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IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY, THE Ninth Annual Meeting of the above Society was held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, on Tuesday evening, the 13th of May last. Thomas Walker, Esq. Treasurer, in the Chair. The Rev. G. Collison commenced with solemn prayer; and the Report of the Committee for the past year having been read, the Rev. Mr. Julian, Trimley, John Wilks, Esq. and the Rev. Messrs. D. Stuart, Dublin, T. Smith, Rotherham, Mark Wilks, Paris, J. Blackburn, London, D. H. Creighton, Patricroft, J.A. Roberts, Matthew Wilks, and J.Conder, severally addressed the meeting, and urged the present circumstances of Ireland, as calling for a prompt and special display of Christian liberality for the furtherance of the Society's operations, and the extension of its benefits throughout that country.

In reference to the Society's Academy, for the education of native and other students for the work of the ministry in Ireland, the Report having entered into detail respecting the resignation of the Rev. R. Cope, LL.D. the late Tutor, and the subsequent appointment of the Rey D. Stuart, minister of the Secession, as the Theological Tutor, and of the Rev. W. H. Cooper as the Classical and resident Tutor, then remarks-"The new Tutors have entered upon their important work under the most auspicious cir cumstances. Their classification of labour is most judicious, the term of study has been extended from the period of three to four years, and from the reports which the Tutors have made of the piety, proficiency, and exertions of the students, the internal affairs of the Academy may be considered as in a prosperous state. The students continue to supply Manor-street Chapel, the House of Industry, Bray, Black Rock, Celbridge, and Kingsend, with general and very encouraging success. Inquiry is excited, prejudices begin to abate, and the cause of divine truth is evidently advancing. They have been compelled to suspend their labours at Dunleary, in consequence of the room, where the services were usually held, having been accidentally destroyed by fire."

In reference to the operations of the Society at all its stations, announced at former meetings, the Report shows that they have been regularly carried on during the past year; and Tralee, Limerick, Mallow, (with but a few weeks suspen sion) Youghall, Wexford, Maryborough and Portarlington, Enniskillen, Camphill, Newry, Armagh, Moy, Bangor, Carmoney, Carrickfergus and London

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derry, together with the places of itinerant labour around each station, are regularly supplied with the glorious gospel of the blessed God. The Sundayschools uniformly connected with these operations are all of them in an increasing, and some of them in a truly flourishing state of prosperity; and taking a retrospective view of the whole series of labour, the Report records that "there have been, during the past year, the most decisive manifestations of the divine favour, and much good has evidently been effected."

With the warmest congratulations to the members and friends of the Society, the Report next adverts to "the progress of those of their missionaries, who, itinerating from village to village, from hamlet to hamlet, and from house to house, are proclaiming to the Irish, in their native tongue, the wonders of redeeming love. Their journals contain accounts of powerful impressions and hopeful conversions, produced in widely extended and populously inhabited districts in Connaught, in which your ordinary ministers could not itinerate. They exhibit the power of the truth prevailing over the most besotted prejudices, the happy suppression of superstitious feelings, and the peculiar willing ness of the Roman Catholics to receive the truth as it is in Jesus, particularly when proclaimed to them in their vernacular tongue."

In reference to the still widening sphere of the Society's labours, the Report announces that three students have finished the period of their studies in the Academy during the past year, and are now occupying important stations in the country, as faithful evangelists of Jesus Christ. Three new students have been admitted, all of whom are Irishmen, and, as additionally marking the catho lic principles of the Society, one of them is an Episcopalian, another a Presbyterian, and the third an Independent: there are eight students now in the Institution. The Report also states that the number of the Irish preachers who labour under the Society in the vernacular tongue, has been increased from two to four'; and that other openings of a most cheering character are inviting the still further extension of the So ciety's labours; but the Committee were compelled to pause, on account of the embarrassments that rested on their funds. The receipts of the Society during the past year, amounted to 2,2751. 2s. 24d. and its expenditure to 2,4461. 1s. 74d. leaving a balance due to the Treasurer of 1707. 19s. 54d.

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PROVINCIAL.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACADEMY AT IDLE.

ON Tuesday, June 17, the Ministers delegated to examine the proficiency of the Students in this seminary, met to commence their investigation.

In Latin, selected passages were read by the different classes, from Cornelius Nepos, Cæsar, Virgil, Horace, Cicero's Orations, and the Annals of Tacitus.

In Greek, they translated parts of Lucian, Xenophon's Cyropedia, Homer's Iliad, the Edipus of Sophocles, and, in Xenophon's Anabasis, his account of of the Defeat and Death of Cyrus the Younger.

In Hebrew, they read the 8th and 28th chapters of Genesis, part of the 3d of Lamentations, and the 85th and 86th Psalms; and in Chaldee and Syriac the 7th of Daniel, the 9th of the Acts of the Apostles, and part of the 3d of Matthew.

These passages and chapters furnished the Committee with ample ineans of ascertaining the progress made by the students severally in the different classes, with which they expressed themselves highly satisfied.

The following day,' in the chapel adjoining the Academy house, a greater number of Subscribers and friends to the Institution assembled than had done on any former Anniversary. After Mr. Pool had prayed, three of the students delivered Essays: Mr. Hargraves, "On the Evil of Sin;" Mr. Ellis, "On the Power of Conscience;" Mr. Martin, "On the Riches, of Divine Grace." Mr. Parsons, Sen. then addressed the candidates for the ministry before him, on the incalculable importance of " Prudence" to students and ministers. The meeting for business was afterwards formed; J. Holland was called to preside; the Report was read by Mr. Vint, and on moving and seconding various resolutions, interesting addresses were delivered by Messrs. Scott, Fox, Rheeder, Pool, J. Parsons, Hamilton, White, R. Holgate, and G. Rawson, evening Mr. Scott preached.

In the

The Academy is in prosperous circumstances. Public patronage continues undiminished. The number of students last year was fifteen. In the course of the year, Mr. Preston has settled at Mixenden, near Halifax; Mr. Hargraves at Milnthorp, Westmoreland; and Mr. Martin at Ripon. The congregations at two

of these places have been newly raised, and one of them (the congregation at Ripon) has been raised by the instrumentality of the Academy at Idle.

INDEPENDENT COLLEGE, ROTHERHAM,
YORKSHIRE.

JUNE 24 was spent by the Examining Committee in investigating the progress of the students.

Wednesday, 25, the Annual Meeting of the Subscribers and friends to the Institution was held in the Library of the College, Joseph Read, Esq. in the Chair. There have been sixteen students in the house during the last year, and four have finished their academical course. The Treasurer's accounts announced a deficiency of 3111.

The following was the Report of the Examining Committee :-The Examination commenced with Hebrew. The junior class read through the 72d Psalm in that language, after which they parsed some verses, and answered the questions of the Committee.

The Senior Class then read the 40th chapter of Isaiah, and a chapter of Hosea, of which prophet they had written a complete translation. The Syriac Class read as much of the last chapter of John as the Committee had time to hear.

The Arabic version of the New Testament was then produced, and one class read part of the third chapter of Matthew in that tongue.

The examination in the Classics commenced by four of the junior students, in their first year, reading translations of four of the Eclogues of Virgil. The Senior Greek Class then read part of the Prometheus Vinctus of schylus, and the Nubes of Aristophanes.

The next class was examined in the 2d Olympic of Pindar, and another in the 8th Book of Homer's Iliad.

The juniors in their first year read and parsed with great readiness two of the Fables of Esop, and part of the 2d chapter of the Gospel by Matthew.

Quinctilian's Institutes, part of the 12th Book, was read by the Senior Latin Class, and this was followed by another class reading in the 21st Book of Livy's History. The Juniors then read and parsed part of the first Book of Virgil's Eneid.

In Theology, the examination turned on the lectures given, during the past year, on the Existence and Attributes of God, on the Deity of the Saviour and the Personality of the Holy Spirit, and the Decrees of God. On these subjects

the students were freely questioned, and gave appropriate answers.

The examination in Mathematics was prevented by the meeting of the General Committee.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE SUNDAY-SCHOOL

UNION.

THE Seventh Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held at the Rev. S. Thodey's Meeting-house, Downing-street, Cambridge, on the 16th July, and was very numerously and respectably attended. R. Foster, Jun. Esq. in the Chair. The details of the Report decidedly marked the growing usefulness of the Society, and afforded ample topics for enlargement by different speakIt appears that during the past year two schools have been added to the Society, and the increase in the aggregate number of scholars is 373, making a total of 33 schools, and 2,946

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scholars. Six schools have been materially assisted by gratuitous grants of books, and more than 5,000 publications of various descriptions have been issued from the depository to the schools connected with the Society, at very reduced prices. The speakers on the occasion were, the Rev. Dr. Harris, Tutor of Hoxton Academy; the Rev. Messrs. Thodey, Edmonds, Drake, J. Audley, Miles, Lee, and Ashton; T. Blyth, Esq.

and Mr. R. Matthews. Mr. Foster was re-elected as Treasurer; and Messrs. J.Gallyon and George Paul, the Secretaries. In the evening, Dr. Harris preached an impressive sermon, suitable to the occasion, warmly recommending the object to the attention of those present, from Matt. xxv. 40. The sum of 211. Os. 1d. was collected at the doors.

NORTH DEVON ITINERACY.

THROUGH the assistance of the Home Missionary Society, the ministers in the North of Devon have for some time been able to support an itinerant, who preaches in a considerable number of large and populous villages in the neighbourhood of Ilfracombe. In Combmartin, one of the villages, a chapel was lately opened, which will hold about 200 persons, when the poor inhabitants, many of whom could not contribute money, cheerfully gave one, two, or more days labour, as their circumstances would admit. In another village, where the desire of hearing is great, a gentleman has offered to give a piece of ground, and to furnish stones and lime for the erection of a

chapel. Sunday-schools are established in the different villages, which are in a prosperous state, and in which a great number of children are educated.

Promising, however, as are, the appearances in all the villages, the ministers connected with the Society are fearful they shall be obliged to relinquish the station, entirely through want of farther pecuniary assistance; they have, however, determined to make a vigorous effort for another year.

DURHAM ASSOCIATION.

On the 23d and 24th June, the First Annual Meeting of the Durham and Northumberland Associations of Congregational Ministers and Churches, was held in the city of Durham.

On Monday evening (the 23d), the Rev. R. Davison, of Newcastle, preachmorning early a public prayer-meeting ed on Regeneration. On the Tuesday

was held. In the forenoon, the ministers and delegates from the churches met to transact the business of the Association. In the afternoon, a public meeting took place, when the Rev. J. Matheson, the Secretary of the Association, read the Report, from which it appeared that the ministers belonging to the Association labour in sixtyfive villages to nearly 4,000 villagers, independent of their regular pastoral duties at home. After the Report was read, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Stowel, Davison, Ivy, Nicol, Jones, Matheson, Scott and Lewes, (the two last Home Missionaries,) urging the necessity of greater exertions for more widely diffusing the gospel in these too-long neglected counties. In the evening, the Rev. W. H. Stowell, of North Shields, delivered a sermon "On the Nature of Christian Fellowship." The congregations were respectable, and the collections liberal.

ORDINATIONS, CHAPELS, ETC.

THE Independent Chapel, George Street, Croydon, having been considerably enlarged, was re-opened for divine worship on Tuesday, June 3, when the Rev. J. Fletcher, of Stepney, preached in the morning; the Rev. W. Henry, of Tooting, in the afternoon; and the Rev. T. Jackson, of Stockwell, in the evening.

June 11. The Rev. J. Woodwark, from Rotherham College, was ordained to the pastoral office over the Congregational church assembling in Ebenezer Chapel, Doncaster. Mr. Gilbert, of

Hull, explained the nature of a Christian church; Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, offered the ordination-prayer; and Mr. Bennett, Theological Tutor of the College, Rotherham, gave the charge..

In the evening, Mr. R. W. Hamilton, of Leeds, preached to the people; Messrs. Earle, Gibson, Gatley, &c. assisted in the important services of the day. On the preceding evening a ser mon was preached by the Rev. J. Bennett, when a liberal collection was made in behalf of the galleries newly erected. July 3. A small place was opened at Toft, in Cambridgeshire, for Sabbath evening preaching. Mr. Golden, of Eversden, (who labours there) began in prayer; Mr. Drake, of Cambridge, preached from Jer. 1.5; and Mr. Skilleter concluded.

July 8. The Fourth Meeting of the Caxton Branch Bible Society was held at Baurn. The Chair was taken by the Earl de la Warr, and very able addresses delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Thody, of Cambridge; Professor Farish, Schofield (of Trinity,) Hall, Plumbtree, Mabberley, Jowett, and Pym, Esq.

July 8. Mr. Hopley, from the Academy, Bradford, was ordained pastor over the Baptist church, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Mr. Liddon, the late pastor of this church, after having discharged the duties of his office for nearly forty-four years, was obliged, through the infirmities of age, to resign his charge; and it was his happiness at the close of his long ministry to witness the congregation so numerous that it was with difficulty his place of worship (which only a few years since had been greatly enlarged) could contain them. At the ordination of Mr. Hopley the following ministers were engaged:-Mr. Tomlin of Chesham; Mr. Hargreaves of London; Mr. Hunt of Tring; Dr. Steadman of Bradford; Mr. Snell of Bushey; Mr. Clarabut of New Mill; Mr. Brown, St. Albans; Mr. Upton, St. Albans; Mr. West, Chenies.

July 14. A small Chapel, capable of seating about 150 persons, was opened for divine worship at Wraxton, a village in Oxfordshire. Two sermons were preached on the occasion. One in the afternoon by the Rev. D. W. Aston of Buckingham, from Psalm cxxxii. 14; and the other in the evening, by the Rev. W. Gray of Chipping Norton, from Rev. i. 18. The Rev. Messrs. Bottomley, Nurmick, Hanson, Breeze, and Hood, (Home Missionary,) engaged in the devotional parts of the service. The collections amounted to 11. 11s.

On Wednesday evening, 16 July, Mr. Lucy, late a student in Cheshunt College, was solemnly set apart to the work of the Christian ministry in the late Countess of Huntingdon's connexion, at her Ladyship's chapel in Bristol. Mr. S. Lowell, of Bristol, read the Scriptures and prayed; Mr. Thomas Sharp, of Woolwich, delivered the introductory discourse, founded on Eph. iv. 11, 12. and asked the usual questions; Mr. J. H. Browning, of Wrington, offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. W. Kemp, (Theological Tutor of Cheshunt College,) gave the charge from 1 Cor. iv. 2; and Mr. Ralph, of Pill, concluded.

July 17. The Rev. W. Eltringham, from Rotherham College, was ordained over the Independent church at the Cross Chapel, Harrowgate. Mr.Jackson, of Green Hammerton, read and prayed; Mr. R.W. Hamilton, of Leeds, delivered the introductory discourse, &c.; Mr. Howell, of Knaresborough, offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. Parsons, of Leeds, gave the charge; and Mr. Scales, of Leeds, concluded. In the evening, Mr. Smith, Classical Tutor of Rotherham College, preached to the people.

July 23. Castle-street Chapel, Launceston, was re-opened, after having been completely repaired, and considerably enlarged. Mr. T. Wildbore, of Penryn, preached in the morning from Rev. i. 12, 13; in the afternoon, Mr. W. Guy, of the Hot Wells, Bristol, from Isa. xliv. 3-5; and in the evening, Mr. R. Hartley, Batter-street, Plymouth, from Rev. xiv. 16. The devotional exercises were conducted by Messrs. Shepherd, of Tarpoint; Trevor, of Liskeard; Moon, of Oakhampton; and W. Moore, of Truro.

NOTICES.

THE Hants Association hold their next Half-yearly Meeting at the Rev. Dr. Bogue's, Gosport, on Wednesday, Sept. 24; when the Rev. J. Reynolds is expected to preach in the morning, on "The Providence of God, considered in connexion with the Kingdom of Christ.'

The Independent Benevolent Society, meeting in Gloucestershire, will hold its Annual Meeting in the Independent Chapel at Fairford, on Wednesday, Oct. 15. The Association to Promote the Preaching of the Gospel in the County will be held at the same time and place. There will be an open Committee on the preceding evening at the Rey. Mr. Church's house,

FOR SEPTEMBER 1823.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

WE mentioned in our last, that letters have lately been received from Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet, relating their return from the Sandwich Islands to Huahine. We have now the pleasure of inserting the substance of those interesting communications.

Extracts of a Letter from Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet; dated Raiatea, 14th November 1822. Addressed to the Secretary of the London Missionary Society.

Dear Friend and Brother,-THE last time we had an opportunity of writing to you, for the information of the Directors, was from Woahoo, one of the Sandwich Islands, by the ship America, Captain de Covin, bound for China, which was in the beginning of August.

That letter afforded all the information which we deemed it necessary to communicate up to that period. Though a visit to the Marquesas was our primary object when we sailed from Huahine, in the month of February 1822, with the hope of introducing the Gospel among those Islands, and which we supposed were to have been the sphere of our usefulness, yet an unerring Providence had otherwise determined, and it was in the Sandwich Islands that we were to be the means of advancing, in some measure, the glory of God, in the furtherance of the Gospel. The letter above alluded to will have informed you that our visit to the Sandwich Islands issued in a call for Mr. Ellis and his family, with the Native Teacher Auna, and his wife, to settle there.

Departure of the Deputation from the
Sandwich Islands.

After being detained four months at the Sandwich Islands, we took leave of. our kind and affectionate friends, the American missionaries, and sailed for the Society Islands on the 22d of August 1822. The winds were singularly contrary, and had we intended to visit the Marquesas, it would have been impossible to reach them. We could not. make even the Society Islands, but were

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three degrees to the leeward of them, when we reached their latitude. This obliged us to run nearly to the southern tropic, in order that we might reach Huahine. All our attempts however were baffled, and, after being six weeks at sea, twice the time necessary to complete the voyage, had the winds been favourable, we were put upon allowance both of bread and water.

Unexpected arrival of the Deputation at the Island of Rurutu.

At length, through a kind Providence, the very day that all our stock of fuel was consumed, we made the island of Rurutu, to our no small joy. Now, the designs of God in sending winds which we thought adverse, were explained, in affording us an opportunity of visiting the people of that beautiful little island. When we reached it, we were not cer- · tain what island it was; but were greatly surprised, and not a little de-lighted, to see several neat white cot-tages at the head of a bay, on the northeast part of the island. From this we concluded, that the Gospel had reached its shores, and that some missionaries had visited them. Soon, a native canoe came off to inquire in the name of the king who we were and what we wanted. The man was quite overjoyed when he found who were on board, and hastened back to give information. From him we learnt that the island was Rurutu, concerning which, we presume, you will have received information from the missionaries before this reaches you. Until fifteen months before our visit, this island had remained in the hand of the enemy, and in the slavery of idolatry. Then two pious men, natives of Raiatea, were taken thither by the missionaries, and the people abandoned their idols, 2 N

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