cessity of subscribing liberally and hand- nessed the good effects of this institusomely to this invaluable institution. It tion. This institution combines in itself, enables a child to read the Word of God it concentrates in itself whatever is to for the trilling sum of three shillings; be found useful in every other society and this, I am sure, will be a strong in now in operation in this kingdom; and ducement to every one now present to while it does so, it gave me great pleacontribute to so useful a society. Another sure to hear from the Report no invidiimportant feature in this Institution is ous observations of superiority, but, on that it pays its teachers only in proportion the contrary, that it thanks God for to the proficiency made by their pupils. having vouchsafed his blessing to kinIt employs in its service inspectors dred institutions. The object of this whose business it is to examine into the society is to pursue the even tenor of its actual progress made within each quar way, and not to cast blame upon other ter by the pupils. But there is one institutions for not pursning the same important branch of the operations of course which experience has fully dethis society to which I would particu monstrated to be the great, if not the larly advert, and that is, the Sunday only means to moralize this benighted school education it affords; and this is land. The object of this society is not a most important part of its operations. to set forth a set of opinions, it disclaims I as a magistrate can bear testimony to all party objects, it goes upon the broad the fact, that the Sabbath-day is in principle of Christianity. It gives God's Ireland the day of crime and profana word as God himself has given it—that tion. Now this society, anxious to word which is the only standard of faith remedy this grievous evil, has instituted and morals, which can change the heart, Sunday schools, in order to give in renew the mind, and impart that strength struction to all willing to attend on the and holy joy which enable the man to go Lord's day.

on his way rejoicing. From this society The Honourable and Venerable go forth those living waters which Archdeacon PakenAAM observed : shall ere long irrigate the whole land, In proof of the successful result and of which all her sons may freely of the system pursued by this society drink. We invite them to take of the we can appeal to experience; and this waters of life freely, but we ask not as is the best test of the utility of any to the earthen vessel which brings it to measure. I hold in my hand a list their lips. In this institution we recogof the Schools in existence for the two nise a Sunday School Society, an Irish last years, and I find that while for the Society, and a Bible Society, for it ciryear ending March, 1828, the number culates the Holy Scriptures as much as was 1046 Schools, Day, Sunday, Adult, any Bible Society. But I said that I and Irish, containing 67,326 pupils of could speak of this society from experiall denominations, and of every age ence. I have myself enjoyed some of and sex, the year ending March, 1829, the good effects of this institution. It presents 1352 schools, containing does not matter to what part of the house 76,444 pupils—exhibiting an increase we belong, every story is benefited if in the last year of 306 schools, and the house is founded upon a rock-no 9118 scholars, and this increase is not matter in what situation of life we may in one branch of usefulness, but in all be placed, high or low, the blessing is the branches there is an advance. Such in having a common foundation that is facts prove that we have experience on good, aud every one who is taught of our side—these facts are strong appeals God, must derive comfort in witnessing for public support. The Report states the lower ranks of society taught from that the Society's funds are exhausted, the same source--for in giving the lower and, my Lord, was there not reason from orders instruction from the Sacred Word the great extent of the operations of this of God, you are laying that foundation Society? While God is so marvellously upon which most assuredly we can all blessing the labours of this society, may be built up, Jesus Christ himself being he open the hearts of his people to sup the chief corner stone. Be not content port it! Yes, be it not forgotten, that with what is already accomplished as its increasing usefulness is the cause wise master-builders, this society has of its increasing demands on public laid a good foundation-go on with benevolence. I speak, my Lord, of the energy and vigour until the great object usefulness of this society from my own we have in view be accomplished. personal knowledge and experience. In The Rev. John Burke, Rector of ihe west of this kingdom, I have wit- Kilcolgan, County Galway, observed

HW

I should not, on the present occasion, attention to our national interests, but have opened my lips were it not that I we owe to her a far higher debt of gratiappear before you as a living witness tude for the formation of this society-a of the vast and the amazing utility of the society, which demands not the schemes labours of this institution for the last of politicians to promote its views, but sixteen years in the West of Ireland. is advancing silently, yet effectually, in How I became first connected with the the best of causes. My Lord, there London Hibernian Society, I shall now never was a more efficient weapon to briefly relate. I am a clergyman of the unfold the powers and faculties of the Established Church of England, and human mind than that employed by would challenge any man to say that he this society, the unsophisticated Word cherishes a higher veneration or a more of God. I have seen children who zealous attachment to the doctrines and committed to memory much from the institution of the Established Church hallowed pages of inspiration. Their than the humble individual who now countenances, before clouded by the addresses you; for I feel proud to be- gloom of ignorance and the apathy of long to a church which can boast of the dormant mental powers, now sparkle learning of a Craniner, the honesty of a with the rays of intellectual knowledge Latimer, and the prudence of a Hooker. and religious truth, reflected from the But when I was first fixed in the diocese bright beams and unsullied firmament I am at present in, I looked around to of the pure Word of God. From these see by what means I might be enabled facts my mind is impressed with a conto extend to a population perishing for viction which no sophistry of human lack of knowledge, the blessings of a argumentation can shake, that though Scriptural Education; and with what the Gospel offends the wisdom of the delight and thankfulness did I hear the wise, though it mortifies the pride of intelligence that a society existed, which man, yet it is able to “make the simple laid down as the basis of its operations, wise unto salvation." instruction in the oracles of God. I at The Rev. WILLIAM URWICK next once, from my own spontaneons feelings, addressed the Chair entered into connexion with it, and My Lord, this society, as already every year that rolled over my head has intimated, is to all intents and purposes only tended to rivet my mind and heart a Bible society ;-it circulates the Word deeper and deeper in its interest and in of God without note or comment, and its objects. My Lord, the most noble has done so from the very outset of its moral work that ever has been achieved proceedings. I look into this instituin Ireland has been achieved through tion, and I see in it a most powerful the instrumentality of the London Hic and efficient education society ;- not bernian Society, in making this obser- merely the education of boys and the vation I do not by any means seek to education of adults, but also the edudepreciate or undervalue the labours of cation of girls - for there are now under kindred institutions, but I do affirm that instruction in the schools of this society the work accomplished by this society upwards of eight thousand girls so that out-shines in its radiance and majestic this society in its operations actually splendour whatever may have been bears upon every condition and state accomplished by other institutions of our population. I look into this Through the instrumentality of this society, and I see in it also a sundaysociety the temple of the living God has school society. I see in this society been building in the most effectual way also a missionary society—so far as the

-silently and without noise. It is employment of Scripture readers is conbuilding like the temple of the Lord cerned, whose business it is to go about of old, in the erection of which there from cabin to cabin to communicate to was not heard the sound of the hammer, their inmates instructions from the oranor the axe, nor any tool of iron.

cles of God, many of whom are incapable No workman's steel, no ponderous axes rung! to read for themselves the book of God; Like some tall palm the noiseless fabric sprung! so that I see in this society compreLet me, therefore, say, if I address hensiveness of plan. But there is ano any present who know the Gospel of ther matter, if I mistake not, which gives Christ, in sincerity, and in its unadul- peculiar claim to the London Hiberulan terat ed purity, let them evince their Society on a Christian public, and that attachment to that Gospel by assisting is, it was the first institution in the field; this noble society. We all owe a great at least I can affirm that it was the first debt of gratitude to England for her that has to any great extent accomplished

its purposes. It was as a pioneer to all to the London Hibernian Society, as the other institutions now existing in the promoting and exciting cause, that Ireland ; and onward it has gone,- mass of moral endeavour which is now careless of opposition, and of every at brought to bear upon the amelioration tack from the enemy of Ireland's ame of Ireland's inhabitants. In the prolioration, but confident in the Divine ceedings of this society, and in its enpower. But it did not merely the work deavours for the welfare of Ireland, I of a pioneer ; after acting as a pioneer, see and recognize the morning-star of it brought up a powerful and well her renovation and exaltation among disciplined army: it has carried the the nations of the earth; and ere long banner of true religion even into the that star of the morning shall be folvery camp of the enemy: in the darkest lowed by the orb of day, so that every recesses of Ireland has this society been town, and village, and cabin, and heart instrumental in planting the standard throughout the country, by the blessing of religious truth;-though we are not of God, shall be enlightened with the to ascribe all this success to this society, light of life. I shall conclude by menbut to the accompanying sanction and tioning an incident calculated to show power of Almighty God. This society the value of the system acted upon by has not only maintained its footing, but this society. A few days since, a lady it has achieved illustrious and glorious connected with one of the female schools conquests. It was this society which belonging to this society assured me, first effectually discovered to the British that if the London Hibernian Society public the real state of religion in Ire contributed nothing in the way of money land. Nothing, comparatively speaking, towards the payment of the mistress, was known of the religious and moral the system of inspection, and the plan state of this country in England until of payment were of themselves ample the London Hibernian Society obtained compensation, and objects most to be and circulated information ; nor should desired. I be charged with flattery, if I ascribed

HINDIO WIDOWS.

SUTTEE PREVENTED. I ON reaching the ground, we found a vast concourse of people assembled to witness the horrid scene, waiting with great anxiety for the (English) magistrate's permission to allow the Suttee to take place. During this interval every endeavour was made to induce the mis. guided and infatuated woman to abandon her resolution of destroying herself. Protection and support were promised to her and her family, provided she would relinquish her horrid purpose. She rejected every proposal, however, with disdain, but with mild ness, obstinately bent on self-destruction. When the Darogah arrived from the city sbe expressed the greatest delight, and with a firm step, and mind undaunted, repaired to the banks of the Ganges, where the pile was raised. On reaching the river, she went through the ceremony of bathing with the body of her deceased husband, changed her dress, distributed her ornaments among her female relatives and friends, receiving in return, from the Brahmins who surrounded her, garlands of flowers and scented oils, with which she anointed herself. The puri

fication being over, she seated herself on the ground, close to the pile, surrounded by a crowd of old women and Brahmins, whose countenances displayed, in strong and marked lineaments, the delight they felt at the determined and unshaken fortitude of their victim.

"An unlooked-for delay now occurred, there not being a sufficiency of wood; and during this interval, attempts were again made to divert her from her cruel purpose; but she continued firm, smiling and singing, the old women and Brahmins clapping their hands, and shouting in chorus. The pile was quickly replenished with fuel, and surrounded with large bundles of brushwood, that her sufferings might be as short as possible. The awful moment of destruction had now arrived, and with a tranquil countenance, and a mind not at all shaken from its purpose, she rose from the ground, walked several times round the pile, distributing flowers to the mob, who eagerly pressed to receive some tokens from her, and then mounted the pile, singing all the time, accompanied with the shouts of the multitude, and the discordant sounds of the Indian drum and

pipe. On reaching the summit, she the crowd was soon formed ; and we seated herself in the centre, and the body had the proud satisfaction of conducting of her deceased husband was laid care- this infatuated devotee to Brahminical fully across her lap. The crisis was influence from the ground to her village now at hand, and a piece of lighted cow where she now is, and, I believe, dung, surrounded with a wisp of straw, thankful for her rescue. was handed to her father-in-law, who Her back and arms were dreadfully walked round the pile, shouting and burnt, and, what with the exhaustion brandishing the lighted straw, the victim of hunger, and the fatigue and anxiety clapping her hands, and apparently she underwent for three days previous exulting in the doom that awaited to the day of the Suttee, it is a miracle her. The brushwood was soon set that nature did not sink under the sefire to in several places, and rose verity of the penance. No intoxicating into an awful and majestic blaze, drugs were administered to stopify her, aided by a strong hot westerly wind. so far as I could ascertain ; and the de I shall never forget this appalling termined and heroic fortitude she dismoment? As the flames reached her, I played through the whole of the observed her move, as if about to lay ceremony, till the moment of pain and down, that the conflict might be sooner trial, was worthy of a better cause, and over ; but what was my astonishment would have done honour to a Christian and delight to see her make a jump from martyr. the pile, throwing the body of her hus. While we rejoice, that in this instance band from her, with a strong convulsive life was preserved, we feel distressed and start. She had scarcely reached the ashamed to perceive, by an account ground, when an attending Brahmin taken from Returns to Parliament-and rushed upon her, she sunk on the we shudder while we read—that these ground in a state of exhaustion, and, Suttees—these murderous human sacribut for our interference, would have been fices, in the British dominions-amount hurried again into the fire! A scene YEARLY to upwards of 600 females !!! of confusion ensued, but no attempt at And yet the British voice is not violence was made. An avenue through raised against the appalling iniquity!!

EPISCOPAL FLOATING CHURCH. On the morning of Good-Friday, divine some cause or other, it was found inservice was performed for the first time expedient at the time to persevere. Not on board the Episcopal Floating Church, long after, the project was revived by on the Thames, which was attended by Lord Melville, then at the head of the a congregation as numerous as could Admiralty, who appropriated a ship of reasonably be expected, considering the war for the purpose, and requested the shortness of the notice, and the partial Bishop of London to nominate a Chap holidays kept on the river. The service lain; but before matters were finally arwill be continued every Sunday, prayers ranged, a change took place in the Admito begin in the morning at half-past ten, nistration, which again suspended operaand in the afternoon at three. The tions. However, in a few months His vessel is moored directly opposite to Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, Rotherhithe Church, on the Surry side then Lord High admiral, delivered the of the river, and may be approached vessel to five Trustees, who pledged with ease from the stairs of Execution themselves for the maintenance of the Dock, or without difficulty in fine wea- Establishment, and consented that the ther, from any of the stairs between Chaplain whom they might appoint London Bridge and Limehouse. A should be subject to the approval of the person appointed by government, has Bishop of London. They immediately charge of the vessel, who lives with his appointed a Clergyman whom His family on board, and will always be Lordship, the present Archbishop of ready to show it to visitors.

Canterbury, had selected, which appointAbout five years ago this laudable ment the present Bishop of London object was contemplated by a few bene. has sanctioned ; but the vessel being volent individuals, who were desirous moored on the Surry side of the river, of promoting the religious instruction the Chaplain has subsequently been and moral improvement of our Seamen; licenced by the Bishop of Winchester, and as far as it was then made known, the Bishop of London having first counthe public manifested a disposition to tersigned the nomination. come forward in its support; but from

ANNIVERSARIES IN THE MONTH OF MAY.

ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. May 2, Saturday. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free-Mason's Hall, at 'Twelve o'Clock,

LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. May 4, Monday. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free-Mason's Hall, at Twelve o'clock.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. May 4, Monday. The Annual Sermon will be preached at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, by the Rev. J. H. Singer, D. D. Service to commence at Hall-past Six.

May 5, Tuesday. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free-Mason's Ilall, at Twelve o'clock.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. May 6, Wednesday. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Free-Mason's Hall. Lord Teignmouth will take the Chair at Eleven o'clock.

PRAYER BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY. May 6, Wednesday. The Annual Sermon will be preached at Christ Church, Newgate Street, by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. Service to commence at Half-past Six.

May 7, Thursday. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free-Mason's Hall. The Right Hon. Lord Bexley will take the Chair at Twelve o'clock. LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG

THE JEWS. May 7, Thursday. The Annual Sermon will be preached at St. Paul's, Covent-garden, by the Rev. Charles Jerram, M. A. Service to commence at Halfpast Six.

May 8, Friday. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free-Mason's Hall. Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. will take the Chair at Twelve o'clock.

SPANISH AND FRENCH TRANSLATION SOCIETY. May 12, Tuesday. The Annual Sermon will be preached at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row, by the Rev. Daniel Wilson, M. A. Service to begin at Eleven o'clock.

NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY. May 12, Tuesday. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free-Mason's Hall, at Twelve o'clock.

May 13, Il'ednesday. The Annual Sermon will be preached by the Rev. J. H. Stewart, M. A. at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Kow. Service to begin at Eleven o'clock.

NEWFOUNDLAND SCHOOL SOCIETY. May 12, Tuesday Afternoon. The Annual Sermon will be preached at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, by the Hon. and Rev. G. T. Noel, A.M. Service to begin at half-past six o'clock.

May 13, Wednesday. The Annual Meeting will take place at Free-Mason's Hall. Chair to be taken by the Right Hon. Lord Bexley, at Twelve o'clock.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY FOR IRELAND. May 12, Tuesday. The Annual Sermon will be preached at the Scots Church, Swallow Street, by the Rev. J. Clayton. Service to begin at half-past six o'clock.

BRITISH REFORMATION SOCIETY. May 22, Friday. The Annual Meeting will be held at Free-Mason's Hall, at Twelve o'clock.