pensed-we hear of Brahmins shrinking from argument, and ceasing to defend their system-in one place, the Pupils of a Hindoo College encouraging the Missionary, whom their Tutor had opposed; in another place, twelve, chiefly young Brahmins, weekly attending the Missionary, to be instructed in the Christian Revelation; and, in a third, we hear of a Heathen Teacher, with four of his Pupils, travelling 200 miles to a Missionary Station, in search of Christian Instruction. When, further, we find a School supported by a Native Member of one of the Churches, and find another Church of Converted Heathen described as a Church of Missionaries—one object filling every mind, one theme employing every tongue, and that theme the Gospel of Jesus Christ-we feel that negligence on our parts would be criminal, and apathy monstrous. Anticipations of the Triumph of the Gospel. by the Rev. John M'Gilchrist, of Edinburgh, from Isaiah lxii. 1; and, on the 22d of May, at St. Stephen's Church, by the Rev. John Geddes, of Paisley, from Luke xv. 32. The Annual Meeting was held on the 18th of April, in the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh; G. Sinclair, of Ulbster, Esq., in the Chair. Movers and Seconders. Rev. Dr. Muir; and Rob. W. Ramsay, of Tillicoultry, Esq.-Dr. Huie ; and Rev. John Geddes, of Paisley-Rev. Alexander Crawford, Missionary at Bankote; and C. M. Christie, of Durie, Esq. Rev. Mr. Turnbull; and Dr. Greville -Rev. W. Innes; and Dr. Easton-and G. Ross, Esq. Resolution. -That though Missionary Operations are a work in which no human exertions can command success, and though God only can crown them with a blessing; yet it is at once our duty and our privilege to make every effort for the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom in the world. REPORT FOR 1830-31. Subscriptions and Donations... Cheered by these appearances, and animated by confidence in the faithfulness and the promises of God, we anticipate the approach of the period when the Redeemer shall sway His sceptre of universal dominion over an enlightened, emancipated, and obedient world. In the south and the west, the signs of its coming appear with increasing distinctness; and, although the gorgeous fabric of Idolatry still towers from the plains of India, stupendous and imposing as the figure which, in vision, rose before the Baby- Congregational Collections lonish Monarch, yet the stone cut out without hands has already smitten the image in his feet: it is shaken-its sceptre is dropping, broken from its hand-and, ere long, the fragments of its glory and its power, with those of every other System of Idolatry and Superstition, shall strew the earth; and the God of Heaven shall set up a Kingdom, which shall break in pieces all other kingdoms, but which shall itself stand for ever. Then shall the bondage and the suffering of creation cease the earth shall celebrate her Universal Jubilee-the tabernacle of God shall be with men-and incense and a pure offering shall arise from every land, unto Him that liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. SCOTTISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SERMONS were preached, in connexion Societies.. Legacies... For the Purchase of Bibles ... Repaid by British and Foreign £. S. d. 306 9 3886530 207 13 0 2451 2 79 5 1247 17 5 1312 10 3 25 0 665 15 6 Bible Soc. on account of Persic Repaid on account of Sultan 1 15 5 7353 4 3 Sale of Missionary Registers... 134 0 1 Payments of the Year. Russia Mission ..... Donation to Casualty Fund, with 4 4 541 17 6 2084 12 1 2239 9 10 Total....6821 18 9 Formation and Object of a Casualty Fund. With the view of meeting those extraordinary contingent expenses to which a Missionary Society is liable, such as the return of Missionaries and their Families-allowances to Missionaries disbled by age or sickness-provision for the Widows and Children of Missionaries-the Directors, last year, agreed to establish a CASUALTY FUND. To form the basis of this fund, they made a grant to it of 5007; and they propose to make payment to it annually of a certain sum on account of each Missionary in the service of the Society. As some of the friends of Missions may, besides contributing to the general objects of the Society, feel special interest in some of the objects of this fund, particularly in making provision for Disabled Missionaries and for the Widows and Children of Missionaries, the Directors will be happy to receive Subscriptions, Donations, or Legacies, in aid of it; and in order to ensure the proper application of all such contributions, they will be kept separate from the General Funds of the Society. ordinary course of events, it would have required ages to accomplish." Of the truth of this remark, we have had some striking illustrations since our last Annual Meeting. The changes which we have witnessed, there can be little question, have an important bearingeither for good or for evil-on the interests of the Church of Christ. Of these events, men form different views-some hailing them as the harbinger of better days to the great family of man; while the hearts of others fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. But, whatever be the light in, which we view them, there is a duty resulting from them, which we apprehend is but little felt, even by the professed disciples of Christ -the duty of PRAYER. Yet the higher the hopes which some, on the one hand, form, and the greater the fears which others entertain, the obligation of both to give themselves unto prayer, becomes in proportion just so much the more urgent. If we think to see our hopes realized or our fears disappointed, we must look, but to God. We are too apt, indeed, to not to man-except as an instrument— prescribe even to God. When things happen not according to our mind, we Duty and Privilege of Prayer in the pre- forget how little capable we are of go are full of regrets and despondency. We The Committee conclude the Report with some forcible remarks on the sent Shaking of the Nations. We live in extraordinary times. If, as we firmly believe, the Gospel is destined to be universal in the earth, it is obvious that great changes must take place in the world, before this can be accomplished. There are many countries-Popish, Mahomedan, and Heathen -in which the existing state of things presents to the eye of man insuperable barriers to the propagation of Christianity in its native purity. Now, these barriers, of whatever nature they are, must be removed, that the way of the Lord may be prepared. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. 66 In the close of the last Report, it was remarked, that, in the Government of God, a variety of causes are ordinarily in slow and silent operation, previous to the accomplishment of any great event that these causes, multiplying and combining together, often at length acquire an overwhelming energy; and, within a short period, produce changes in the whole frame of society, which, in the verning the world, or even of judging of the measures which God adopts in the government of it. We cannot comprehend the complicated machinery which He employs the wheels within wheels -the relations of events as causes and effects; some of them promoting, others counteracting a particular design, yet all of them combining to accomplish one grand end-the establishment of Christ's Kingdom in the world. In a large proportion of cases, indeed, the plans which God pursues are not only different from, but are diametrically opposed to, those which man would have formed: in nothing does He more stain the pride of human wisdom, than in the means which He employs to accomplish His own purposes. He often acts, as it were, by contrarieties; bringing light out of darkness, order out of confusion, and good out of evil. Yet an angel never sees any thing to regret in the government of God: it is only man-ignorant, foolish, feeble man-who views the Divine Procedure with sorrow and despondency. Even an inhabitant of earth, when translated to a place in Heaven, feels no longer as he used to feel: he sees there can be nething wrong in the government of God: he reposes with implicit confidence in the wisdom and the power which direct and controul the affairs of the Universe. We may not be capable, from the weakness of our nature and the relations in which we stand, of rising to a state of such high and holy feeling: we may often have cause-nay, it may even be our duty to regret and to condemn the conduct of men: yet, when we consider that all the actions of creatures, in fact the whole affairs of the Universe, are under the government of a Being of incomprehensible wisdom, of irresistible power, and of unfathomable goodnessand when he has commanded us to commit them into His hands in prayer, as a means, not only of relieving ourselves of a burden which we are totally unfit to bear, but of bringing into operation His own gracious purposes in directing, controlling, and overruling all things for His own glory and for the good of the human race-it might be hoped that Christians would unite with one heart and one soul in prayer, especially at such an important crisis-that the shaking, which is at present taking place among the nations, may usher in the coming of Him who is emphatically styled, THE Desire of all nations. the chains of Popish Superstition, by which so many countries have been for ages bound, be only burst asunder-let the impediments be removed out of the way which at present check or prevent the preaching of the uncorrupted Gospel of Christ-let there arise a race of able, faithful, evangelical, useful Ministers of the New Testament-and we shall behold the beneficial result, not in Christendom only, but, at no distant period, in every quarter of the habitable globe. Awake! awake! put on thy strength, O Zion: put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. I have set watchmen on thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night. Ye, that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. RELIGIOUS-TRACT SOCIETY. Let Plan for establishing Religious Circulating Libraries. Education has become so general, that the present may justly be called THE READING AGE. The Press teems with publications of a literary and scientific nature, issued by individuals and societies: these are important and useful, so far as the present life is concerned; and will generally attract readers. The true Christian will however remember, that the world by wisdom knew not God; and that RELIGIOUS books, which contain a clear and full account of the way of Salvation, through a Divine Redeemer, are chiefly needed, and should be most prominently, extensively, and efficiently circulated. By means of the diffusion of Tracts, and small Religious Publications, especially upon the Loan Plan, a taste has been formed, and a desire excited, for larger Works. Hence Religious Cir culating-Libraries are become objects of great and growing importance. Many friends of the Society have for several years issued its publications in this way, with much success: their experience authorises an extension of the plan, and encourages the Committee in directing the public attention more particularly to this promising means of usefulness. As the Catalogue of the Society at present contains a good variety of books adapted for this purpose, the Committee have arranged them in distinct Classes: Class A, containing 118 volumes, halfbound, suitable for the Young and for Sunday Scholars; price 67. 68. to Nonsubscribers, or 41. 14s. 6d. to Subscribers -and Class B, containing 127 volumes, half-bound, suitable for Cottagers, Mechanics, &c.; price 81. to Non-subscribers, or 67. to Subscribers-or Divisions I. and II. of Class B, each price 41. or 3 to Subscribers. Among these, there are a considerable number of books, adapted for general circulation, selected from the Writings of Baxter, Boston, Bolton, Bunyan, Doddridge, President Edwards, Flavel, Hall, Henry, Hervey, Howe, Latimer, Leighton, John Newton, Owen, Reynolds, Sibbs, Usher, and others, including several valuable Works of modern writers; also a series of interesting Biographical Works, suitable to every class of readers. As the number of these publications is increased every month, addi THE Committee have lately put into tions will be made, and other divisions circulation the following formed, as they become necessary. The Committee trust that the above particulars will draw the attention of many of their Subscribers and friends to the subject, and induce them to purchase these Libraries, for use in the circles where their influence extends. The Committee, having maturely considered the subject, have appointed a Circulating-Library Sub-Committee, whose duty it will be to raise special funds to assist in furnishing, from the publications of the Society, small Circulating Libraries to destitute districts, both at home and abroad. This SubCommittee are empowered, in cases where sufficient local support cannot be obtained, to make grants to applicants to an amount not exceeding one-half of the cost of the Library which they wish to obtain, estimated at the reduced price. This grant will be an inducement to local activity; while the requirement, that the applicants shall raise part of the amount, will be a security for that personal attention to the concerns of the Library which is essential to its usefulness and prosperity. of the year. These special funds are to be kept distinct from the general funds of the Society, and to be applied wholly to the specific object for which they are raised. On the plan which has been stated, for every Hundred Guineas subscribed, Seventy Circulating Libraries might be established, each containing upward of sixty bound volumes- - more than four thousand volumes in the whole; which, being exchanged once in a fortnight, would supply profitable reading to One Hundred Thousand Persons in the course These books might become a permanent blessing to the neighbourhood in which a Library was established, and give a religious direction to the minds of those who received them. It should also be observed, that, by the proposed plan, these books will be furnished in strong binding, at a price far below what a similar collection could elsewhere be obtained; in some instances for less than one-half. It is a further advantage, that as no additional agency or expense of any kind will be incurred, the whole of the contributions will be at once applied to the direct promotion of the object in view. Benefit of such Libraries. The Committee would respectfully suggest to their friends the various ways in which Religious Circulating-Libraries may be useful. 1. In Sunday, Day, or other Schools. -The Children may be admitted to the privilege of the Library as a reward for diligence and good conduct; and, in this way, much useful information will be conveyed to the parents, particularly if the Children are affectionately recommended to read the books in the family. 2. In Vestry Libraries, for the benefit of the stated hearers.-They will find in these books suitable reading for the seasons of conviction, darkness, and affliction; or for any intervals which can be secured from the absorbing occupations of life, when a few well-selected books may tend to lead them forward in the way of God, and to establish them in the faith of the Gospel. 3. In Towns and Villages, Military Stations, on board Ships of War or Merchant Vessels; in Manufactories, in Prisons, in Workhouses, and Hospitals -these small collections of books, under the care of judicious and zealous Christian Agents, would usefully occupy many portions of spare time, and be the means of very extensive usefulness. It would also be easy to add a few Historical, Agricultural, or other Volumes, to these Libraries, if local circumstances rendered it desirable. In consequence of the formation of Circulating and Itinerating Libraries, many persons would receive Works, which probably would never be brought before them in any other way: and experience has shewn, that, when thus offered, many persons will be found who will gladly avail themselves of the privilege of reading religious books. The Committee, in calling the attention of the public to the present plan, believe that it is eminently calculated for usefulness, in various ways. Past efforts to supply our population with religious books have been very inadequate. Formerly, many benevolent individuals, who were anxious to benefit their neighbours in this way, knew not where to apply for suitable publications, or could not procure the necessary means to carry their wishes into effect. They will, therefore, gladly avail themselves of the Libraries, if able to purchase them; and, should their pecuniary means be limited, will be encouraged to exert themselves to the utmost, by the aid which the SubCommittee may be enabled to proffer. Appeal in Support of the Plan. The object being confessedly important, and the facilities possessed by the Society being great, the Committee are further induced to appeal to the public, to enable them to enlarge this branch of their operations; so as to give efficient assistance, when needed, in the establishment of Religious Circulating-Libraries. The gratuitous funds received by the Society are very limited; and, at present, are confined specifically to the circulation of the smaller publications of the Society. The Committee consider that they cannot apply such funds to Grants of Books or Libraries; although they have been urged to do so, by many of the warmest friends of the Institution, who have applied, from various parts of Great Britain and Ireland, for grants of books, to form Village, Sunday-School, Vestry, and Itinerating Libraries, in destitute and ignorant places: these they have been obliged, most reluctantly, to refuse. In Foreign Countries, also, and particularly in Canada and the East and West Indies, the establishment of small Religious Circulating-Libraries would be exceedingly desirable, if sufficient means could be obtained for this purpose. The Committee have only, in conclusion, to request for this important object the liberal contributions of their friends, upon which the success of the plan is dependent. Donations of any amount will be gratefully received, and annual subscriptions of 10s. 6d. and upward. They hope that many of their present Subscribers will kindly contribute to this new fund, without withdrawing their aid from the general operations of the Institution at home and abroad. |