provided for, and kept in constant supply, amounts to more than 200,000. The men employed on canals and in barges, hitherto too much neglected, now form a specific object of the Society's care. Between 500 and 600 copies of the Scriptures have been thankfully purchased by them, at the reduced prices of the Socie ty, in the vicinity of London alone.

There are about 160,000 men of another description, whose religious destitution is a stain that cannot be too soon wiped away; the maimed and aged pensioners of the public, in the army, navy, ordnance, and marines. These worn-out veterans avail themselves with eagerness of the Society's offer, to become possessed of the sacred volume at reduced prices.

The issues for the year make a total of 11,829 copies. The number of annual subscribers to the Society continues to increase. The receipts for the year amount to 3,5221., and the expenditure to 3,5381.

BEYROOT MISSIONARIES. The American Missionaries have relinquished their station at Beyroot, for which they specify the following reasons: The prospect of war; want of an asylum in case of war; want of consular protection; their solitary situation; the fickle and capricious character of the Pacha; pecuniary embarrassment, on account of the stagnation of trade; the plague; the scarcity of vessels; the immediate call for some of them at Malta. As they passed to the water side, those from whom they might have expect ed scoffing and ridicule, exclaimed with every appearance of seriousness, "The Lord preserve and prosper you."

NEED OF BOOKS IN BUENOS
AYRES.

A gentleman in Buenos Ayres writes: "The elements of education are diffusing to some extent in this city, and gradually in the villages of the country; and there is--not a scarcity-but an absolute destitution of that fund of amusement and instruction to which children in the United States and England have access. A few primers and catechisms, which, beside the rudiments of spelling, contain little, but the grossest absurdities of Popery; the popish edition of the Ten Commandments, with the second left out, and the ninth made into two, to conceal the deception; the seven sacraments, and seven mortal sins, &c. &c. These are all the books which, in a vast multitude of cases, the children see. Those who are taught in the government schools, read the Scripture lessons of Lancaster, but have no books at all.

"For the youth, which might form our Bible classes, there are books of devotion,' in which whatever of Popery is not in words, is supplied by pictures, with which the books are filled. Here is purgatory, with the angels coming down from heaven and holding up, by the hair, out of the flames, the souls of those for whom the priest is saying mass; while the anguish depicted in the countenances of the poor wretches for whom no mass is saying, and on whom the exasperated devils are exerting all their fury, is sufficient to wring a dollar even from the hard-hearted miser, to purchase a temporary relief to the departed spirit of his father's wife."

MISSIONARY EFFORTS IN

GREECE.

The following interesting passage is from a letter of an American Missionary in Greece. "Multitudes were calling on me to beg the Gospel. I know not that I ever saw people so absolutely hungry for books as they are in this place. Not more than three or four have asked me for charity; hundreds have asked me for books. The way is perfectly opened for me to establish schools to almost any extent. If you can send me fifty thousand dollars I can employ it for that purpose. Could not the ladies of New York collect money enough for building a school-house, and the establishment of a school of supe rior order for females in Greece? Would not such an act of charity in the ladies of your city be to them a more brilliant ornament than chains of gold and pearls? I have to-day had another interview with the President; and he has invited me to visit the schools which he has established here, and then to come to Egina, to be introduced to the bishop, and to visit the schools which he has there established.”

UNITED STATES EPISCOPATE. "The duties of our bishops," says a United-States publication, "are arduous, and the station a highly responsible and unenviable one. The nurture of so many small societies, scattered over so large a tion of all who go astray, the examination surface of territory, the painful admoniand ordination of suitable candidates for the ministry, the visitations of the churches at great distances from each other for confirmation, and other Episcopal duties, the attendance upon the diocesan and of each member of the house of bishops, general conventions, the peculiar business as prescribed by the canons,-these and many other things incident to the office, superadded to the ordinary business of a

parish church, and the common and indispensable concerns of domestic life, made the more pressing by reason of there being no Episcopal salary to defray the very large, increasing, and unavoidable expenses of the bishopric, present a view of the labours and difficulties attending the office, which may readily lead a considerate mind to a refusal of the proffered honour."

RELIGIOUS NECESSITIES OF

OHIO.

We quote the following passage from a letter of a clergyman in Ohio, as shewing the necessity for such an institution as Bishop Chase's College: the description applies also to the other newly settled parts of the United States.

"You can scarcely conceive how desfitute our people are of religious books: I have expended nearly one hundred dollars for religious works; for which I have advanced the money, and take my pay in the produce of the country. Money in this region is very scarce; and the merchants and pedlars pick up nearly all that is in circulation, and carry it eastward. And as books cannot be obtained without ready money, there is a great dearth of all kinds except the Bible, and thousands are destitute of that. The people need something to stir them up to the examination of the oracles of God; and I fear many of them will die unacquainted with the things belonging to their everlasting peace. If you have any publications which might be useful in this region, tracts in particular, please to forward them."

We regret extremely to learn, that Bishop Chase, after all his indefatigable and self-denying efforts to establish his college upon a permanent basis, finds himself compelled to sell his own patrimonial estate and dwelling, in order to pay the current expenses of the building. Some friends in this country, who have from the first zealously assisted the bishop's Christian object, are exerting themselves to prevent this sacrifice, and we trust a sufficient sum will be collected by loan or gift, and arrive in time to effect the purpose. The bishop's immediate plan is, to build a church, which is indispensably necessary, both for the college, and the population of the rising

town.

EPISCOPAL MISSION. SEMINARY

FOR COLOURED PERSONS. An institution has been recently opened in Hartford, Connecticut, by members CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 325.

of the Episcopal Church, for the education of young men of Colour, who give promise of future usefulness as missionaries, catechists, or schoolmasters. It is formed with more particular reference to the contemplated mission on the African

coast.

RELIGIOUS PRISON REFORM. A clergyman in Connecticut writes: "The state of things in our public prison is most interesting. The silence of the prisoners when at their work; their solitary confinement two hours during daylight, when they can read the Bible and religious books, the only ones they are allowed to have: their eating alone in their cells-the most perfect system of discipline and order; and their attendance every morning and evening, to hear the Scriptures read and prayers, are circumstances calculated to afford opportunity for reflection, for the operation of the truth, and for subduing the spirit. No band of soldiers were ever more perfectly subdued to order and discipline. Probably not less than one fifth of them give good evidence of a change of heart. More give us reason to indulge hope. Some of the converts who have been out of prison for months, and who were the very worst of men, now live to the admiration of all Christian beholders. Probably there is not on earth another prison, where religious truth, the only effectual means of entire reform, is so happily and successfully applied. The legislators and courts of our land are yet to be convinced that religion is the only adequate and effectual remedy against crimes. Gospel has and does accomplish what nothing else can. Here the experiment is made, and the results are wonderful. Reduce our prisons to silence, and prisoners to solitary confinement, and then give them the Gospel, and more would be effected than has yet been done, to reform the worst and most dangerous men in the community. Let them work steadily, and acquire trades to support themselves after they leave. Their health demands this; the vigour of their minds to attend to religion demands it. Let their sentence be executed in confinement and labour, but let them be treated and governed by the law of kindness and love to their souls. Penitentiarics can never succeed with entire confinement without labour. The prisoners must die from inactivity, and their minds must be stupid."

I

The

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. In calling the attention of our readers to the last Report of this venerable institution, we wish to premise, that we should be deeply grieved if any difference of opinion on the subject of the Society's slave estates in Barbadoes should cause to be forgotten its great importance as a missionary institution. In our pages, for nearly thirty years, the Society's claims have been often and warmly advocated, at a time when the very existence of such an institution was scarcely known to the great majority of the British public, or even to the clergy themselves. Even so late as the year 1818, the Society numbered only about 300 subscribers, whereas it now comprises nearly 5000. We rejoice in this accession of prosperity; and it is not inconsistent with this rejoicing, that we have respectfully pointed

out the duties which result from it; for example, investigating more thoroughly the proceedings of its agents, drawing up its reports in a more succinct and lucid manner, printing them more economically, but, above all, placing the administration of its affairs upon a footing of reciprocal contact with the public, by allowing its subscribers to share in its deliberations, either as an open board, or by means of a committee chosen annually at a general meeting, instead of restricting its counsels to the self-elected members of a close corporation.

To the Report is prefixed an excellent sermon preached last year before the Society, by the Right Reverend Bishop Jen-. kinson, of St. David's, which we need not further advert to, as we gave, before its publication, a copious memoriter outline of its contents, in our Number for last February. The Report and its appendices are too copious and unconnected to allow of a regular digest; but we cull a few particulars, as a specimen of their contents.

In the diocese of Nova Scotia, the attention of the public is first directed to the island of Newfoundland. The Bishop has visited every part of the island where a Protestant population of any magnitude was collected; and the Society have every reason to believe, that the beneficial effects of the visitation will manifest themselves at an early period, in a more general desire of spiritual improvement. All the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, it is stated, bear testimony to the laudable spirit of devotion of the people, and their eager desire to participate in the ministrations of religion. The Society urge it upon the consideration of a benevolent public to afford them the means of rearing their offspring in the nurture of the Lord,

and of cherishing and exhibiting the pious dispositions of their hearts by the public worship of God. The Bishop during his visit preached in behalf of the Society for District Committee was revived under very promoting Christian Knowledge, and a promising auspices. On the eastern coast, through a line of not less than six hundred miles, there are at present stationed at long intervals only eight clergymen, the whole strength of the ministry in the province. Scanty, however, as this supply of clergy manifestly is, the result, it is stated, is visible in the improved habits of the people, and an increasing desire to partake of the ordinances of religion. On the southern coast there is not a single resident clergyman. In the course of the year two new missions have been opened.— Turning to Nova Scotia, the Report relates, that in the early part of the history of this province, a large body of Germans settled at Halifax, and the ministerial charge of these our Protestant brethren formed an interesting portion of the labours of the Society. For many years a distinct congregation existed in Halifax, retaining their original language and customs; but in the course of years this distinction was lost, the service was performed in the English language, and the congregation formed a considerable part distinctive character. It has therefore of the population of Halifax, without any been deemed expedient to divide the parish into two rectories; and the Bishoprejoices in reporting that the affairs of both are in a satisfactory state. In the eastern part also of the province, the Report states, that the discipline and doctrine of the Church of England are gaining ground, and are held in the highest estimation. The occasional visits of Missionaries are of the utmost importance in furthering the views and objects of the Society; as under the present circumstances of the country, it is in vain to hope that provision will be made for a full supply of parochial clergy. In the province of New of the church, and the prospects of its rapid Brunswick, it is remarked, that the state growth, are of the most encouraging nature. In some of the parishes, where clergymen have been in constant residence for many years, the ordinances of religion, and its duties and observances, it is added, have been so effectually recommended, that it would be difficult to name any part of England where a more gratifying representation can be made. Encouragement has been given with a liberal hand, to every effort for the promotion of Church principles; and the erection of several new churches has shewn, that the encouragement has not been tendered to a reluctant or insensible people. The Bermudas, it is stated, are adequately supplied with the means of religious instruction.

In reviewing the proceedings of the past

year connected with this diocese, the Society are encouraged in their operations by the happy success which has attended their exertions. New missions have been opened in several parts of it. King's College, Windsor, has furnished several candidates for holy orders, who promise to adorn their profession by their learning and their piety, and to be great blessings to the people com mitted to their charge: other clergymen of exemplary character have entered into the Society's service, and are now engaged in the laborious duties of their office, both to the satisfaction of themselves, and to the comfort and edification of a large body of people, who would otherwise have been left destitute of all religious instruction. The national system of education also, which had become, through their instrumentality, so well known, and so generally adopted in the two larger colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, has been introduced, with every prospect of

success, into Newfoundland.

The Society next advert to the diocese of Quebec. In the course of the past year the Bishop completed the visitation of his extensive jurisdiction. We copy from his lordship's account, the following very interesting sketch.

"On the Sunday, which we passed in the Mohawk territory, we assisted the Rev. W. Hough in the performance of Divine service, and in the administration of the sacraments: two adults were baptized, a father and daughter, who reside in one of the adjoining settlements. Morning prayer was conducted according to the method that has been usually pursued since the Liturgy has been translated for the use of the Mohawks. The service was commenced by a short introductory prayer, pronounced in Mohawk by Aaron Hill, the Society's catechist. The Indian part of the congregation knelt until it was concluded. Hill then selected one of the Psalms at the end of their Prayer-book; and giving it out according to the form in use, the Indians sang it to an old English tune, in a manner not inferior to the best church melody I have had an opportunity of hearing. The Mohawks, particularly the women, are remarkable for their fine voices, and for their national taste for music. As their metrical version of the Psalms is made to correspond exactly with ours in point of rhythm, and as the English is so printed on one leaf of the book that it tallies with the Mohawk, which is printed on the other opposite, some of the White people were enabled to follow the tune in their own language. Indeed, the whole service is so arranged as to suit, as far as possible, the mixed nature of the assembly. After the Psalm, Aaron Hill commenced the regular Morn ing Prayer in Mohawk, reading to the end of the Venite, except of course the Absolution, which was pronounced in

English by the Rev. W. Hough. The Indians remained upon their knees during the time of prayer, as regulated by the rubric, and repeated the responses audibly. One old blind man, formerly the chief warrior of the tribe, was heard to repeat the alternate versicles, and the other parts of the service appropriated to the people, throughout the whole, whether Mr. Hough or Aaron Hill was reading. I observed that many used their Prayerbooks. The sermon was preached by me. When I had concluded, the manuscript was delivered to Aaron Hill, who rendered it to his brethren in their own language. His fluency is astonishing; and I have learnt from persons well acquainted with the Mokawk, that his interpretation is invariably correct and forcible. He has lately finished some translations of religious works, and is now occupied in making additions to the Mohawk Primer. Those of the Indians who were admitted to the Lord's table, received the sacrament with much apparent devotion. They all seemed to understand the part they were to bear in the office. We used the communion plate hawks: it was saved when their church presented by Queen Anne to the Mowas burnt by the enemy during the revolutionary war, and has since been preserved by them with great care."

In the diocese of Calcutta, the continued absence of the Episcopal authority during the year, had given a lamentable check to the proceedings of the society. Some arrangements contemplated by Bishop Heber had been suspended, and others had received a different direction. The Missions in the south continue to present the same field for exertion which has encouraged the best hopes during a long period of years. One of the favourite plans suggested by Bishop Heber has been partially carried into execution, the formation of an institution at Tanjore for the preparation of native teachers to act in subordination to the missionary, a class of people who have been found very useful in the dissemination of Christian knowledge, and whose services can be procured at an inconsiderable cost. sudden death of the Rev. Thomas Christian, while engaged in the discharge of his duties in the hill country adjoining Bhagulpoor, after an intercourse of the most friendly nature for three successive years with the natives, during which he had devoted himself with unabated ardour to gain their confidence, has destroyed the fairest prospects of success that have been open to Christian zeal. He had so far succeeded, as to induce some of the chiefs to entrust their children to his charge during that Portion of the year when he was comPelled, from the unhealthiness of the district, to retire from the spot of his more active labour. His journal exhibits the

The

true character of this exemplary missionary, his devotion to the cause of Christianity, the affectionate simplicity of his manners, the uniform tendency of all his observations, and the absolute forgetfulness of every thing that concerned his own personal comfort, while there was a possiblity of promoting the great object which he was sent to advance. The committees formed in the three presidencies, have continued, with unabated zeal, to cherish the interests of the college, and the missionary concerns connected with it. The Rev. Charles Simeon, one of the executors of Lord Powerscourt, has ap. propriated one thousand pounds, part of his lordship's bequest, to the foundation of a perpetual scholarship, and inquiries from several quarters have been instituted, holding out expectations of similar benefactions. The proficiency of the stu dents has given satisfaction to the officers of the institution.-The Report also states, that the experiment which was tried, of sending out a boy from the Clergy Orphan School, promises so well, that encouragement has been derived from it to proceed in the same course; and measures are now in progress to prepare two of the senior boys at that institution for completing their education at Bishop's College, in order to qualify them for the arduous and important duties of missionaries. Great improvements had been made in the college grounds,

which have tended to increase the salubrity of the situation, and to adorn its appearance. Not only was the principal building completed, and every apartment occupied, but others connected with it, such as the printing-house and bungalows for the servants, were finished. The chapel, which is considered to be a beautiful specimen of Gothic architecture, and the only one of the kind in British India, was opened for the first time on St. Thomas's day for Divine service, and the consecration of it will form a pleasing commencement of the Episcopal authority on the arrival of Dr. James, which occurred the latter end of January. The Society were looking with the utmost anxiety for an early dispatch from his lordship: at the same time they feel the most perfect confidence in the conti nuance of the same care and protection, which have been so beneficially and successfully extended to their concerns, by the two eminent prelates that have preceded him in these arduous duties.

The translation of the Pentateuch into the Persian language, by the Rev. Thomas Robinson, has proceeded with as much rapidity as the necessary caution to insure a correct version will admit. The first two books have issued from the college press, and the remainder is in progress, and the whole, when complete, promises to form a most valuable acquisition to the Biblical literature.

M. J. B. NEE, PASTOR AT DIEPPE, WHILE mourning over the long depressed, though we trust now happily reviving state of the French Protestant Church, we ought to keep in mind the severe difficulties with which, for several generations, it has had to contend. It is, in truth, rather a subject for surprise, that it did not become extinguished, than that it has not shone more brightly, or conveyed its light and warmth to a larger circuit of influence. As an illustration of the actual condition of the French Protestant clergy, during the last half century, we lay before our readers the following interesting notice of M. J. B. Née, late pastor at Dieppe. The account, which we have extracted from the pages of the " Archives," does not specifically state the doctrines which M. Née held, or the style of his pastoral instruction; but we would trust, from his active and self-denying exertions, as well as from the truly

Evangelical character of the publication which records his eulogy, that they were such as became a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, tinctured neither with the Neologism of the German Protestant school, nor with the semi-Pelagianism, semi-Socinianism, which of late years have corrupted too many of that of the French, but living, preaching, and dying in the true faith, and blessed hopes of the genuine Gospel of the Redeemer".

The Archives" give the following excellent definition of Neologism.

"We call those Neologists who endeavour to introduce into Christianity, new doctrines, not contained in the word of God; men who, while they pretend to believe the immutable doctrines of our old Gospel, apply to these doctrines a new sense, which in fact neutralizes them. We call those Neologists who wish to lay a new foundation, a different