for themselves, or to listen to, for the seamen who are employed in navigating our commercial marine. And should it succeed in that object, it may be reasonably hoped, of numbers among them, that, through the blessing of its Divine Author, the Bible may be come their companion and guide through life; their consolatiou and support in every danger,-the standard, as it were, under which they sail, the anchor by which they hold amid the storms of this world, and the compass to direct them to that haven where perils will no nor dislonger beset their course, turb their enjoyment of rest and tranquillity for ever. others, is very prevalent among "Nor is it unimportant, on the present occasion, just to glance at the various classes of the community who have a direct and personal interest, exclusive of the paramount obligations attaching to them as Christians, in thus providing for the moral wants of this body of men. The owners of the vast mercantile marine of Great Britain, and the merchants, manufacturers, and traders of deevery scription whose property is confided to the hazards of the deep, or whose prosperity is connected with foreign commerce, together with their numerous dependents, and the insurers of the almost incredible amount of merchandize and shipping entrusted to the care of British seamen, are all deeply interested in using their utmost exertions that those seamen should be raised from the degradation of their present acknowledged state of ignorance and profligacy, improvidence and insubordination, and that they should be taught principles calculated to render them pious, sober, and intelligent, faithful to their trust, and obedient to their superiors. "That sacred volume, it is the object of this Address to provide "The masters and mates of merchant ships, and all passengers by sea, with all persons related to them, or dependent upon them; together with the parents and friends of the numerous youths who in this commercial island are educating for a sea-faring life, must all likewise feel, that their personal comfort, as well as their interest, is deeply involved in the character of To all such persons it must be a point of incalculable moment, that instead of being lawJess and profligate, they should be orderly and moral. seamen. "Nor can this be considered as a matter of indifference to any one of the inhabitants of Great Britain whose comforts or enjoy ments are in any measure increased by the imported produce of other countries, or by the exportation of our own commodities. "On all these classes of persons, therefore, even if they should be unaffected by higher considerations, might be urged the powerfu! motive of self interest, for co-operating in the plan which is now proposed for their adoption. But the present appeal addresses itself to nobler principles. It calls on Christians of every name; on all who profess attachment to the Scriptures as a communication of the will of God; on all who in obedience to their Saviour's command, pray to their Father which is in Heaven, "Hallowed be Thy name! Thy will be done on earth, as 10 come forward on this most important occasion.-All are invited to unite heartily in this labour of mercy, in humble dependence on that gracious Power who alone can give effect to his word, and make it subservient to his own glory, and the eternal salvation of those who receive it; being assured, that as the rain cometh down and the sno from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater so shall be the word of the Lord which goeth forth out of his mouth; it shall not return unto Talwod of banjoist zit him void, but it shall accomplish that which he pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto he sends it.' Isa. lv.” We have understood that at a 1 meeting of merchants, ship owners, and others, connected with the commerce of the port of London, held at the Jerusalem Coffee-house, on the 30th December, 1817, for the purpose of considering the best means for effecting the above object; William T. Money, Esq. M. P., in the Chair: it was unanimously resolved, That it is expedient that an Auxiliary Bible Society be forthwith formed, to be named The Merchant-Seamen's Auxiliary Bible Society, for supplying British Merchant Ships with the Holy Scriptures;"-and that a public meeting be called for this purpose on Thursday the 29th Ja uary, 1818, at twelve o'clock preHonourable the Lord Mayor,) at cisely, (by permission of the Right' the Egyptian Hall, Mansion House." HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. THE following extracts contain intelligence received from Ireland since the general meeting in May last, and the publication of the : last annual Report. At that time the number of schools was 347; of children edu cated therein, 27,776. Mr. B, the Society's prin-ocipal agent in Ireland, mentions several instances of violent hos tility to the Society's schools, on the part of some of the Ca> 11 tholic priests; the effects of which l were severely felt, by the withdrawing of some of the children; but adds, that most of them have gradually returned to the schools. The renewal of hostilities, on theed part of the popish clergy, may no of doubt be attributed to the late bull of the pope against the Bible So ciety, as it has given the pretexts) le indulge their irreconcileable enmity to the diffusion of the Scriptures. However, we have the testimony of facts to prove, that, were the whole hierarchy to unite, their efforts could not totally arrest the, progress of civilization and emancipation from popish delusions, which have been so considerably advanced by the labours of the Society. These have opened a new, and hitherto unthought-of, process for the pacification of this part of the Onited Kingdom; which, on trial, has proved, if allowed to proceed, capable of doing more for the attainment of the object than any plan hitherto devised. ed is done away, by the recourse they and their children have to the word of God. About eight years back, there were not six people who could repeat one verse in the Bible from memory in all this neighbourhood; and numbers, I believe, never heard of, or knew there was a Bible in the world. Since our Society's Bibles and Testaments have been in circulation, their knowledge of Divine things has been daily increasing; atid it is to be hoped that the growing up children, attending our schools, will be a far more religious generation." "I took a general inspection of 0- B's school at KHe had a large number of aged men and growing-up boys, at his even-" ing school, last winter. As they were this day engaged at their la bour, I could not examine them; but, on the Sabbath day, they assembled in the morning: most of them were married men; some of them with Irish Testaments, and others with spelling-books. It was gratifying to see old men so anxious, to learn letters, as to frequent our schools. As they are in general Roman Catholics, I read and explained to them the Irish Testament: they were very silent-made no objection to what I said; and, when I asked them some questions as to the sinful state of man, and the consequence of it, and concerning Jesus Christ, the only Hope of sinners, some of them made very proper answers. "The accounts," adds Mr. B"which I have received from different districts respecting the proficiency of the pupils in committing the Scriptures to memory, is most pleasing. Many have learned twenty or thirty chapters within this quarter; and one boy has learned, since the last inspection in May, no less than 100 chapters, and can repeat nearly the whole New Testament." From D- B——, one of the Inspectors of the Society's Schools. "Priest M- of the parish of E-, who has been a great enemy to our schools, made application, a few days ago, for a school to be established in his parish. A Catholic in this neighbourhood lately paid me a visit, who procured an Irish Testament from the Society some time ago. He has made great proficiency in reading it, and takes such delight in it that he carries it in his pocket, in order to read it to every person with whom he has any intercourse. He reads to the congregation, before and after mass, every Sabbath day; and, to his great surprise, Priest M does not forbid him. The neigh-in this country, are progressively bours, also, frequently invite him to their houses to read the Testament to them. “I have visited many Roman Catholics in this neighbourhood, and am glad to acquaint you, that the prejudice heretofore entertain "I visited F-'s school, at R. He had eighty-eight pupils assembled, sixteen of whom read the second chapter of Ephesians, and gave pertinent explanations of it. I am glad to say, that both masters and pupils in general, advancing in the knowledge of the Scriptures: and I perceive, that, when the pupils are enlightened with this knowledge, the Masters of such are much affected with the "necessity and importance of it. I greatly rejoiced to hear Mr. F > (whom I knew to have been brought up in the Church of Rome) explain from the Scriptures the Gospel very clearly. He said, I bless the day that Mr. B gave me a Bible, and advice how to read it. I brought it home, but did not dare to look in it, except in private, lest my friends, or the parish priest, should hear of it; but now I acknowledge to all around me, that the Scriptures are the true word of God. This has made me many enemies ; but, through all my trials, the Lord has delivered ine.' : In my way to SI called at several houses to receive inform ation about the persecution of the schools by Priest B――; and I understand that the people are not nowein dread of him. I heard many say, that they did not think much of his thunders and threatenings; that the noble and well-meaning people of England had given their children books and education gratis, and that they would receive them thankfully. I have been born and educated in this country, and I never saw a more sure evidence of the goodness of God among many individuals, than what I perceive at present," by the blessed instrumentality of the Society's Bibles, Testaments, and Schools." From HD, an Inspector. It is with delight that I give you a few hints about the E- school. You may just take a view of about eighty female children collected in a clean house, with eight female visitors: the whole was a scene of delight. The children appeared pretty clean, and answered so as to give much satisfaction; and when any of the young classes were at all deficient, the visitors were very active in telling the cause. If thousands of pounds had been expended on that school alone, I believe that they who gave it would not lose their reward; for, af ter all, it is more than the conquer" ing of nations of subduing of king" dems, to be the instruments of bringing so many immortal souls from darkness to light." From D G Esq. to Mr. a tax Bus | དུ་སྙོམ "It rejoices me to hear of the success Providence has given to the efforts of the Hibernian Society; and I am confident that the good effects of their proceedings will shortly appear in the reformed manners of the rising generation. Already, in my neighbourhood, the effect has shewn itself: the roads are no longer crowded with-nakedchildren, shocking the ears of the well disposed with oaths and curses. God be thanked, they are now learning his word, and will, in time, spread the knowledge of the right way' through »this, benighted country.", From A→→ H~~, Schoolmaster ·at D, to Mr.B÷ "My school is increasing in number, and my pupils are improv→ ing in the knowledge of the holy Scriptures, which are able to make men wise unto salvation, »Like thes noble Bereans, some of the Romanį Catholics have expressed a wish to read the Bible: I have, theres fore, given my school Bibles: to two Catholics of this parish, one! of whom has three sons in our Testament class, and the other three are children also at my school. These two men manfully told the priest that they thought it a great blessing thus to have the Scriptures put into the hands of their children: on which he said, At this rate there will shortly be no occasion for ecclesiastical teachers,' and left them.” 1994 100 a From JH, a Schoolmaster at DIE 4d As "I am sure it will be gratifying, to you to know that the youth of this amazingly wicked place!! wre become more moral: the word of God is carefully read by many both young and old, and its effects may be easily seen. The youngest children in my school will not bear 16: hear an oath or a he, without ex></ pressing their disapprobation. ↑ A person told me lately of the serious!: ness of his children, and of their remarks at home, when they see any thing improper in his family. One child between five and six years of age, hearing her father swear, told him of God's displeasure at his conduct. Every one was struck with amazement at the behaviour of the child. I have the pleasure to say, that my school has increased consider ably. Five Catholic children have returned to it: they are all of one family; and their father says he will no longer submit to the priest's jurisdiction in this respect. The school has increased to 140, and the attendance is better than it has heretofore been." From PS-; an Inspector. "The schools are doing very well. It is truly gratifying to hear how correctly most of the superior classes repeat their lessons; and still more, to hear the wise and even enlightened responses which many of them make. Some of the teachers seem to be impressed with the im portance of learning and believing the word of God. Mr. M of K can correct his pupils with out referring to a book, in any verse from the second to the fourteenth chapter of St. Matthew; and many of them can do so likewise." NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE THE success that has attended the exertions of the Naval and Military Bible Society during the year preceding its last meeting, and the encouraging prospect of its increasing prosperity, enabled the Committee to present a Report of their proceedings with a satisfaction and a confidence fully equal to that which had been experienced upon any former occasion. The consolidation of peace have ing necessarily occasioned a considerable reduction in the navy and army, the scope of the Society's operations, particularly with reference to the former, has been greatly diminished; yet by no means in CHRIST. OBSERV. APP. proportion to that reduction, since the call for the holy Scriptures, from those who had not before. been supplied, has been comparatively much greater than at any former time; and among sailors! and soldiers generally, the desire to be possessed of Bibles seems. progressively gaining ground, hereby confirming, in the most full and gratifying manner, the anticipations of the Society, and exhibiting an other instance of the increased demand excited by the dissemination of the word of God. Under these circumstances, instead of relaxing their exertions in consequence of the reduction of the navy and army, the Society are anxious to impress upon the public mind the motives and necessity. for an unremitted activity; cons vinced that the precious seed which has thus been sown is taking root, with the most cheering prospect of an abundant harvest. "If it were necessary," observes the Report, "to adduce facts of recent date, in proof of the gradual fulfilment of the revealed declara, tions of Heaven, as contained in the prophecies of the inspired writers, relative to the eventful and univer sal establishment of the Christian faith, a more striking and manifest instance could scarcely be cited, than that which is afforded by comparing the past with the present state of religion in the navy and Many thousands of our countryarmy. men, sailors and soldiers, who a few years ago were in a manner without the knowledge of God-Christians in name alone, and therefore equally ignorant of their duty towards God and towards man without any.. principle of action but that uncertain and fallacious one prompted by unenlightened conscience-and with no motive to do good but fear of the consequences of doing evil, now, by the perusal of the Bible, are made acquainted with 'Him,' whom to know is eternal life.' ་ That the study of the Word of 5 U 1. 12. |