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fendence of the Ladies, which, by every consideration of charity that their own hearts will suggest, they are seriously entreated to tender on this important occasion. It is humbly recommended that a sub-committee, under the sanction of the general committee, be formed of such ladies as feel no reluctance to take part in this work of benevolence, and empowered to take upon them the peculiar direction and management of the female division of the Institution, subject only to such fundamental regulations as cannot impede the intended improvement, and may not be departed from without endangering the ground-work of the establishment. One department of female instruction, however, the Committee feel rejoiced to pronounce flourishing, and it is that of strawbonnet making. The task of making these bonnets is greatly aided too by the industry of some of the younger girls who have been taught to divide and plait the straw; and the progress making in this branch of useful occupation is becoming profitable to the institution, while it also affords the means of rewarding those employed.

The Committee have the pleasure to state, that they have formed a Sunday School for the instruction of both boys and girls. Amongst the poorer classes there are many parents who are greatly assisted in the heavy task of supporting their families by the industry and daily labour of their elder children; and in return the parents manifest an anxiety that these children should be instructed in religion

and in the rudiments of other useful knowledge, whenever opportunity offers. For the benefit of young persons so circumstanced have the Committee extended their endeavours, and opened the Cardiff School Rooms on Sundays. The pupils meet at nine o'clock in the morning, and at two in the afternoon-they are taught by

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persons who have volunteered their services, and who have themselves been brought up in the Cardiff School -the females occupy one class in the girls' school-room, and the males a class in that of the boys; and at present this branch, though tender, is full of promise.

The Committee have to congratulate their friends upon the accession, to their list of subscribers, of the names of many new members; and amongst them that of the respected and benevolent Earl of Clarendon, whose liberality on this, as well as on another occasion connected with their interests, deserves this their humble meed of public acknowledgment.

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Respecting the intrinsic merits of the Cardiff School and similar estathe Committee feel not inclined to blishments throughout the kingdom, enter into any dissertation here. What their opinion is, is best spoken by their acts. In a few years more the world will witness the result of the foundation of such institutions as these; for it is impossible that it can now be long before the general diffusion of knowledge amongst an intelligent people will display its effects. And it cannot but be rationally concluded that the lower classes in Great Britain, as they are becoming better informed, will discern what tends to their prosperity and happiness-that they will follow only such means as will secure these blessings to themselves and their children, and give surrounding nations just grounds for saying of this envied land, "happy are the people who are in such a case-yea, blessed are the people whỏ have the Lord for their God !"

The numbers at present in the Schools are 115 Boys and 70 Girls; and the numbers admitted since the year 1815, have been 600 Boys and 456 Girls.

BISHOP OF QUEBEC. which is partly a legal form, and partly an ecclesiastical solemnity, is a novelty to many persons in this country, it may not be uninteresting to describe it. The Christian Religion

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is ordained to pass through different stages, and subject by the appointment of Providence to great varieties of outward circumstance. The Church of Christ, as well as her ministers individually, ought to "know how to be abased and how to abound." In such a condition as is enjoyed by that branch of the Church which is in connexion with the British Empire, it is suitable in itself, and subservient to a general reverence for religion, that particular occasions should be marked by a certain degree of form and state, and it is believed that the distinctions with which the new Bishop was received in the Cathedral were regarded with interest and satisfaction by the whole of a crowded congregation :— an interest, however, and a satisfaction which derived their highest zest from the feeling universally entertained that the subject of these distinctions is an approved and laborious servant of the Gospel.

His Lordship having arrived at the principal entrance of the Church, and having descended from his carriage with his attendants, his Chaplain knocked for admission at the door. The Clergy and inferior church officers being assembled within, it was demanded who was there? in answer to which, the Bishop of Quebec was announced. The doors were then opened, and while a voluntary was played by the Organist, the procession moved up the centre aisle in the following order; -(the clergy attached to the Cathedral Establishment wearing their surplices with the distinctions of their respective clerical rank, or academical degree, and those who attended upon the Bishop being in their robes, the Choir and inferior Church officers also wearing their respective habits.)

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As soon as the procession reached the rails of the Communion-table, at the upper end of the Church, the Sexton, Choristers, Verger, and Church Clerk filed off in the rear of the pulpit, and proceeded to their respective places in the Church. The Bishop and Clergy passed within the rails, where the Chair of Ceremony was placed at the north side of the altar. The Royal Mandate under the Great Seal, directing the Archbishop of Canterbury to consecrate the Hon. and Reverend Charles James Stewart, D.D. to the Bishopric of Quebec, was read by His Lordship's Chaplain, the Seal being supported by the Reverend S. J. Mountain, from Upper Canada, acting for the occasion. An Oath was then administered to His Lordship by the Archdeacon relating to his faithful Government and Guardianship of the Establishment of the Cathedral Church, (the ordinary powers of a Dean and Chapter being, in this instance, in a great measure vested in the Bishop), the Archdeacon then conducted His

Lordship to the Throne or Episcopal

Seat.

The Bishop afterwards read the Communion Service, and discharged the principal part in the solemn ad

ministration of the Sacrament.

SOCIETY FOR THE CONVERSION AND RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF NEGROES.

NEVIS BRANCH ASSOCIATION.

Extract from the Speech delivered by the Rev. Daniel Gateward Davis, M. A. Rector of St. Paul's, CharlesTown, Nevis, and one of the Chaplains to the Society, at its first Meet

ting on the first Thursday in August, in the year 1824.

"THE Society took its rise from the bequest of the Honourable Robert Boyle, who directed, by his Will, that a considerable portion of his personal

property should be expended in the advancement or propagation of the Christian Religion among the Heathen. This object was for some time attempted to he promoted by applying the rents and profits of an estate purchased by the Executors, and vested in the hands of Trustees, to the Education and Christian Instruction of Indian Children in Virginia. These proceedings were under the orders and sanction of the High Court of Chancery. But when the American Colonies ceased, from a political convulsion, to be a part of the British dominious, it was imagined that the Charity should receive a new direction, and should be applied, consistently with the spirit of the Testator's Will, exclusively for the benefit of those benighted Heathens who lived under the controul of the British Crown. Such was the decision of the High Court of Chancery, before which the cause was carried. And, accordingly, a Corporation for the CONVERSION AND RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO SLAVES IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES was erected and established by Royal Charter. The Society, thus blished, having elected the Bishop of London for its President, and appointed other officers, has, from time to time, sent out Chaplains and Schoolmasters to the several Colonies in the West Indies for the promotion of its benevolent objects. Such, Sir, is the origin, such is the nature of the Incorporated Society.

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"Its object is to convey religious instruction to the Slave population in the British West Indies, and which it is anxious, above measure, to convey in all that quietness of spirit for which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preeminent, and which is, I rejoice, as a Minister of the Establishment, to say, so abundantly transfused into the doctrines and principles of our venerable Church This Society then, Sir, is sanctioned by the Royal Charter. It has for its President one of the highest Dignitaries of the Church. Its Officers are composed of the most dignified and respectable Churchmen and Laymen. It has in view the improvement of the moral and spiritual condition of your labourers. It in

terferes not with their civil rela

tions.

"It has, Sir, been suggested by the Governors of the Incorporated Society for the Conversion and Religious Instruction and Education of the Negro Slaves in the British West Indies, that the views of the Society would be most effectually promoted by the formation of Associations in the Colonies in union with the Society in London.

"It has been proposed, that the whole of the funds which shall be raised, should be, at least for the present, locally applied in the expenses necessarily attending the formation of Parochial Sunday Schools, and such other contingent expenses, as shall be incurred here in extending the objects of the Society. Much, in the way of donations and subscriptions, is not and cannot be expected. But much good may be done at little pecuniary expense. The countenance of the owners of slaves will do much. Such persons may be able to suggest, from their intimate acquaintance with the habits and modes of thinking prevalent among the slaves, a better mode of proceeding than may have struck the minds of the Chaplains of the Society. The co-operation of the Master is of infinite importance. It would not be too much to say that we cannot proceed many steps without it. It would then be evident that much may be done by the inhabitants, beside giving their money to the support of the funds of the Society. The manifestation of a good disposition will be thankfully received by the Governors of the Society. And, Sir, by entering warmly into the present proceedings, this community will evince to the Mother Country, and I might add to the world at large, its sincere disposition in the sacred cause of evangelizing the Slaves; it will, in some measure at least, wipe out the stain that has attached to its name, in common with other Colonies, for too lightly regarding the spiritual interest of the labouring classes, and each individual among us may, even by the smallest contribution, imitate the example of the poor widow, who cast in two mites into the treasury of God, and who drew forth from the lips of Divine Wisdom the highest possible

commendation. There may not, Mr. Chairman, be many who have to give of their abundance, but some trifling sacrifice may enable hundreds to give something of their living, and thus contribute to advance a cause which must on every ground stand approved to the heart of every person who values the blessings of civilization, morality, and religion.

"The benefits, Sir, which it is likely will result from such attempts as the present, must be held to be the best argument for undertaking them. The diffusion of the principles of Christianity has ever produced a moralizing effect. Historical evidence will abundantly and satisfactorily prove this assertion. It will do so here in the case of the Negro Slaves. What Christianity has done in all the instances in which it has been fairly tried, it is but reasonable to infer it will do in others. I would, however, in this place, warn the too sanguine mind from expecting too much at too early a period. I would give this warning, lest disappointment might check a generous ardour. The progress of moral reformation is indeed slow. It is slow in individuals. It is slow in communities. And it may be, perhaps, a wise dispensation of Providence that it should be so. We cannot then with reason expect to see any very marked improvements as the result of our labours in our day. We may indeed, those of us who are graciously favoured with

length of days, see the work gradually proceeding in its course. But in this, as in all other cases, we must be content generously to labour for posterity. Men labour to improve the soil, that others may enjoy its more abundant productions. Men plant the tree, under the shade of which they are morally certain another shall sit. Men strive to accumulate wealth, which they are convinced shall purchase the comforts, and accommodations, and luxuries of life for others. Shall we then refuse to attempt measures, the full benefits of which will spring up only when we lie mouldering with our kindred dust? Shall we decline to attempt measures which are likely to improve those orders of our fellow creatures who are to serve our children? Certainly not. Sir, I am convinced that there are none here who will be influenced by such narrow, such sordid, such selfish motives. I said, that in the cause of christianizing the slaves, we must be content to labour for posterity. On reflection, I would say that this is an error, that it is an inadequate view of the subject, that it is a view too little spiritual; for if we enter on the undertaking with proper motives, we shall be employed in a labour of grateful love, and this reflection will administer to our hearts its own sweet reward in time, and in eternity we shall contemplate with ineffable joy the delightful result of our humble exertions.

ST. CHRISTOPHER'S.

Extract from the Speech of his Excellency the Captain General of St. Christopher's, addressed to the Hon. Board of Council and House of Assembly of that Island, January 24,

1826.

"Mr. President, and Gentlemen of

of the Council, "Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly,

"The deep interest which I take and must ever feel in the welfare of a Colony, which, by the gracious plea

sure of his Majesty, has for so long a period been confided to my administration, causes me to meet its Legislature upon the present occasion with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction.

"These feelings arise from the hope which I entertain, that the season of depression which these valuable Cotonies have so long and so patiently endured has passed away; and from the measures which His Majesty's government have matured and promulgated, for the advancement of the best interests of this part of the empire.

"And here we are bound by the common tie of gratitude for the paternal solicitude of our Sovereign in providing for our spiritual wants, by the establishment of Episcopal jurisdiction; a measure which, by the elec tion of a Prelate so eminent for his zeal and virtues, cannot fail, under the blessing of God, to produce the most beneficial results."

"I believe that I am the faithful echo of the public voice of this community, in the expectation that your deliberations, and the measures to be founded thereon, will correspond with the generous decisions made in your favour; that you will, in reference to the first point which I have brought under your consideration, give effect to the pious wish of our Bishop, by affording the means of instruction to the indigent male and female children of the island;-that by a law which will scarcely affect the public resources, you will rescue your Clergy from the degradation of trafficking with Colonial produce, which with only one exception, they now receive as a provision for their respective stipends; and that you will give your assistance whenever it may tend to advance the great objects of religious instruction and of our spiritual welfare."

Extract from an Address, from the House of Assembly, of St. Christopher's, to the Captain-General, in Answer to his Speech, on the opening of the Session. Presented to His Excellency, 6th of February, 1826. "With reference to that part of His Excellency's Speech which treats of His Majesty's paternal solicitude as regards our spiritual welfare, we can entertain but an unmixed feeling of gratitude for the appointment of an Episcopal Establishment; and of a Prelate who appears, even from the brief knowledge we have of him, so well calculated to further the views of His Majesty's government. And while we look forward with the deep. est interest to the good that must result from his labours, and those of a imparting religious instruction to our zealous Clergy under his charge, in slave population on a more extensive scale, we cannot refrain from augur ing that much benefit must and will be acquired by the Colonies comprising his diocese, by his impartial and disinterested testimony.

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"We shall be found most ready to co-operate with our most worthy Prelate in as far as our means will permit, in the improvement of our Church Establishments, the formation of schools, and diffusion of religious instruction. We also concur in the expediency of an alteration as to the mode of provision hitherto adopted for the labours of the Clergy."

BARBADOS.

Letter from the Clergy of Barbados to the Bishop of London, on the occasion of the appointment of a Bishop, with his Lordship's reply.

"Barbados, May 4, 1825. "MY LORD,-His Majesty having been graciously pleased to grant to this quarter of his dominions the benefits of a resident Bishop, and having thereby terminated that official connexion, which from long standing custom, united us to your Lordship, we, the Clergy of Barbados, cannot permit ourselves to be thus separated from your Lordship, without requesting that you will do us the honour of accepting from us some public expres

sion of our feelings on the occasion. Although the West Indian Colonies had never been included, by any law of the realm, under the jurisdiction of the See of London, yet we have always experienced from your Lordship all possible attention and care: we have witnessed your Lordship's readiness to grant ordination to candidates for holy orders going from this Colony: we have seen and heard of your Lordship's solicitude for the welfare, both temporal and spiritual, of this Island; we have contemplated, with every emotion of gratitude, the encouragement with which you have met, and the zeal with which you have

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