an association formed for "the preparation, publication, or cheap or gratuitous supply, of works (English as well as Asiatic) useful in schools and seminaries of learning," excluding works strictly of a religious nature, or which might interfere with the religious sentiments of any person. In 1821, its fourth year, the labours of the Society received the unqualified approbation of Government, with the grant of 7000 rupees for immediate relief, and a monthly contribution of 500 rupees. The works distributed by the Society since its formation, amount to 104,182 copies, in the following tongues,-namely, Sanscrit, 340; Bengalee, 63,347; Hinduwee, 7,622; Ooriya, 50; Arabic, 292; Persian, 7,961; Hindustanee, 6,538; English, 8,551; and Anglo-Asiatic, 9,481. The Society's Third Report speaks of the improved discipline of the Native Schools, the proficiency of the scholars, the increasing thirst for knowledge, and the growing interest felt by the learned na tives to co-operate with us in the diffusion of instruction-as proofs of the success of its exertions. The union of natives and Europeans, as members, attracted the notice of the King of Oude (a Mohammedan) and the Rajah of Bhurtpore (a Hindu) to this Society; each of whom has testified his approbation of its views by a donation of 1000 rupees.

Shortly after the establishment of the preceding, the Calcutta School Society was formed, with the same ultimate object, but without pledging itself to the same exclusive rules. Its design was declared to be, "to assist and improve existing schools, and to establish and support further schools and seminaries, with a view to the more general diffusion of useful knowledge amongst the inhabitants of India of every description; and to select pupils of distinguished talents and merit from elementary and other schools, and to provide for their instruction in seminaries of a higher degree, with the view of forming a body of qualified teachers and translators, who may be instrumental in enlightening their countrymen, and improving the general system of education." The improvement of the native schools has been greatly advanced by the distribution of correct books (instead of the old vitiated manuscripts), by the annual examinations of the head boys, and by prizes to proficients, and pecuniary rewards to the native tutors. Native boys, who distinguish themselves at the indigenous schools are sent to the English school to learn English at the Society's

expense. This prospect affords a great stimulus to the Hindu youth. The total number of boys in the indigenous schools exceeds 2800. Several of the youths educated by the Society in the Hindu College have obtained respectable situations in life; some of them have established evening schools for gratuitous instruction of their countrymen in the English language.

The Female Juvenile Society has recently been incorporated with the Bengal Christian School Society, whose object is the promotion of religious knowledge, particularly among the native females of India.

The benevolent design of reclaiming the female part of the population from ignorance was likewise the motive which led to the formation of the Ladies' Society for Native Female Education. The British and Foreign School Society having collected subscriptions in England for sending to Bengal a female teacher to establish schools for native female children, Miss Cooke (now Mrs. Wilson) was selected, and reached Calcutta in 1821. In spite of the prejudices against educating females, and notwithstanding the difficulties of procuring suitable teachers, this lady, in a few months, established ten schools containing 277 children: the next year the schools increased to twenty-two, the scholars to 400. The unexpected success which attended this project, induced the friends of female education in India to enlarge and extend the plan. Accordingly, Lady Amherst having accepted the office of patroness of a society of European ladies to superintend and conduct this interesting design, the society above-named was formed in March 1824. The resolutions record the success which has attended the novel and difficult undertaking of Mrs. Wilson, and the eagerness of the females to learn-some of the most respectable caste and station having sent their daughters, and, in some cases, desired instruction themselves—and approved the intention of the Committee of the Church Missionary.Society to erect a new school, to be used as the central school.

In the Benevolent Institution for the Instruction of Indigent Children, established by the Baptist Missionaries at Serampore, though destitute Christian children are the primary objects, Hindus and Musulmans are not excluded. The aggregate number of children in the schools, at the last Report, was nearly 500. It is stated that upwards of 1000 youths have been thus res

cued from vice and ignorance, and are gradually rising to a certain degree of opulence and respectability. GREECE.

Notwithstanding the war in which the Greeks are engaged, they have begun to pay some attention to literature. They have several journals: among others, The Hellenic Chronicle, published at Missolonghi, twice a week; with the motto of Franklin, The greatest utility to the

66

greater number;"-the Gazette published at Hydra, with the title of "The Friend of the Law," with a motto taken from the Politics of Aristotle : "As man, when educated and enlightened, is the noblest and best of all living creatures, so without law and justice he is the worst of all."-Journals are also published at Athens and Napolia; and there is a Greek paper, the Telegraph, published at Vienna,

THEOLOGY.

Second Statement of the Edinburgh Bible Society. 2s.

The Christian Hearer; designed to shew the Importance of hearing the Word, and to assist Christians in hearing with Profit; by the Rev. E. Bickersteth. 5s.

Affectionate Address to the Members of the Church of England, on Separation; by the Rev. T. Brock.

The Christian Exodus; or the Deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, practically considered; by the Rev. R. P. Buddicom. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s.

An Answer to the Rev. J. Davison, on Primitive Sacrifice; by the Rev. J. Molesworth. 8vo. 7s.

Deism Refuted, or Plain Reasons for being a Christian; by the Rev. T. H. Horne; an enlarged edition.

The Labyrinth, or Popish Circle, translated from Episcopius; by R. Watson. 6d. The Life of Jesus Christ; by a Lay43.

man.

Two Letters to Dr. Milner, on his End of Religious Controversy; by the Rev. T. H. Lowe.

Soul Prosperity; or, the Closet Companion; by J. Dennant. 4s. 6d.

The Book of Genesis considered in a Series of Historical Discourses; by the Rev. F. Close. 12s.

Christian Devotedness; or the Consideration of our Saviour's Precept, "Lay not up for yourselves Treasures upon Earth." 8vo. 2s.

Devotional Verses, founded on Texts of Scripture; by Bernard Barton. 12mo. A Sermon on Colonial Slavery; by the Rev. J. N. Goulty.

A Vindication of Christian Missions in

India, in reply to the Quarterly Review; by the Rev. J. H. Hinton.

Poems, principally on Sacred Subjects ; by the Rev. R. Brown. 12mo. 5s.

The United States of America compared with some European Countries, particularly England; in a Discourse.delivered in Trinity Church, New York. By the Rt. Rev. J. H. Hobart, D. D. 23.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Statistical Illustrations of the British Empire. 8vo. 7s. 6d.

Historical Essay on the Temporal Power of the Pope. Translated from the French. 2 vols. 8vo. 20s.

Remarks on Granville Penn's Mineral and Mosaical Geologies. 8vo. 3s.

Traditions and Recollections, Domestic, Clerical, and Literary; by the Rev. R. Polwhele. 2 vols. 8vo. 25s.

Chronology of Ancient History; by Mrs. Sherwood. 12mo. 6s.

A History of the United States of America to 1815. 8vo. 12s.

A Collection of the most interesting Trials prior to the Revolution of 1688; by S. M. Phillips. 2 vol. 8vo. 1. 8s.

An Inquiry into the Moral Character of Lord Byron; by J. W. Simmons. 8vo. 4s. A Letter to Mr. Haldane, on his Strictures relative to the Continent, and to Continental Bible Societies; by Dr. Steinkopff.

The Causes of Failure in Education, &c.; by the Author of an Appeal on Sunday Schools.

Memorials of the Loss of the Comet Steam-packet; by the Rev. A. Perrey. The Opinions of an Old Gentleman on several Moral and Religious Subjects,

18mo. 2s.

volent individuals, and by annual reading subscribers of three shillings and upwards. Since the last Report, dated December 1823, five new divisions, consisting of 250 volumes, and an Agricultural Branch, consisting of 100 volumes, have been added to the institution, which now consists of twenty-four divisions of fifty volumes each; in all, 1200 vols. Allowing a month for the perusal of a volume, there has been issued on an average, during the last two years, 317 volumes monthly, out of 1000 volumes, the number of books belonging to the gratuitous part of the establishment during that period; which is a proportion of issues unexampled in any stationary library of the same standing. The number of issues, in the villages where divisions have been placed for eight years, have not been much fewer during the last two years than during the first, when the influence of novelty may be supposed to have induced many to apply for books.

It is intended as soon as practicable to place at least one division on every square of four miles in the county of East Lothian. Sixty-five divisions would supply the whole county; and these, including bookcases, and accompanied by catalogues, and the other needful apparatus, might be procured for about 600.; and as the books, with occasional repairs, might last for twenty years in constant circulation, the expense of furnishing the whole county with these libraries would be only 301. per annum.

Although a large proportion of the books in these libraries have been on the subject of religion and morals, because these are matters in which every individual is most deeply interested, yet a considerable number relate to history, travels, biography, and the arts and sciences; and some attention has been paid to procure books calculated to excite the attention of young persons, and form in them a taste for reading, observation, and reflection.

From a conviction, that to excite farm servants and agricultural mechanics of the county to observe and to reflect on the various objects with which their employments bring them into contact, would be an important service both to them and to their employers, an agricultural branch has been added consisting of one hundred volumes; and great anxiety is expressed for the perusal of them. All the librarians continue to give their services gratuitously. We strongly recommend the plan of this useful institution for adoption in other parts of the United Kingdom. It is at once simple, economical, and efficient.

MERCHANT-SEAMEN'S BIBLE

SOCIETY.

Whatever might have been the doubts of any persons as to the practicability of exciting in the minds of our Merchant Seamen a desire to possess the holy Scriptures, the experience of more than seven years has evinced that not only are they willing to receive them when gratuitously offered to their acceptance, but that they are prompt, and even solicitous, to make considerable pecuniary sacrifices, that they may obtain the sacred treasure. At the end of seven years' distribution, it appears that the sales at Gravesend (at half the cost price) have gone on progressively increasing from 597 copies of the Scriptures sold in the first year, to the unprecedented number of 1037 copies sold in the last year. In the port of London, though the Scriptures are now sold at three fourths the cost price, the number sold has progressively increased from the third year of the Society's operations, from 229 copies, to 411 copies sold in the last year.

A very general interest is now felt by our merchant seamen to possess the Sacred Volume; and numerous proofs have been furnished in the Society's Reports of the beneficial consequences of circulating it. Fears have indeed been expressed by some persons, that the distribution of the Scriptures alone, would have a tendency to alienate the minds of those who were attached to the Established Church; but, in refutation of this opinion, the Committee state, that in consequence of the repeated inquiries of sailors, both at Gravesend and in London, for the Book of Common Prayer, the Committee of the Prayer-book and Homily Society have been induced to make an experiment similar to that made by this Society; and it is highly satisfactory to them to learn, that the Assistant Secretary of that institution, who had visited the ships lying in the upper part of the river, had sold at reduced prices, 766 copies of the Common Prayer, and 15 copies of the entire volume of Homilies, in the short period of eight months, besides distributing a large number of select homilies as tracts.

The Committee deeply regret that the amount of annual subscriptions is by no means adequate to the prosecution of the Society's benevolent plans. They have never exceeded the sum of 2071.; and, in the last year, have not exceeded 2017.

The Committee present the following analysis of the distribution of the Scrip

tures during the year; namely, 1037 Bibles and Testaments sold at Gravesend, at half the cost price, 318 Bibles and Testaments left on board for the use of destitute seamen, but not paid for; 411 Bibles and Testaments sold to seamen in the coasting trade, in the upper part of the river, at three-fourths the cost price; making a total distribution, at Gravesend and in the port of London, of 1766 copies. The Society has circulated altogether since its formation, 9275 Bibles and 10,467 Testa

ments.

A few of the many interesting circumstances mentioned by the Society's agents in the reports of last year are subjoined. "No. 1.-The captain readily paid for Bibles for three of his crew, who seemed most anxious to possess them. He spoke in high terms of the institution, and said, Every thing goes on as it ought, when the Bible is regarded by the crew; the duty is cheerfully done, the owner's property is more safe, and all is smooth and pleasant. The last Bible I bought of you, I gave to a poor Englishman at Venice, who told me that he wanted nothing so much as a Bible, and that he would give all he possessed to get one. He begged so hard, I could not help giving him my Bible; and glad I was that I had one to give him."

"No. 2. The captain was much pleased in hearing that eight of his crew had purchased the Scriptures. We are now well provided with spiritual charts,' said he, and I hope we shall have the presence of the best of Pilots to conduct us out and home in safety.' An excellent crew, and the captain extremely attentive."

"No. 3. Most of the crew were destitute of the Scriptures. Five of them went aft, saying how much they wished to have Bibles. As they were pennyless, the tain cheerfully lent them money, and the men were very grateful for the favour."

cap

"No. 4. The captain asked me how many Bibles I found amongst the crew, and said, he hoped none of them would go to sea without a copy of the Scriptures. He readily paid me for four Bibles for the men; and turning to two passengers, said, You must not think of going on so long a voyage (South America) without a Bible. One of them, being without, bought a Bible."

"No. 5. Here is a Bible which I bought of the Bristol Bible Association,' said the mate, holding it up; and this Bible has been the means of placing me in my present circumstances. I knew little about letters when I purchased it, but I was resolved to learn to read it, if possible; and 1 soon succeeded tolerably well, to the astonishment of many. I then began to learn to write, and next applied my mind to arithmetic. Thus I learned to read my Bible, to write, and to know

navigation, in little more than two years. My Bible is my best chart, and I trust it will in the end guide me to the haven of I feel now that I have one eternal rest.

talent committed to me, and it is my aim to improve it.' He added- Sailors are wonderfully altered about Bristol: indeed every means are now using there, and not in vain, to make them better men.'" "No. 6. The Lord bless you, sir, in your work,' said an old sailor, who had just got on board to see his son. My poor old father put a Bible into my chest,

when I first went to sea. I read but little for some time, and practised less, but that was the book which led me to know myself as a condemned sinner, and Jesus Christ as a suitable Saviour for such a sinner, and I hope at last to reach in safety the port of everlasting rest. I have a boy here, and sons in other ships; and I cannot do better, I think, than follow my poor old father's example, by putting into each of my boy's chests a Bible.'"

"No. 7. Our captain is a good man,' said the mate. We have prayers every day.' The captain soon after came on board. He appeared glad to see me, and asked the crew whether any of them were in want of a Bible. One man only was destitute, and the captain' immediately gave him money to pay for it. Our people,' he said, at the end of last voyage, collected amongst themselves 21. 12s. 6d. for the benefit of the Merchant Seamen's Bible Society, and I paid it into the hands of one of your Committee.""

·

"No. 8. Here are cheap Bibles, my boys,' cried one of the seamen, addressing the captain; I'll have a Bible,' said one. So will I,' said another. So said a third, and a fourth. The Scriptures and prayers are read here on all proper occasions,' said the captain; and depend upon it, the time is not lost.'

"No. 9. The captain said, I love to the utmost of my ability to encourage this good work; and should any one of the crew want a Bible I will with pleasure let him have money to pay for it. Five of them seemed glad of so favourable an opportunity, and got a Bible each."

The

"No. 10. At the time one of the crew was purchasing a Bible, another, a man of Colour, looked wishfully at it, which the mate observing, said, 'Do you want a Bible?' calling him by his name. poor fellow hanging down his head, replied, "O yes, I shall be very glad indeed to get one.' Then you shall have one,' said the mate, and I will pay for it.' The man was delighted with a treasure which he never possessed before.'

"No. 11. When I belonged to the R-, said the mate, we got several Bibles from your Society at this place. We met the T- at sea, a vessel which had never sailed from the port of London: she had been from England five years, and had doubled Cape Horn. During the whole

of this time they had been without even a leaf of the Scriptures on board, or any religious book whatever. The captain came on board to ask whether we could accommodate his ship with a Bible? We let him have three out of the number which we procured from your society. The captain, mate, and others, were very thankful indeed for them. Now, had it not been for your excellent society, we should not have had the pleasure of perusing those books ourselves, nor could we have furnished this Bibleless ship with such a seasonable supply."

In one of my visits this week I was accompanied by a gentleman who wished to be acquainted with the mode adopted by the society in visiting the vessels on the river. We boarded thirty-one vessels and in every case had the most pleasing reception, and ample testimonies of the altered character of seamen.'

"No. 12. One of the men left his dinner, and came to me for a Bible, saying, 'that the one he had was nearly worn out, and he wished for another.' A pious seaman, belonging to the next vessel, said, that much good was doing among sailors; that many were very altered characters; and that, in general now, their ears were open to reproof and instruction. Another affirmed, that the change was surprising, and ascribed much praise to the Seamen's Bible Society."

"No. 13. The master bore the strongest testimony to the good which the circulation of the Scriptures had done amongst seamen, not only on board but on shore, and said that it was equally manifest in all the ports where sailors resorted. He bought a Bible himself, and was glad that I called to supply him."

"No. 14. The master appeared very much concerned in promoting the best interests of his men, and asked each of them whether he had got a Bible: two were found to be without, and they immediately requested to be supplied: the master said, he would pay for them; and pressed, in a very earnest manner, upon their attention, the neccessity of reading the Scriptures, with prayer to God for his blessing.

CHURCH MISSIONARY

SEMINARY.

The Appendix to the last Report of the Church Missionary Society contains the very interesting and appropriate address, delivered at the opening of the Society's Seminary, at Islington, by the Rev J. N. Pearson, the principal. We select the following passages explanatory of the object and utility of this important establish

ment.

"The aim of this institution is transcendently noble and elevated. In framing it, gentlemen, you have been alive to the

importance of giving to the missionary system a more perfect organization; and one better adapted to the expanding rays of your operations, to their increasing complexity, and to the steady progress, in literature and in the arts of civil life, of many of those nations which are still immured in the vilest abominations of Paganism. With a view to give effect to your decision, you have resolved to bring been dispersed among several masters, together the students who have hitherto and to place them under a single superintendence. Through this arrangement, an exact and uniform plan of education can be pursued; and many local facilities will be at hand, for initiating or perfecting the students in various departments of knowledge-facilities, it may without offence be asserted, which are not within the compass of education in a country village, nor attainable under the roof of any private individual, however able and accomplished. In such a seminary, moreover, a system, both domestic and academical, may be adopted, which shall be, in some degree, preparatory to the missionary warfare, and under which the soldiers of the Cross may be gradually inured to habits congenial with their evangelical destination-a system, which, by having something of an ascetic and pilgrim character impressed upon it, may fit them for that life of self-denial, I was nearly saying self-annihilation, which they have prospectively embraced.

"From the assembling of the students in one place, you will also obtain a vast advantage for ascertaining the real character, and the comparative capacity and qualifications, of each individual. Thus you will be secured, so far as human circumspection can secure you, from sending into foreign parts unholy and unqualified teachers, agents of darkness in the form and with the credentials of angels of light, who may prove scandals to the heathen, and blots on the Christian Name; thereby clothing our Society in mourning, and drawing down upon themselves an aggravated condemnation.

"Neither is the benefit trivial, which this institution is calculated to produce, by giving to the Society, of which it must needs be a prominent member, a due publicity with regard both to its objects and its measures. It is, we believe, the want of a thorough acquaintance with the character of the Society, that has checked and limited the support which it has hitherto received from those high functionaries of church and state, whose favour