Let us imagine to ourselves how an affectionate and pious mother will instruct her children. Let us observe with what attention she marks each movement of the infant mind, with what instinctive power she reads in the countenance of her child the feelings and passions which agitate him within, with what quickness and judgment she represses the first rising of every evil disposition and temper, how gently but how powerfully she fosters every opening tendency to what is good, how anxiously and carefully, she investigates the minutest traits of her child's character: and with what wisdom and discretion she directs all her teaching to the cure of those evils to which his nature is most prone, while she adapts her language, her manners, her instruction, so as to insinuate itself most deeply into those avenues to the heart which his peculiar character leaves most accessible. While she, with maternal tenderness, calls forth the affections and the gratitude of the child towards herself; while she recounts the benefits which she has conferred, and points out the anxious care with which she has watched over his welfare; she stops not here, but while the heart of the child warms under the recollection of blessings whose sweet>

ness it each day and hour experiences, she impresses on his softened heart the truth, that she herself, and all the good which she communicates, as well as ten thousand other gifts, are derived from the God and Father of all, whose tender mercies are over all his works. In the same spirit she directs his attention to the works of nature; and as his eye sparkles with delight at their beauty, their fragrancy, or their taste, she calls his attention to the proof thence derived, of the power and goodness of their great Maker. Together with these impressions, she instils a constant sense of the presence of the Most High; she shows her child how wicked it is to offend the Author and Giver of so much good what a fearful thing it is to incur his displeasure, who is infinite in power and holiness. She thus encourages the first movements of conscience; and as this important sense unfolds its power, and the child begins to learn from its many faults and its broken resolutions, that it has sinned, and that it is weak, and frail, and perverse, the history of man's fall, and the wonders of man's redemption will be taught by her, not as abstract propositions, but as experimental and practical truths. In imparting all this knowledge, the mother's aim will be at the heart of her child: she will not be satisfied unless she excites in its mind a feeling of real contrition when it offends, and a sense that in prayer it must seek that strength which it so greatly needs. She will weep with her child over the faults which it has committed: she will join with it in prayer for forgiveness and strength. And thus will she endeayour, with the Divine blessing, to teach it to abide in the fear of God all the day long, and to bring every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ.

As the mind of the child opens, and his faculties expand, his parent's instruction takes a wider range. He becomes more acquainted with God as his Creator, Preserver, and Remer; the vast obligations which him to fear, to serve, and to him, begin to open themselves

before his view, and his mother loses no opportunity of fixing them upon him individually. All other knowledge is made subordinate to this, or ministers to its attainment. He perceives that this heavenly wisdom is the great object of his mother's desires, and that it constitutes her chief happiness and delight. When the time arrives that he is qualified to read systematically the sacred Scriptures, his mother is his guide to those fountains of living waters. With what holy reverence, with what solemn awe, does she open the sacred volume! Yet has that reverence and awe nothing of austerity or gloom. Her features express that peace and joy in believing, which fills her soul; and the smile of maternal tenderness which she casts on the young immortals committed to her care assumes the benignity of almost a guardian angel. In reading the Scriptures, her chief anxiety will be to bring truths home to the circle around her that the word of God may be "a lantern to their feet, and a light to their paths;" that they may judge of all things by "the balance of the sancs tuary," and thence from a just estimate of the value or emptiness of the several objects which men pursue. In every discovery which her children make in Divine truth, the careful mother points against the peculiar faults of their characters; and thus attempts to form their judgments direct their affections, and regulate their will, by the model of Holy Scripture. Such is a feint outline of an education truly religious; such is the instruction, by which maternal piety has often aimed, and not seldom with success, at training the souls of children for eternity. Christian Observer.

Eighth Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society.

To preserve and disseminate a knowledge of the true God, and of Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent to secure to the world the inestimable benefits flowing from the pure system of Gospel morals-to bring men, by faith in Jesus Christ, and through the sanctifying influences of the Holy

Ghost to walk religiously in good works during their earthly pilgrimage-and, finally, to advance them to the eternal inheritance purchased by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God:-these are the objects for which Scripture declares the Church of Christ was established upon earth. Admitted into that Church by baptism, men are received into covenant with God through Christ. In its various ordinances duly administered, they have means of attaining to a knowledge of the conditions of the covenant, and receiving, through the promised blessing of Heaven, those aids of divine grace by which the conditions can be performed, and the everlast ing blessing that is covenanted, be re, ceived.

This is the gracious plan, simple, indeed, in appearance, but full of wisdom and mercy, whereby God hath revealed his purpose "to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them, by Christ, to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour."

Bearing this in mind, we perceive the consistency and propriety of making the command to baptize co-extensive with that to spread the Gospel; and of the care which the Acts of the Apostles, and their several Epistles evince that they took, thoroughly to organize the Church, as inseparable from the fulfilment of their great commission to disseminate the reli gion of their Master, and from securing the benefits thereby designed.

In the purpose of Providence, thus clearly evinced, we see marked out the plan to which the members of the Chris tian Church in all ages should adhere, in their efforts to promote the diffusion of religious truth and practice. The Church, as a visible society, should ever be recog nized; her enlargement and due organization should be sought, as one with the promotion of the religion of the Gospel: thus, shown to be God's chosen instru ment in furthering the spiritual and eternal interests of men, she should be strengthened by her members in this great work, and her honour should be sought in its promotion.

It was this evangelical principle that gave birth to the Society on whose concerns we are now called to report. Humbly and gratefully cherishing the belief that they were attached to a communion possessing a ministry proceeding in an unbroken line from that set apart by our Lord in person; and in doctrine, disci pline, and worship, approaching nearer than any in its day, to those which were hallowed by apostolic usage; her first members thought it their duty to stand forth in the name of their Church, in the cause of God, and by their efforts make her an humble instrument of pro

moting his glory, and the spiritual and eternal interests of men.

To further this pious design, they or ganized the Society now assembled, in the early part of the year 1809, having for its object the distribution of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. The former, their Church had taught them to regard as the only, and the sufficient source of religious and moral instructionof sanctifying and saving faith-of cheering and consoling hope of righteousness. unto life eternal. By her large and characteristic use of it in her daily and occasional services, she had taught them to consider its general dissemination as the only effectual means of extending the influence of pure religion and morality. In no way, then, could they regard thei Church more legitimately occupied, or. acting in greater consistency with her principles and practice, than in the dis-. tribution of this sacred volume. They were glad to aid her, and were happy to advance her honour in so good and great a work.

Their second object was the distribu tion of the Book of Common Prayer. They naturally concluded that when the serious perusal of the word of God had been blessed with the happy effect of rousing the careless to a sense of their danger, and exciting them to ask "What shall we do to be saved?" then to put into their. hands this book, which they regarded as familiarly and affectingly explaining and enforcing the truths of the Gospel; as providing them with the best prayers for pardon, for thorough conversion, for di vine illumination and guidance; as instructing them in the primitive doctrine and organization of that Church, in union with which, and in the devout participa. tion of whose ordinances, their Bibles taught them, are to be found the blessings of God's covenant with man; as im mediately preparing the way for the pur est, most affecting, and most edifying ministrations of the ambassadors of Hea ven: they naturally concluded that then, to second the encouraging impression made by the inspired volume, by the gift of this next best book, would be using the mean most promising success, of bringing to perfection the work of grace upon their hearts.

In anticipation of the continued exis. tence and operations of the Society, they chose to establish a permanent fund, the interest of which should be disposable, and thus lay the foundation of permanent and much greater ultimate usefulness, rather than to enlarge their immediate operations by the disbursement of what was early collected by the liberality of their fellow members of the Church. The good effect of this provision is shown in the fact appearing in the subjoined report

of the Treasurer, that we have at present a permanent fund of $4509 85. Not withstanding the temporary check which the establishment and maintenance of this fund has necessarily given to the active operations of the Society, they have been enabled to expend upwards of $3000 in the purchase of Bibles and Prayer Books, for gratuitous distribution. Including a donation of 500 Bibles, and 500 New Testaments, from the extensive and cha racteristic benevolence of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the number of volumes gratuitously distributed by this Institution since its establishment, is 2240 English, and 100 French Bibles, 500 New Testaments, and 3331 Common Prayer Books. Grand total, 6171. Of these, 350 Bibles, and 565 Prayer Books have been distributed in the course of the past year. By the divine blessing upon these operations, we may humbly hope that good has been, and still will be effected, in the dissemination of religious knowledge, in the increase of practical piety, in the enlarging of the borders of the Church of Christ, in the improvement or preserva tion of her members in evangelical doctrine and holiness. We are cheered, indeed, by the certain knowledge, that, in a degree, our exertions have been thus blessed.

By an arrangement of the Board for that purpose, the Bibles and Prayer Books distributed within the past year, bear the name of this Society on their title pages. The same will hereafter be uniformly the

case.

A difficulty has been found to arise from the smallness of the type in the Prayer Books generally distributed; rendering them, in a great measure, useless to those whose eyes are affected by disease or the natural infirmity of age. We hope this difficulty will soon be obviated by the use of the stereotype plates of the 8vo. size, the determination of the Board to procure which was last year reported. We have anticipated an increase of patronage by obtaining them, and hope that the friends of the Church will manifest their appro bation of a measure which we deemed of essential importance, by favourably answering the application, which it will be necessary to make, for contributions to meet the expense thereby incurred.

A plan has been adopted for the distribution of the 8vo. Prayer Book, which appeared to the Board to possess advantages over that of the ordinary gratuitous circulation. It is given to members of this Society, to Auxiliary Societies, and to all institutions which embrace the distribution of the Prayer Book within their objects, at the rate of one copy per annum, for every dollar annually contributed; leaving the contributor the choice of a Bible instead of the Prayer

Book. Thus, while the Prayer Book is given, at a cheap rate, to all similar institutions, the members of this Society will be furnished with it for their use or distribution. The small sized Prayer Book will continue to be gratuitously distributed as usual.

What this Society has been enabled, through the Divine blessing, to effect, has brought to our knowledge the im mense field of usefulness yet unoccupied. From every quarter we are continually im portuned for the Word of Life, and the invaluable Liturgy of our Church. Will her friends endure to hear that we are too frequently obliged to be importuned in vain? Will they suffer it to remain an unhappy fact, that even this diocess, (te which the labours of this Institution have been confined,) is suffering for the want of aid which it is not in our power to extend? Will they be indifferent to the circumstance that an increase of patron age will enable us to be powerfully in strumental in planting and nourishing our Church in every newly settled town and village in this state? The Liturgy, com pared with the Bible, will speak for itself -will subdue prejudices-will excite pious attachment-will prepare the way, and powerfully second the faithful servía ces of the missionary or settled pastor.

Reflection on the immense field which yet exists for the operation of this and si milar institutions, and on the great in terests which are at stake, gives us much pleasure in reporting the addition to the Bible and Common Prayer Book Societies in this diocess, of that for the counties of Washington and Essex and parts adjacent, established within the past year. We are also happy again to notice the Auxiliary Society of this city. It continues not merely to exert itself, but to in crease its exertions. It has reduced the wholesale price of the Prayer Book ordi narily distributed, to the low sum of $30 per 100. The recent report of the Board of Managers, forwarded by them to this Board, states that 623 Bibles, and 5239 Prayer Books have been issued from their depository during the past year. Of the latter, a large proportion were sold at the reduced price.

It is further, a source of pleasure to recòrd, among our most zealous coadju tors, the congregation of St. John's Church, Canandaigua, Ontario county. From funds aised among themselves, (it is believed the balance of their communion collections, after the necessary appropriations for the relief of the poor,) they have, within a few months, distributed 30 Bibles, 250 Prayer Books, and 2700 religious Tracts; and all this, immediately after erecting, solely at their own cost, one of the hand. somest churches in the diocess: and connected with very liberal contributions for

meeting parochial expenses. The thanks of this Society, and the Church at large, and the approbation of all good men are due to them. Their example is worthy of imitation, and it is sincerely to be hoped, will provoke it.

The institution of "The Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society of Troy, Lansingburgh, and Waterford," and of The Ladies' Association of the city of Troy, for the assistance of Students who intend to take Orders in the Episcopal Church," has given further and pleasing evidence of well directed zeal for the great and good cause in this diocess.

In sister states, also, the members of our Church have manifested their regard for her, by exertions having for their object her efficiency in the promotion of Christian knowledge and piety. We are confident you will hear with pleasure, of the establishment of a Bible and Common Prayer Book Society in the town of Worthington, (Ohio) and its vicinity. Your Board (in answer to a communication from them,) have expressed to the managers of that Society the pleasure its institution affords them; and their wishes and prayers for its success in the all important work of promoting the pure and primitive religion of the Gospel in that interesting section of our country. This we have done. Our hearts' desire was to do moreto send them that aid in the prosecution of their pious objects for which they naturally look to this favoured portion of the Church. But with ability greatly unequal even to the supply of wants at home, we were denied the rich satisfaction of lending a helping hand, in their first efforts, to these distant brethren.

Information has also been received of the existence of the following Societies formed for pious purposes, by members of our Church; all of them, it is believed, instituted within the past year:-"Prayer Book and Tract Association of the Eastern Diocess," "St. Peter's, (Salem,") and "Merimack,"Branches of the above; "Massachusetts Episcopal Missionary Society," "Massachusetts Episcopal Prayer Book and Tract Society," "Protestant Episcopal Society of New-Milford, Connecticut," "The Female Episcopal Society of Shrewsbury and Middletown for promoting Christian Knowledge and Piety, auxiliary to the Episcopal Society of New-Jersey," "The Paterson Church Missionary Society, in aid of the Missionary fund of the Church in New-Jersey," "The Episcopal Female Tract Society of Philadelphia." "The Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church of North-Carolina." We are confident our fellow-members will rejoice with us in the success of every ffort for diffusing the religion of the Gospel; and unite with us in admiration and gratitude for the zeal in this great work which characterizes the present age,

and is shared by all who profess the name, of Christian. At the same time, a conscientious regard for the evangelical sen timent, that the Church should be recog nized in these efforts, and that she should be strengthened in them, as the instru ment designed by Providence ultimately to effect the victory of the Gospel, and establish its universal reign, excites in us peculiar interest for those associations of her members which recognize this fandamental principle.

As of this character, and established with views for which every pious heart must rejoice, we notice, lastly, the recent establishment, in this city, of the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society. Under the general superintendence of the Bishop of the diocess, and a Board of Clergy and Lay Managers, and with each School under the particular charge of the minister of the congregation to which it is attached, and of Directors chosen from the same; it exhibits the delightful spectacle of the Church taking the children of poverty from idleness, vice, and misery, and bringing them to Christ for his blessing in time, and through eternity.

These institutions, and many others of earlier date, afford encouraging evidence of piety and zeal on the part of the mem bers of our Church. They cannot adopt a method for the promotion of the objects they have in view, more proper or more useful than by thus strengthening her hands for the promotion of the interests of religion. Can this be better effected than through such an agent?" All glo rious within," and with "clothing of wrought gold," justifying her pretensions to identity with the spouse of Christ, bearing in her right hand the blessed volume of inspiration, and in her left, a system of doctrine and practice drawn from that volume, preserved from earliest times, and sealed by the blood of martyrs she would call men from the service of sin, and offer them guidancé in paths of holiness and virtue; she would reinstate them in that unity of spirit, and bond of peace, which were once the characteris tics of the disciples of the Lamb. Receiv ing them into covenant with God, exhorting them to a true and living faith, dispensing to them appointed means for the conveyance of the strengthening and sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost the Comforter; she would minister to their purest happiness, their consolation in every trial, their victory over every assault of the spiritual enemy, their support and hope in the awful hour of dissolution, and their everlasting joy in the inheritance of the saints in light.

By order of the Board, BENJ. T. ONDERDONK, Secretary. New-York, Feb. 25th, 1818.