books, states, that they had been eagerly dren who were last year receiving insought for, and immediately distributed; and expresses a wish that he may obtain a further supply, which he assures the Society would be most usefully be stowed. The Book of Common Prayer has been translated into Tamul, by Chris-tian David, formerly a pupil of the Society's venerable and apostolic mis. sionary Swartz, and now Malabar preacher in the island of Ceylon; and a copy of it has just been sent to Calcutta, by his excellency the Governor, to be printed at the Serampore press, entirely at his own private expense. The general board, desirous to give every assistance to the views of this district committee, in their earnest wish to attach to our Established Church the people of the island, who have already shewn a general willingness to conform to our ecclesiastical system, immediately granted a gratuitous supply of books and tracts, to the amount of 2007. in addition to those which the committee bad requested. Whilst the bishop of Calcutta was in the course of his visitation, laying the foundation of these committees, he twice visited the Syrian Christians, and had interviews with the Metropolitan, and at various times with the most learned of the Syrian clergy and laity in Malabar. He inquired very fully into the antiquity of this community, into their doctrine and discipline, their rules, ceremonies, and habits of life. He found them ready both to receive instruction and to impart information; and among other Syriac MSS. he obtained a copy of their formularies and liturgy, made out for him under the immediate inspection of the Metropolitan, from which he will probably be able to obtain additional authentic particulars respecting the actual tenets of this church, and to ascertain their purity, and in what degree they are found to symbolize with the Church of England. The proceedings of the Society at home, with regard to education and schools, are increasing daily in importance. The continued success of the National Society for the education of the poor in the principles of the Established Church, has enabled their committee to report to the members of that Society, that the number of schools now in union is increased to one thousand and nine, and that to the one hundred thousand chil struction in the schools then connected with the Society, by this augmentation of the number of schools, fifty-five thoasand had been added, making the whole number returned from the schools at present in union, one hundred and fiftyfive thousand. Nor does this number include all those who receive instruetion on the same plan and principles; for when the number is computed who receive the same education in schools not at present in union, it is estimated that the whole number who benefit by the national system of education, cannot be less than two hundred thonsand. Besides providing books for these schools containing so large a num ber of scholars, (which, in consequence of a resolution of the National Society, the general board undertook to do last year,) their assistance is in every case granted, when their members apply for books on the terms of the Society, for the use of schools with which they are locally or parochially con nected. The statement of the number of Bibles, New Testaments, Common Prayer Books, and other books and tracts, dispersed by the society, during the year ending April 18, 1816, is as follows:Bibles, (exclusive of the So ciety's Family Bible) &c...... Books and papers, issued gratuitously 24,678 39,956 67,037 55,851 795,637 219,752 the members to the amount of six per cent, in addition to nearly five per cent. last year, making in the whole a reductions of eleven per cent. on the former cost. The Board have great satisfaction in stating, that there is every prospect of disposing, to advantage, of copies of the Arabic Version (Professor Carlyle's edition) of the holy Scriptures. Through the kind assistance of one of their members, the Rev. A. Hamilton, a channel has been found out for forwarding this good work; and he informs the Board, that at Aleppo, Mr. Barker, the British Consul there, will lend himself most readily to a service of this description; and in Egypt, the Consul General Mr. Salt will be equally disposed to give every facility in the prosecution of so desirable and important an object. The Society's Family Bible, in two voJumes quarto is brought to a conclusion, and nearly 16,000 copies have been sold. A new edition is in a course of publica tion. The general index is intended to be more copious than at first proposed, so that a longer time than was intended must elapse before it can be ready for delivery. The gross receipts for the former year (ending April 1816) were 50,2261. 10s. 1d.; and for the latter (ending April 1817) 60,2211. 17s. Od.; of which sum the benefactions and legacies during the former year were 4,729. 3s. 10d.; and during the latter 5,9681. 17s. 10d.; the subscriptions during those periods respectively, were 8,6551. 3s. 10d. and 11,6841. 10s. 3d. From the statement presented to the members of the Society, by which the account of the receipts and expenditure is brought up to April 25, 1817, it appears that in the first year it was necessary to sell out in addition 50001. 3 per cent. consols, to meet the heavy expenses incurred by the Society's Family Bible. By the great exertions made in collecting accumulated arrears due to the Society, they have now been enabled to replace the sum of 10,000l. 3 per cent. consols, part of the sum of 16,0587. 6s. 6d. by which the Society's permanent funds had been diminished: but the demands upon the Society still continue to increase; and though the transactions of the present year so far exceed in amount those of any former one, there is still no balance left in the hands of the treasurers for general designs, but, on the contrary, a consi- The following are the principal facts relative to the Society's missionary pro ceeding in the East: Letters have been received from Mr. Pæzold, as well as from Mr. Pohle, Mr. Kolhoff, Mr. Holzberg, and from the Danish Missionaries, mentioning the kind attentions which the several Mis. sions connected with the Society had received from the Bishop of Calcntta, in the course of his visitation. His lordship, in a letter dated at Negaarater, near Tranquebar, the 17th of February, 1816, reports, that in the course of his visitation, through that part of India, in which alone Christia nity had made any progress among the Natives, he had availed himself of the vote of credit, granted him by the Society, and referred to in the Society's Report for 1814. Before his arrival at Tranquebar, accounts had reached him1 of the distresses of the Danish Missiou, in consequence of the cession of that settlement, and of the failure of its re sources from Denmark. More than one hundred children had been dismissed from school, for want of means to support the teachers. In this state of things, the bishop had thought it right," especially considering the relation that' had long subsisted between this Society' and the Danish Mission, to grant to the latter, on the part of the Society, the desired aid. The bishop goes on to observe, that he had examined the state of the Society's Missions with some attention. The Tanjore, and Trichiuapolly Missions, from their contiguity and close relation, may be considered as one; and they form together, in a Christian point of view, a noble memorial of British con nection with India. To preserve it from decay, he recommends speedy and effectual aid. Mr. Pohle was far advanced in life, and his energies were be ginning to fail. Mr. Jacobi's death had left him without a successor; and if none were appointed, especially considering the insufficient establishment of country priests, the more distant Christian flocks might be dispersed, and not reclaimed. It is true Mr. Kolhoff would exert himself to the utmost; but no man could be equal to such a charge, considering that the congregations are spread through a district, extending more than two hundred miles. The bishop, therefore, suggested that a new missionary be engaged, as soon as possible; and that Mr. Kolhoff be allowed to employ three native priests, in addition to those already on the establish ment. The bishop having had an interview with the rajah of Tanjore, his highness had assured him, that while the Society sent out such men as Mr. Swartz and Mr. Kolhoff, their missionaries should never want his protection. The solicitude expressed by the Missionaries,for an additional appointment of the assistants in their Missions, denominated native or country priests, has led the Society to agree that if two or three natives shall be found fit to be invested with that office, and shall receive ordination according to the ritual of the Lutheran Church, the customary allow auces shall be made to them. The Society express with pain, that no satisfactory tidings have yet reached them, of suitable persons to be united with their missionaries in India, in a work that has been long carried on, and, through the blessing of God, has confessedly been productive of much good. The Lutheran churches in Germany, and in Denmark, and particularly the sources there, whence used to issue a supply of well-educated and zealous missionaries, in consequence of the calamitous occurrences that befel those countries during the revolutionary wars, have experienced so much evil, as to unhinge their powers of action, and to occasion difficulties, where none used to be experienced. Correspondence, however, is still entertained with the reputable professors of Halle, in Saxony, and a hope is encouraged of the arrival of two Missionaries, for the Society's establishments in India. The Report concludes with mentioning the intention of the bishop to have the Book of Common Prayer translated into the Cingalese dialect. A competent person had been selected to make the translation free of expense. LONDON ASSOCIATION, IN AID OF THE MISSIONS OF THE UNITED BRETHREN. An Association with the above'title has been formed, under the management of a president, treasurer, two secretaries, and a committee, which shall consist of all clergymen and other ministers who are members of the association, together with twelve lay members, to be chosen out of the members of the association; but any of the members to be at liberty to attend the ordinary meetings of the committee. A subscription of one guinea per annum, or a weekly collection of sixpence, shall constitute a member; and a donation of ten guineas and upwards, or a congregational collection of twenty guineas, shall constitute a life-member. The whole of the funds obtained (after deducting incidental expenses) shall be remitted to the conductors of the missions of the United Brethren. Every member of the Association will receive the periodical accounts of the missions. The following is a part of the address of the Committee : "As early as the year 1732 the Brethren's first mission was established: this has multiplied into nine and twenty settlements, in which above one hundred and fifty missionaries are employed. In Greenland and Labrador; among the hordes of the Delawares, and other native Indians in North America; the Hottentots of Africa; the Negroes in the West Indies, and on the continent of South America; it has pleased the Almighty to give them ability to labour in preaching the Gospel, and to crown their endeavours with success. "These extensive missions have been supported by voluntary contributions from their own body, and with some aid from other Christians. But their resources begin to fail-their congregations, always few, and in general poor, (those on the Continent being further impoverished, and their settlements almost ruined, owing to their situation in the very seat of war,) have not been able to contribute as formerly to their support. Their collections have in consequence fallen, of late, so short of their expenditure, that they are upwards of five thousand pounds in debt: and owing to this circumstance, they are not only prevented enlarging their plans, and embracing the opportunities now of fered them of extending their exertions, but have reason to apprehend that they "must contract their present sphere of operation. In short, this favoured mission must fall into decay, unless Christians of other denominations are inclined by Him, who has all hearts at This disposal, to come forward to its aid." The Committee of the London Association earnestly solicit the co-operation of their Christian brethren of all denominations. Subscriptions and donations of the smallest amount will be thankfully received by J. W. Warren, Esq., President, 4, Powis-place, Queensquare; the Rev. John Bull, 16, Southampton-place, Euston-square; Rev. W. Gurney, 22, Cecil-street, Strand; Rev. Dr. Steinkopff, Savoy, Strand; Rev. Dr. Nicoll, Hans-place, Sloane-street; Rev. J. Leifchild, Hornton-street, Kensington; J.G. Lockett, Esq., 64, Warrenstreet, Fitzroy-square; W. M. Forster, Esq., 32, Gower-street; W. B. Hudson, Esq., 27, Haymarket; J. Christian, Esq., Wigmore-street; J. Symmons, Esq., 1, Barton Crescent; H. C. Christian, Esq., 10, Strand; T. Johns, Esq., General Post Office, Lombard-street; R. King, Esq., Arabella-row, Pimlico; W. Leach, Esq., 1,North-place, Hampstead-road; Messrs. Stephensons, Remmington,and Co.,Bankers, 69, Lombard-street; and Messrs. Morland, Ransom, and Co., Bankers, 56, Pall Mall. HAYTI. We have received the following interesting intelligence relative to the business of instruction at Hayti, which is proceeding with great vigour. National seminaries have been formed at Cape Henry, Port de Paix, Sans Souci, and Gonaives, which, by the last accounts, contained 420 scholars, and the first of which has furnished monitors to all the rest. Another school is about to be opened at St. Mare's, and a new school-room is erecting at Sans Souci, to contain 1000 scholars. Besides these national schools, in which instruction is gratuitous, and which are wholly founded and maintained by King Henry, the town of Cape Henry is filled with small elementary schools for the poorer classes, who cannot as yet be all accommodated in the national schools, where the children are taught, at a very moderate rate, to read, write, and cipher. Indeed all the inhabitants are obliged, under a penalty, to send their children to school as soon as they attain a sufficient age. One of the scholars in the national school at Cape Henry, a son of Baron Ferrier, has formed a little elementary school at his father's house, where a room has been allotted to him, in which he instructs several of his young companions in the intervals between school hours. At the national school-room at Cape Henry, Divine Service is performed according to the forms of the Church of England every Sunday morning, by Mr. Gulliver, the teacher, or one of the strangers resident at the Cape. The congregation of boys is respectable. The strangers occasionally attend, especially the ladies of the family of an American merchant, who are, in general, very regular. A chaplain of the Church of England would be a very desirable acquisition *. $10 *We are happy to learn, that this want has been already anticipated; a Clergyman of the Church of England having sailed for Cape Henry, the capital of Christophe's kingdom, in the course of last week.-Now we are on this subject, we may just add, that the commerce of Hayti appears to be carried on with considerable activity. We have seen an official statement of it for, the first seven months of the present year. The number of foreign vessels entered during that time, chiefly Americans and English, was 107, and their burden 12,009 tons. We understand too, that this sovereign has refused the use of his ports to the privateers under the different South American flags, considering the insurgent governments as not yet sufficiently legitimate to be recognized. 1 CHRIST. OBSERV, No. 191. og T ༔ ! 5.E VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. IN closing our last Number, we felt strongly disposed to congratulate our readers on the completion (October 25) of another year of a reign, second in interest and importance to none in the records of this long favoured country. It is true the annual recurrence of a state day can seldom be considered as calling for particular notice in a miscellany like ours; but we thought that the circumstance of his Majesty's having at length arrived at that epoch of his reign which constitutes him the oldest monarch this country ever possess ed, furnished a fit occasion to pause and look back, both upon the blessings and the afflicting dispensations of so important a period of our own and of human history. The particular point, however, which we especially intended to bring for ward to our readers was the great moral and religious improvement which has taken place during the reign of the present sovereign. Beginning with the throne itself, we should have paid our heart felt tribute of gratitude to God, and of respect to our venerated monarch, for that conspicuous example of personal and domestic virtue, of political integrity, and, as we trust, of true piety, which, for more than half a century, has adorned and added new lustre to the British throne. Pursuing our remarks from the sovereign himself to those who have been appointed to conduct the afairs of the nation, we might have taken occasion to shew the progressive improvement of the general moral character of our public measures and policy. The legal abolition of the Slave Trade, the measures adopted for facilitating the introduction of Christianity into India, the public attention paid to the health and comfort of the poor, (we wish we could add the erection of new churches for their accommodation), the disinterested and Christian arrangements which distinguished the late general peace, with similar topics, would have afforded ample scope for applause and gratitude. If from these we adverted to our church and the present character of the clergy, we need scarcely say how clear and decided an improvement we should have had occasion to notice during the latter part of the present reign; an improvement, doubtless, affected incidentally, in no slight degree, by the personal character and conduct of the king. The state of our prisons, hospitals, &c. and of our charitable institutions, both religious and civil, would have added considerably to the strength of the argument. If, for instance, we contemplate the improvement, and still greater promises of improvement, in the morals of the community, by means of the new system of national education, which it is one of the greatest blessings of the present reign to have witnessed, we could not have forgotten that his majesty was among the earliest and best patrons of that benevolent scheme. If we further contemplated the success of the various societies for distribut ing religious information among the people, especially of that society which has for its sole and exclusive object the circulation of the Word of God, we could not have forgotten that the very book which our revered sovereign most loved and studied himself, and most ardently wished every child in his dominions to be able to read was the Bible. In short, the more we contemplated, either in the upper ranks of society or amongst the people at large, the present increased, and, as we trust, increasing, |