Fuccess which has crowned his efforts, is of the most important and encouraging description.

"In WALES-the Society is circulating, as occasion offers, a very cheap edition of the Welsh Liturgy, in an excellent type.

"In IRELAND-one entire edition of the Book of Common Prayer, in the Irish tongue and character, has been prudently and gradually distributed, with great acceptance; as have also very many copies of fPrayers and Thanksgivings,' selected from the whole book, and of the Second and Third Homilies, now first translated into the vernacular tongue of our sister island. A new edition of the whole Book of Common Prayer in the above-named tongue and character, is now in the press.

"ABROAD.

"In BRITISH COLONIES and Dependencies. In addition to supplies of English Prayer-books and Homilies, this Society has printed and circulated, or is circulating, at its own expense,

66 1. In Hindoostanee (assisted by means of the loan of type by the Church Missionary Society), an edition of nearly the whole of the Prayer-book.

"2. In Chinese, two editions of the Morning and Evening Services and Psalter; and one edition of the First and Second Homilies.

"3. In Malay, an edition of the Morning and Evening Services and Psalter. And it is probable that the Second Homily (on the Misery of Man by Sin) will be soon printed in the same language.

"4. In Malayalim, this Society has contributed to the printing of the Prayerbook.

"5. In Indo-Portuguese, it is about to publish the whole Book of Common Prayer.

"6. In Armenian, the Second Homily is in the course of preparation for the press.

66

7. In Bullom, one of the languages of Africa, the Prayer-book and Homily Society has printed and circulated an edition of parts of the Liturgy.

"In HANOVER, and in other foreign parts, as opportunity has occurred and expediency permitted, Prayer-books, or Ho-. milies, or both, have been put into circulation, in German, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, modern and ancient Greek, and Arabic. The Second Homily has been lately translated into Swedish.

"The expense attending these exertions is very great; and increased means are altogether necessary to the continuance of them. The various measures adopted by the Society, with a view to the extension of its sphere of usefulness, press peculiarly heavy at this time upon its Fundsespecially the publications above-named, in

Irish, Malay, and Indo-Portuguese-and the most earnest and respectful appeal is hereby made to the liberality of the welldisposed."

The following Address to Seamen may also not be altogether uninteresting to our readers.

THE PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY SoCIETY presents itself to your notice, as a Society desirous of your best, your eternal interests. The object of this Society is to furnish all Seamen, who can read, with the Book of Common Prayer and the Homilies of the Church of England at reduced prices; as being, next to the Holy Scriptures themselves, books most likely to benefit their souls.

"Should any of your more thoughtless shipmates ask, What good you will reap by possessing such books? we reply, That, in the Prayer-book and Homilies recommended to your notice, you will find, not only large and instructive portions of the word of God-such as, through his blessing, will show you the nature of the kingdom of heaven, the dangers and difficulties that lie in your way thither, and how they are to be avoided and overcome-but also the simple and most practical exposition of divine truth. In both of these books (the Prayerbook and Homilies) you will learn the diseased state and spiritual death of the soul by nature, discover who is the great Physician, and what He is able and willing to do for your recovery. In the Prayerbook you will find such forms of prayer as will at all times suit your case; words that describe the thoughts and desires of the heart, as well when it is sorrowful as when it is glad. Here you will be taught how to confess your sins, and in what manner you should implore forgiveness. Here, when sickness overtakes you, or dangers alarm, or even death threatens to devour, you will find words proper for such occasions, in which you may pour out your desires and requests before the Lord, even that “Almighty and Eternal God, who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and ruleth the raging of the sea; who hath compassed the waters with bounds, until day and night come to an end." And when he is pleased to remove the sickness, to dispel the storm, or in any way to snatch you from the jaws of death, you will find words of thanksgiving and praise such as are suited to your mercies, and express the feelings of liveliest gratitude. Moreover, on the Sabbath-day, when no churches are within your reach, no ministers within your view,` you may, with the assistance of the Prayer-book*,

*If there be a Book of Homilies on board your ship, one of those plain good old Sermons of the blessed Martyrs and Reformers of our English Church may

exercise your souls in those very devotions which are employing tens of thousands of your fellow-countrymen on the shore. Although you are on the great deep, you can read the same portions of Scripture and Psalms which they are reading in the churches; and between decks at sea, you may bend your knees, and offer up the same prayers and praises which they are offering up in the Lord's house on land: and thus, though absent in body, and far away from home, you will be present with them in spirit, serving the Lord. Nor is this all; while you are confessing your sins, and endeavouring to pour out your hearts in supplication and thanksgiving, in the words which the Church of England teaches; you will enjoy the pleasing thought, that many thousands of those who now surround

most profitably be read. These are express ly mentioned, in the Thirty-fifth Article of Religion, as containing "godly and wholesome doctrine;" and are enjoined" to be read in churches by the ministers diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of the people."

the throne of heaven, did while on earth pour out their sorrows and complaints to God, and make prayer and supplication, in those very words we recommend to your use; and that these happy spirits, now made perfect above, are blessing, and will for ever bless, that grace which enabled them to read, to understand, and to feel what is written in the Prayer-book and Homilies which this Society sends abroad. Yes, these are the books which instructed the mind, and cheered the heart, and assisted the devotions of many, very many, thousands of the past generations of your forefathers, while they were strangers, and pilgrims, and sojourners on the earth, which cast light into their chambers in the hour of death, and, through grace, gave their departing spirits joy and peace in believing. That you may possess the same invaluable helps, and reap the same most blessed fruits, is the earnest desire and the object of the Prayer-book and Homily Society, in thus addressing itself to you, and in offering you its helping hand.

Subscriptions are received at the Society's House, 134, Salisbury Square.

A strong appeal has recently been made to us on behalf of the British, and Foreign Seamens' Friend Society; and a prospectus forwarded of a new Establishment in the Upper Pool of the river Thames, comprising a Mariner's Church, Orphan Sea Boys' School, Library, &c.

Many of our readers are aware, that a vessel fitted up as a Chapel has long been moored off the London Docks, and is regularly officiated in as a place of worship by ministers of various denominations, who are attended by numerous and serious congregations. The position, however, of this Floating Chapel is obviously inconvenient for those seamen whose ships lie in the upper part of the river, near London Bridge. The present plan, therefore, is to procure another vessel, which, when properly fitted up, is to be moored off the Tower, and used both as a chapel and also for a school, &c.

Great exertions have been made in order that this vessel may be prepared as a place of worship, under Episcopal authority, and in connexion with the Established Church; but such formidable difficulties and impediments are found to exist, that the provisional Committee express their serious apprehensions, that the plan must either be relinquished, or the worship conducted on the plan of the Countess of Huntingdon's chapels.

We feel for the benevolent projectors; we feel for our brave and gallant sailors; we are deeply convinced of the duty and importance of seeking their spiritual and eternal benefit, and would most earnestly desire, that, if possible, they might be trained up as enlightened and conscientious members of the church to which we belong but if legal difficulties still intervene, and if these difficulties are insuperable, we deem it our duty to bid our fellowChristians good speed, and to pray that their labours may be crowned with great

success.

Meanwhile it is important in all such undertakings, that the projectors should not despair too soon. By patient waiting, fervent prayer, and renewed applications, the difficulties may perhaps be removed; and, in a case of such obvious and crying necessity, we trust our rulers both in Church and State may at length be induced to attend to respectful and continued appli

cation.

We are the more encouraged to recommend such application, since in the Port of Dublin a vessel has been fitted up and opened as an episcopal place of worship, under the immediate sanction of the Archbishop. No good reason can be assigned why the same privilege should not be conceded to our seamen in all the principal ports of this island.

Amidst the numerous charitable institutions which are continually presenting their claims to the public, we have sometimes seen reason to fear lest those which have been long established should gradually be lost sight of, and, after having been through a series of years eminently useful, should sink into comparative obscurity.

We were happy, therefore, to receive some time since the Thirty-eighth Report of the Society for the Support and Education of Sunday Schools throughout the British Dominions. By which it appears, that in the last year, 120 schools, containing upwards of 11,100 scholars, have been added to the society's list; that 38 other 'schools, formerly established, have received repeated assistance within the same time. That the total number of books issued by the society within the last year is, 12,465 spelling books and 2503 testaments; making an aggregate of 603,174 spelling books, 109,238 testaments, and 8246 bibles, since the commencement of the institution; and 42041. expended in the payment of teachers, where they could not otherwise be obtained. The following instances of the beneficial effects of the society are appended to the report.

"Coventry.

"It may not be uninteresting to give you a short account of the death of two of the children-one of the boys at work in the coal pit singing those lines of Watts's for children,

"There is an hour that I must die,
Nor do I know how soon 't may come,
A thousand children," &c.

A chain used in the pit caught him round the neck, and in a few minutes removed him from this world to another; we cherish a hope, his heart might be rightly affected with his words; at all events, far, very far, preferable to have him thus depart

than to have left the world with an oath in his mouth, or singing a filthy song. The other is a case of a female scholar-she was ill only a few days; for some weeks before her illness she had attended the Sabbath Morning Prayer Meeting at the chapel; we knew nothing of her illness till we heard of her death; we made inquiry of her mother what she had said in her affliction-she stated that when she was free from pain she was praying that her sins might be blotted out, urged her father to leave off swearing, and when within a few minutes of her departure she had him to her bed-side, and begged he would faithfully promise her to swear no more-he was very much overcome-she exhorted children who came to ner to attend the school on the Sabbath, and requested her

mother to abstain from putting herself in a passion; these, with other things of a similar kind, induce us to hope she is in a better world."

"Ballaugh, Isle of Man.

"I would have acknowledged the receipt of your kind and obliging letter before now, but that I waited till I could give you some account of our Manx Schools. I have now the pleasure of informing you, that the success which has attended the attempt to teach poor children to read the Manx language has far ex ceeded our expectation. The Manx spelling book has been of singular service as an introduction to the language, and promises to be extensively useful. Upon receiving the parcel which you were so kindly instrumental in procuring us, I opened a school in my parish, one day in every week, for the purpose of teaching the poor to read the Manx. More than sixty children attended, and a few adults. Twenty of the scholars have gone nearly through the spelling book, and several of them have committed to memory the Parables which it contains, with the Creed and Ten Commandments. The Manx spelling book has been also introduced into our Sunday Schools with good effect."

"Douglas, Isle of Man. "I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, advising that 1000 additional Manx Spelling Books had been voted by the Sunday School Society, and ordered to be sent to me. I am thankful for this grant, which I have reason to think will not be more than sufficient for the present supply. A worthy clergyman, who enters warmly into the cause of instructing the natives in their mother tongue, lately said that an addition of 1000 Spelling

Books would he wanted at the least.

"The Manx language is what is principally taught in the School, with a view of enabling the children to read the Scriptures in the language which they best understand. It is found upon trial that they learn to read the Manx with great facility, as the language is familiar to them; whereas the English is, to most of them, an unknown tongue. It is delightful to see the willingness which they shew to learn to read the Scriptures in their mother tongue; some of them are middle-aged men.”

"I have received a letter from my friend and relation, desiring me to acquaint you (with his kindest remembrance) that the Sunday School at continues to flourish, in opposition to many obstacles.

One singular effect has lately appeared, which deserves to be mentioned. When Mr. first came to the parish, very few could read, and a Bible or a Testament would scarcely be accepted. Through the liberality of friends, few houses are now without the Bible, and every child that can read is in possession either of the Old or New Testament. But, about three or four weeks ago, Mr. procured more than forty prayer books, of different prices; and sent them to a shop to be distributed amongst the poor at very reduced prices; for he knew, from former experience, that they would scarcely accept them as a present. In a few days all but one were sold; and on the next Sunday, he had the plea sure of seeing them in the hands of some of the poorest of his congregation."

"Bacup.

"I humbly request leave to renew my application to the Sunday School Society for a second donation of books. When

we numbered our scholars on the last anniversary, which was about Michaelmas, we counted about 200. The institution, since its commencement, has, under the divine blessing, greatly contributed to diffuse religious knowledge. The Sabbath-day is much more religiously observed, and nearly twice the number of old and young attend public worship. As a proof of this, I need only mention facts which have fallen under my own observation. Prior to the erection of the school, not 500 attended our church; now 900 or more when the weather is fine. The knowledge of letters and the art of reading, generally despised, are now as generally and ardently. sought after. Add to these, what is an inestimable fruit of the happy Institution; several of those who once were scholars, are, I trust, truly converted to God, and rejoice in his Son Jesus Christ; have been admitted to the Lord's table, and walk worthy of their Christian profession, and will be gems in the crown of the Society at the great day of final retribution. If you will have the goodness to present these communications to the Committee, and pray in my name that a second donation of books may be granted for the use of our Sunday School, you will, Sir, much oblige your's."

"New South Wales, Liverpool. "The kind favour of Spelling Books for the use of the Sunday School, established in the district I have the honour to labour in, were duly handed by Mr. Smith, Secretary to the Sunday School Society formed in this colony.

"You will have the goodness to give my sincere thanks to the gentlemen who have kindly favoured me with the means of

carrying into effect, more largely, the object we mutually have in view-The spread of truth, and the salvation of perishing sinners.

"My labours are principally amongst the poor, and extensive. I shall endeavour to meet all you wish in your letter.

"The children, in general, belong to parents who have been or are prisoners: bad indeed is the example, and we have to lament the influence it bears in our youth.

"Our School has never exceeded forty; it is a new but improving district, about twenty miles from Sydney Town.

"We labour under some difficulty for want of serious men to teach; and till this is obtained, we shall not be able to proceed so far as we could wish. Brethren, pray for us.

"I hope the day is near when a Society will be established amongst us, when our operations will be joined in consort, that we shall be able to remit you subscriptions.

"This is a new world; we are weak as to means, and must continue beggars on British generosity and Christian benevolence."

"I have lately returned from Newfoundland, and have stated to the very great want of Christian Instruction for the rising generation on that island.

"A considerable number of Schools have already been established; in several of which, besides the children, young men from eighteen to twenty-five years of age, have learned to read the Scriptures. In some of the harbours and coves there are no means of education but those which Sunday Schools afford, and even in the places where there are day schools, many of the people cannot give their children any education, except what is obtained on the Sabbath."

There are Schools established at ten places, containing now 590 scholars, which are under the direction of the Missionaries, assisted by as good teachers as can be obtained. Many of them, however, for want of books are but partially taught.

"At several of the harbours of Newfoundland, the paucity of other religious instruction is such, that but for Sunday Schools they would have scarcely any means of their children knowing the first rudiments of christianity.

"If you and your friends can do any thing for the poor people of Newfoundland, have mercy on them and help them. Any further information on this subject shall be readily given."

Donations and Annual Subscriptions are received by the Treasurer, John Thornton, Esq.; at Messrs. Pole & Co.'s, and by Mr. Smith, 19, Little Moorfields.