RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

THE pious zeal of many members of a great proportion of the religious bodies now considered, has led to the formation of numerous societies, expressly instituted for the purpose either of the propagation of the Gospel abroad or of the maintenance and extension of religion at home. Of these, the four following, (three of them conducted by members of the United Church of England and Ireland, and the fourth connected with the Church Establishment in Scotland), deserve particular notice.

1. The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge.

This Society is usually known by the name of the "Bartlett's Buildings' Society;" and is one which possesses, and beneficially exerts, very extensive means of usefulness. Its rise may be dated as far back as 1699, when a few individuals of elevated station and eminent piety, both among the clergy and laity, formed themselves into a voluntary society for advancing the knowledge of true religion by such methods as appeared to them most conducive to that end. From this small beginning it has received continually progressive accessions of numbers and influence, and has been, in its various undertakings, eminently favoured and blessed by DIVINE PROVI

DENCE."

The object of this institution is expressed in its name; and the general designs in which it is now engaged, are,

First, The superintendence and support of charity schools in and about the metropolis. In this department, a very important channel, for extending still further its benefits, was opened by the institution of the "National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church," in 1811. About 1790 schools are already in union with this institution; and it is computed, that the whole number of children who benefit by the national system of education must exceed 300,000.

Secondly, The dispersion of Bibles, Prayer-books, and other religious publications, of which it has circulated an incredible number, and in different languages.

Thirdly, The establishment and support of missions and schools, which have been attended with considerable success

in different parts of the East Indies, both among the Europeans and the natives.

The public is further indebted to this truly venerable Society for its late exertions in printing and circulating, at a low price, many anti-infidel publications, with a view to counteract the baneful effects of those poisonous productions which are still disseminated, with shameless impudence and unwearied diligence, through the remotest districts of the land.

The last Report (1822) states, that the number of subscribing members now amounts to 14,650, and that the number of books and tracts issued during the year was not less than 1,222,382.

See" A Summary Account of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, with Catalogues of the Books," 1821; or the Society's" Annual Reports," to which are prefixed the Anniversary Sermons.

2. The Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. So early as the middle of the seventeenth century (1649) the English Parliament gave its sanction to an association for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts. Although its efforts were in a great degree suspended by the civil wars which then distracted the kingdom, it was renewed by Charles the Second, who, after his restoration (in 1661) incorporated several persons into a society for spreading the Gospel in New England and the parts adjacent to America. This Society was supported by the countenance and strengthened by the donations of many eminent individuals, some of whom were the original promoters and supporters of the former society; but when this assumed a new form in 1701, being then erected by a royal charter into a society, whose object was limited to the promotion of religion in colonies subject to his majesty, they became two distinct institutions, and have continued so ever since. Queen Anne likewise, upon her accession, gave this institution the most effectual encouragement; declaring, in answer to an address presented to her by its members, that she would be always ready to do her part towards promoting so good a work.

The occasion of its first rise was to supply the religious wants of British America, which were then great, insomuch that whole colonies were living without celebrating any public worship of Almighty God; without the use of the sacraments; without teachers of any kind; and, in a literal sense of the phrase," without God in the world." To its successful exertions, the conversion of most of the Indian tribes that yet pro

fess Christianity, and the origin of the now flourishing Episcopal church in the United States, must in a great measure be attributed. But since the year 1785, its exertions have been principally directed to the American colonies that are still subject to Britain, where various missionaries and catechists are now employed at its expense.

Of late, the Society has extended its operations to the British dominions in the East, and has already immortalized its fame in that quarter, by its liberal and hearty co-operation with the late venerable Bishop Middleton, in the establishment of a mission college at Calcutta, which is placed under the immediate superintendence of the lord bishop of that diocese.

An abstract of the Society's proceedings has been usually published, with the annual sermon preached before the Society, at the parish church of St. Mary-le-Bow, London,

Much information respecting it will likewise be found in the account of it down to 1728, that was published by its secretary, the Rev. Dr. Humphreys; and in a late publication entitled "Propaganda," being an abstract of the designs and proceedings of the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, with extracts from the Annual Sermons, second edition, 1820.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is, ex officio, president of both these societies; and the lists of their members comprise a very great proportion of the most exalted, as well as of the most respectable characters, both in church and state.

3. The Church Missionary Society.

This institution, which was established in 1801, and whose original object was to diffuse the knowledge of Christianity in Africa and the East, is conducted by members of the Church of England, under the patronage of various peers spiritual and other distinguished clergymen. After twenty years of patient labour in this good work, it has been blessed with a measure of success which calls for unfeigned gratitude, and animates its conductors to further exertions. In support of these exertions there have been formed, within the last few years, upwards of 400 different associations, the simple design of all which has been to offer to such persons, in each neighbourhood, as might feel inclined to subscribe, the opportunity of doing it with the least inconvenience. The exciting also of a spirit of prayer for the blessing of God on the Society, and the stimulating of proper persons to offer themselves as missionaries were among the objects in view. Its funds arise chiefly from annual subscriptions, benefac

tions, weekly and monthly contributions, and congregational collections. And the result of these efforts has been, that, in the year ending March 31, 1822, about 32,000l. was received, and nearly the same sum expended.

The foreign proceedings of the Society may be arranged under NINE MISSIONS, which are here mentioned, in the order wherein the Society entered upon them. 1. The West African; 2. The Calcutta and North India; 3. The Australasia; 4. The Madras and South India; 5, The Mediterranean; 6. The West Indies; 7. The Ceylon; 8. The Bombay and Western India; and 9. The North-west America.

In these Missions there are (January 1823) about forty stations, with a number of schools dependent on them. These stations are occupied by about ninety Europeans, who have been sent forth from this country to the different missions. Of these, thirty-two are ordained missionaries; twenty-four are wives of missionaries, and the rest are lay teachers and settlers, male and female. Of native labourers, there are about 160; two of whom are ordained missionaries, and the others readers, catechists, teachers, and assistants. The number of scholars, adults and children, cannot be exactly ascertained; but it appears from the last returns, to be about 10,500. In several places churches have been built, and many converts have been added to the church.

It may in truth be said, that the blessing of God has rested on these and other Missions, very much in proportion to the length of time since they were established, the number of labourers, and the concurrence of providential openings and other favourable circumstances. The success, however, has been most remarkable in the first mission, that to West Africa; while its trials and difficulties also have been the most severe.

It enters into the plan of the Society to employ the press very widely in the diffusion of missionary information. It has opened a communication with various foreign institutions, and distributed its Reports, and copies of the "Missionary Register," with other publications, very extensively, both at home and abroad. Translations and editions of the Scriptures claim attention from every Missionary Society; and from the institutions connected with the United Church, the translation of its primitive liturgy will obtain especial regard. In various languages of Mohammedans and Heathens, this Society has accordingly rendered, in different ways, every assistance to these objects. Tracts also in various languages

are prepared and widely circulated, more particularly in the Mediterranean and India Missions.

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The Proceedings of the Society," which are published annually, contain twenty-two Sermons and Reports, and form ten volumes, 8vo.

4. The Society in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge.

This institution, which is connected with the Established Kirk, has been highly useful in promoting religion, morality, and industry among the lower order of the natives in the Highlands and Islands, many of whom reside at a very great distance from any kirk or parish school.

It derived its origin from the benevolence and public spirit of a few private gentlemen, who, early in the last century, formed themselves into a society for the reformation of manners, by diffusing the knowledge of Divine truth.

Directing their attention to the mountainous regions of their own country and the islands connected with it, in which the inhabitants were in a state of deplorable ignorance, and cut off from all access to religious instruction, a society was founded (in 1709), under the title of the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge in the Highlands and Islands.' The object of the Society, which received from Queen Anne a royal charter, and which was warmly supported by the General Assembly of the Scottish Church, has been, ever since its institution, to establish schools in which the elements of education are taught, to circulate the Scriptures, and to appoint missionary teachers in parishes which, from their immense extent, or their inaccessible situation, could not enjoy the advantage of the religious Establishment under which they were placed. This admirable Society has most. deservedly obtained cordial support. A donation from the Sovereign is annually made to it, which is under the controul of a committee of the General Assembly; a sermon is yearly preached, and many pious and benevolent individuals have contributed to enlarge the funds of which it is possessed.

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Its labours have been attended with much success; ignorance has been banished from many districts in which it would else have remained, and the humanizing influence of religion has corrected the previous habits which had for ages been acquiring strength."

This Society supports about 300 schools, in which nearly 20,000 disciples of both sexes are trained up in the knowledge