All this happened before the close of the 16th century: but the succeeding one had scarcely commenced before a small body of Missionaries were sent by the Danish government to their own settlement at Tranquebar, whose zeal surmounted every difficulty, and awakened the most encouraging expectations. These eminently pious men feeling themselves straitened in the resources derived from their own country, made their appeal to England, just as THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE commenced its charitable designs, and accompanied their appeal with such satisfactory vouchers of their zeal, intregrity, discretion, and success, together with such a representation of the fair prospect which opened before them of a much more extensive submission amongst the natives to the Gospel of Christ, if larger means could be provided; that the communication was greeted by the Society with the readiest acceptance, and a subscription set on foot under its auspices throughout the kingdom, to raise the necessary supplies: a regular correspondence commenced between these indefatigable labourers in the Gospel of Christ, and the Society, and their annual reports of progress were requited, with returns in money and presents, in such measure as the sums placed at its disposal by the benevolent enabled it to yield succour and support. The connection formed and cultivated, was compleatly of a subsidiary nature; the supply of the mission, with instruments to carry on its labours, and the government of the whole concern remained fixed where the King of Denmark placed it, in the Commissioners at Copenhagen, and what the Society undertake, as

it is expressed in their circular of 1722, is "to further such measures as may be concerted in Denmark and in Germany, for the advancement of so Christian an undertaking."

Thus fostered by the joint support of Denmark and of the Society here, and, it should be added also, of the India Company and its government at Fort St. George, the mission emanating from Tranquebar, still its only station, continued by means of schools, catechetical instructions, and preaching, progressively to enlarge its boundaries, and to bring the British settlements within its sphere of exertion.

In 1729 the foundation of a new missionary establishment was laid at Madras; and in the next year, the Society still continuing their assistance to the Tranquebar Mission, took the whole of this new charge upon themselves, and designated it the English Mission.

Success still continuing to crown the unwearied labours of these wellchosen instruments, and their hands being continually strengthened by fresh supplies, Cuddalore, Tanjore, and Calcutta, became progressively missionary stations, supported by the Society; and from all these places, as from so many head quarters, were converts made, and congregations formed in the surrounding country; and translations of the Scriptures into the Portuguese, Malabarian, and Tamulian languages, together with the Church of England Catechism, and various religious tracts, put into extensive circulation.

The desolations of the European continent at length commenced, and drying up the source from which the missionary succession was kept up, the Society had the mortification to see the venerable Swartz and Gerické close their labours, without being able, in any degree, to supply their irreparable loss.

But a new era in the religious concerns of India was upon the point of breaking forth; Episcopal superintendance was about to be ex

tended to it; and the selection made of the person who was to perform that work of more than ordinary arduousness and delicacy-the introduction of its genial influence into our Asiatic empire, promised every thing which the most ardent expectancy could figure to itself, as well in the recovery of any ground which, through adverse circumstances, Christianity might have lost, as in the advancement of its rule and governance with encreased energy and effect.

The event has amply realized all that was anticipated. From the commencement of Bishop Middleton's spiritual administration, will the Church and all her Religious Societies date the period of their most cordial reception, their freest course, and their most successful operations in the eastern world. No sooner had he settled himself in the seat of his spiritual jurisdiction, than the Society, which alone had made India the scene of its exertions, had its committees established in the three presidencies of the Peninsula, and at Columbo, in the island of Ceylon; and an immense consignment ordered of Bibles and Prayer-Books, together wth its other books and tracts, to form depôts in each for general distribution.

THE NATIONAL SOCIETY also found in him a cordial supporter; and its system of education, framed in one of the presidencies, was now, at his recommendation, introduced unto them all, and large establishments formed to disseminate far and wide its important advantages.

Last, but not least in interest and probable results, THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS found in him a harbinger to prepare the way for the extension of its evangelizing labours into a new and wide field of exertion. Provided with an administrator of its bounty, and a superintendant of its designs, in whom it can implicitly confide, the obstacles and discouragements

which distance and want of local oversight cast in its way, are vanished from before it, and the appropriation of 5000l. which in wellassured anticipation of public support, it has tendered to the Bishop of Calcutta, as its first remittance for the commencement of the undertaking, will, without doubt, be followed by issues proportioned to any demands which success may create; which the same munificence, duly satisfied of the faithful application of its bounty, will never fail to supply.

But this is not the first extension of the labours of this venerable Society beyond the limits of its great field of exertion, the British Colonies in America; for, in the year 1750, it received a proposal from Mr. Thompson, who had been five years a Missionary on that continent, to go in its service to Africa, and try what success he could obtain by preaching the Gospel there: the proposal was cordially acceded to, and he reached Cape Coast Castle in March, 1752, and made that town and Annamaboa, the principal sphere of his ministry; occasionally making excursions to other places. His journal is in print, and clearly proves him to be a man eminently fitted for the work to which he had so disinterestedly devoted himself; but his narrative is a melancholy detail of defeat; though he contended with disappointment for five years, and only quitted his post because decay of health disabled him from further exertion.

But the Society's concern with Africa did not end here; for soon after his arrival on the coast, Mr. Thompson urged upon the Society the hopeful project of receiving some Negro Children under its fostering care, and training them in England for Missionaries to their countrymen. The Society readily acceded to this proposal also, and authorized him to select six of the most promising youths that he could find; only half this number, however came England; one a rela

tive of the King of Cape Coast, and the other two sons of Cabosheers. The Society tended their education with paternal care, sparing no expence that might in any degree contribute to the success of the experiment. Two of these children fell victims to disease; but the third compleated his education, was ordained by the Bishop of London, and was no other than Mr. Philip Quaque, who continued fifty years in the service of the Society, having died in 1817. His early letters show with what zeal and expectation he entered upon his work; but a few years damped his hopes, and every communication he sent afterwards to England breathed more and more the tone of despondency; however, he continued labouring at his post, till death dismissed him from it, and to testify that he retained the same good-will to convert his countrymen as when he first entered upon that benevolent enterprize, he bequeathed to his successor all his arrears of salary, and 1001. besides; which successor has been appointed, and is now on that station.

Besides this liberal effort to plant the Gospel in Africa, the Society have shewn its good dispositions by aiding in the spiritual improvement of Norfolk Island and New South Wales, by sending School Masters and Mistresses to those Asiatic Colonies; and having, in the outset of its career, made the British factory at Moscow a grant of Liturgies and Testaments in Greek, for distribution amongst the inhabitants of that city, it has thus established its universal character, and shewn, that it embraces in the comprehensiveness of its charity, every quarter of the world.

Thus have we presented our readers with a sketch of the Church of England, in something approaching to its real amplitude and fair proportions. It is not a mere depository of titles and emoluments--nor is it exclusively the dignified official of the higher offices of religionthe superintendant of our altars and

the conductor of our public worship-but it is the universal administrator of the covenant of grace, thoroughly furnished unto every good word and work, and thoroughly disposed to discharge with faithfulness its high responsibility. It is a NATIONAL EDUCATION SOCIETY-A BIBLE SOCIETY-A PRAYER BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY-A RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY-A CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY-A MISSIONARY SOCIETY-AND A SOCIETY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS. It is every and all of these. And with whatever ardency of enthusiasın these several objects may be prosecuted by the respective patrons of each, it will yield to none of them in energy and zeal, so long as these stimulants to activity are guided by discretion.

In a day of rebuke and blasphemy, that its children might learn by the consequences of its overthrow, duly to estimate its worth, God suffered its enemies to enjoy for a season, their whole hearts' desire, in its complete prostration beneath their feet; but themselves being witnesses of the result; their evidence most emphatically delivered and recorded by their own pens *, testifies, that every thing, either pure or peaceable, lovely or of good report, vanished upon its fall, and that profligacy of every kind rode in triumph through the land, and glutted itself with riot and debauchery.

It is again beset by an host of enemies, very nearly allied to those who, in the age referred to, brought it to the ground; the tongue of slander, moreover, is busy in its crimination. All it asks is deliberate, unprejudiced enquiry. Its administration of the duties belonging to it have never been carried on in concealment. They are before the world, and may be known and read of all men. Let those who seek in earnest the progress of the Gospel, its sustentation amongst ourselves, and its diffusion to the extremities of

*See Appendix to Modern Policies. Reprinted. Rivingtons. 1817.

the earth, do it the justice which it challenges; it will then no longer want countenance and support, for all the charities of life will be seen in active exercise within its dominion, and all the hopes of eternity promoted by its controul.

LAW PROCEEDINGS.

ACCOUNTS of the following Appeals have appeared in the daily papers; but as there has evidently been a plan to diminish the value of tithes, and as a similar course may be adopted towards the possessor of any other sort of property, by a majority of the parish in which he resides, it is important that the decisions upon these cases should not be forgotten.

Ipswich Quarter Sessions, July 17th 1818.-Second Appeal of the Hon. and Rev. F. Hotham, Rector of Dennington, Suffolk, against his Assessment to the Poor's-rate of that Parish.

Ar the last Epiphany Sessions holden at Ipswich, the court confirmed the rate against which Mr. Hotham had appealed, with some small exceptions; and notices of the present appeal had been served upon fiftytwo occupiers of land, as under-rated in comparison of the Rector. The rates appealed against were both upon the house, glebe, &c. and likewise upon the tithe.

For the Respondents, it was stated that the parish officers did not compute the rate upon the rack-rent, but upon a certain proportion thereof; thus the gross rental of the parish being 4,5001. it was only rated at 1,6641. tithes excepted. The tithes, without deducting for poor-rates, were worth 1,8001. The parish contained 3,117 acres: of which 300 were waste, 1947 arable, 801 pasture, and 121 wood. The Rector himself would be proved to have estimated the net tithe at 1,4001. The gross produce of the parish was estimated, upon a fourshift course of husbandry, at 20,2001. REMEMBRANCER, No. 1.

making the gross tithe 2,0201.; or deducting 4631. for poor-rates, and 2231. for expences of collecting, the net tithe will amount to 1,3901.; the proportionate assessment upon which would be 5061.; whereas the appellant was only charged 4971.

Mr. Bransby proved the contents of the parish. Mr. Ellis had surveyed the parish of Dennington, and estimated the value of the parish and of the tithes, according to the preceding statement. Mr. Robert Wilton valued the glebe at 2401. the mansion at 701 and the land, late Barker's, at 881. He thought the glebe generally worth 11. 15s. an

acre, and Barker's 21. Mr. Clutten

proved that the Rector had given him an estimate of the produce, which made the clear value of the

tithe amount to 12s. an acre on the arable land; at a time when the poor, highway, and church rates, did not amount to 9001. a year. The parishioners thought the estimate too high. They had paid 720 1. and had offered 9001.

For the Rector it was stated, that he had lived in great harmony with his parish, 'till in consequence of their refusal to pay a fair composition, he had been obliged to take his tithe in kind. The parish, in return, had endeavoured to increase the poor's-rate. The respondent had not shewn, or attempted to shew, that the other occupiers were assessed in the same proportion as the Rector. The end and aim of such proceedings, while by paying wages out of poor's. rates, they injured the lower classes, was to lay the clergy prostrate at the feet of their parishioners. Mr. Hotham's calculation could not possibly be considered conclusive. If the Rector estimated his tithe at 1,4001. the parish refused to compound at a higher rate than 9001. The former failure of the appeal was owing to an improper admission by the appellant. the appellant. He complained of the rate upon the glebe, &c. upon the tithe, and upon the other occupiers. The parish, exclusive of glebe, K

ought to let at an average of 32s. for 47341. The tithes of the arable should let for 8s. an acre, and those of the pasture for 6s. This would produce 1,1051.; on which the assessment should be 3511. instead of 4791. The glebe was also rated 101. too high.

Mr. Smith, a land surveyor, estimated the gross value of the tithe at 2,0301. And the reduction to be made from this, comprehending poor rates, 5001.; other rates, men, horses, taxes, implements, capital, &c. amounted to 1,0981. 10s. leaving 9371. the net value of the tithe; the proportionate rate upon which would be 3571. The expences of a tithe collector were greater, and the price of his grain less, in proportion, than those of occupiers.

Mr. Benjamin Woolnow, a surveyor, thought 32s. an acre the average rent of the parish of Dennington; and 8s. an acre for arable, and 6s. an acre for pasture, a fair rent for the tithe. He would take them, if a farmer, at that rate. Fifty pounds was a full rent for the parsonage house. He agreed with Mr. Smith in his calculations upon the gross and net value of the tithes.

Mr. Thomas Woodrow, a surveyor, corroborated the evidence of the preceding witnesses.

Mr. Simpson, of Cretingham, farmer and land valuer, thought that there was other land in the parish as good as the glebe; and that a fair composition for the tithe would be 1105 I.

Mr. Richard Brettingham, a farmer, was of the same opinion; he said that the whole deduction from the appellant's assessment ought to be 145 l.

After a hearing of six hours, the court retired, and after some consultation, determined that the rate must be amended; that the Rector's house instead of being rated at 331. should stand at 161.; the glebe lands instead of 1061. at 961.; the tithe instead of 4971, at 3511. 15s.

Woodbridge Quarter Sessions. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1818.-Appeal of the Rev. W. Bolton, Rector of Hollesley, in the County of Suffolk, against his Assessment to the Poor's Rate of that Parish.

THERE were three grounds upon which the appellant rested his case: 1st. That as rector of the parish he was overrated for his tithes comparatively with the rest of the parish; 2dly. That he was rated for tithes of which he was not the occupier; 3dly. That a Mr. Welton was not rated at all for tithes of which he was the occupier.

For the parish it was contended that the tithes ought to be estimated at one-third of the rent. And Messrs. Ellis, Colchester, and London, land and tithe-valuers, were called to prove that they had surveyed the parish of Hollesley, and valued the tithe at upwards of 9001. per annum; the rent of the parish being 3,1541. Comparing the poor's rate now paid by the rector with that of the tenants, these gentlemen thought that he was under-rated, and that instead of 2511. the rector should pay 2931. It appeared upon their cross examination that a Mr. Barthrop, the principal farmer, had taken a great deal of land from tillage to pasture; but they had made their valuation according to the present state of the parish.

For the rector it was observed, that a parish purse ought not to be employed for such purpose as this; that no universal proportion between rent and tithe could be laid down, but that one-fifth would be much nearer the truth than one-third. It was highly desirable that the bench should come to such a decision as would suppress the spirit by which the respondents were actuated; or the county would soon present an universal scene of litigation. The parishioners had not permitted the surveyors for the rector to go upon