that a spirit of brotherly love and Christian unanimity actuated them all. The noble Lord then concluded his short address by earnestly impressing upon the mind of every one who heard him, the necessity of gratitude to God for the blessings already bestowed upon missionary exertions, and of prayers and supplications for the continued aids of the Holy Spirit in carrying on the glorious work.

The Rev. Josiah Pratt, the Secretary, then read the Report, which detailed, at great length, the missionary operations of the Society during the past year, in the various countries to which its missionaries had been sent. Many letters, from different friends to the Society, were quoted, giving highly satisfactory accounts of the rapid progress which the light of the Gospel was making in every quarter it had reached.

The statement as to the funds of the Society was extremely gratifying; the receipts of the current year amounting to about $146,520, and the expenses to nearly the same.

A Missionary House at Calcutta, similar to that at Madras, had been established under the auspices of the Right Rev. Bishop, and education was advancing with steady steps throughout the East. The accounts from Ceylon, the West Indies, the British settlements in North America, &c. &c. were highly satisfactory. In Sierra Leone, the Gospel was working almost incredible changes, and many of the poor slaves may, without a figure of speech, be said to have become new creatures. Schools, (numerously attended) prayermeetings, and even a Bible Society had been established in that improving land, which, not many years ago, was totally buried in mental darkness. The accounts from the Protestants' churches of continental Europe, presented a beautiful picture of missionary zeal and energy; indeed from the Pyrenees to the Mountains of Norway, from the German Ocean to the shores of the Euxine, the same ardour and activity in this best of causes were eminently conspicuous.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

WEDNESDAY, May 1, the 18th Anniversary Meeting of this excellent Institution was held at the Freemasons' Tavern. On three sides of the great room benches had been erected for the accommodation of the company, who began to assemble at an early hour; and long before eleven o'clock every place, including the high galleries at each end, were filled by persons of the first respectability.

Shortly after eleven o'clock the chair was taken by Lord Teignmouth, who, after explaining the object of the meeting, moved that the Report be read. The Report was read accordingly, and the following is an abstract :

It contained a number of most cheering facts relative to the prosperity of the Institution, from which it appeared that the Auxiliary Societies have increased both in number, and in the amount of the subscriptions, that the friends of similar Institutions in various parts of the world have been prosecuting the same cause with increased energy and success; and many instances were mentioned in which their exertions have produced a very striking moral and religious VOL. IX.

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benefit. The income of the Society during the past year exceeded that of any former year, and amounted to the astonishing sum of upwards of $456,000. The expenditure, during the same period, in translating, printing, and circulating the Scriptures in a variety of European, Asiatic, and some African and American languages, as also in assisting the benevolent labours of kindred Institutions, exceeded $400,000. So great, however, are the demands, and such the confidence of the committee on the continued generosity of the Christian public, that the engagements of the Society were calculated at no less a sum than $222,000. The reading of the Report occupied nearly an hour, and was received by the meeting with the most cordial approbation.

From the many interesting addresses, delivered on this occasion, we shall at present give but the following extract :-

The Rev. Mr. Mondd, secretary of the Paris Protestant Bible Society, said he appeared before them as the representative of a Bible Society, which took the greatest interest in the proceedings of this Society, and which contemplated them with admiration and gratitude. The members of the Society to which he belong. ed valued no other distinctions than those of the disciples of Jesus. He considered himself there among children of the same Father, and followers of the same Saviour. (Applause.) With sentiments of this kind he prayed the indulgence of the meeting, and assured them that their brethren in France were animated by the same spirit as those whom he now addressed, although they had not the same means. Little more than three years had elapsed since the society in Paris was established, and since then there were forty branch societies from it; and from having at first no more funds than 40,000 francs, they now had 300,000 francs. (Applause.) They Kad distributed vast numbers of Bibles; and a generous friend of their institution had sent 2000 francs, to be given to the author of the best work in the French language upon the reading of the Holy Scriptures.

William Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. was delighted to see, even in Paris, the rapid progress of that blessed Trath which would lead men to eternal salvation, and overturn the false philosophy which had too much prevailed in a capital that had long been renowned for learning and the liberal arts. It was also delightful to see that in almost every part of the habitable globe the Bible was now diffusing its blessings; it was now making its happy progress among the miserable natives of Labrador. The people of the United States of America were also labouring in the same cause with us; and showing to the world that all men were children of the same parents. There was, in fact, a masterly energy of heavenly force at work to accomplish the great objects they all had in view. The grand and eternal quarrel he ever had with the Roman Catholic religion (Applause)—arose from their refusing to circulate the Scriptures; and the moment they ceased to do so, his hostility against them would cease. He was now happy to inform the meeting, that he very lately had a communication from the secretary of general Bolivar, president of the Colombian Republic, which stated that Bibles had been brought into Venezuela; that they were eagerly bought up, and rapidly circulated; and there was every reason to hope that Bible Societies would soon be established among all the Catholic inhabitants of the extensive regions of South America. (Applause.)

(To be continued.)

UNITED STATES.-GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, closed their Annual Sessions, held at Philadelphia, on the 28th of May. It appears by the Reports there are 66 Presbyteries under the care of the Assembly, and 1411 Congregations: that in 30 Pres

byteries, 90 poor and pious youth were receiving education for the Christian Ministry.

On the 21st of May, the Union between the Associate Reformed/ Church and the Presbyterian Church was consummated; and at 4 P. M. on the 22d, the members of the Associate Synod attended the Assembly, when they exhibited, in the duties of prayer and praise, " a union of heart as well as a union of form." We are happy to add, that the Assembly have appointed a Committee on the subject of a connexion, by correspondence," with the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church.

The most important statement in the whole proceedings, appears to us to be that of the affairs of the Theological Seminary at Princeton. We consider it as a most wonderful occurrence that a Seminary, professedly the fosterchild of a wealthy and generous church, should have so much occasion to complain for want of adequate patronage. We cannot doubt that there is sufficient piety within the Presbyterian church, and sufficient wealth to endow the seminary twenty times over why then works not that piety? why comes not forth that wealth? Perhaps it is because the wealthy among us read and think but little. So far as we know, this unreading and unthinking habit is a sufficient cause to deter every institution that lays claim to any considerable portion of a people's wealth; men will not often, and should never give, but with a motive to usefulness; and men will not feel urged by that motive, until they read and think-in this case, until they read and think about the seminary, and the urgent want of our land, and the worth of souls, and the excellency of the gift of the ministry. We have enough wealthy readers, would they read somewhat more, and think a great deal more, and especially pray without ceasing, to endow sufficiently this ornament of the Presbyterian Church. To the sober, pious, and prayerful reflection of these and the whole community, we commit the interest of a Seminary, the yearly repetition of whose wants and woes, makes the church blush.

Upon a communication received from Dr. Morse, Corresponding Secretary of the American Society for the civilization and improvement of the Indians within the United States, the Assembly expressed the opinion" that the plan of operation of the society appears calculated to awaken general attention to this important subject, to command great facilities, and obtain efficient means for promoting the temporal and eternal welfare of our heathen neighbours; and for securing peace and friendly intercourse among those, who have been too much alienated from each other, although belonging to the same common family."

The Assembly recommended the formation of Societies auxiliary to the United Foreign Missionary Society, and commend the institution to particular attention of the churches under their care.

NEW YORK FEMALE BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE sixth annual report of this respectable Society, furnishes some interesting facts, which exhibit the excellence of the plan of

visiting which they have adopted. From the reports of the Associa tion Committees we shall make several extracts, in the hope that many others will be thereby led to go and do likewise.—

Number 1.-"We have found our employment not only gratifying, but edifying In making these visits, an opportunity is afforded us of observing the diversity of character and circumstances of the poor. Among the humblest, piety the most elevated has been discovered, and among the poorest, liberality the greatest; the ignorant have appeared eager to receive instruction, and the uninformed to take advice. A poor coloured woman when engaging to subscribe for a Bible, said 'she had never paid any money so freely; it was hardly earned, but could in no other way be so well spent.' On the first call, she paid two shillings, and respectfully requested to have a chapter read to her, to which she listened with eager attention; if famished with hunger, she could not apparently have received necessary food with more avidity."

"We were much pleased with a pious woman who had seen better days. She told us she had once been the possessor, not only of the Bible, but many other good books, but through a succession of misfortunes, she had lost all her property, even to her Bible. In the time of her affliction she felt the need of God's word, and often borrowed it of her neighbour. The object of the Society was stated to her. She preferred subscribing a small sum, to receiving it gratuitously. In consideration of her very indigent circumstances, a small Bible was granted to her for four shillings."

"A little boy requested permission to purchase a Bible cut of his allowance for spending money at school, which he relinquished three months for that purpose." "A coloured woman said, 'This is the first book ever given to me. I love the Bible, and may the Lord reward you with a thousand books.' We told her it was not our gift, but from the Bible Society. She replied, the Lord prosper the Society, and bless you too for coming to see me."

"Inquiry has been made in every family, with respect to children being sent to the Sunday Schools, and it is pleasing to observe how much this excellent institution is valued and attended to."

Number 2.-" A woman whom we visited in Washington-street, appeared very ill, and apparently near death; when questioned as to her own views of her situation, she was sensible that she had not long to live, and seemed anxiously concerned about her future state. She was visited by a clergyman, with a member of this Association. He read and prayed with her; her Bible being nearly worn out, and her eyes very weak, one of the largest Bibles was presented to her, which she left as a precious legacy to her daughter."

A young woman who, on our first visit, said she could not give any thing, called on us some time afterwards, and said she had thought more of the subject, and would subscribe a cent a week, which she has regularly paid."

"We visited an aged woman who, as well as her children, knew not how to read, but her grandchildren attended Sunday School. She requested us to come often and read the Bible to her; her request was granted, and we always left her in tears, bewailing the opportunities and privileges which she had failed to improve."

"A Roman Catholic who had paid little or no attention to his eternal interests, and apparently insensible to any admonition on the subject when first visited, was afterwards brought by illness to reflection. It was then that the remarks which before had been but slightly heeded, recurred to his mind as worthy of some attention. He needed medical aid, which was procured for him; but he needed still more the consolations of the Bible, and this volume, hitherto disregarded, appears, at last, to be as much esteemed as it was formerly neglected."

CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1822.

THE return of the anniversary of our country's freedom, presents an appropriate season for American Christians to unite in acts of praise to Almighty God, for the blessings which, nationally and indi

vidually, we enjoy. It would afford us great pleasure were we able to inform our readers, that this day had been hallowed by a recognition of the goodness and mercy of God which every Christian patriot in our country experiences. In our inability to do this, we rejoice that an opportunity is afforded to state that a few turned aside from the disgusting scenes ordinarily exhibited on these days of "National Jubilee," to acknowledge the God of nations, and worship Him in praise and thanksgivings.

In the forenoon a meeting was held in the Presbyterian church in Rutgers'-street. The exercises consisted in singing, reading, prayers and addresses, in which the Rev. Messrs. Cox, Baldwin, Stafford and Nott, of this city, and the Rev. Dr. Alden, president of Alleghany college, took a part.

At half past ten o'clock A. M. the Bethel Flag was hoisted on the Mariners' Church, and divine service commenced with singing. The Rev. John Truair delivered an appropriate discourse.

In the afternoon a union prayer meeting was held in the same place. The Rev. Henry Chase, of the Methodist church, presided. The Rev. J. Williams offered the introductory prayer, and the Rev. T. Mason read a chapter and made an address. The Rev. Mr. Ross engaged in prayer, and was followed by the Rev. T. Alden, D. D. in a short address. The Rev. Messrs. Phillips and Heyer, of this city, also engaged in prayer.

The whole exercises were solemn and peculiarly appropriate to the occasion. A collection was taken up for the Society for promoting the Gospel among Seamen.

A correspondent has sent us a communication touching the celebration of the fourth of July in this city, from which we make the following extract:

The account of the celebration of the 4th of July as furnished by our city Editors, seemed to me to be very deficient. Whether they had the enviable skill of confining their vision to the few splendid objects, which they drew off the next morning; or whether they thought the tout ensemble, a perfect non descript, or whether editorial sagacity, perceived that a real camera obscura of a New-York 4th of July, would disgust the reading community, I know not: this I know; the dingling of bells, the waving of flags, the march of soldiery, and the roar of cannon, are made to stand forth as the grand display, by which our city honours the birthday of our country's liberty. But, sir, is there nothing but loud noise, and high elevation, which a free city can offer to the Genius of liberty? Our city corporation think otherwise, and annually prepare an exhibition along the surface of the ground, which transmits a portion of its glory over every district of the city. If Liberty triumphs any where, it is around the citadel of Justice; if she triumphs over any of her enemies, it is over the magistrates and laws. If at any time, under any circumstances, she puts off the moderation which makes her a blessing to mankind, and puts on the unblushing face and manners of licentiousness, it is when under the authority of the corporation, and by the