Birmingham, Nos. I. to V. Price 6d. each.-The Christian Pastor's Manual; a Selection of Tracts on the Duties, Difficulties, and Encouragements of the Christian Ministry. Edited by John Brown, Minister of the Gospel, Edinburgh. Price 78.-Miriam, or the Power of Truth, a Jewish Tale. By the Author of "Influence." Price 10s. 6d.-Izram, a Mexican Tale, and other Poems. By Charlotte Elizabeth, Author of "Osric," &c. Price 6s.-Select Bible Anecdotes, Historical and Biographical, interspersed with Occasional Remarks. By George Betts. Vol. ii. Price 48.-A Selection of Prayers for Children and Young Persons. By E. Holmes. Price 3s.-Letters on the Trinity, and on the Divinity of Christ, addressed to the Rev. William E. Channing, in answer to his Sermon on the Doctrines of Christianity, preached and published at Baltimore. By Moses Steward. Price 3s. 6d.-A Concise Exposition of the Method of Instructing the Deaf and Dumb. By J. R. Young. Price 3s. 6d. My Early Days. By Walter Ferguson, Esq. Price 2s-The Opinions of an Old Gentleman on several Moral and Religious Subjects. Price 28.-Moloch, or the Approach of the Deluge, a Sacred Drama. By the Rev. William Bassett, M.A. -The Progress of Religion, exemplified in the History of Mary Wilson. By the Author of the "His.

tory of a Servant Maid." Price 2s.-An Address delivered to the Young Gentlemen of the Protestant Dissenters' Grammar School, Mill-Hill. By William Orme. Price 1s. 6d.-On Cruelty to Animals; a Sermon. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D. Price 1s. 6d.Missionary Portraits, or Brief Memoirs of the late Rev. Robert Hampson and Rev. John Ince. By William Roby.-The Principles of Arithmetic, explained in a Popular Manner, for the use of Schools. By Alexander Ingram. Price 1s.- - The Moral Dignity of the Missionary Enterprise; a Sermon. By F. Wayland, junior. Price 1s. 6d. A Remonstrance addressed to the Rev. Walter Farquhar Hook, M.A. By Thomas Mann.-A Letter to the Editor of the Quarterly Review, occasioned by certain Animadversions on the Baptist Missions in India. Price 6d. -Remarks on the Hora Sabbaticæ of Godfrey Higgins, Esq. By Henry Standish. Price 2s. 6d.-Familiar Dialogues, Instructive and Entertaining, for Sunday Schools. By a Teacher. Price 6d. The Baptist Family, or a Familiar Treatise on the Subject of Infant Baptism. By a Minister of the Gospel. Translated from the French by Charlotte Southwood. -The Shipwreck of the Apostle Paul. By the Author of "Daniel in the Den of Lions," and "May Flowers, or Little Pullip," Price 4d.

LONDON.

BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

Patron.- THE DUKE OF YORK. President.-THE ARCHB, OF CANTERBURY.

This Society, which is beyond doubtjentitled to the liberal support of every Briton, owed its origin to the benevolent exertions of an humble individual, who from witnessing the depraved habits of the soldiery sta tioned in Hyde Park, in 1779, to preserve the peace of the metropolis, at that time disturbed by a desperate faction, was anxious to commence amongst them a distribution of the Holy Scriptures. His wish was communicated to that eminent philanthropist, the late Mr. Thornton, who sanctioned the laudable undertaking by a donation of 1007., which sum he soon doubled. In 1780, the Society was regularly organized, under the general designation of "THE BIBLE SoCIETY;" for at that period there was no distinct Institution for the soLE distribution of the BIBLE. The infant cause was powerfully advocated, in several churches, by the Rev. Messrs. Romaine and De Coetlogon. Two Bishops soon conferred on it their sanction; after which many individuals of different denominations came forward and lent their effective aid. The first sermon, preached on its behalf, was founded on Bom. Je, In 1704, the Society had to during the fourteen ven ́s of its

existence, it had distributed, chiefly amongst the army, 22,000 copies of the Word of God. In 1804, the name of the Institution was changed from "THE BIBLE SOCIETY to that which it now bears, "THE NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY," in consequence of the formation of "THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY," which took place in that year. In that year the income of the Society amounted to 1837. 13s. 10d. Only two naval officers appeared in the list of contributors. Every day, however, the Society continued to advance in the public esteem; so that in 1814 the issue of Bibles and Testaments had amounted to 100,000; collections, in churches and chapels, to 3,000l.; subscriptions and donations to 2,000/.; and the number of subscribing naval and military officers, to 109.

The Society, after this, burst forth into the most distinguished notice, and was honoured with the most splendid patronage. Members of the Royal Family, Dukes, Cabinet Ministers, Archbishops, Bishops, Lords of the Admiralty, Noblemen, Admirals, and Generals, were found in the list of its distinguished patronage. And what was still more gratifying, many Naval and Military Officers forwarded to the Committee the most enraptur ing accounts of the eagerness of the army and navy to receive the Holy Scriptures. In the year, ending May 1825, the Society issued 6049 Bibles and Testaments, making a grand total, up to that date, of 175,400. The number of subscribing Officers were then 315, During that year His Royal Highness the Duke of York announced to the Society and to the

Army that HIS MAJESTY had been pleased to approve of a code of regulations, the purport of which was, that every Soldier, who can read, shall be furnished with a Bible, &c. gratis; the expense to be borne by the public; and that the Chaplain General of the Forces shall procure from the Naval and Military Bible Society, and other sources, such number of Bibles, &c. as may be required. In consequence of this regulation, though at first somewhat dreaded, 16,000 Bibles have been issued from the Depository of the Naval and Military Bible Society, since May, 1825.

We are sorry to add, that this invaluable Institution stands greatly in need of the prompt and liberal aid of the Christian public, which we are fully satisfied it cannot fail speedily to realize. Its stated income is lamentably limited considering the magnitude and benevolence of its objects.

EDINBURGH BIBLE SOCIETY AND THE

APOCRYPHA.

We have just read a most admirable pamphlet on this long-agitated question, from the united pens of the Rev. Messrs. Gray, Brown, Craig, and Wardlaw, and John Campbell, Esq. of Carbrook. We are not a little pleased to find the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society so manfully defended at the very head quarters of imputation. As the authors of this seasonable appeal are all members of the Edinburgh Committee, and at the same time anti-apocryphalists, we do hope that it may do somewhat to stay that rage for strife and division which seems of late to have infatuated our brethren in the North. One thing we will venture to say, that the document before us is far more creditable to the genius of a Christian committee than the statement we lately had occasion to notice-a_statement partaking as much of the spirit of the world and as little of the Spirit of Christ, as any one we ever read on a similar subject. We most earnestly entreat all who have allowed themselves to be influenced by the intemperate conduct of the Edinburgh Committee to procure this well-written, dignified, and (upon fair ground) unanswerable pamphlet. We are happy to believe that calm reflection is every where bringing back the alienated affections of the public to the noblest and best of human Institutions. We beseech Scotland to pause ere she severs an union which has been as propitious to herself as it has been useful to mankind. We cannot but hail certain symptoms of moderation, with unfeigned gratitude to God,

ORDINATION OF REV. J. GRAY.

January 24, 1826. The Rev. James Gray was ordained to the Pastoral charge of Albion Chapel, Moorgate. The service was opened, with reading the Scriptures and Prayer, by Dr. Stuart of Dublin. Dr. Jack, of Manchester, preached the introductory Discourse, Rev. W. Broadfoot, of Oxendon-street, asked the usual Questions, and offered the Ordination Prayer. Dr. Waugh, of Well-street, gave the Charge and addressed the people.

REMOVAL.

The Rev. J. Lockyer, late of Shadwell, has accepted an invitation to the Pastoral charge of the Independent Church, Ware, Herts.

HOXTON ACADEMY.

The Anniversary of Hoxton Academy is to be held at Claremont Chapel, Pentonville, on Wednesday Evening, the 28th of June. The examination of the Students is to take place on the day preceding; but the Annual Meeting of Subscribers will be postponed till after the Vacation. As it is expected that the new building will then be ready for occupation, it is intended to hold the Annual Meeting at Highbury College, on Tuesday, the 5th of September. It is proposed to defer till that time the Annual Meeting of the Ministers of the Hoxton Association.

WHIT-MONDAY.

The Annual Sermon to Young People will be preached on that day, at the Chapel, Lower Street, Islington, by the Rev. John Yockney. Service to commence at half-past six o'clock.

CASE OF MRS. LEE, WIDOW OF THE LATE

REV. W. LEE.

The

Mrs. Lee, of Missionary-place, Walworth, widow of the late Rev. W. Lee, of Newmarket, Suffolk, begs to return her warmest thanks to those Ministers and Friends who have kindly contributed to her support. amount of the subscriptions is £235, of which the principal part has been laid out in the purchase of a house and premises, which have been vested in trust for herself and her six children. She implores the best blessings on behalf of her benefactors, who have so essentially assisted to dry the tears and lessen the cares of the widow and the fatherless. Having a son of an age to put out as an apprentice, she would be thankful to be directed to a situation where the youth may be admitted at a small premium suited to her slender

means.

PROVINCIAL.

ASSOCIATIONS.

The Associated Ministers of Sheffield, Wakefield, and Rotherham, held their half yearly Meeting at Melton. The Services

commenced on the preceding evening, when a Sermon was delivered by Dr. Cope, of Wakefield, on the "Kingdom of Christ, and the means of its advancement." The next morning, the Rev. Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, preached on "Satanic Influence," the Rev. Mr. Dixon, of Sheffield, on "Christian Watchfulness," the Rev. Messrs. Nichols, of Bawtry, Docker, of Sheffield, and Dr. Bennett, of Rotherham, conducted the devotional parts of the service.

The Anniversary of the Union of Christians, for Bedfordshire and neighbouring places, will be held at Bedford, on Wednesday, the 31st of May, when the Rev. James Stratten, of Paddington Chapel, and the Rev. John Morris, of Olney, are expected to preach. The former in the morning, at 11 o'clock, the latter in the evening at halfpast 6.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The Anniversary of the Yorkshire West Riding Home Missionary Society, was held at Wakefield. Sermons were preached by Dr. Bennett of Rotherham, and Rev. J. Fox, of Bolton, and a public Meeting held in the Afternoon, in Salem Chapel, Wakefield, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. Drs. Boothroyd and Cope, Rev. Messrs. Vint, Pool, Bruce, Scott, Rheedor, Hudswell, Holdgate, &c. A very pleasing Report was read by Mr. Vint.

29th March, 1826.

CHAPELS OPENED.

A neat Independent Chapel was opened at Bawtry, Yorkshire, on Wednesday the 15th of March, when Sermons were preached by the Rev. James Parsons, of York, the Rev. W. H. King, of Gainsborough, and the Rev. Dr. Bennett, of Rotherham. A Sermon was also preached on the preceding evening, by the Rev. James Parsons. The Sermons were impregnated with the most important and essential truths of the gospel; the attention and the number of the auditories were highly encouraging, and their contributions truly liberal.

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1825, a neat and commodious place of worship, connected with the Independent denomination, was opened for divine servipe, in the pleasant town of

This

Solihull, Warwickshire; on which occasion, three Sermons were preached that in the morning, by the Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham; that in the afternoon, by the Rev. J. W. Percy, of Warwick; and that in the evening, by the Rev. T. East, of Birmingham. On the following Sabbath day, Sermons were preached in the morning and afternoon, by the Rev. W. Hood, Minister of the Chapel, and in the evening, by the Rev. J. Sibree, of Coventry, after which latter service, a collection was also made, which, together with those preceding, amounted to 431. 4s. 2d. The success attending the erection of the above place of worship, is at once most surprising and gratifying. town, containing from two to three thousand souls, was previously, for upwards of twenty years, destitute of Evangelical preaching by any denomination of Dissenters. An eligible piece of ground was purchased by the Rev. J. Sibree-a Chapel has been erecteda Minister, in the character of a Home Missionary, is become a resident in the town, to preach regularly in the place, and in the neighbouring destitute villages-many of the pews in the Chapel have been let to respectable families-the place is crowded with attentive hearers every Sabbath day, and upwards of a hundred persons attend the week day evening Lectures. Thus a work has been accomplished within the short period of one year, which, in all probability would not have been performed in ten or fifteen years, by the usual mode of entering into destitute towns. A debt of £400 remains to be defrayed, to effect which, the aid of the benevolent public is earnestly solicited.

ORDINATIONS.

On Wednesday, the 22nd of March, the Rev. David Prain, late of Edinburgh, was ordained as an Evangelist, at Little Dean, in Gloucestershire. The Rev. Mr. Richardson, of Frampton, read and prayed; Mr. Edkins, of Nailsworth, gave the introductory address and asked the questions. Mr. Horlick, of Ruar Dean, offered up the ordination prayer, accompanied with the laying on of hands; Mr. Bishop, of Gloucester, gave the charge, from 1 Peter v. 2. "Feed the flock of God, which is among you ;" after which, Mr. Lewes, of Wooten, prayed. Mr. Wyld, of Chalford, gave out the hymns in the evening; Mr. Burder, of Stroud, preached to the church and congregation, from 1 Cor. xiii. 13. "And now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity, these three, but the greatest of these is Charity." Messrs. Hamerton and Jones prayed. The services throughout the day were very interesting, and the chapel was crowded.

On Wednesday, the 29th of March, the Rev, J, W, Wayne, from the Newport Pagnel Evangelical Institution, was ordained to the

pastoral office over the Independent church at Hitchin. The Rev. C. Gilbert of Stony Stratford, commenced the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer; the Rev. S. Hiliyard, of Bedford, with much clearness and precision, stated the nature of a gospel church, and asked the usual questions: the Rev. D. W. Aston, of Buckingham, (Mr. W.'s pastor) prayed the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands; the Rev. T. P. Bull, of Newport Pagnel, gave a most affectionate and impressive charge to the Minister from 1 Tim. iv. 16; and the Rev. W. Chaplin, of Bishop's Stortford, delivered a very judicious discourse to the people, from Matt. v. 14; the Rev. J. Holloway, of Cardington, near Bedford, read the hymns, and the Rev. J. Geard, the venerable Baptist Minister of Hitchin, concluded the interesting service with prayer.

In the evening, the Rev. J. Slye, of Potter's Parry, delivered a very able discourse from Rom. iii. 31. The Rev. Messrs. Early, of Coleman's Green, and Hawkins, of Towcester, engaged in prayer.

FOREIGN,

STATE OF RELIGION ON THE CONTINENT. (Continued from page 65.)

NO. III.

On the Circulation and right Use of the Scriptures.

"WITH the honouring and conscientious use of the Bible arose, and with its being put behind and neglected sank, the true illumination and life of religion in the Christian churches. In the early centuries, as long as the Bible was esteemed and used as the fountain of Christian knowledge, light and the spiritual power of life flowed from it to the members of the church of Jesus: in proportion as Bible-instruction or human dictates were adhered to, the light of truth shone brighter and stronger, or dimmer and weaker. In the gloomy middle ages, (the benefit of which to society, in spite of every effort to place it in an advantageous point of view, can scarcely be made to assume any better form than that of a mass of necessary evil, and for which the ingenuity of research can obtain no really bright and useful side,) the more the study of the Bible was neglected, the more mightily did the night break in of superstition and a kind of Christian heathenism. Many sparks indeed burst out of that night. Many noble spirits forced their way through the darkness, But that darkness they could not vanquish since they wielded not that sword of the Spirit which is the word of Goda Many, whose hotter fastinga rose in the genius lungula senina

the errors, the superstition, the spiritual tyronny of their age, lost themselves in the ye-paths of fanaticism."-Dr. Flatt, Pres. of the Wurtemberg Bible Society. 1823.

[I regret the being obliged, from want of room, to omit many excellent passages in the Reports and Speeches of this Society, both for 1823 and 1824.]

"The Bible Societies are a source of great benefit to particular churches. They arouse the zeal of Christians, and direct their attention to serious and important objects. They furnish an opportunity of exercising the first virtue of Christianity, by co-operating to the true welfare of mankind, inseparable from the progress of the gospel. They are the centre of a focus, around which they have the unspeakable advantage of being able to unite, learn more and more, to know and love each other, convey mutual information, and watch over interests which indolent insulation often leads to neglect. What French Protestant does not bless the Bible Societies which have been founded in the different provinces of this dear country, and which count the days of their existence by multiplied blessings? What French Protestant does not bless, among others, the Society of the metropolis, the central point of all the churches of the kingdom, and whose honorable labours are so calculated to fill with sacred joy all evangelical Christians, for whose temporal and eternal good it is incessantly labouring ?Bible Societies multiply the friends of the Bible, and consequently the friends of true religion. They encourage and promote the reading of the Bible, and consequently a taste for divine things. They are so many canals, diffusing in all directions 'the waters which spring up to everlasting life.' The Bible, whose venerable name they bear, and to spread aboad which, for the instruction and salvation of mankind, is their only object,-the Bible, better than any arguings, attests their usefulness and assures their success. Already the most happy effects have been produced by the propagation of the Gospel-Code. Idolatrous nations and their chiefs have abjured their superstitious systems, and have 'bowed the knee to the name of Jesus.' The larger part of the Sovereigns protect and favour the distribution of the Book of God, and see in Bible-Establishments, a valuable means of promoting the instruction, morality, and happiness of the nations whom Providence has entrusted to their care. Pastors can supply their flocks with that spiritual food, the place of which cannot be supplied by the exercises of public worship. Disorderly conduct and crimes have become rare in those countries where the reading of the Holy Word is the most practised. The wretched receive the book of genuine consolation, and bless the hand which gives it. The gospel, better known imprensallone and commanda regoor fring

pre

those detractors who, upon the credit of tended philosophers, cavilled at it without having ever perhaps read it. I see Bible Societies obtain the blessings of parents and children, prisoners and the poor, congregations and their spiritual guides. By this river, (I borrow the sublime language of the prophet Ezekiel,) and upon its banks, will grow fruit-trees of all kinds, whose leavesshall not wither, and which shall not cease from bearing fruit: every month they bring forth fresh fruit, because the waters of the river come forth from the sanctuary: therefore their fruit is good for food, and their leaves are for healing.' (Ezek. xlvii. 12.) Thus shall the voice of God be heard: his oracles shall be consulted: every well-disposed mind will submit to the yoke of the Lord and the children of Adam shall be brought to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel.' To aid the Bible Societies that already exist to form Secondary Associations in every parish; to excite by Christian persuasion, contributions as abundant as possible; to contribute generously ourselves; to collect with gratitude the penny from the widow and the mite from the poor mechanic; to feel a deep interest in the distribution of the Sacred Books; to pour out to the Author of every blessing fervent prayers that his word may have free course,' be read, understood, and practised; to show by our own conduct that we are not unworthy to bear the glorious name of Friends of the Bible; in one word, to be employed, with the activity of a pious and charitable mind, in the progress of a cause which we know to be good and holy, acceptable to God and useful to man, such are the obligations, as delightful as they are important, which appear to me to lie upon all the brethren of the Gospel, all the children of the blessed Reformation. Doubt not, gentlemen, that Bible Societies are, in the hands of the Divine Head of the Church, an instrument of mercy to produce in our age the most happy results. Their labours, blessed from above, will follow a constant and irresistible march. They will find, as they do among you, as many friends and supporters as there are men of real religion and beneficence. The names of such men as Teignmouth and Jaucourt, Van Ess and Owen, will go down to posterity, attended with the thanksgivings of all believers, and the approbation of all good men.”—M. Miroglio, Pasteur at Besançon, at the Montbéliard B. S. Sept. 15, 1824.

[The French Reports, especially those of the Paris Society, are rich in sentiment, piety, and well attempered zeal. They would furnish a volume of interesting extracts.]

EXILED SWISS MINISTERS.

THE Committee have waited to the latest hour that can allow the hope of an insertion in the Evangelical Magazine, but their expectation is not yet realized of receiving the details of the distribution last directed. This disappointment arises from the slowness of communication with the persecuted persons and families, who are dispersed in different parts of France and Switzerland; some of them probably in villages and obscure places. We lament to say that, after a temporary remission, and an excitement of hope that justice was about to resume her seat in the Canton of Vaud, the persecuting spirit has been revived to a very distressing degree. A faithful Minister, who had been permitted, since the banishment of others, to hold religious meetings, and who had availed himself of the indulgence with exemplary prudence and care to avoid giving offence, is now watched and pursued with jealous severity; and he does not expect long to escape. The Lord's day before his last letter to one of our Paris Committee, he and his friends worshipped in a wood; but this they could effect only once. It was owing to their having providentially changed their plan for that day that they escaped being arrested by the Gens d'armes. Several persons have been very recently condemned to banishment for different periods, usually two or three years; and others to fines and costs to a considerable amount. One young Minister, who has been sentenced to exile, has to repay 54 Louis, (we suppose old Louis, which are worth about 23 shillings each) which had been granted him for his expences at College. To such as carried on trades, or cultivated the ground, their banishment has been almost or altogether ruinous. Sums have been sent for immediate distribution among the most necessitous families. In the midst of all, our correspondent writes, "the gospel spreads, and the pious clergymen, non-separatists, are acting nobly."

The press of matter in the Magazine for the next month, arising from the great religious anniversaries, will probably preclude our being able to insert a further report till the July number. We trust that, long before that time, our information will be completely obtained. For the Committee.