MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SEVERAL benevolent Persons, wishing to promote the interest of this Society, have, from time to time, bequeathed sums of money to the Institution; but, for want of pointing out the particular Society intended, by its proper name and title, or by a loose and unguarded Form of Bequest, considerable difficulties have arisen, and the Society has sometimes been in danger of losing the benefit intended. We are therefore desired, by the Directors of the Society, to insert the following Form, which is respectfully submitted to Ladies and Gentlemen who may be disposed to promote the grand object of the Society by their Wills: " I Form of a Bequest to the Missionary Society. give unto the Treasurer for the time being, of a certain voluntary Society formed in London, in the year 1795, entituled, TЯE MISSIONARY SOCIETY, the sum of pounds, of lawful money of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, current in Great Britain, to be paid within months next after my decease, out of such part only of my Personal Estate as shall not consist of chattels real, upon trust to be applied towards the carrying on the purposes of the said Society: and I do hereby direct and declare, That the receipt of the Treasurer for the time being of the said Society, for the said Legacy, shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors for the same." ARRIVAL OF MR. VOS, &c. By a private letter from the Rev. Joshua Rowe, one of the Baptist Missionaries i India, to a friend in London, dated Madras, Dec. 25, 1804, information has been received, that the Rev Messrs. Vos, Ringeltaube, Cran, and Desgranges, had arrived previously to that date at Tranquebar. But no direct communication from them to the Society has yet come to hand; their letters having probably been sent by way of Denmark. Mr. Rowe and his companions arrived at Madras, Nov. 10, 1304. He says, in his letter above mentioned, Here is a large field for usefulness. Swartz and Gericke are removed to the church triumphant. God grant that the Missionaries who are now come out, may be as eminently useful as they were !" He also adds, "The Lord has raised us up a number of friends among the Europeans," MISSION TO KARASS, On Wednesday, May 1, a Meeting of the Edinburgh Missionary Society was held, for the purpose of setting apart four young men to join the Mission among the Tartars, in the neigh bourhood of Mount Caucasus. The Meeting being opened with prayer, and the reason of their being called together stated by the President, the Instructions to the Missionaries were read by the Secretary, and delivered to them. The Rev. Mr. Black addressed the Missionaries in an impressive manner; and the Meeting concluded with prayer. Early next morning the Missionaries embarked at Leith, on board the Fidelity, Capt. Norman: the same ship that carried out Mr. Brunton, &c. to Russia. In the afternoon they sailed down the river with a fair wind. The names of the Missionaries are, Jon Mitchell, Robert Pinkerton, Geo. Macalpine, and James Galloway. They are all unmarried, except Mr. Mitchell, who was lately united to a pious young woman, sister of Mr. Dickson, at Karass. The two first have, for a considerable time, been supported and educated by the Society; and, through the kindness of a Member, who long resided in Russia, have been instructed in the Russian language; so that it is hoped, they will be able to make their way through the Russian empire without the aid of au interpreter. They have likewise been taught the art of printing; and have taken out with them a press and foot of Arabic types, which is the character universally used where they are going to reside. The Directors have sent out to Mr. Brunton a large supply of necessaries, for the use of the Missionaries. Mr. Brunton has sent home an Arabic Tract; being an Address to a Mussulman, on the subject of Religion, intended to expose the absurdities of the Koran, and the wickedness of Mahomet. This is now printed in London, HOME INTELLIGENCE. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held at St. Paul's Coffee-Honse, on Thursday morning, May 9; and was very numerously attended. The AnDual Report was road, together with part of the Correspondence of the Committee with various persons at home and abroad; which was very encouraging. It appeared that more than two millions of Tracts had issued from the Depository since the commencement of the Society in 1799; and that there has been a very considerable increase in the sale of Tracts during the past year. Several of the Members related circumstances respecting the usefulness of those publications in their particular eircles; which occasioned much satisfaction and thankfulness. Some new plans were also suggested to render the Institution still more conducive to the public welfare. DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTS TO SAILORS AND SOLDIERS. THE Committee of the Religious Tract Society, have lately received some communications regarding the circulation of Religious Tracts among the Soldiers and Sailors of this country, which have afforded them much pleasure, and which hold out great encouFagement to the increase and extension of such a commendable and benevolent practice. Is it necessary, formally, to recommend this object to the attention of Christian ministers? No, surely. The Committee of the Religious Tract Society have, therefore, only " to stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance;" and to state to them, That the distribution of the augmented number of British Soldiers, in encampments at different parts of the united kingdom, affords a favourable oppor tunity to circulate Religious Tracts among them; and that ministers who reside in the vicinity of the several encampments, are very suitable persons to patronize and prosecute this good work. From all the accounts which the Committee have received, they have reason to believe, that Military Officers will not obstruct the circulation of Re ligious Tracts among the soldiers: and it has been found, that soldiers receive gratitude, and read them with attention the Tracts with great readiness and and pleasure. The several dock-yards and naval stations present equal facilities and encouragement for distributing Tracts among Sailors; their benefit may, therefore, be greatly promoted in this way, by ministers, who live in the vicinity of such naval stations. Our soldiers and seamen have much time for reading: many of them are disposed to amuse and improve themselves by books; their mode of living in camps, and on board ships, is fa vourable for social exercises of this kind; ana it is hoped that the publications of this Society are well calculated to engage attention, and to promote Religious Improvement. On all those accounts, and from the considerations, that our brave seamen and soldiers peculiarly need, and in the highest degree deserve, every possible attention to their temporal and spiritual interests, and that in furnishing them with religious instruction, we engraft Christian virtues on British heroism, and thus essentially benefit our beloved country. The Committee most earnestly and affectionately recommend to ministers, that they exert themselves in promoting the circulation of Religious Tracts throughout the army and navy. In order to excite to the commencement, and to encourage the prosecution of this good work, the Committee de hereby acquaint their Christian brethren, that Tracts, to be distributed among our sailors and soldiers, will be gratuitously supplied, ou application being made for them to the Committee, addressed to the Rev. Joseph Hughes, at Battersea, Secretary: or to Joseph Reyner, Esq. Old Swan, near London Bridge, Treasurer. P. S. The Committee beg leave to suggest, That the distribution of Bibles and Testaments throughout the navy and army, is a work of peculiar importance at the present time; and they rejoice that there is another Society which embraces this specific object, viz. The Naval and Military Bible Society; and that an application, signed by an officer in the army or navy, will meet proper attention. The British and Foreign Bible So- The Society for Promoting Christian We rejoice in both these designs, and REMARKABLE AWAKENING Accounts of the victorious power of the Gospel are ever welcome to those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. We have permission to present our readers with an account of a remarkable dispensation of the grace of God attending his word at Darwen, a populous village in Lancashire. This account is contained in a letter from the Rev. R. Bowden, to his father, the Rev. J. B. at Tooting, Surry. The letter was written in the course of familiar correspondence, without the most distant expectation of its appearing in print. plicity and godly sincerity," a narraIt is," in simtive of facts. The work of the Lord to which it relates, will appear especially wonderful, when considered in connexion with the very affecting and awful circumstances by which it was introduced. Ox the afternoon of the 21st of November, 1804, Mr. and Mrs. B. with a select company, had been on a friendly visit, about two miles from home. A very heavy fall of rain commencing soon after their arriva', constrained their stay much beyond the intended hour. They had to repass a brook, which, during this interval, the waters from the adjacent hills had unusually swollen. Mrs. B. with two ladies, her sisters, was on horseback; and not without impressions of fear, was inclined, with cautions steps, to try the pas sage. The attempt, hazardous beyond her apprehension, proved fatal. The horse was unable to sustain the impe tuosity of the stream. the distracted husband, now standing on In a moment the bridge for foot-passengers, had“ the desire of his eyes," youthful, lovely, and pious, snatched from his sight; and with such violence precipitated down the flood, that instantly she was no more! Not one cry of distress was heard. It was a night of agony and gloomy horror, especially as the most anxious search for the body was ineffectual till the morning; bat "God moves in a mysterious way, "His wonders to perform!" "Though he cause grief, yet will he titude of his mercies !" have compassion, according to the mul Dess. The following Letter represents light unexpectedly arising out of this darkThis tempest succeeded by a voice, awakening the minds of many still small voice," and the Lord in that to" flee from the wrath to come." "My dear Father, March 14, 1805 "I rejoice to inform you how remarkably the power of God is among us, both to wound and to heal. Many are under deep convictions; and many more rejoicing and praising God for deliverance, through the Lord Jesus: Christ. Scarce a day passes but some one comes to unburden his mind, or to tell me what the Lord has done for his soul, I am at times quite overcome with the glory of divine grace shining around us; and constrained to cry, "This is the Lord's doing: it is marvellous in our eyes!" among us, making a He is truly in the day of his power." people willing hearts melt like wax before the sun; The hardest the strongest bonds of corruption, the most inveterate habits of vice burst. asunder; and the ransomed captive sits. joyfully, and in his right mind, at his Redeemer's feet, crying, with astonishment, "Why me, Lord, why me?" In another direction, you see a company of mourning peniteats got together; and saying, one to another, "What shall we do to be saved?" - when, smiting upon their breasts, they look: likely in human apprehension hear the upward and cry, us sinners!" Sometimes, the most un"God be merciful to Redeemer's voice, and forsake all to follow him. 1 "Lord, what am I!-a worthless My enquiring the way to Zion. What grief I feel that I cannot do more than I do! I trust the outpouring of the Spirit of God is not confined to the people, but, in a measure, is the privilege of their unworthy minister. I feel my heart enlarged towards them; and am ready to spend and be spent for the good of souls! Oh, for humility! Oh, for faith! Oh, for spiritual wisdom and strength equal to the very important and solemn service allotted me! Our prayer-meetings on Mondays and Fridays are so overflowing, that we shall be constrained to remove them to the @hapel. Most of those who attend are under spiritual concern. Besides these meetings, we have another on Saturday evenings, for conversation on matters of experience. This is confined to those in whom we hope the Lord has begun his good work; and who are ready to communicate to each other what the Lord has done for their souls. The men who attend on these occasions fake their turn in prayer. Our chapel, which you know is very large, is completely crowded. We have great pleasure in seeing one of our friends converting a room, which he had built for billiards, into a place for weekly prayermeetings. "Within a month past, the heads of x families, who appeared to have been gross darkness, have been awakened to an earnest concern about salvation; and have commenced praying in their families. O it is delighful, it is overpowering, to hear them so fervently lisp ing out their prayers to God for converting grace, stammering out their new-felt desires; and, in a manner peculiar to themselves, expressing their love to the dear Redeemer! I have lately preached nearly every evening in the week, at some house or other. The houses continually full, and the hearts of the hearers overflowing! To describe all I see and witness, I cannot: it is not to be expressed. The changes are truly great; and the manner in which they have been effected wonderfut! While the arrows of conviction have been flying all around, the Lord's own people have found their cup of blessing to run over. Blessed be the Lord for this time of refreshing from his presence; and for the hope with which he has abundantly inspired us, that we shall yet see good days! Nothing but this hope could heal my wound, cure my melancholy, or carry me.comfortably through the howling wilderness of this sinful, sorrowful world. Affliction and painful separation have been the lot of the best of men,- -the greatest favourites of Hea ven! But no one knoweth the bitterness of such a cup as mine, but he who has drank it. If not mingled with a sense of the love of God in Christ Jesus, I could not endure it. Oh, what physic, what strong physic, do our powerful earthly affections oblige our Heavenly Father to give us! What pruning knives do the luxuriant branches in his vineyard require! and when necessary for our good, they shall not be withheld. Blessed be God, there is a time coming when these mysteries in Providence shall be explained. I trust, while in this wilderness, to cast my heavy burden on him who came to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows. Hope (it is my earnest prayer) that I may come out of this fiery trial purified, and better fitted for my Master's use. Oh, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified more and more among us!-and may the joy resulting from being an honoured instrument in the Redeemer's hand, be my continual feast! Our day of labour may soon close: the Lord prepare us for all events! I expect that the enemy will be breaking in like a food upon us. We have notices of this already, in attempts at ridicule, and in horrid efforts of Infidelity; yet we will trust in the Lord. He will, according to his gracious promise, lift up his standard; and in the end the Redeemer will be glorious! "Here is a young woman just come in; and is this moment before me, apparently in great trouble: for a few minutes, therefore, I must lay down my pen. The Lord enable me to speak a word in season, and render me faithful, that I "heal not the wound of the daughter of my peop'e slightly!" Amen and amen. Well, she is gone. She seems to be one of those weary and heavy laden sinners to whom the blessed Redeemer promised rest: one of those tender lambs whom the Chief Shepherd gathers with his arm, and carries in his bosom. She came wceping bitterly; and while conversing with her of the sin of her heart and life, then of the ability and willingness of the Lord Jesus to save, what torrents of tears flowed from her eyes! After praying with her, she left me somewhat relieved. Before she went, she told we of another, who wanted to talk with me; but was afraid to come. I desired her to send the person down this evening. Oh, my father, I beg an interest in your fervent prayers, that I may have wisdom "rightly to divide the word of truth" among my numerous charge and grace to counsel, comfort, and to "give to every one his portion of meat in due season!" I feel my work more and more arduous; and myself, if possible, more and more insufficient. Believe me, when one of these poor distressed souls comes to me, unburdening his mind, and telling of the Lord's dealings, I tremble before him; I feel the presence of God; I see the saine band at work which raised the dead to life; I sem to feel somewhat as Jacob felt, when he exclaimed, "How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God; and this is the gate of Heaven!" Oh, that it may please the Lord to grant a general revival of his great work, and make it manifest in the salvation of multitudes!" I am, &c. IRELAND. OLD BIBLES WANTED. To the Friends of Religion. Dear Friends, Ar a time when I find you all so actively employed, and coming forward with so much zeal to send the gospel to the heathen, I wish to direct your eyes to Ireland; many parts of which are as dark and benighted as the heathen world with respect to the gospel; and many thousands remain in as much igDorance and superstition as the very Indians. Ireland is now an integral part of the empire, and as such, claims your attention as much as any part of Great Britain; separate from the consideration, that every man who loves the name of Christ, must wish to see his kingdom advanced anywhere, and think it a privilege to be able to send his gospel in any shape to a people who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; therefore I address you with more confidence; hoping that my proposition will have some good effect. From the present circumstances of the people of Ireland, the only thing that can immediately be done is, to circulate Bibles and Testaments. There are now many pious men in that country, who have an opportunity of doing this, if they had them to distribute; but who cannot afford to purchase any sufficient number of them for that purpose, and who see with much pain large tracts of country without a single Bible, especi ally in the south; where it has been ascertained, by inquiry, that one-fourth of the poor Protestants have not Bibles; and among the Romanists, there is not a Bible in one family out of 300: it is likewise found, that all the children of the Romanists will gladly take TestaTents; and many Bibles have been lately bought by them, when they could procure them cheap; but they are totally unable to purchase them at the high price at which they are generally sold. It is therefore proposed, that religious persons in and about this city, who have spare Bibles or Testaments, even though old or damaged, will send them to the undernamed places, to be distributed in Ireland; and the Conductors of this Magazine are satisfied, that they will be given to men who will distribute them to the best advantage, and who, if they can sell any, will apply the money to the purchase of more. It is well known, that there are many houses where there are Bibles which are not used, and which should not he laid aside, while so many thousands are perishing for want of the bread of life.Think, then, if by sending a Bible or Testament, it should be made the instrument of bringing one soul to the knowledge of the truth, you send that soul an infinitely greater treasure, than if you gave him a thousand worlds! and it is certain, that some individuals in Ireland have heen brought to the knowledge of Christ by reading the Bibles lately distributed there, who never heard the gospel preached. This is a critical and favourable time, now the men exist that can distribute them to advantage :- throw in your mite; pray over it, that the Lord may bless it to some soul; and be assured, it will not be in vain; for he that watches over Sion, watches over every motion of her children, and all their offerings are to him as the incense of a sweet-smelling savour, when presented in the Beloved. He will bless them by circulating the Bible; and the people will be thereby prepared for the preaching of the gospel. HIBERNICUS. Bibles, as above, will be thankfully Extracts from the Sixth Report of "I HAVE dispersed a few hundreds of your Trads in my chapelry and neighbourhood, during the last two years; and, thank God, he has made them a blessing to many. Tt |