Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

and Capt. Elliot, R. N. and Hon. and Rev.B. W. Noel; and Rev. J. H. Stewart.

Resolutions.

That this Meeting, confident that moral as well as physical strength should constitute the defence of a Christian Empire, rejoice to learn, that, in consequence of the advantages derived from the Official Regulations which afford a sanction to the proceedings of this Society in the Military Department, more than 40,000 Bibles have been distributed

to the Army by this Institution within a period of five years; and, relying on the Divine Promise, that His Word shall not return unto Him void, they would thank God for the past, and take courage for the future.

- That this Meeting witness with heartfelt pleasure the continued and increasing desire manifested among Sailors generally, particularly those of the Merchant Service, as well as Canal Boatmen, for the Holy Scriptures; and, while they lament that the exertions of the Committee are still impeded by the want of adequate funds, they would, in dependence upon the Divine Blessing, invite to renewed efforts in obtaining, and placing at the disposal of the Committee, additional pecuniary support.

That this Meeting learn, with satisfaction, that Auxiliaries or Associations have been formed at the following places, during the past year; viz. Worcester, Birmingham, Spilsby, Alford, and Glasgow: and, while they would entreat the prayers of their Friends for a continuance of the Divine Blessing upon the future efforts of the Society, they would respectfully urge on the Clergy and Ministers generally, Naval and Military Officers, and all who have it in their power, to aid the means now vigorously employed for supplying our Brethren, the Sailors and Soldiers of Britain, with the Holy Scriptures.

That this Meeting, in celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Society, or the Year of Jubilee, desire, in an especial manner, to record their gratitude for the measure of success with which it has pleased Almighty God to prosper the efforts of the Society during a continuance of Fifty Years; and to implore the Divine Blessing on its future endeavours to disseminate the Word of God amongst our Sailors and Soldiers; and thus faithfully to sound the Gospel Trumpet, till it shall come to pass that the Great Trumpet shall be blown, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.

Summary of the Year.

Receipts, including 11387. 19s. for Bibles supplied to the Army and EastIndia Company's Troops, 33967. 2s. 2d.— Payments, 33867. Os. 11d. — Bibles and Testaments circulated, 13,233.

-

NEWFOUNDLAND-SCHOOL SOCIETY.

SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY.

Sermon.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

-That this Meeting acknowledges with gratitude the Hand of God, in the success which has attended the past Operations of this Society in Newfoundland, in the patronage which it has received from His Excellency the Governor and other influential persons in that Island, and in the zeal so generally manifested by the poorer classes in promoting its object to the utmost of their power; and, thus encouraged, confidently looks forward to a speedy and successful com

mencement of its labours in the British Colo

nies in North America.

-That, in consideration of the extending Operations and increasing Demands made upon the exertions of this Society, it be respectfully urged upon its Friends to enlarge their efforts in its behalf: and especially to supplicate God that He would be pleased to provide for it suitable Teachers, and Funds to maintain them; and abundantly bless with His Holy Spirit all who contribute to its Support, conduct its Affairs, or partake of its Benefits.

[blocks in formation]

Schools, 8; with 15 Branches - Scho

MAY 11, at vi P.M.; at St. Paul's, lars taught daily, 1160; and about 950

on Sundays-School-Rooms now erecting by the Inhabitants, in the hope of Teachers being sent, 14.

CONTINENTAL SOCIETY.

TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY.

Sermons.

MAY 4, at vii. P.M.; at John-Street Chapel, King's Road; by Rev. John Rees; from Psalm lxxii. 16-20. Collection, 117. 78. -May 5, at vii. P. M.; at the Scottish Church, Swallow Street; by Rev. John Crombie; from Isaiah lxii. 1. Collection, 61. 5s, 2d.-May 7, at vi P. M.; at St. Paul's, Covent Garden; by Rev. Gilbert N. Smith; from Isaiah lii. 7. Collection, 31. 7s. 1d.

[blocks in formation]

Resolutions.

-That this Meeting, contemplating the enormities of the great Apostasy of Rome, and the insidious and deceiving artifices of those who have embraced heresies (no less injurious) under the fair name of Protestantism, while both are blinding the minds of the Children of Men, do resolve, by God's Grace, to keep clear of each, and to make no peace with either; as the only ground on which they can possibly be of service in convincing His Children, and calling them out from the fellowship of both.

-That this Meeting, impressed with the thought that the day of labour is far spent and must soon close, and that to be instrumental in the accomplishment of Jehovah's purposes of Grace to His people is the highest honour and greatest interest of His Church, do recognise the great duty and privilege of raising the cry throughout Apostate Christendom-Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues!

-That this Meeting, thankful to God for the measure of good which He has been pleased to accomplish by means of their Society, do recognise the importance of trusting alone in Him; and of persevering, by His help, with faithfulness and zeal, in the spirit of love and of fervent prayer, in furtherance of the work which He has committed to their hands.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

RELIGIOUS-TRACT SOCIETY. THIRTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

Sermon.

9

3

MAY 12, at vi; at Long-Acre Chapel; by Rev. J. F. Denham, B. A., from Matthew xvi. 26. Collection 391. 10s.

Meetings.

Thursday, May 6, at xi, for the Western Part of the Metropolis, at Willis's Rooms, King Street, St. James's; Marquis Cholmondeley in the Chair. Collection

351.

Friday, May 14, at vi A. M.; of the Society generally, at the City-of-London

Tavern; Hon. Thomas Erskine in the
Chair. Collection 50%. 1s. 8d.
Movers and Seconders.
At the Western Meeting.
Rev. T. S. Grimshawe; and Rev. John
Clayton, Jun.-Rev. Dr. Milnor, of New
York; Rev. John Hartley, from the
Mediterranean; and Rev. C. Scholl-
Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel; and Rev.
John Hatchard Hon. and Rev. G. T.
Noel; and Hon. Capt. Vernon, R. N.—
and Rev. G. Clayton; and Rev. Joseph
Hughes.

[ocr errors]

At the City Meeting.

---

Rev. Dr. J. Pye Smith; and Rev. Dr. Milnor-Rev. David Stuart, of Dublin; Rev. John Roddington, Incumbent of Horton, Yorkshire; and Rev. John Dyer -Rev. S. S. Wilson, from Malta; and Rev. W. H. Stowell, of North Shieldsand Rev. J. Matheson, of Durham; and John King, Esq., of Reading. Resolutions.

At the Western Meeting.

That this Meeting rejoices that the wide circulation of the Publications of the Society in Foreign Countries, in which the Glad Tidings of the Gospel are proclaimed,

and the Errors of False Systems of Religion exposed, has procured for the Society the liberal support of British Christians, and the cordial co-operation of similar Institutions in other Lands.

That the Progress of Education and the great Increase of Readers in the present day render it necessary that a large number of decidedly Religious Publications should be circulated; and this Meeting, therefore, rejoices in the Republication of the Writings of the Reformers and of the Divines of the Seventeenth Century, considering them peculiarly calculated, under the Divine Blessing, to be extensively useful.

[ocr errors]

That it affords matter of sincere joy to this Meeting, that various Denominations of Protestant Christians unite in this Society to spread the Essential Truths of Religion; and this Meeting trusts that this spirit of Brotherly Love and Christian Union will continue and abound, that they all may be one in these efforts to benefit the Church and the World.

That this Meeting acknowledges the entire inefficiency of all human efforts without the blessing of Almighty God; and, therefore, commends the Institution to His continued Favour.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

That the Decease, during the past year, of several active Friends of the Institution calls on us to work while it is called to-day; and that, as the night cometh, when no man can work, it be particularly recommended to Christians to make the Distribution of Religious Publications a regular part of their Plans of Benevolence, and particularly to attend to the Systematic Circulation of them by Loan.

State of the Funds. Receipts of the Year. General Contributions

Legacies....

MISSIONARY SOCIETY

THIRTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY.

Sermons.

MAY 12, at x; at Surrey Chapel; by Rev. Hugh Heugh, M. A., of Glasgow; from John xvii. 17. Thy Word is Truth. May 12, at vi P. M. at the Tabernacle; by Rev. T. Adkins, of Southampton; from Psalm cxix. 136.-May 13, at vi. P. M.; at Spa-Fields' Chapel; by Rev. James Sherman, of Reading; from Cant. i. 4, latter clause. - May 14, at x; at St. Paul's, Covent Garden; by Rev. John Hatchard, M. A. Vicar of St. Andrew's, Plymouth; from Luke viii. 11. The seed is the Word of God.

Meeting.

Thursday, May 13; at x; at the CityRoad Chapel; W. Alers Hankey, Esq., the Treasurer, in the Chair..

Dr. Milnor, of New York, conveyed to the Society, on this occasion, from the American Board of Missions, the assurance of their fraternal regard, having been charged by the Board with this commission.

Movers and Seconders.
Rev. John Angell James, of Birmingham;
and Rev. John Hatchard, of Plymouth-
Rev. G. Mundy, from Chinsurah; and
Rev. Dr. Bennett-G. Bennet, Esq.; and
Rev. Algernon Wells, of Essex-Rev.
D. Stuart, of Dublin; and Rev. Hugh
Heugh, of Glasgow-and Rev. John
Barry, Wesleyan Missionary from Ja-
maica; and Rev. W. H. Stowell, of North
Shields.

Resolutions.

-That, while summoned afresh to lament the loss of several esteemed Friends and Fellow-Labourers, this Meeting would especially record its sense of that mournful bereavement which has deprived the Society and the Church at large of the invaluable services of the late Rev. William Orme, Foreign Secretary: that to these inscrutable s. d. appointments of an Allwise Providence this Meeting desires to bow with deep prostration of spirit, earnestly praying the Lord of the Harvest to raise up other well-qualified Labourers ; above all, to point out one eminently fitted to fill the vacant Office, and to confer a larger measure of Wisdom and Grace on all entrusted with the Management of the Society's Affairs.

£.
3879 15 11

1140 0 0

5019 15 11

Sale of Publications..........19,954 0 6
Total.......24,973 16 5

Payments of the Year.

Loss on Hawkers' Tracts, Money
Grants, Gratuitous Issues,
and Incidentals......
Paper, Printing, Stereotype
Plates, Binding, Translating,
Rent, Taxes, Salaries, and
Sundries

Total.......

That this Meeting, in tendering its acknowledgments to Auxiliary Societies, Mi3646 17 4 nisters, and others, for their Contributions and Services during the past year, wishes to express special thanksgiving to God and gratitude to its Friends, for the liberality manifested in the Contributions toward the pecuniary exigencies of this Institution: it also entreats of the Friends of the Society a continuation of those exertions which are

...21,326 7 0

.£.24,973 4 4

necessary to give permanency, as well as increase, to the Annual Income; thus enabling it to meet the ever-widening demands upon its efforts; in the prospect of which this Meeting looks with solicitude and hope to the Rising Generation, and to those preparing for the Christian Ministry, for the requisite means of support, and especially for a supply of gifted and devoted Missionaries to the Heathen World.

-That this Meeting receives with unfeigned pleasure the communication now made to it by the Rev. James Milnor, D.D., on behalf of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, which he represents; and it begs that he will offer, in return, the warmest assurances of its Christian esteem and affection to the highly-respected Body by whom he is deputed.

[blocks in formation]

MAY 13, at vi; at St. Clement Dane's, by Rev. Hugh M'Neile, from Hebrews xiii. 17. Collection 547. 19s. Meeting.

Friday, May 14, at xi; at Freemasons' Hall; Lord Viscount Mandeville in the Chair. Collection 1074, 9s.

Movers and Seconders. Lord Bexley; and Capt. F. Vernon, R. N. Rev. J. H. Stewart; and Rev. Joseph Irons-Rev. Dr. Milnor; and Rev. W. Dalton-Rev. Hugh M'Neile; and W. G. Rhind, Esq.-and Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel; and Rev. G. W. Phillips.

[blocks in formation]

-That the Church of Christ, being a Spiritual Church composed of the whole body of the elect, the British Reformation Society hails with satisfaction the entrance of any Roman Catholic into any of the various Christian Communions, which, differing only in non-essentials, preach the Word, and point

to the all-sufficient Sacrifice of Christ as the sole atonement made and accepted for Apostate Man: therefore, their first aim always has been, and will be, to engraft their RomanCatholic Brethren into the Mystical Body of Christ, which, washed in His Blood and quickened by the Holy Spirit, is accepted of the Father of Mercies.

[blocks in formation]

-That, on the 15th of May, 1823, Parliament, by its unanimous Resolutions, recognised the evil of Slavery, and the duty of providing for its ultimate extinction; and that His Majesty's Ministers then undertook to carry those Resolutions into effect.

-That, although, during the seven years which have since elapsed, the Colonial Legislatures have persisted in refusing to comply with the Resolutions of Parliament and the recommendations of the Government, supported by the voice of the British Nation, yet, hitherto, the measures proper for giving effect to them have not been adopted.

-That, even in the Colonies subject to the Legislation of the Crown, the Orders in Council issued on the subject, including the late

revised and consolidated Order of the 2d of February last, fall far short of the Official and Parliamentary Pledges of 1823; and, though containing several important and salutary provisions, yet afford no adequate means for the final Extinction of Slavery, or even for its effectual Mitigation.

-That, while these pledges have thus remained unfulfilled, the West-India Body in this country, setting at nought the wishes of the British People, have not scrupled to declare, by their Standing Committee, that they make common cause with the Local Legislatures in the course which they have pursued, and more particularly in rejecting all idea of compulsory manumission: thus confirming the Colonial Assemblies in their contumacy, and making any effective reform on their part still more hopeless than before; and thus, also, plainly avowing that it is their purpose and intention that Slavery shall be perpetual.

-That, under these circumstances of disappointment, and recognising the incurable Injustice as well as the Inhumanity and Impolicy of Slavery, its direct hostility to every cherished principle of the British Constitution, and its utter repugnance to the spirit and to the precepts of the Christian Religion, the Meeting take this occasion to declare anew their unalterable determination to leave no proper and practicable means unattempted for effecting, at the earliest period, its entire Abolition throughout the British Dominions.

-That this Meeting cannot forbear to express their deep regret, that a System productive of so much misery and crime, as Slavery is now admitted to be, should not only be tolerated by this Christian Land, but should, by means of our Fiscal Regulations, and in despite of the contumacy of the Colonies, even find favour and encouragement at our hands: such a policy, it appears to this Meeting, not only being most injurious to our National Interests, but tending directly to aggravate and prolong the sufferings of the Slaves, and to involve this Nation in the guilt and shame of maintaining, at a heavy expense, a system which it has recognised as Inhuman, Immoral, and Unjust.

-That, in addition to the physical evils of Slavery, the Moral and Religious Condition of the Slave Population in the British Colonies has long claimed the commiseration of every benevolent mind; a claim which is greatly strengthened by recent occurrences, and particularly by the intolerant Acts of the Legislature of Jamaica, and by the Persecution which Christian Missionaries and their Negro Converts have had to endure and are still enduring in that Island: and this Meeting desire to urge it upon Christians of every Denomination, and especially upon all Christian Ministers, to manifest the grateful sense which they entertain of their own Religious Blessings, by uniting their efforts to vindicate to the unhappy Negro his equal right to the unobstructed enjoyment of the Light and Liberty of the Gospel.

-That, deeply deploring the continued prevalence of the unnumbered evils of the Colonial System; and, among them, the May, 1830.

affecting circumstance, that, under the Allegiance of a British Monarch and within the Legislative Jurisdiction of a British Parliament, thousands of Children continue yearly to be born to no Inheritance but that of a hopeless and interminable Bondage-a bondage now admitted to have been imposed on their Parents by the most flagitious means -this Meeting feel it to be their imperative duty again to address their most urgent representations to both Houses of Parliament, imploring them no longer to postpone the consideration of this momentous subject, but to proceed forthwith to devise the best and wisest means of insuring the early and universal Extinction of Slavery in all the Possessions of the British Crown, and to fix the Day upon which all Children born in the British Dominions shall be free.

-That this Meeting most earnestly invite all who are friendly to the Society's Objects to join in persevering and concurrent exertions to induce Parliament to take effectual measures for freeing their country from the foul reproach and the deep moral guilt attendant on our continued toleration and encouragement of Slavery; and to this end, they are entreated to employ such means of Public Discussion, or such other expedients as they may deem advisable, for diffusing, in their respective vicinages, a more complete knowledge of the nature and baneful effects of that Criminal System, and for uniting every heart and hand in Petitions to Parliament for its early and universal Abolition.

-That this Meeting are anxious to express their heartfelt satisfaction in seeing the Chair occupied this day by William Wilberforce, Esq., the revered Champion of Injured and Outraged Africa: and they desire to offer to him the tribute of their grateful acknowledgments, for his unceasing efforts in the Vindication and Relief of Suffering Humanity; and to testify their strong sense of the many Services which he has rendered to his Country and to the World at large.

State of the Funds.

The Receipts of the Year amounted to 21347. 17s. 6d.; of which the sum of 7197. 11s. 3d. was by Sale of Publications. The Payments amounted to 18127. 11s. 6d.

DISTRICT VISITING SOCIETY. SECOND ANNIVERSARY.

Meeting.

Monday, May 17, at xii; in Freemasons' Hall; W. Wilberforce, Esq. in the Chair. Collection 471. 14s. 7d.

Movers and Seconders.

Lord Lifford; and Rev. J. E. Tyler, Rector of St. Giles's J. C. Colquhoun, Esq.; and Rev. T.Watson-Rev. C. Benson, Master of the Temple; and Lord Bexley Lord Mount-Sandford; and Hon. Henley Eden - Rev. Daniel Wilson; and Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noeland J. W. Farrer, Esq.; and Sir George Grey, Bart. 2 F

-

« AnteriorContinuar »