LONDON.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE
SOCIETY.

ON Wednesday, May 7, was held the Nineteenth Anniversary of this noble and excellent Institution at Freemasons' Hall, the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth President. The hall was soon crowded in every part, and many were unable to gain admission.

Immediately as the President had taken the Chair, and introduced the business, an abstract of the Report, which was very voluminous, was read: it announced the death of their late laborious and highly esteemed Secretary, the Rev. J. Owen, to whose memory it paid a tribute, in which the Meeting expressed their concurrence by the manner in which they received the intelligence. The number of the copies of the Scriptures circulated this year exceeded that of any former year, and made the total circulated by this Society alone, since its commencement, more than three millions of copies. The Report stated at great length the progress of the Society, which was represented to be still flourishing in every quarter of the world. It had spread its agents, and increased its supporters in India, Russia, and America. The most perfect intercourse subsisted between the Society and its foreign associates; and this intercourse had been productive of other beneficial effects, beyond the great one of the dissemination of the Scriptures, in the promotion of a friendly and Christian feeling in quarters where it had not before existed. It had occasioned people to read who had never read before, and was found useful to the people in respect to their temporal, as well as spiritual welfare.

The Right Hon. Lord Bexley moved, that the Report should be received and printed. It was scarcely necessary for him to say any thing in behalf of the exhilarating Report which they had heard; but he could not help congratulating them on the beneficial effects which the Society had already produced, and the extent to which they had spread the Scriptures, as exemplified in their having already distributed them for the comfort of the inhabitants of the frozen regions of Iceland, and also through a large por

tion of that much-neglected part of. new world, South America. His Lordship concluded by expressing his most ardent wishes for their prosperity.—Seconded by Lord Lorton.

The motion was carried unanimously. Lord Harrowby was received with much applause. He moved the thanks of the Meeting to their President. To those who had witnessed the amazing progress of the Institution, no words could be necessary to induce them to give their thanks to him, who had persevered in his exertions up to the present time. This motion was seconded by the Bishop of Gloucester, and acknowledged by the noble President.

The Secretary of the Russian Bible Society then addressed the Meeting in imperfect English, assuring them that all the bishops in Russia were engaged in this good cause. He was followed by Dr. Paterson, who remarked, that the circulation of the Bible was capable of uniting all hearts that were worth uniting, for they saw in Russia the Metropolitan of the Catholic church, the Patriarch of the Greek church, and the leaders of various other bodies of Christians had united in the great work.-(Applause.) They had printed in the last year 160,000 copies of the Scriptures at St. Petersburgh, and this year would print 100,000 more. They had made even the soldiers the propagators of the Gospel, for the military sought the book, and studied the divine word with ardour. clusion, the Rev. Gent. assured the Meeting, that Russia would all unite in circulating the Scriptures, not only within the empire, but among the whole of the nations by which it was surrounded.(Applause.)

In con

Lord Calthorpe considered it a matter of high congratulation that this Society originated in our country.

The Right Hon. C. Grant paid a just tribute of respect to the late Rev. H. Martyn, the highly beloved and respected Persian missionary; and combated, at some length, the notion of circulating the Scriptures being inconsistent with the interests of the Established Church.

Rev. R. Daly (from Dublin,) commented with some severity on the neglect, till very lately, of furnishing the Irish with the Scriptures in their own language, to which they are supersti.

tiously attached; and enlarged much on the importance of giving them a religious education. He was followed by the Rev. J. Fletcher and Mr. Wilberforce, M. P. the latter of whom took a review of the Society's progress through the world, and considered the achievements of this Society as far more important than those of our fleets and armies.

The Rev. Dr. Baker stated that he had been on a mission to Greece and Athens, which had been sanctified and made interesting to the Christians by the Apostle Paul. The Bible Society had obtained a footing, spread its benefits over this classic ground,and 20,000 copies of the Scriptures had been distributed amongst the inhabitants of the islands of the Archipelago, where they now, doubtless, afforded consolation and hope to those who were made widows and fatherless by the calamity of war. (Hear, hear.) The effect of the dissemination of the Scriptures amongst most of the distant countries would be, to avert the horrible calamity of war, and prevent the impious contests that were so constantly carried on. (Hear, hear.)

The Treasurer stated the receipts of last year, to be 97,0521. This sum, when compared with the average of the three last years exceeded them by 160071. There had been one legacy of 50001. left to the Society; and they had received 8,600 from Auxiliary Societies. Though the funds were diminished in consequence of the increased expenditure, yet the prospect was, in every way, most gratifying; and increased exertions might safely be calculated upon.

The Rev. Mr. Hughes, one of the Secretaries, in returning thanks, paid a warm tribute to the late Mr. Owen.

Several other gentlemen and clergymen addressed the Meeting at considerable length; and after the usual resolutions of thanks were passed, the large assembly separated, highly gratified with what they had seen and heard.

WESLEYAN MISSIONS. AFTER the usual preparatory sermons, which were this year preached by Dr. Clarke, Rev. W. Jay, of Bath, and Mr. R. Wood; and after the Annual Meeting of the London District Auxiliary ;On Monday, May 5, was held the Annual Meeting of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, at the City Road Chapel, J. Butterworth, Esq. M.P. in the Chair, when the chapel was crowded, as usual, at an early hour. Soon after Eleven o'clock the Chairman opened the Meeting by a short introductory address, wherein he congratulated the Meeting on the fa

vourable circumstances under which they again met; and at the same time lamented the many millions of heathen were still "sitting in darkness and the shadow of death," whose circumstances, and, in some cases, their earnest wishes called for Christian benevolence to be still farther extended; and he (Mr. B.) remarked on the advantages which this country possessed from her navy and her commerce, to carry the Gospel "from sea to sea, and from shore to shore." He rejoiced that much had been accomplished, under the blessing of God, by this Society; and that other Societies in the same spirit, and with equal zeal, were engaged in the same cause. Money had flown in beyond former precedent; and missionaries had been sent out, and more were ready, waiting only the recruiting of their funds.

The Report was then read by the Rev. Mr. Watson, (one of the Secretaries) and: contained, as usual, a circuit through all. their missionary stations. Beginning: with Europe, it remarked that the Scriptures had been happily introduced into Spain from our garrison at Gibraltar, where a good work appears to be carrying on, as also in Malta. No recent in-. telligence had been received from con-tinental India, but the prospects in Ceylon are very encouraging. At New Zea land, circumstances have been very unfavourable, owing to the late war; but letters up to November last, state tha the missionaries are in safety, and enjoy free access to the heathen natives. Wan Diemen's land requires the greatest number of missionaries, partly on account of the mass of wickedness exported from. this country thither. The Report noticed the progress of missions in West and Southern Africa, the latter groaning under slavery; as well as the West India Islands, where the readiness of the poor negroes to receive the Gospel calls for more assistance. The Report proceeded to a statement of accounts, the total receipts being 31,7487., and the balance remaining due to the Treasurers 27024. It concludes with rendering thanks to God for his blessing upon their labours, and confidently relying on the assistance and support of all who love and fear him.

Rev. J. Hughes, (Secretary to the BJ & F. Bible Society,) remarked on the utility of Missionary Societies in general, and the catholie spirit that pervad ed them. He was followed by J. Bacon, G. Rhodes, W. Wilberforce, J. Steven, and W. Williams, Esqs. Rev. Messrs. Newton, Arundel, (of the Lond. Miss. Soc.) Bunting, and Dr. A. Clarke, and others. Mr. Bunting stated the total receipts of this Anniversary at 11587.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. TUESDAY, May 6, was held, at Free masons' Hall, the Twenty-third Anniversary of this Society, before an elegant and crowded audience, which filled every part of the room, the galleries included.

Adm. Lord Gambier having taken the Chair, surrounded with a considerable portion of the nobility, gentry and clergy, proceeded to the business of the day by a few introductory remarks. They were met, he said, for one of the most useful, glorious, and delightful objects which could possibly bring them together. They ought to rejoice in the Lord God of their salvation, that by his mercy they were enabled thus to meet. Let them lift up their hearts devoutly in prayer, and magnify the Lord our God for it, every day and hour giving thanks to his holy name. He then adverted to the immediate objects of their meeting. It was an awful and a pleasing sight to see so many around him of the excellent of the earth-so many men of high rank and intellect. He knew their feelings must be as his were, wrapt in delight at the scene which surrounded them. But it was fan awful consideration, that, since they last met, some millions of human souls had been removed into eternity, without the knowledge of the true God and his Son Jesus Christ; and it was no less awful to reflect, that there still remained many millions of human beings who never knew the true God, and upon whom the light of the Gospel had not beamed. What use ought they to make of these reflections? Why, every human being should immediately put forth his might to do all in his power for the diffusion of the glorious Gospel among the heathen. That was the proper object of the Meeting. When the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of the Saviour, they were accompanied with a vast multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace-good will towards men!" This was the direction of their duty; but they needed not an angel from heaven, as in antient times, to inform them of it. They had it in the blessed Gospel. Largely had they received, largely should they give. Let us renew, said he, our utmost endeavours to set forth to the miserable heathen the knowledge of that salvation, to effect which the Son of God came down upon the earth, and was made man. The noble Chairman here prayed fervently for the enlarging of their hearts to accomplish the will of the Redeemer; and urged them to this task by all the means which God had given to them.

The Rev. Secretary proceeded to read

the Report, which stated the income of the year at about 35,0007.; being a little more than 10001. beyond last year. The first thirteen years had averaged an income of 17007. their total value being 22,0001. The last ten years averaged 24,000 a year! There were promising fields of labour opening in different countries, and not enow husbandmen for the work. Some thousands of zealous clergymen might be advantageously employed. The Committee had not been able to appoint all who offered themselves, some wanting the necessary qualifications. Of ninety Europeans who had been; accepted and sent out, twenty-two were Englishmen. The Report then reviewed, seriatim, the condition of the several missions. The first in order was that to the North West American, an object which seemed of great importance to the Committee, and which had been strongly recommended by an able navigator, Captain Franklin, as the best means of fixing and civilizing the numerous tribes which rove the immense plains to the West of the United States. The next in consideration was the mission to the South Sea Islands; and the Committee had to acknowledge, with pain and deep regret, the disappointment which the Society had encountered there. They' especially pointed attention to the conduct of the chief, (Shungee,) who had come over from New Zealand-was hos❤ pitably entertained and instructed by the Society, and furnished with ironmongery and other articles of convenience, all of which he exchanged, on the way home, for arms and ammunition to carry on his wars. The mission to New South Wales was more happy, and occupied seventeen missionaries. That to West Africa was now in a thriving state, though the difficulties were at one time so great as to induce the Society to fear that it must be given up. A letter was read from Mr. Johnson, which conveyed the most encouraging tidings of it. Capt. Sabine visited the colony on his way home; remained there six weeks, and affirmed, that for the size of it, there was not so well ordered a community on the face of the earth as that of Sierra Leone. It is remarkable that the settlement was founded on the precepts contained in the word of God, and was governed almost without the aid of human laws. Superstition had taken its flight, and fraud and vice were almost unknown. An affecting instance was given by Mr. Johnson of their primitive and simple manners. Two young men approached the communion table, and said, that they were afraid to receive the Sacrament, as they