THE EIGHTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

OF THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN CHRISTIAN U

IE Anniversary Exercises were begun on Sabbath e when the Annual Sermon was preached by Rev. Dr ev. Dr. Burchard's Church, 13th Street. The Doc ext, John xviii. 36, "My kingdom is not of this w on was a masterly effort, proving most conclusive cher, who has for years made Roman Catholicism a st Is thoroughly the whole system. In our next num ent of Dr. Dowling, we shall give the Sermon in rs. The building was filled by an intelligent and hi e audience, who heard with interest the phase of nted.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY

e Eighteenth Annual meeting of the Society was held vening, May 9th, in Steinway Hall. The Presiden VITT, in the chair, who called upon Rev. Dr. Dowli Kercises with prayer.

retary Campbell read the Treasurer's Report, whic e of prosperity never enjoyed before the receipts v 00 higher than those of last year, amounting in all $110,000. The Report will be found at the close.

Corresponding Secretary, Rev. J. Scudder, then read e Annual Report of the Board of Directors, giving a of the Society's work in Italy, France, Hungary, Bel - Greece, Mexico, several parts of South America and

The Report commanded the attention of the aud

lved, That the work of this Society, though so new, has so exten e last few years, as to greatly encourage its friends and patrons, ely demands of them a higher spirit of consecration to its intere nest co-operation with its Board of Directors, in fulfilling their gred lved, That as the present aspect of affairs in Italy indicates tha story is not far distant, and that whatever is to be done for the Christianity among her people, must be done quickly, we most e prayers and co-operation of the people of God, that the work in to us, may be done effectively and speedily.

olved, That the really clamorous appeals of the newly-awakened South America and Hungary for light and a spiritual Christia okens of a special call of God for renewed zeal and efforts on th iends and patrons of this Society.

olved, That the palpable and almost universal tendency of the mind to infidelity, and the utter renunciation of all faith in Chr akened to see the errors and delusions of Popery, is in itself a most e for the diligent prosecution of the work of evangelism among the olved, That the continued success of the Sabbath-school work n the lands of Germany, Belgium, Italy and Greece, during the la is not only of its importance as a mighty evangelistic agency; an and supplying a want in nominally Christian lands, hitherto unmet ; but also of the necessity of new and more vigorous efforts for its throughout all the field of this Society.

olved, That the large number of converts from Romanism to a livi aith, which have been witnessed since the labors of this Socie ted, and the great amount of work performed in the families of , evinces that this portion of our population is very generally acces à effort, when performed in the spirit of Him whose life is sum atement that "He went about doing good."

Rev. De Witt Talmage was called upon to make th ; this he did in most eloquent strains, which elicite applause of the audience. The Doctor has promised to Full for our Magazine his masterly speech. We give the 1

n:

n opposition to the artistic chanting of the Romish churches, we pr egational singing.

opposition to the bigotry of Romanism that curses all outside, platform of Christian brotherhood."

he Rev. Mr. Hall, who spent six years as missionary in Florence, Italy, then addressed the audience. W acts. We are sorry that his wife's ill-health obliged Ir. Hall to this country, for his faithful laborious ned with blessing and with success. No one can wingly of the work of this Society in Italy. Mr. Hall, a he recent political changes in that land, and the impor - had in preparing the way for great moral changes, a ndering the tiara of the Pope an unmeaning badge of o no longer a terror to the people, and his bulls of excor e unheeded by both priests and kings ; in a most inter described the work which had been since accomplishe ian people by the labors of the American and Foreig on. The people had become through it as one of the g ork there, enlightened in regard to the evils of Romar ially in bringing them no spiritual religion, and leavin itute.

Now," said the speaker," it remains to make religion among the I e integrity of its doctrine, in the purity of its morals, in the holiness the perfectibility of its social development; and this, this Society actively engaged in, and by the aid it has rendered, a vast a lready been done, in its hearty co-operation with Italians, in th American and Foreign Christian Union has performed its part of inting tracts and books, by the employment of colporteurs for the s and Testaments; by establishing schools in which both secular a Eion are given; by supporting young men preparing for the minist vangelists and ministers of the Gospel, and in various ways maintain of religion; in establishing churches and aiding those already estab And,” said Mr. Hall," having been for several years a representative ■Italy, I can speak from personal knowledge of its work and its use of poor children have been taught to read and write, who without

here, it doubtless occupies the most favorable position, and has sion on the minds of the people. Its aid and co-operation are new fields of evangelization; and with an increase of its means it m tage, extend its operations more widely."

ev. Mr. Rossiter, who has labored many years as in the West, gave a thrilling and graphic account ety had done on its field among the Romanists. Mc hildren have been taught to read, pray, etc. The i d drew tears from the eyes of many. Mr. Rossite -s, his remarks being made in connection with the : He commenced by saying

here was a vast deal of wicked skepticism existing in the minds of n essed followers of Christ in relation to the accessibility of Roman ■s of paramount importance to have corrected and removed. Otherw the effort, and a hearty co-operation with the objects of The Ame aristian Union, was simply and utterly impossible. There is," said I an intimate connection between faith and success, a connection insti If, as to render this question vital to the interests and progress of t

I considerations," said he, "attest the hopefulness of this work. I ■nversion, in every case, is that of God. To argue the inaccessibilit 's human creatures and the impossibility of their conversion to Chris -n God himself and the work of the Divine Spirit. Is not every work which He is the great author?

lly," said the speaker, "Is not the pledge of God given to this work hundred millions of Papists to be damned?

y, Where have been exhibited the most remarkable providences of Go Not in Pagan lands so much, so speedily, so almost miraculous ls." Illustrations of this fact were given from Italy, Mexico, etc. Rossiter, could this audience accompany the missionaries in the W r his supervision, they would daily see the almost complete accessi tholics and the hopefulness of labors in their behalf, in the wonderfu pervading the masses thereof. Illustrations were given for which ou reproduction.

-siter then stated that the great difficulty lay in the undue expectatio