What has the Church of England been distinguished by in all ages? The spirit which pervades her prayers, is a spirit strictly catholic and universal.. She represents herself as forming but a part of the great community, who enjoy the affection of their Common Father; and when she teaches her children to address the Father of Mankind, it is, that "His way may be known upon earth, and His saving health among all nations." But, alas! we have joined in these prayers, and, till lately, never thought it necessary to follow them by our exertions. But, my Lord, we have heard it said, "Why are you so eager to go abroad? why not confine yourselves to labour at home?" A singular question this!and such an one as we never heard on any other subject. In what other line, have we been told to confine ourselves within the narrow geographical limits of our own shores? We have sent out our commerce to every part of the habitable globe, and not a murmur has been heard. What then? shall the remotest parts of the earth be ours by commercial ties, and not be ours by the ties of religion-not be ours, by that golden chain which is let down from heavennot be ours, by that charity which is the bond of peace, and which diffuses happiness and glory over all the earth? Sir Charles Mac Carthy being present at the Meeting, came forward, amidst the warm congratulations of the Members, to acknowledge a Vote of Thanks which had passed; and confessed himself under much obligation to the Society, without whose assistance he could have made but little progress in the improvement of the Liberated Negroes of Sierra Leone. Witnessing, as I have done (said Sir Charles,) the sufferings of our Black Brethren, and feeling that it is the influence of Christianity alone which can make them civilized and happy in this life, and happy in a future, with these impressions I shall shortly return to Africa; and my own exertions in this cause, such as they are, shall be continued to the end of my days. The collection at the church amounted to 2211. 18s. 2 1-2d. and that at the annual meeting to 143. 7s. 9d 1-2.; making a total of 365l. 6s. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY. The noble President of the Society, the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, having taken the chair, at the annual meeting at Freemason's Hall, on Wednesday, the 2d of May, the Report was read by the Rev. John Owen, assisted by his son. The issues of books and the state of the funds were as follows:Issues of the Scriptures within the year. Bibles Testaments Total 104,828 142,129 246,957 Annual Subscriptions. iliaries The deficiency in the aggregate receipts occurs chiefly in the amount of Bibles and Testaments sold and in that of legacies received. Payments of the Year. These have amounted to 79,560l. 13s. 6d. The Society is under engagements, which will become payable in the course of its current year, to the amount of about 40,000l. The resolutions were moved and seconded, respectively-by the Earl of Harrowby, and Viscount Lorton-by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and William Evans, Esq. M.P.-by the Lord Bishop of Gloucester, and Lord Cal thorpe, by the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, and the Rev. John Brown (of the Scottish Church)-by Lord William Bentinck, and the Right Hon. Charles Grant-by the Rev. William Jowett, and the Rev. Jabez Bunting (of the Wesleyan Society)-by Joseph John Gurney, Esq. (of the Society of Friends,) and George Sandford, Esq.-and by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart. M.P., and the Rev. John Owen. In opening the meeting, the noble President remarked I must express my sincere regret at the absence of one, whose presence at our anniversaries has ever been cheered with congratulations; and whose pious, affectionate, and impressive eloquence never failed to impart sympathetic feelings to all who had the delight to hear him. Your expectations will not be disappointed when I mention the name of Wilberforce: he has reluctantly submitted to the urgent entreaties of his friends, to deny himself the pleasure of attending this meeting, in consequence of the state of his health, which renders repose indispensable to the preservation of it. I have also to communicate on the part of a noble and highly esteemed friend, Lord Gambier, his deep concern that he cannot have the gratification of being present with us this day, having been called on to attend the performance of the last melancholy offices to the earthly remains of a near relation. The Earl of Harrowby, in moving the adoption of the Report, observed, in reference to the progress of the Society : It is indeed a most interesting and important page of Universal History; but it differs in this respect from other histories, that, instead of being, as they are, chiefly, a history of the crimes and the miseries of men-of their jarring interests, and the wretchedness which their crimes have brought upon the world-this contains a history of the diffusion of that Word, by which alone those crimes can be lessened, and those miseries alleviated; and which, in due time-a time known only to that Being who rules over all-shall bring about a state, wherein Universal History shall become more and more barren of those events, which, since the creation of the world, have at once adorned and disgraced it. The Bishop of Gloucester particularly adverted to the SEASONABLENESS of the present dissemination of the Scrip tures: We live, my Lord, in times of an extraordinary description-of rapid, wonderful, and most important changes; which we could not have foreseen, and the result of which we hardly dare to estimate. I would not hazard a political opinion on the subject, but refer merely to the fact. Whatever alterations may take place in the form and constitutions of any of the Governments on the Continent, how inconceivably important is it that the only oracle and standard of right opinions, the only prompter of right motives, should be universally distributed; being the only means by which liberty can be prevented from degenerating into licentiousness. The ancient superstitions, by which the judgments of men on religious subjects have been so long fettered and enchained, seem also to afford evident symptoms of decay and destruction. How important, then, that the Bible, which can alone supply equally the vacuities and fill the opening left for new impressions, should be placed in every hand, set before every eye, and be ready to enter into every heart-that the light from above should anticipate or supersede the sparks of human kindling-and that, in such a fluctuating sea of opinions, each sect should find, in the Word of God, an anchor sure and steadfast! To a most extraordinary extent, and with a rapidity almost supernatural, education is spreading in every direction. In France, above one thousand schools are said to have been established in five years, and to be in full and vigorous operation. How important, then, that the Bible should keep pace with the capacity of reading-should be, where admitted, the lesson of every child; and, at all events, be at hand to satisfy his awakened appetite for information, and to teach him whose mind will be newly athirst after knowledgethat knowledge which alone makes wise unto Salvation! But, above all, the seasonableness of our success is apparent from the extraordinary efforts which are now making in an opposite direction. The powers of darkness cannot permit to remain, unnoticed and unopposed, this extensive invasion of their long comparatively unmolested reign. In our land, most particularly, as the strong-hold of the Bible, the spirit of evil at this time labours hard to undermine and overthrow every principle of good, by infidel, by immoral, and by seditious publications. The press is his favourite engine, and he is working it to the utmost. How incalculably important, then, that he should be met, in every case, on his own ground; and that the Press, which introduces the poison, should be made, universally, to furnish the antidote ! We extract the address of the Rev. William Jowett, as it contains a narrative of interesting circumstances, in which he bore a share : I feel in some degree happy, that it should fall to my lot to address this Meeting, after the eloquent appeals which you have just heard; because, as an invalid, this circumstance furnishes me both with an apology and a motive for passing over my ground as quickly as possible: but, having been announced as one of the Secretaries of the Malta Bible Society, I should fail in my duty, were I not to express our deep debt of gratitude to this Society. Perhaps few persons have more reason than myself to feel the greatness of this debt; for, having assisted at the first institution of our Malta Society, when we formed a resolution that the Version of Archbishop Martini should be the only Italian Version circulated by us, I knew at that time of only one copy of that work WITHOUT NOTES in the island, and that single copy was in my possession. In a small company of Christians who assembled at my house for the purpose of reading the Scriptures, that copy was used: we read it in turn; and I have seen at my table the Syriac, the Arabic, the Hebrew, the Greek, the German, the English, the French, and the manuscript Maltese Scriptures, in the hands of the different persons assembled; while this single copy of Martini went round from hand to hand, and each read five verses in his turn. While we are bound to thank the Bible Society for giving us the Italian Scriptures, I may also state, that, not only was the scarcity of the Scriptures great, but the necessity for them also was evident from the desire to obtain them and, in order to show how unacquainted with them many persons in the Mediterranean are, I might mention, that, one evening, one of our company, who had not arrived when we began reading, having entered the room, and it being announced to him that we : were reading in the Gospel of St Luke, he knew so little where to find the place, that he was looking for it in the Revelations. The Churches of Greece, I hope, are reviving and, while hearing the Report, I was happy to observe one thing, that though mention was made of Catholic and Protestant opponents, not one word was said of Greek opponents. Yet there is great reason for hastening to give the Scriptures to Greece; since not only in England, in France, and in Italy, may infidelity be found, but I have seen even on the classic soil of Greece the works of Voltaire. But I must proceed to offer a few observations respecting Abyssinia, and that remarkable version of the Scriptures in the Amharic Dialect, to which the Report alludes. Were all the circumstances of this version detailed, they would prove, that, although we may readily admit that miracles have ceased, yet there is often such a Providential coincidence of unforeseen circumstances, as evidently declares a work to be of God. Such circumstances have often occurred in the history of the Bible Society, and the present instance seems to call us to take our stand in Abyssinia. This version was undertaken, so far as appears on the face of printed documents, from motives chiefly literary; and thus we see how it pleases God to bring in the aid of literature, to promote His own glory. It was about the year 1806, a period when this Society had not long existed, and when it had yet to struggle through domestic controversies, the report of which never reached, and I trust never will reach the feudal chieftains and hardy mountaineers of Abyssinia, that this work was commenced in Cairo, by a learned native. At the moment when I first entered on negotiation with the proprietor of the work, he had just received an interdict from Rome, which virtually restrained the printing of it. Had it taken its course to the Vatican, it might have slumbered there for centuries, instead of reaching, as it now has done, our literary friends in the Universities, by whom it will be prepared for the service of this Society. How honourable is this event for our Country! Nearly twenty years have elapsed, since the British Name was made known at the mouth of the Nile, by the thunder of our canon. I have twice passed over that scene, by day and by night: all was still and calm; excepting the name of " Nelson's Island," there remains no memorial of the ha voc and destruction, the groans and misery which that scene once witnessed. There was silence still as death! Far different is the character in which you will now make our Country to appear. Yours it is to visit the coy sources of the Nile with the Abyssinian Scriptures-to bring peace to the afflicted Natives-and to teach them a song of praise, which they will prolong for ever in the realms of bliss above. Nor can I believe that the blessing of this work will be confined to Abyssinia. Sure I am that Christianity once reanimated in that country, whether she look to the right, to that land now falsely called "Arabia the blessed," or, to the left, over those dense and barbarous regions of Africa which no man ever yet called Blessed-she will certainly impart her benign character, and scatter blessings on every side. I feel reluctant to say any thing which might seem personal, yet perhaps I might claim the congratulations of this Assembly, when I state that this is to me the anniversary of the day, when, for the last time, I trod the shores of Alexandria, ready to embark on the morrow with this invaluable treasure. Never did I feel so overwhelmed in the prospect of a voyage; Abyssinia seemed to me to say, "Omnia mea lecum portas." Now these anxieties are exchanged for gratitude and joy. Your congratulations, however, are perhaps more justly due to One, whom your Lordship brought to our recollection early in this Meeting, and whose absence and indisposition we all so much regret when I allude to him, and to his interest in Africa, I feel myself as nothing. In these days of enterprise, that man is not to be accounted the weary and worn traveller, who can relate a few hair-breadth escapes from death; but he rather, who, conflicting for twenty years with the storms of parliamentary debate, till he dropped anchor safe in the successful measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade, even then enjoyed but little rest, but has ever since, for these fifteen years, been on a ceaseless cruize, chasing the Demons that yet scowl misery on the shores of Africa, and defiance to British benevolence. But, my Lord, when that distinguished individual whom we so highly honour, and not more honour than love, reflects on this great acquisition for Abyssinia, and combines with it the success which has attended the Missions on the Western Coast-when he remembers, that as the lightning cometh from the east, and shineth unto the west, so shull the coming of the Son of man be -he may yet indulge hope for that afflicted Continent: and should his present sickness be even unto death, he may lay his head with composure on his dying pillow, and feel that for Africa, as well as for himself, there is a more blessed region in prospect, Where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest. In reference to the same quarter of the world, Lord Calthorpe expressed his gratification, as his Lordship had done at the Meeting of the Church Missionary Society, at the state of many of the Liberated Negroes in Sierra Leone: I cannot forbear referring to another scene of this Society's exertions, which seems to me to afford the most satisfactory evidence of the success which has attended its foreign operations.The beneficial effects which have resulted from the dispersion of the Scriptures in Africa, have been already proved by the pleasing information that the funds of this institution have been aided by contributions received even from that interesting portion of the globe; and I have just had put into my hands a paper, containing evidence of the same fact. It may, however, be right, before I read any part of it, to guard gentlemen from expecting any report to come to us from that Continent clothed in the ornaments or excellency of human language; but I am persuaded, that such accents of faith and hope will not the less recommend themselves to our hearts, when they strike upon them with something of the unspeakable charm of guileless infancy. The extract which I am about to read is from a Report of a speech made at the Meeting of the Bible Society in Sierra Leone: "Gentlemen-Excuse me, for I can't talk plain. I thank the Lord that he has performed this great work-that he has sent the Bible. I was sold twice in my country; and it has pleased the Lord to bring me in this colony. When I was brought here first, I was ignorant --I was blind---I knew nothing of Jesus Christ. I saw some people go to pray to God, but I did not know what they were about. It has pleased the Lord to send His servant with the Bible; and when he preach and proclaim the Word, then the Word struck me-then my eyes opened, and I saw what I am. By this I see the Lord pitied poor men. About four years ago I was in the way of sin, but it has pleased the Lord to lift me up with His mighty hand. The Lord says, Search the Scriptures: there you shall find eternal life. I do search them, and I know the Word of God is the truth. God is no respecter of persons." have, perhaps, been the more disposed to introduce this extract, because, I confess to my own mind nothing can more strikingly manifest the sovereignty of Divine Grace and the real greatness of Christianity, than when its influence is thus shown on those who were lately the most despised of the human race. There is something in the attestation thus borne to the simple, original, and inextinguishable character of Christianity, which is in the highest degree consoling and elevating to the mind: and I am sure that the satisfactory evidence which we have thus afforded to us of the growing faith and hope and consistency of this poor African, will not lose any of its proper and delightful influence on our own minds, because we find, that, by it and the Resolution which I hold in my hand, the very extremes of human society are, as it were, brought into close proximity in the support of this great cause; and I am convinced, I could scarcely have adduced a proof of the benefit of this Institution more remarkable, than when it is found awakening such feelings in the minds of those who have but lately acquired the privilege even of human beings; and that I could not have brought forward an instance more gratifying to the illustrious Individual now present, who has always distinguished himself by his exertions in behalf of the unhappy negro race. This allusion of his Lordship was to his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, to whom and the other members of the Royal Family who patronise the Society, his Lordship was about to move the thanks of the meeting. We quote another happy allusion from his Lordship's Address. In speaking of the prosperity of a Kindred Society recently established in France, he said-- Recollecting, as we all too deeply and painfully must recollect, those occasions of jealousy and of bitter and almost perpetual discord, which have existed between that nation and ourselves, it is peculiarly delightful to find ourselves now allied to her by a tie of the closest and most endearing nature: and, from the experience which we ourselves have had of the growing and diffusive nature of all such institutions, we may not unreasonably hope, that the day is not far distant when this Society, existing in a country so rich in all the productions of nature and in the active and enterprising genius of her people, will give to that genius a new and powerful direction and will lead her as a compensation to herself for that submission which she for some time showed to an inglorious tyranny, to acknowledge deeply and heartily the supremacy of that Almighty Potentate, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and afford this high and noblest illustration of that loyalty to her monarchs for which formerly she was so distinguished; and, by such a devotedness, acquire a glory and a greatness far surpassing any which she has hitherto experienced: and, carrying forward our hopes to that period, when, after having thus consecrated that charter of Liberty which is continually, I trust, obtaining fresh strength and deeper foundation, if she should still form plans of foreign conquest, that they will be such as to excite not only no apprehension, but to command our most active co-operation -when her foreign achievements will resemble those which this Society is now carrying on, when her martial spirit will show itself by sending to the darkest regions of the earth that light and those blessings which we ourselves enjoy in such fulness---blessings which will, perhaps, by this new alliance be most effectually distributed through every part of the earth. JEWS SOCIETY. THIRTEENTH ANNIVERSARY. The Annual Sermon was preached on Wednesday evening, the 2d of May, at St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden, by the Rev. William Bushe, M. A. Rector of St. George's, Dublin, from Num. x. 29. The collection amounted, with 207. added afterward, to 59l. 1s. 11d. At the Annual Meeting, which was held at twelve o'clock, at the King's Concert Room in the Hay-market; Sir Thomas Baring, the President, in the chair: the Report was read by the Rev. C. S. Hawtrey, one of the Secretaries. The Resolutions noticed the following circumstances, as encouragements to |