upon you, to look back to that period when these islands were first brought to the knowledge of the civilized world. What were the designs of those who first discovered them? The great design of those who went thither was to enlarge the field of human knowledge-to discover new sources for commercial enterprise: but behold! how God has overruled the designs of men for the accomplishment of his own gracious purposes. I might go on to notice not only how the commendable designs of men, but the designs of men hostile to truth, have been overruled by God, for the advancement of his own kingdom: but at this late hour I will simply express my humble concurrence with the motion that has now been made. ANNIVERSARY COLLECTIONS, May 1818. Surrey Chapel, 4221 12s 10d-Tabernacle, 1781 98 Od-Albion Chapel, 281 Os Od-Spa Fields Do. 1167 17s 3d-Tottenham Court Do. 1467 14s Od-St. Bride's Church, 1317 Os 9d-Sion Chapel, 1167 1s Od-Silver Street Do. 371 10s 3d-Orange Street Do. 85l Os Od.-Total, 1262/ 5s 1d. FOR THE CHRISTIAN Herald. Extract of a letter from Liverpool, dated Jan. 7, 1818. "A circumstance occurred during the last month relative to the Missionaries, of a very serious nature.-" Sir Alexander Johnstone, Lord Chief Justice in the Island of Ceylon, (who is a very warm friend of the Missionaries on that Island,) is just arrived in England, and has brought with him two of the principal priests of Budhu, (the name of the god which the natives worship,) they had read the gospels which are translated into their language, and their belief in the religion of Budhu was considerably shaken. They read the gospels over again, and came to the resolution of renouncing the worship of Budhu and embracing Christianity. They had read, that except a man give up houses and lands, &c. for the sake of Christ, he cannot be his disciple; and understanding this in a literal sense, they immediately parted with the lands which had been appropriated for their support; and understanding the Chief Justice was coming to England, they waited upon him to request he would bring them with him to England, the land of Christians. They told him they read that Jesus Christ chose fishermen for his apostles, they said that they were of the caste of fishermen, and that perhaps Jesus Christ would send them to preach his Gospel. Sir A. Johnstone did not encourage their going to England, told them he had no authority to take them; that they would be a great expense to the committee who manage the Missions, and that there was no room in the vessel. They repeatedly waited upon him, and said they would go in the steerage if he would but allow them. Still he discouraged them, and when he was on board, and the vessel actually under way, they took a boat from the shore and went along side the vessel, and begged in the most importunate manner he would take them along with him; he then consented, and they came in the steerage. They are placed under the care of Dr. Clark at Millbrook, about 10 miles from Liverpool, and discover the greatest genius. They are learning the English language, and seem most anxious to be made Christians. Dr. Clark labours to impress upon their minds, that they must be made Christians at the heart. They anxiously inquire how long it will be before they are Christians at the heart. One is about 23 years of age, the other about 25. They still wear their robes, which are yellow, and are worn thrown over one shoulder, the other left bare. If they should become acquainted with true religion, and ultimately preachers of it, they promise to be of considerable service in instructing other Missionaries in their languages, &c. &c. and in preaching the Gospel to their idolatrous countrymen. I feel a very strong desire to see them, but they have not appeared in public, and very few persons have access to them." The Treasurer of the American Bible Society has acknowledged the receipt of $4183 37 for the month of July, 1818: as follows, viz :— From the Newark Bible Society, New-Jersey-by Mr. James Crane, Treas $ 150 Springfield B. S. Kentucky-by Richard Cocke, Esq. Treasurer Washington B. S. Penn.-by Thos. Hoge, Esq. Treasurer for 1817 Franklin B. S., Mass.-by Messrs. T. Strong, and G. Grennell Junr. Louisiana B. S.-by Alfred Hennen Esq. Hampden B. S, Mass.-by Mr. Danl. Bontecou, Treasurer. for Bibles Vermont B. S.-by Jeduthun Loomis Esq. do. Elizabethtown Aux B. S. N. J.-by Mr. D, Meeker 450 100 100 100 50 140 500 150 150 450 100 Fem. Bible and Tract Soc. of Newburyport, Mass. by Mr. A. Perkins, a donation 20 And the following sums, to constitute the following Ministers members for life : Rev. Elnathan Walker, Pastor of the Congregational Church in Homer-by the Fem. Aux. B. S. of Cortland County, N. Y. Rev. Alfred Bennet, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Homer-by the same Rev. James Tufts, of Brattleboro', Vt. by-thro' Messrs. Fitch, Goodwin, & Co. 30 Rev James Taylor-by the Fem. Association of Sunderland, Mass. Rev. Ralph Emerson-by ladies of the Cong. of Norfolk, Conn. Rev. Stephen Mason-by ladies of First Soc. in Washington County, N. Y. 30 3 Also from Mr. William Ladd, of Minot, Maine, as a member for life From J. E. Caldwell, Agent of the Society, rec'd by him in July for From the Marine B. S. of New-York, by Mr. N. Taylor Elizabethtown Female B. S.-by Mr. G. C. Barber Methodist Society,--by Rev. J. Soule St. Lawrence Fem. B. S.-by Mrs. L. Rosseil to Dr. R. We have been informed that the following donations have been recently received by the Treasurer of the General Synod, in aid of the Funds of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church:- From the Theological School Society of Kingston the Female Cent Society of Kingston the Female Cent Society of Six Mile Run in New Jersey His Excellency, Baron Gerning, Envoy from his Serene Highness the Prince of Hesse Homburg, on moving the Thanks to the Treasurer, spoke as follows: 66 "I am very happy to find myself in such an honourable Society, which, animated by truly Christian patriotism and philanthropy, has the great object of dispensing the Holy Scriptures, in their original purity, to every part of the world. "I also cannot but avail myself of this opportunity to express, in the name of my German brethren in general, and more especially in that of the Bible Society at Frankfort on the Main, (my native town,) their most cordial thanks for the essential aid, the interesting communications, and kind instructions, they have derived from the excellent British Parent Institution." "MY LORD, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart. M. P. "If the illustrious stranger, no longer a stranger, (he will, I hope, allow us to call him a Brother among us,) felt the want of words to express his sentiments, on this occasion, before an English assembly, I am quite sure he showed that he did not want a heart to beat warmly with ours in this sacred cause; and I trust he will have felt that we do sympathize as warmly in all his joys, and all his interests. "But the purpose for which I now appear, my Lord, to address you, is one that is always gratifying, because it implies a strong and steadfast attachment to the sacred cause which we are met here to commemorate and promote. And, my Lord, it is pecu liarly gratifying to express that attachment, by means of this acknowledgment, either to persons of high rank, or any of those officers and meritorious persons who take our work in their hands, and by whom, through the blessing of God, it is so well prosecuted. There are none present whose public feeling, on this occasion, will not warm at the recollection of how much we have owed to him who was the first Treasurer of this Institution. And I know not that I can say more, than that all of us, who knew that excellent gentleman, do anticipate that his successor will pursue the same excellent course; and we trust he will be long continued to enjoy the sacred satisfaction of keeping the treasures of this Society. I am persuaded that Gentleman must feel the greatest pleasure, in the first instance, in receiving the collective fruits of so much charity, and afterward, in distributing them with as large a hand as that with which they have been given. [Sir Thomas Acland then adverted to that article of the Report which stated the grant of 5000l. to the Catholic Professor, Leander Van Ess, to promote the distribution of the Scriptures, as affording him peculiar gratification; and proceeded as follows :] "If there be any persons who, from principle, as well as from prejudice, might be supposed to have entertained a misconception of, or a disinclination to, the views of this Society, it must be that body with which that enlightened Professor was connected, among whom you have distributed so munificent a gift. And therefore, when they who, above all others, attribute the greatest authority to the ministration of the priesthood, are content to unite with their Protestant brethren upon the broad basis of Christianity, and say,We will distribute the Bible, and the Bible alone, together with you,' they hereby put their seal to the course which this Society professes to take. Whether for the guidance of our own proceedings, or for doing away the opposition that from time to time is excited against us, there is nothing more important than to bear in mind, that the object of the Society is not to take any share in giving instruction; but it is to supply the basis, the only unobjectionable basis, of all instruction, to every creature. It is, as stated in your Report, to give that Book which is the only ground-work, and the only rule, of the Christian ministration; and therefore, I cannot see why, as long as the members do not transgress the limits they have prescribed to themselves, any Christian ininistry in the world should not receive that ground-work with thankfulness at their hands." [After a variety of remarks, illustrating the unexceptionable nature of this principle, as furnishing the seed to the agriculturist, and the materials for the builder, without presuming to dictate how the one should sow, or the other should build, Sir Thomas concluded by urging the importance of adhering strictly to this limitation; for if it were transgressed, their principles would be infringed, their bond of union dissolved, and their charter would be lost for ever.] John Thornton, Esq., Treasurer. "Gratified, as I must naturally be, by the vote of thanks which you have just passed, I am still more gratified, in consequence of the mode in which those thanks were conveyed. It was, indeed, in my friend, who seconded that vote of thanks, a kind consideration of my feelings, when he diverted your attention from the individual who now addresses you, to him who was your former Treasurer: it is indeed gratifying, in such an assembly as this, to have the memory of that beloved and revered individual recalled to our recollection. And if, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer has this day observed, it be permitted to those who have departed from this scene of exertion and of suffering, to look down upon works o benevolence and charity, and to be present, in spirit, at Meetings like this, confident am I, that the spirit of our late Treasurer is now partaking in our joys. But, my Lord, I turn from a subject so painful, though pleasingly painful to myself, to that which more properly belongs to me, as his representative and successor. And here my Friend has anticipated, in some degree, what I have now the pleasure of communicating to you, that the finances of this great Society, instead of declining, as might have been expected, have exceeded those of the preceding year in the amount of more than 6000l. There is one other circumstance which it is gratifying to me to reflect upon, that the profits of our Sales are diminishing. This I consider as an index of the degree in which our own country is already supplied by the Society. [Mr. Thornton then proceeded to remark on the simplicity and comprehensiveness of the Institution ;—adverting to the latter, he con tinued as follows:] "My Lord, it is not merely with regard to geographical space, but I consider, also, as a topic of gratifying and useful reflection, its comprehensiveness, as it embraces all classes and descriptions of men. The Bible Society comprehends all, and excludes none. When I see an audience like the present, comprehending persons of the most polished minds, and the deepest erudition; when I consider how much of piety, of learning, and of understanding, is inclosed within these walls; and when I consider, at the same time, that possibly among the Don Cossacks, there may be at this time a Bible Society meeting, I am struck with the comprehensiveness of this Institution, as it respects the matter of intellect, through all its gradations of strength and cultivation. "My Lord, there is one other thought, which is, the comprehensiveness of the Bible Society, as it regards time. I am one of those who am inclined to hope that the British and Foreign Bible Society will endure as long as the world endures: yet, my Lord, when I reflect that all things upon this earth are transitory; when I reflect how the most noble structures are fallen to decay, I am sure we all feel the possibility, that even this Society may be at jast extinct, that the glory of Britain may pass away, And, like the baseless fabric of a vision, 'Leave not a wreck behind.' Possible it is, though not greatly probable. Now, your Report tells you, that more than two millions of Bibles and Testaments have been already distributed in the world and here, my Lord, I take my stand, when I speak of the comprehensiveness of the Bible Society, as it regards the idea of time and duration. I say, that while these Bibles exist, and after they cease to exist, the principles they have been the means of imparting to the hearts of the generations of mankind, will, to the end of time, amidst all |