579 Church Society.-Prayer Book Society. It appears from the accounts presented at the meeting, that prosperity continues to attend the Bible Society in every part of the world;-that the prejudices which were formerly raised against it have gradually disappeared; -that some of its former enemies have lately become its friends;-that others have retired in silence from the contest in which they have been vanquished by the spirit of benevolence; that branch societies have been formed in the most unpromising regions;—that their numbers regularly increase ;-and that none of its illustrious supporters have grown weary in well doing. Of the benefits which had resulted from the circulation of the scriptures, many pleasing testimonies were also given, drawn from quarters, where, in all probability, had it not been for the Bible Society, the inhabitants would have lived and died without hope, and without God in the world. Into the languages spoken by the northern nations of Europe, the Bible had been translated: in Arabic, it had been undertaken by an Abyssinian; and in Chinese, a translation of the whole scriptures was already accomplished. These were grounds of future anticipation, and presages of success. The soil was cultivated, the seed was sown, and furnished promises of an abundant harvest. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Or this Society, the twenty-first anniversary was held on the 1st of May, at Freemason's Hall, Great Queenstreet, when the Right Hon. Lord Gambier was called to the chair. On this occasion, the principal speakers were, Rev. Josiah Pratt, Hon. Lord Loughton, Rev. W. Dealtry, Rev. W. Jowett, Rev. E. Burn, Lord Bishop of Gloucester, Rev. Mr. Thompson, Charles Grant, Esq. Sir Charles Macartney, Rev. Dr. Thorpe, Rev. Dr. Steinkopff, Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel, and the Rev. D. Wilson. 580 sinian languages ;-that in Calcutta and the northern India district, schools had been established, in which about 2000 children were receiving education;-that in India several native schoolmasters had rendered their assistance;-that many thousands of tracts had been circulated;-and that a great desire for reading the scriptures prevailed. The receipts of monies during the year, amounted to £33,921. 10s. 8d. and the total of expenditure to £31,991. 5s. 10d. The speeches delivered at this meeting, chiefly referred to some one or other of the articles enumerated in the preceding Report. Of the inhumanity which still prevails in India towards infants and widows, the Rev. Mr. Thompson drew a melancholy picture, that completely contradicted an opinion which had been propagated, namely, that the burning of widows was confined to the higher classes, and that those who suffered were voluntary victims. He had seen instances that completely falsified these statements; and the cruelties which he had been called to witness, demanded our compassionate activity and exertions. PRAYER BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY. ON Thursday the 3d of May, the ninth anniversary of this society was held at Stationer's Hall, Ludgate-street, when, as both the President and VicePresident were absent, Joseph Wilson, Esq., the treasurer, was called to the chair. On this occasion, speeches were delivered by Macaulay, Esq. John Poynder, Esq. Hon. and Rev. G. Noel, Rev. Mr. Jowett, Rev. Charles Simeon, Rev. Daniel Wilson, Rev. Mr. Marsh, Rev. Mr. Burn, Rev. W. Dealtry, and the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth. The Report, which was read by the Rev. C. R. Pritchett, the Secretary, stated, that the committee had distributed 8982 bound Prayer Books and Psalters, and 49,022 Homilies and Tracts. The receipts of the year amounted to £1993. 13s. 10d. and the disbursements to £2170.5s. 10d. This excess of expenditure had arisen from the extension of the society's operations to foreign countries. The Report, of which an abstract was read by the Rev. Mr. Pratt, stated, that during the preceding year, the society had acquired new accession of strength;-that many individuals of considerable influence had co-operated in the grand design;that additional branch societies had been formed:-that the scriptures In the speeches which were deliverwere preparing in the Maltese & Abys-ed at this anniversary, many warm 581 Liverpool Bible Society.-Literary Notices. but deserved eulogiums were passed on the form of sound words which the Liturgy contains, and on the truths of the gospel included in the Homilies. Between the church of England and that of Rome, a striking contrast was exhibited; and the interests of the former were advocated with much eloquence, and warmth of feeling. Towards others who were not so cordially attached to the establishment as themselves, a spirit of enlightened liberality was displayed, and the grand aim appeared to be to do good. AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY, LIVER- The PURSUANT to public notice, the anniversary of this benevolent Institution, was held on Wednesday, May 16th, in the Music Hall, Bold-street. business began about 12 o'clock, at which time this large and commodious room was nearly filled, with a most respectable company. Sir J. Tobin, late Mayor of Liverpool, having been called to the chair, a general Report was introduced; which, after some gentlemen had spoken, was succeeded by another, referring exclusively to that branch which had been conducted by the Ladies. But, although both of these Reports were admirably written, and their contents deeply interesting, as they were deemed too long to be wholly read, some parts were omitted. This plan, if frequently adopted, would rarely fail to ensure general satisfaction. On public occasions, the length of the Report is almost incessantly a subject of complaint. Most of those who attend, would rather hear a bad speech, than a good Report. On behalf of the parent Society in London, the Rev. Mr. Owen, one of the Secretaries, was present, whose eloquence, and statements of facts, excited a considerable degree of interest. Several clergymen from the town and neighbouring parishes attended, and spoke in succession, in conjunction with various ministers belonging to the Independents, Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. Both the place and the occasion exhibited a kind of neutral ground, on which the advocates of jarring sentiments might meet without hostility, and for a few moments lay aside the peculiar dogmas of their respective 582 creeds. Throughout the day, the utmost harmony prevailed. Under the influence of the general wish which was manifested, to spread a knowledge of the Gospel among heathen nations, party distinctions disappeared; and mutual pledges were given to one another by those present, to persevere in the arduous work which they had undertaken. The meeting continued until about four o'clock. A collection as usual was made at the door, which we understand corresponded with the benevolent spirit for which Liverpool has been long and so justly distinguished, but of the exact amount we have not been informed. (The remaining Anniversaries we hope will be given in our next.) Literary Notices. Just published, in 2 vols. 8vo. Memoirs of the Mexican Revolution, by William Davis Robinson. A clear systematic View of the Evidences of Christianity, 1 vol. 8vo. By J. Macardy. A description of Modern Birmingham, 1 vol. 8vo. By Charles Pye. The Vicar of Iver, a Tale. By the Author of the Italian Convert. 12mo. 3s. 6d. A Compendium of the History of the Jewish Kings; for the amusement and instruction of Youth; embellished with sixteen coloured Engravings. 18mo. 3s. Two Sermons: one on the death of Mr. J. Billing; and the other addressed to Young Persons. By J. Styles. D.D. 2s. Burder's Missionary Anecdotes. A new edition, enlarged and improved. 12mo. 5s. History of the Persecutions endured by the Protestants of the South of France, and more especially of the department of the Gard, during the years 1814, 1815, 1816, &c. including a Defence of their Conduct, from the Revolution to the present period. By the Rev. Mark Wilks. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s. The Support of the Christian Ministry; a Sermon, preached at the Nether Chapel, Sheffield, before the Associated Churches and Ministers assembled there, April 25th, 1821. By the Rev. J. Bennett, of Rotherham. Third Edition, 1s. 6d. Spiritual Recreations in the Chamber of Affliction, or Pious Meditations in Verse, written during a protracted illness of thirteen years. By Eliza. Post 8vo. 6s. boards. In the Press, in one volume octavo, a Grammar of the Sunscrit Language, on a new plan. By the Rev. Wm. Yates. The Bee, No. 22, has just been issued from the Caxton Press. The Coronation is expected to take place early in July. About 2800 medals, nearly the size of a half crown, are to be coined. One that is very large will be preserved as a memorial of this event. COMMERCIAL REPORT, LIVERPOOL, MAY 21, 1821. OUR external commerce still languishes; and so many obstacles appear to present themselves, that we fear a complete revival is rather distant. One great measure has, however, been accomplished; we allude to the resumption of Cash Payments by the Bank of England: and in a short time, the quantity and quality of circulating medium, necessary for the country, will be ascertained. It is anticipated by some well-informed men, that a general revival of trade will be consequent upon this measure; for our own parts, we are not quite so sanguine, and we should like to see something like a reciprocity of intercourse established between this and other countries; and we are happy to perceive, that the Committees of Trade are alive to this important subject, and, in bringing forward the equalization of the Timber duties, they have given a kind of pledge that other lines or branches of commerce will receive their investigation. In recapitulating the transactions of our market, since our last, little variety will be found,— the prices of most articles have experienced little fluctuation, though some interest will probably be excited in perusing the details. The sales of Cotton, during the preceding four weeks, amount to 28,270 packages. On the 18th instant, large Sales by Auction, of this article, took place: the attendance of the trade was not numerous-the Sea Islands went off heavily, at a depression of 1d. per lb.-Brazils declined about d.-Orleans maintained their previous currency; the other descriptions experienced no variation. The sales of the last week consisted of 6,970 packages, of which the following were sold by private contract :— 2080 Bags, Bowed, 9d. to 10d. 450 do. Orleans, 10 d. to 13d. 220 Bags, 150 do. 110 do. 100 do. 40 do. Mobile, 93d. 220 do. 250 do. Demerara, 12d. to 14d. Cuba, 10 d. Surats, 7 d. to 8d. Of British Plantation Sugars, the sales of the month amount to 2250 hogsheads; the low qualities have sustained a depression of 1s. 6d. to 2s. per cwt. The present rates are certainly reasonable. The following are the quotations :--for low browns, 54s. to 58s.-middling, 59s. to 65s.-good middling, 66s. to 70s.-good bright, 71s. to 75s.-fine, 76s. to 80s. On the 18th instant, 1000 bags of Bengal Sugars, found purchasers at 74s. for good white; and low whites at 68s. The demand for Coffee is far from being animated; at the last public sale, the prices ruled for Demerara Coffee, fine middling, 128s. to 129s. 6d.-low middling, 119s. to 1218.-ordinary, 114s. &c. Cocoa is in tolerable request. Rums go off in small quantities, without any improvement in price. Jamaicas, 16s. O. P. have been sold as low as 1s. 10d. per gallon, in bond. Brandy and Geneva partake in the same dulness. Tobacco has undergone little or no variation; the demand for home consumption and export being very limited. American Rice is more inquired after;-at 30s. to 32s. per cwt. d. p. Naval Stores.-The late imports of Turpentine have been all disposed of, at 12s. to 13s. per cwt. All the late arrivals of American Tar have likewise been sold at 13s. 6d. to 15s. per barrel. There has been no import from Stockholm as yet, the price is nominally 18s. per barrel. Pine Timber is very steady at 20 d. per foot, and large quantities are daily taken out of the market. Several cargoes of Timber, from Memel and Dantzig, are on the way. Dyewoods are rather more inquired after. Campeachy Logwood, fetches £9. to £9. 58.-—Cuba Fustic, £9. per ton. Tallow is recovering from its late depression, and Y. C. sells readily at 50s. 6d. Palm Oil has advanced to £35. per tun. The imports of Hides from Buenos Ayres still continue on a large scale, and very extensive sales have taken place,—the prices are 94d. to 93d for good quality, whilst a few prime have obtained 10d. to 10gd per lb. Horse Hides, 6s. to 7s. 6d. each. The transactions in our Corn Market are very inconsiderable; a great dulness prevails, without producing much declension of price. English Oats, and Barley, are rather lower.Sour Flour, in bond, has attracted the notice of speculators.-500 barrels of New Orleans, have been sold at 13s. 3d. per barrel, in bond. There have been some arrivals of New Irish Butter, and Cork new-3ds. sells at 888. per cwt. Several vessels which went out from hence to the Seal Fishery, on the new-discovered group of Islands, situated to the south of Cape Horn, have returned to London with full cargoes. PRINTED BY H. FISHER, LIVERPOOL, PRINTER IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY, |