the glorious service of the Gentile world, in all the various climes and nations of the earth, mitigating the ferocity of the savage, raising the degraded Hottentots, teaching the slave that he has a share in the heavenly inheritance, combating the fearful forms of Asiatic superstition, and silently planting those principles of truth, righteousness, and mercy, which, under the blessing of the HOLY SPIRIT, will prevail over the whole earth;—and yet, after all, "the harvest truly is great, and the labourers few." From such statements, and from such scenes, we are to depart," thanking GoD, and taking courage," but with pity more deep, and love more generous,-to pray more earnestly, to labour in the sublime employ of blessing the whole world with greater cheerfulness and constancy, and to diffuse through every social connexion and religious community with which we are united, the spirit of living "not to ourselves, but to him who died for us and rose again." This is the grand moral; and may it be very deeply and extensively impressed!

There is another view which is, perhaps, still more accordant with the intent of this monthly article, the connexion of these annual assemblies of religious and benevolent institutions with public affairs, and the national influence which they exert. We shall not adopt the phrase of some, "that these Institutions may well make us proud of our country," though it is not incapable of an innocent sense. We shall rather say, that as they furnish most indubitable evidences of the improving spiritual health of our land, we gratefully acknowledge that "GOD is blessing us, and causing the light of his countenance to shine upon us. It is certainly a new feature, that what was formerly done on a scale so limited, and by a few individuals in privacy, or, in some instances, under obloquy, should now present itself in a career of operation so wide and energetic; that the columns of our public papers should be crowded with advertisements of the Meetings of a long list of Institutions, whose object is direct and open warfare against vice and false religion every where; that our

streets should be crowded day after day by eager multitudes hastening to attend them; and that persons of the highest rank, and most venerable character, should not only afford their pecuniary aid, but with marked warmth of feeling, and strenuousness of conviction, should be ready to advocate, hail, and recommend them. In no city in Christendom, since the christian era, has there been exhibited such a spectacle of holy zeal, and comprehensive and sublime philanthropy, as now is yearly presented in the metropolis of our country. In these Societies, the religious part of the community throughout the empire are united, on a vigorous system, to diffuse truth and righteousness throughout the world;-the divinity and glory of the Sacred Scriptures are publicly proclaimed;-the necessity and eflicacy of the preaching of the Gospel, in order to correct and save mankind, are recognized as first principles ;— agents are sent forth with a commission as wide as that of the Apostles, 10 labour and suffer in the same cause ;-vice of every kind is openly branded as a pest to be removed;the public are reminded, that the exaltation of a nation can be reared only upon its righteousness;-misery finds public pity; want, systematic relief; and the oppressed, prompt and influential advocates. Had our pious ancestors seen this "afar off," they would not have hesitated to call it the dawn of millennial glory; and we shall not mistake, if we regard it as the "day-spring from on high." For it is only in this manner that we can reasonably expect that glorious period to display itself, in its progress to complete accomplishment. A Christian Government establishing, encouraging, and protecting the institutions of religion, is the first step;-a Christian Public, composed of all ranks, endeavouring to impress the full influence of Christianity upon the community generally, carrying out the same effort into every foreign colony over which we have political influence, kindling the light before every opening which can give it access, animating other christian powers to the same efforts, and thus bringing nation after nation into the common fold

of the common Saviour, is the complete process. We see no other means pointed out in prophecy and it is therefore most gratifying to behold ourselves foremost in this march of christian nations, with all their power, influence, science, and commerce, to become the lights and the benefactors of universal man; and it is especially so, as we perceive that the example begins to take large effect, and that from Holland, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, the United States of America, and other places, representatives from similar Societies are yearly appearing in the meetings of these institutions, to state the diffusion of the same spirit, and the union of foreign Christians to further the same great ends. Such a state of things cannot exist, without making a strong impression upon the public mind; and that impression is altogether in favour of religion, morality, and a noble and exalted benevolence. These are the principles which supply strength to states, and by them only can they be established and perfected.

A pious jealousy has indeed existed, lest so imposing an array of human agency should insensibly lead to a culpable trust in human power, in a service which so especially depends for success on the blessing of GOD. The jealousy was laudable; and we think it very clear, from the tone of the Meetings lately held in London, that the efforts of those excellent individuals who have, of late, called the attention of the religious public to the duty of praying for the special influence of the HOLY SPIRIT, as the only ground of hope, have had an important effect. This great principle was so often adverted to in the Speeches delivered at the late Anniversaries, that it may be concluded that a feeling of entire dependence upon GOD, as the author of success, is growing up with the growth of every Institution which is engaged in bringing men to the knowledge of CHRIST. Thus, may we ever give the glory to Him to whom it is due; thankful, if we are honoured to be employed in the humblest departments of that work, which, by his prospering benediction, will establish his universal reign of peace and truth; but ever re

membering that he so chooses and employs human agency, as "that no flesh may glory in his presence."

*

* *We have received some animadversions on our "Christian Retrospect " for April, from a person who calls himself, "A Friend to Truth and Justice." These animadversions we shall briefly notice in this place, merely for the sake of explicitly recording our dissent, toto calo, from the principle on which they proceed. He objects to our use of the phrase, a Christian Government," and " a Christian Nation; and, of course, if there be any meaning in the objection at all, he objects to the things themselves. To prove that neither the Government nor the Nation is Christian, he wishes all blasphemy, even the grossest attacks on Holy Scripture, to go unrestrained; and this, indeed, would be proof sufficient. A No-Christian Nation and Government would necessarily be an Infidel Nation and Government;-unless, indeed our "Friend to Truth and Justice" would prefer a Pagan or a Mahometan one;--and an Infidel Government would give to blasphemy all the licence he could wish.

The "Friend to Truth and Justice," seems to have little taste for our articles of Religious Experience, and to read CARLILE'S "Republican" with great interest. This is instructive to others, and ought to be admonitory to himself. Picty and faction,-a holy mind, and a rancorous, rebellious temper,—are incompatible; -so truly did Hɛ "know what was in man,' "who connected the precepts, "fear GoD; honour the King."

Under the "sore burden" of a system of Government, which, while it upholds an Ecclesiastical Establishment, for the constant performance of divine worship, and the reading of the Scriptures, in every part of the land, allows perfect freedom of religious opinion and worship in every other mode, this "Lover of Truth" deeply groans; and from such a system, he prays," Good LORD, deliver us!” Doubtless his case is a very grievous one! But it will not be amended by "taking the name of the LORD in vain." May 20, 1822.

To the General Observations on this subject, contained in our RETROSPECT for this month, we shall subjoin, in this department of our Magazine, some account of the principal Meetings of the present season. Our notice of them must, from necessity, be more brief than we could wish to make it; but we hope that, to a large class of our countryreaders, even a rapid sketch of these important proceedings will not be devoid of interest.. Such as desire further details we refer to those Periodical Publications, which are understood to have a particular connexion with the several Societies whose anniversaries we include in the following list. We follow the order in which the Meetings were held. 1. Wednesday, April 24th. METHODIST MISSIONARY AUXILIARY SOCIETY FOR THE LONDON DISTRICTS.

2. Monday, April 29th. WESLEYANMETHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

An account of these Meetings, and a full Report of the Speeches delivered at the latter, will be found in this Number, under the head of MISSIONARY NOTICES. See p. 398, &c.

3. Tuesday, April 30th. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The friends of this Institution were excellently prepared for their Annual Meeting by the religious service at St. Bride's Church, on the preceding evening, when a highly interesting and impressive sermon was delivered by the REV. MARMADUKE THOMPSON, M.A., Chaplain of the East India Company on the Madras Establishment. The text was John iv. 34-36; from which the Rev. Preacher considered the causes of that Joy which affected the Blessed REDEEMER at the prospect of a People prepared to receive him. This Joy he described as arising, -1. From His zeal for the Divine Glory: 2. From his awful apprehension of the condition of those who knew not GOD, and His ardent desire for their salvation:-3. From his knowledge of the certain efficacy of the Gospel as the means of salvation to all who should believe. After a residence of thirteen years in India, he added his strong and affecting testimony to the many which have been published by other persons, as to the "enormities of the Gods, the Worship, the Priests, and the People of

India;" and remarked that what we in England "had shuddered but to hear," he had often shuddered to behold, and the remembrance was indelible." He described, however, in most encouraging terms, the change for the better which has, of late years, taken place in that country,-the state of mental excitement, unknown for ages, which now exists,-the welcome every where given to Instructors,--the desire of multitudes for information,-the sensible alteration in the tone and habits of men of all castes, from the Brahmin to the Parian,

the readiness with which Parents commit to Missionaries the education of their sons, &c.;-and powerfully enforced the duty of persevering in the plans of benevolent exertion now in operation. At the Meeting, the Chair was filled, as usual, by the President of the Society, LORD GAMBIER. From the Report, read by the REV. JOSIAH PRATT, it appeared that the Receipts of the year have exceeded those of the year preceding, by about £2000,having amounted to £32,975. 9s. 7d., of which sum, £27,116. 18s. 3d. have been received, after deducting expenses, through the medium of Associations,-£1327. 13s. 9d. were received for Interest on Government Securities, and the remainder has been paid direct to the Society in collections, benefactions, subscriptions, and legacies. The Payments have nearly equalled the Receipts, being £32,896. 18s. 2d. The Society possesses £20,800 Stock in the three per cents. and £1500 in Exchequer Bills; amounting only to about half a year's expenditure. The Resolutions were moved and seconded by the EARL of ROCKSAVAGE, the REV. W. DEALTRY, LORD CALTHORPE, the REV. THEOPHILUS BLUMHARDT, W. WILBERFORCE, ESQ., M. P., the REV. J. W. CUNNINGHAM, J. H. HARRINGTON, ESQ., T. F. BUXTON, ESQ., M.P., the REV. JOHN LANGLEY, the REV. JOHN BROWN, the EARL of GOSFORD, and the REV. J. H. STEWART. The Collections at the Sermon and the Meeting amounted to £389. 7s. The first two Resolutions we gladly transcribe, as they refer chiefly to topics which are interesting alike to all Missionary Societies:

"That the Report now read be received,

into the French and Italian Languages; and that in many parts of the Continent they are thankfully received. The Morning and Evening Prayers, the Psalter, and the First Homily, have been translated into Chinese, (by DR. MORRISON, we believe,) and are distributing in the Chinese Colonies. In Italy many prejudices against Protestantism have been removed by the reading of the Prayer-Book. The Speakers at this Meeting were, LORDS CALTHORPE and GAMBIER, the Hon. C. N. NOEL, G. F. STRATTON, ESQ., JOHN POYNDER, ESQ., and the REV. MESSRS. D. WILSON, WEBSTER, BASIL WOOD, and BURN.

6. Friday, May 3d. LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS; SIR THOMAS BARING, BART., M. P., in the Chair.-This Society, we think, is justly acquiring an increasing importance in the estimation of the Christian Public. Experience has probably corrected some errors in the early management of its affairs; and Divine Providence is evidently smiling on its labours of love, especially among the Foreign Jews. The present Anniversary (the 14th) was held in the Egyptian Hall at the Mansion-House. The Jewish Children, educated in the Society's Schools, consisting of 38 Boys and 44 Girls, were first introduced; and it was truly affecting and delightful to hear them sing the Anthem, usually selected on these occasions, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" The speakers were the LORD MAYOR, SIR THO. BARING, SIR R. H. INGLIS, Bart., LORD CALTHORPE, W. WILBERFORCE, Esq., M. P., ROBERT GRANT, ESQ., LORD GAMBIER, and the REV. MESSRS. SIMEON, WAY, BROWN, CUNNINGHAM, RICHMOND, and D. WILSON. The funds are in a flourishing and improving condition. £850 have been received during the year from Ireland alone, after deducting expenses. The sum of £120 has been obtained by the Bristol Ladies' Association from the sale of work; and £82 by the Bath Association from the same source. Thus the elegancies of taste, and the decorations of art," says the Report, "have been rendered tributary to the spiritual improvement of this ancient people."* The whole Income of the year

• We learn from the Public Journals, that a similar expedient has been adopted by the Society's Female Friends in other places. On May 18, a meeting of Ladies took place in Free-Masons' Hall; previous to which tables had been placed, covered with pinCushions, baskets, drawings, and various kinds of fancy-work, the productions of Ladies in the country, who employ their Jeisure in making them, and send them to London annually for sale in support of the Obarity. The place was so decorated and formed as to have the appearance of a Ba

is £10,693. 8s. 4d., being an increase of £820. The funds of the institution are expended in Schools, in the publication of Hebrew Testaments and Tracts, and of Tracts in other languages, intended for dispersion among the Jews, in the support of a Seminary for the instruction of Missionaries to the Jews, and in the maintenance of the Society's Agents among that people in foreign parts. The following passages from the Report will be read with gratitude.

"The Committee have reason to hope, that the blessing of GoD accompanies the instruction of the Jewish children, confided to the care of the Society. Instances have not been wanting of a deep and abiding impression having been made upon their minds, even under circumstances apparently most discouraging.

"A converted Jew, the father of some of the children in the Schools of the Society, was baptized at the Episcopal Chapel on Sunday the 9th of December, in the presence of a numerous congregation. He had for some time past been an attendant on the means of grace, and there is every reason to think, his public profession of faith in the REDEEMER was prompted by pure and conscientious motives.

"The following publications have been circulated the last year.-Hebrew Testaments, 2,459, German Hebrew do. 892, Judea-Polish do. 2,597, Hebrew Psalters, 800, Hebrew Tracts, 42,410, German Hebrew do. 31,266, German Tracts, 2,360, English do. 30,000, Hebrew Cards, 19,300, German Hebrew do. 15,200, English do. 4000. An edition of the Prophets in German Hebrew is nearly completed.

"The most gratifying communications from various quarters, have been made respecting the utility of the Society's publications; and there is a continually increasing demand for them. The prin cipal places to which they have been forwarded during the past year, are; Calcutta, Madras, Cochin, Bayonne, Gibral tar, Egypt and Palestine, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Amsterdam, Ekatherinaslav, Dresden, Odessa, Leipzig, Posen, Warsaw, St. Petersburg, Barbadoes, and New York.

"Eight students have been received into the Seminary since its commencement, all of them, except one, Gentiles. Two of these are at present engaged on the Continent, in the service of the Society, and it is intended that two others should proceed thither shortly. Four more who

zaar, the Ladies of the Committee attending to dispose of the articles. The room was crowded; and in a short time the whole were bought, and a handsome sum was thus added to the funds of the Institution.-We think that the younger female friends of some other Societies may usefully take the hint.