which are among the secret things, known only to God. The glad tidings of heavenly grace are addressed to sinners as ready to perish, and they are encouraged to trust in Christ for complete deliverance. And we hold, with our author, that "there is no other inability in any man, that hears of Christ, to believe in him, than what the Jews manifested, which was the want of a disposition to believe in him; as our Saviour said unto them, 'Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life.'" It would exceed our limits to enter further into this subject, or to notice others contained in the book. The author seems aware he might be charged with tautology. His apology, however, for it, we cannot admit; for instead of elucidating, we think its tendency is that of swelling the book, obscuring the sense, and wearying attention. Village Sermons, &c. By George Burder. Vol. VII. containing Thirteen Sermons. 1816. Price 25. We think Mr. Burder was very honourably and usefully employed when he was preparing these short, plain, and cheap discourses for the press; and most cordially we recommend them to our readers, as containing much important instruction on some of the most interesting topics which can engage the attention of preachers and hearers. NOTICE. The annual meeting of the Subscribers and Friends to the Baptist Academical Institution, will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 1817, at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, at six o'clock in the evening. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. The Rev. F. A. Cox, A. M. has near. ly completed at press his work on Fe male Scrip. Biography, with an Essay, shewing what Christianity has done for women. Also, A second edition, with alterations, of his Life of Melancthon. Memoirs and Remains of the late Rev. Charles Buck, collected and arranged from his papers, and interspersed with observations illustrative of his character: to which is added, a Brief Review of his various publications. By John Styles, D. D. Mary Hays, author of The Brothers, or Sermons by the Rev. John Martin, more than forty years pastor of the Bap tist church now meeting in Keppel street. Taken in short hand by Mr. T. 8vo. The work is published by subPalmer; with a fine portrait, 2 vols, scription, and the price will be advanced to non-subscribers after February the 1st. The Friends of the late Rev. A. Fuller, who intend becoming Subscribers to the uniform edition of his works, are respectfully requested to forward their names as soon as possible to either of the gentlemen who have undertaken to receive them, or to Button & Son, Paternosterrow, London. Just published, The subjects are as follow:"Jesus Christ an incomparable teacher-Christ the great physicianGethsemane, or Thoughts on the SufFollowing the Lord fully-The pearl ferings of Christ; by the author of Theof great price-Sinners are self-de-lished with a very beautiful design by Refuge. The second edition, embelstroyers, but salvation is of GodBurney, foolscap 8vo. Onesimus, or the profitable servant -Superabounding grace-Jerusalem lamented-The attraction of the cross-Baptism not regenera-nefit of the Sufferers. tion-Invocation of Christ-The spiritual resurrection-The practical knowledge of Christ." The sermon entitled "Baptism not regeneration," furnishes a seasonable antidote to the Popish poison which many, who are called Protestants, are diffusing at this time through all parts of the land, much to the injury of precious souls. VOL. IX. A Statement of Facts relative to the distresses in Staffordshire: by the Rev. B. H. Draper.-Published for the be The Constitution of the Baptist Churches, adapted to promote the pu rity and extension of the kingdom of Christ. By Joseph Ivimey. Discourses on the Apostles' Creed; minster, in the spring of 1816; and inpreached at St. Margaret's Church, Westtended principally for the instruction of the young; by the Rev. Robert Stevens, A. M. Prebendary of Lincoln, Rector of St. James's, Garlick Hithe, and Chaplain to the House of Commons. F Missionary Retrospect and Foreign Intelligence, BAPTIST MISSION. AMBOYNA. of public virtue were corrupted, and the fruitful seeds of disorder widely disseminated, throughout every department of the local government, OUR readers will recollect, that Mr. Jabez Carey (third son of Dr. Carey) was sent as a missionary to Amboyna, at the request of the Resident (Mr. Martin). By that gentleman Mr. Carey was appointed superintendent of a central school, established at Fort Victoria. The account of the first examination will show the utility of this establishment. On Monday, the 5th of September, 1815, the officers of government, the principal Dutch inhabitants, the rajahs, and inferior regents, assembled for the purpose of observing the progress of the native scholars. The first class, consisting of nine boys, read a chapter of the Malaying, civilization, and religion. Bible, with great fluency, accuracy of pronunciation, and emphasis; all the other classes read to satisfaction: specimens of writing were exhibited by the scholars of the first and second classes; and several copies of the Lord's Prayer, in the Malay language, were neatly and correctly written in the Resident's pre "Under such circumstances, it could not be expected, that the schools alone should resist the contagious influence of general corruption: but, although the spirit, by which those institutions had been originally animated, was extin guished, their organization still subsisted, and they were destined, at a more auspicious period, and under the fostering protection of a British govern ment, to become the successful instruments of opening and enlarging the sources of useful knowledge, and of dis pensing to the natives of these valuable islands, the inestimable benefits of learn. sence. When the examination was finished, rewards were distributed to the school masters whose conduct had merited distinction; after which, the Resident delivered the following address to the Superintendent of Schools: Mr. Carey, The public exercises of this day afford a satisfactory proof of the progress, which, under your superintendence, has been effected by the principal scholars of the central school, in acquiring the rudiments of useful knowledge. "During a considerable period of the time in which I have administered the government of these possessions, my attention has been anxiously directed to the important object of introducing an improved system of elementary education, and efficient discipline, into the schools established by the late govern ment. "Adapted as those institutions formerly were to the benevolent purposes of their original foundation, the sphere of their utility had been gradually contracted, and the lustre of their character progressively obscured, by the combined operation of various political causes; under which public spirit became extinct, industry languished, the principles "It has accordingly been a principal object of my solicitude, to elevate the fallen character of those establishments; to reanimate them with a portion of their ancient spirit; and to qualify them for accomplishing the beneficent purposes of their original institution, by regulations calculated to administer an effectual remedy to the numerous abuses, which neglect had introduced, and time had fortified; by a scrupulous attention to the moral character, acquirements, and abilities of the masters appointed to enforce them; and by establishing in the minds of those, who are the destined objects of their salutary operation, invariable grounds of hope and fear, under an uniform and efficient system of controul and discipline, and under an equitable and impartial distribution of rewards and punishments. "The report which I lately received from you, of the state of the several schools established in this district, satisfied me, that considerable progress had been made in the attainment of those useful objects; that, with few exceptions, the conduct of the masters had been directed by a laudable spirit of zeal and attention to the performance of their respective duties; that many of the scholars were distinguished by a creditable proficiency in the acquisition of elementary knowledge; and that the salutary consequences of these improvements, were discernible in the propriety and regularity of their general behaviour. The public exercises, which have been now performed in my presence, have afforded me the cordial satisfaction of witnessing a corresponding proficiency in the attainments of the scholars of the central school; and they furnish a decisive proof, both of your zeal in superintending, and of their diligence in pursuing, the course of their prescribed studies. The satisfactory proofs which have been thus exhibited, of general zeal in the masters, and of honourable emulation in the scholars, both of the central and subordinate seminaries, inspire me with just confidence of ultimate success, in cultivating and promoting, at these islands, the inseparable interests of learning, virtue, and religion. These are the great purposes of every wise and beneficial system of public instruction. They are the purposes, to which the efforts of the British government have uniformly been directed; and, whatever may be the further period of duration assigned to its existence, I shall continue to cherish and pursue them, with a zeal and constancy proportioned to my deep sense of their transcendent importance to the permanent happiness of the peo. ple committed to my government, and the steadiness and warmth of my attachment to the public interest and honour." AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE. Extract of a Letter recently received from Newport. From the" Christian Herald," July 13, 1816. "AT Wickford a surprising revival has taken place: children from ten years of age to men of seventy, have come forward, avowed their faith, and have been baptized; and from the most accurate information that I have been able to collect, is the following: Baptist, from 90 to 100, the largest proportion men; Methodist, 15 to 20; Congrega tionalist, 10 to 15; 70 to 80 hopefully converted, and a great number are now under an exercise of mind. East Greenwich has also experienced a great reyival of religion, but to what extent I know not. My inquiries have been answered in so vague a manner, that nothing with certainty can be obtained. A great reformation in morals, and attention to the meetings, certainly have occurred; many hopefully converted, and many baptized, is equally certain : but I cannot, with precision, say to what extent. "A great revival has also occurred at New-Bedford; so much so, that ministers of the gospel, from the adjacent towns, have been called in to instruct them; but to what extent, and of what denominations, I am not informed. "Hopkintown and Westerly, sur passes all. In the former place, the pouring out of the Spirit has been truly great. The Seventh Day Baptist Society, consists now of rising 400 com municants: a major part of whom have recently joined the church. This town [Newport] affords the most cheering prospect of a work of divine grace. A great attention to the concerns of religion and morals is pervading the community. Between 50 and 60 have joined the Baptist churches in about three weeks; 6 in the Methodist, and 8 in the Congregationalist churches. [the Episcopal] church now consists of 105 communicants; which is a greater number than was ever before known to belong to it. Only fifteen of them are men. One Sunday school is established, and one tract society. Other Sunday schools, Tract, and Prayer-book societies, and Bible societies, will soon be instituted.” Our Domestic Religious Intelligence. BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY. Letter from the Rev. Thomas Scott to Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M.P. Dear Sir; I am so well pleased with the plans and proceedings of the Baptist Society, for attempting the instruction of the Irish, especially the reading of the scriptures in Irish, to those who understand no other language, that I wish to become a subscriber to it. I have always thought that the only effectual plan for civilizing that rude people was to teach them Christianity, and bring them acquainted with the sacred scriptures; and that a number of zealous and simple teachers of the grand outlines of our common religion, if they could get access to the lower orders of the people, would effect more than either acts of parliament, or the wisest plans of any other kind devised by the most sagacious poli ticians; and though the present attempt | be made by those, from whom I differ in some points of inferior importance, yet it promises fair to lead the way to at tempts of more extensive range, and of more enlarged success: I wish, therefore, to cast in my mite, as an annual subscriber of One Guinea. I wish I could do more with propriety. I remain, Yours, &c. Aston Sandford, Nov. 4, 1816. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ferent parts of the New Connection. The Lincolnshire conference, after repeated discussion, concluded, that it would be more prudent, in present circumstances, to assist the Particular Baptist Mission, than to attempt a separate one. But the church at Nottinghain, roused by some local circumstances, became more sanguine in the cause, and ventured to commence a subscription. They likewise recommended the subject to the consideration of the Midland conference and that meeting addressed a note to all the churches in the connection, requesting them to attend to the subject, and send their representatives NORTHERN EDUCATION SOCIETY properly instructed, to discuss it at the THE Committee met for the examination of the students and for auditing the accounts, on Tuesday evening, the 27th of August, at the Library, Little Horton; and on Wednesday, the 28th of August, met in the chapel at Bradford, at half past nine. Rev. T. Littlewood began by prayer. Essays "On Friendship," the "Evidence of Miracle," and " The Divinity of Christ," by Messrs. W. Perkins, John Jackson, and Jos. Gaunt, were then delivered. Public worship began at eleven o'clock. The Rev. John Jones, of Sheffield, prayed; the Rev. Isaiah Birt, of Birmingham, preached from Isaiah, Ixii. 1.; and the Rev. Thomas Langdon, of Leeds, concluded by prayer. After the service, the business of the Society was attended to, and its affairs regulated to mutual satisfaction. Samuel Broadley, Esq. of Bradford, was chosen treasurer, in the place of their late worthy patron, James Bury, Esq. deceased. The liberality and kindness of Thomas Key, Esq. of Fulford, near York, excited very much the gratitude of the Society, for which they voted to him their thanks. Dr. Steadman gave a very favourable report of the application and general conduct of the students, and the business of the day closed to the general satisfaction of all present. The Rev. Joseph Kinghorn, of Norwich, to be requested to preach at the next annual meeting, and in case of failure, the Rev. Thomas Morgan, of Birmingham. GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. "CONSIDERABLEattention to the subject of missions to heathen nations has, for some time past, been excited in dif From the General Baptist Repository, ensuing association. "The subject was accordingly brought before the association at Boston, in the form of a case from the Midland conference; and after considerable deliberation, it was resolved unanimously, That this association heartily approves of a foreign General Baptist Mission; and recommends it to the friends of the measure, to form themselves immediately into a society for the prosecution of this important object.' "Encouraged by this resolution, seve ral meetings were held, in the intervals of the business of the association, which were respectably attended. At these meetings a society was formed, under the designation of The General Baptist Missionary Society;' and a number of regulations respecting its object, and the means of pursuing it, were cordially adopted. Mr. R. Seals, of Nottingham, was requested to act as treasurer, and Mr J. Pike, of Derby, as secretary for the ensuing year and a number of friends, in various parts of the kingdom, were chosen as the first annual committee, to diffuse information on the subject, to solicit subscriptions and donations, preparatory to the ulterior objects of the society; and to watch those leadings of Providence which may direct to the scene of future operations, and point out men suited to the work.' The zeal and · liberality displayed at these meetings were highly encouraging, and afford good ground to hope well of the future success of this infant institution. "As the committee will doubtless take prompt and effectual methods to make known the formation, nature, and regulations of this society to every church, in the New Connection, we say no more at present. But as the noble efforts made by others, for carrying the religion of Jesus to the benighted nations of the liar attention of the editor of this misheathen, have always claimed the pecu "On Thursday, November 28, 1816, the first annual meeting of the Society in Glasgow, auxiliary to the Baptist Mission and Translations in India, was held in the Trades hall; Glassford-street. The chair was taken at one o'clock, by William Cunningham, Esq. who was supported by the Rev. Dr. Balfour, and the Rev. Dr. M'Gill, Professor of Divinity in this University. The report of the proceedings of the society for the past year, was read by Mr. Buchan, the secretary, and Mr. Deakin, the treasurer, gave a statement of the sums received and remitted to the parent institution. After which, the meeting was addressed by the Reverend Doctors Burus and Mitchel, the Reverend Messrs. Carment, of Duke-street Gaelic Chapel, Barclay, of Kilwinning, Ewing, of Nilestreet meeting-house, and Anderson, of Edinburgh. "Though we do not profess to give a report of any of the speeches, we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of adverting to what was stated with much feeling by the chairman, after he had received the thanks of the meeting. In what has been said by different speakers of the merits of the gentlemen who conduct the mission in India, I most heartily concur. Those who have spoken on that subject, however, know their character only from report; but I can speak from personal knowledgefrom intimate acquaintance with the missionaries themselves. While in India, eighteen years ago, I often met with Mr. Carey in a small room of a private house, where he communicated religious instruction to a few poor natives. Little did I think then that a work so small in its beginning, should, in a few years, excite such interest in the Christian world, or that I should have the honour of presiding in a meeting like this in the city of Glasgow.' He gave the most decisive testimony to the ability and zeal of the missionaries, and expected that from their labours, the most blessed effects would result to the immense po pulation of India. "One of the most gratifying spectacles exhibited by this meeting, was the merging of all party differences in the one great cause of the gospel; the speakers were of different denominations of Christians, yet they all united in recommending the cause of one denomination, not in the article from which it takes its distinctive name, but merely as promoting the truth in which they were all agreed. This is as it should be; and we cordially concur in the wish of one of the speakers, who said he hoped soon to see other denominations of Christians receive similar countenance and support from those who could not follow them in all their peculiarities." |