societies; 6 female missions; 8 maternal societies; 10 servants' homes and registries; 1 Providence home; and upwards of 40 tract, library, and other societies. The report glanced at the continued workings of some of the societies formed during the preceding year through the instrumentality of the mission, and stated that 67 agents were employed by the 9 city and town missions there formed. Leeds and Manchester were represented as the most efficient and extensive of the nine. Leeds collected 8987.; visits to the sick 3,466; total visits 14,775; meetings held 878; attendance 13,582; tracts distributed 8,939; Scriptures distributed on loan 55; cases of apparent conversion 34, of whom 10 had died in the faith; females reclaimed 14; 31 children sent to school by two agents. Manchester Town Mission, contributions received 3,8907. Fifteen gentlemen subscribe each 637. annually, and ten others subscribe 307. and upwards. Meetings held 3,041; attendance 90,372; visits to the sick 15,012; total visits 142,506; testaments given to the pour 1,743; tracts distributed 342,983. In some districts where severe opposition was at first experienced, the missionaries were now enabled to read or state the Gospel in almost every house; and the offences at the New Bailey had been much diminished, partly through the influence of the mission. The number of instances of conversion could not be stated, but a week did not pass in which the secretary was not called upon to record some deeply interesting cases of persons aroused to serious thought. The Report stated the present number of city and town missions in England to be 25, and the agents employed 160. Of the 20 young men's societies mentioned, special notice was taken of those in Nottingham and Northampton, which together bad 127 members, of whom 71 were SubLath-school teachers; 16 tract distributors; 4 abstainers from all intoxicating drinks. Three of those associations assembled for nutual improvement at 5 o'clock in the morning, the others in the evening about 8 o'clock. Of 62 members in the Northampton society, 36 were in connexion with Christian churches, and the others professed aith in the Lord Jesus. Subjects on which they had written essays, and plans which they had adopted for doing good were specified in the report. A number of interesting facts, also, were communicated, relative to female missions, maternal associations, servants' homes, &c.; which our limits prevent us from noticing. The receipts of the mission were 1107. 7s. 44d., its disbursements 1727. 5s. 11d., its debts about 1007.

The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev. Mesers Lorimer, Wallis, Philip,

VOL. XVII.

and a minister from France; also by Mr. Nasmith, and Mr. Rhodes, from St. Petersburgh.

BAPTIST UNION.

Twenty-seventh Anniversary, May 1.

The Rev. T. Swan, of Birmingham, in the chair. The Rev. J. Belcher read the report, from which it appeared, that there are somewhat more than 1,500 Baptist churches in Great Britain, of which 935 are united in 37 local associations; that in the twelve month's preceding the date of the last returns there were baptised in 804 of these churches 5,400 persons; that 937 were received from other churches; and that 625 had been restored. It farther appeared, that 1,359 had died; that 1,077 had bcen dismissed, that 178 had withdrawn ; and that 1,066 had been excluded. The clear increase of members in 786 churches during the past year was 3,206; and the number of members in 681 of the associated churches is 69,864. Seventeen ministers had been removed by death; and 113 had been reported as newly ordained, or recognised as pastors of different churches. There had also been 25 new churches formed during the year.

The meeting was effectively addressed by the Revs. C. M. Birrell; M. H. Crofts; Dr. Price; H. HI. Dobney; S. Green; J. H. Hinton: S. Brawn; B. Godwin; C. Stovel; J. Davis; F. Trestrail; T. Morris ; J. Jackson; W. Groser; C. J. Middleditch; and W. Brock; also by Messrs. Bignold and Watson.

The following resolutions were passed at one of the meetings of the ministers and representatives:

On the motion of the Rev. E. Stcane, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Murch, it was resolved unanimously :

·

"I. That this Union, keeping in view the first great object of its institution; mindfol of the obligations devolving en Christian ministers and churches to aim steadily and perseveringly at the promotion of evangelical godliness; and influenced by an earnest desire to approve themselves in this respect to their heavenly Master; gladly take hold of the opportunity of their annual session, again to urge upon themselves and the Baptist denomination at large, the solemn duty of supremely seeking, amidst the various conflicting parties and pursuits of te times, the spiritual and eternal welfare of their countrymen in all parts of the land.

II. That the pastors and messengers of the churches now assembled, considering the position occupied by the Baptist denomination, in the general view of the

2 A

Christian church, as at present existing in Great Britain, the extensive and still extending missionary labours in which it is engaged in both hemispheres, and the increasing demand for ministers, as well pastors as evangelists at home, are impressed with the conviction, that young men of piety and ability should be sought out in our churches, and encouraged to offer themselves willingly to the Lord's service: that our colleges should be put into a condition of augmented efficiency by supplying them with the necessary funds; and should occupy a larger place in the sympathy, prayers, and practical regards of the denomination; and that in their estimation it is much to be desired that another should be instituted and located in the Midland district of the country.

"III. That this Union records its grateful satisfaction in learning that, in various parts of the country, as also in the metropolis, meetings of an extraordinary nature have been held for special prayer and the publication of the Gospel in connexion with our churches, during the past year; and stirring up themselves to a more lively apprehension of the Divine promises, and a stronger faith in their fulfilment, renew, with affectionate concern for the spiritual advancement of the denomination, the recommendation of their last annual assemly, in regard to such meetings, and submit o the several pastors through the country, the great desirableness of their influence being extensively employed in directing the attention of the associations and individual churches to new modes of Christian usefulness, and in calling forth their activities in every way calculated to revive and extend the power of vital religion.

"IV. That the recent systematic and vigorous efforts under the highest ecclesiastical auspices, to establish a system of education based upon the soul-destroying heresy of baptismal regeneration, and ineulcating other errors contained in the Church catechism; together with the revival and wide circulation of the essentially papistical doctrines of the Oxford tracts, countenanced by many of the most influential and reputedly evangelical clergy; are circumstances which should awaken to diligent counteraction every lover of sound scriptural truth: and this Union, believing that the principles they hold both in relation to Christian doctrine and to the constitution, the subjects, and the ordinances of Christ's spiritual kingdom, are eminently adapted, under the Divine blessing, to neutralize and successfully oppose the mischief, would earnestly incite all the pastors and churches composing it, to renewed and persevering zeal in promoting their extension by means of the pulpit, the press, the

Sunday-school, and all other legitimate methods."

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Twentieth Anniversary, May 14.

The chair was occupied by Thos. Thomp son, Esq., the treasurer of the society. An abstract of the report was read by the Rev. E. A. Dunn. It contained a brief, but interesting view of the several Home Missionary stations, and many particulars relative to the society, as well as the following admonitory paragraph :-"The directors report with deep and affectionate regret, the removal, by death, of the Rev. William Henry, (late Corresponding Secretary.) after a protracted and painful illness:—also, the death of the Rev. Francis Moore, who was formerly, for many years one of the secretaries; and who had recently been actively employed in the affairs of the society. Also, the death of the Rev. J. Ball, one of their devoted and long-tried missionaries. Also, the death of Mr. Richard Perkins, a liberal, and warmbearted, and long-continued friend and supporter of the society. The directors

desire to be solemnly affected with these successive instances of mortality. Three of their friends, named above, were called to their rest and reward within the space of fifteen days. The departure of Mr. Perkins and the Rev. F. Moore was most sudden and unexpected: such events loudly admonish and call upon us promptly to work while it is day, since, while we delay, thousands of immortal souls are passing into eternity." The report furnished a gratifying account of the success of the society's labours, but lamented the inadequacy of the funds to meet the urgent demands for missionaries from various parts of the country. It stated that the munificent bequest of 4,0007. by Mr. Lloyd was nearly exhausted, and unless prompt aid was rendered, the society would be unable to meet its engagements. The society had at present under its patronage one hundred and ten agents, including ministers who were assisted with grants, to enable them to extend their labours among the villages in their several districts. These agents had above sixty thousand hearers, and were labouring among a population of 600,000, many of whom were yet unprovided with evangelical instruction. There were also connected with the stations 230 Sundayschools, containing nearly 8,500 children, supplied by 540 gratuitous teachers.

The chairman then presented his accounts as treasurer, from which it appeared that the receipts of the society during the past year amounted to 7,9097.; the expendi

ture to 6,6051.; leaving a balance in hand of 1,3041. But immediate engagements would more than absorb that amount.

The various resolutions were moved and sustained by the Rev. Messrs. Freeman; R. Fletcher; Harry; Dr. Patten; Dr. Beman; C. Hyatt; A. Fletcher; J. Edwards; and J. Alexander; and by D. Nasmith, Esq.

LONDON CITY MISSION.

Fourth Anniversary.-May 13.

The chair was filled by Mr. Sheriff Wood. The Rev. R. Ainslie read the Report. The number of houses now accessible to the visitors was 121,000, which calculating two families to each house, and four persons to each family, made a gross accessible population of about a million persons, an immense portion of which mass was either totally neglected, or very inadequately visited. In the north-west of London were 4,423 visitable houses, with but two missionaries; in the north, 8,884 houses, and five missionaries; in the north-east, 20,994 houses, and nine missionaries; in the west, 16,577 houses, and six missionaries; in the central division north of the river, 19,416 houses, and sixteen missionaries; in that south of the river, 14,718 houses, and only two missionaries; in the east, 18,036 houses, and only four missionaries; in the south-west, the south, and south-east, chiefly suburban districts, and therefore more thinly inhabited, there were 18,032 houses, and four missionaries. The totals were fifty missionaries, including the two superintendents, to 121,000 accessible houses, containing about 1,000,000 of persons, or half the population of the metropolis. The state of the funds had enabled the Committee to add eight new missionaries. When the Committee advertised lately for three missionaries, they had not less than forty applications; yet their agents were not men who had entered on the work merely for a morsel of bread, many of them having been in the habit of receiving larger incomes from their former avocations. 186,515 visits had been paid during the year, of which 23,896 were to the sick and dying, making a total from the beginning of 658,233 visits, 82,099 being to the afflicted and dying. 223,056 tracts were distributed in the past year, making 819,210 since the establishment of the Mission. 5,080 prayermeetings had been held in lodging-houses, houses of refuge for the destitute, workhouses, and other places, situated in the most wretched and neglected neighbourhoods, making a total of 16,079 prayermeetings from the first. Through the aid of the Bible Socieiy, 36,961 copies of the

New Testament and Psalter had been distributed amongst the poor, making a total of 39,038 copies of the Scriptures from the commencement. The receipts for the year were 4,8207. 88. 5d., being an increase over the former year of 9327. 12s. 04d. The Report, in conclusion, noticed the extraordinary efforts of Popery and Infidelity to establish themselves in the present day, as calling for renewed exertion from Christians, and to the progress of that new and alarming evil called Socialism, and also to intemperance, and announced the intention of the Committee to take measures to grapple with those evils, as far as they should be assisted by the liberality of the public. The representative body of the Socialists were expected to meet in the metropolis in the course of the present month. Since the last anniversary their branch Societies had increased from thirty-three to sixty-one, and they had now in London one paid and fourteen unpaid agents. There was a Socialists' Institution in one district of the metropolis which numbered upwards of 300 members, and no member was admitted without three months' probation. this scourge, there was intemperance, and Sabbath desecration, and prostitution, the growing popularity of theatrical and other foolish and hurtful amusements, the worst passions pampered every week by a portion of the public press, and an increase of gambling and thieving, in defiance of the law. All this organization of evil demanded proportionate zeal, perseverance, liberality, and prayer.

Besides

The various resolutions were ably sustained by the Rev. Messrs. C. Glyn, C. Jackson, E. Bickersteth, H. Hughes, Hon. Baptist Noel, and C. Stovel; also by the Hon. Capt. Harcourt, and Messrs. Williams and Bennett.

LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

Thirty-third Anniversary.-May 4th.

The Marquis of Cholmondeley presided. The Rev. S. Ramsey read the Report. It stated that the Society was now in a more flourishing condition than it had ever been before. The total receipts for the year were 11,7021. 8s. 8d., an increase of upwards of 1,7007. It had been found necessary, in consequence of the state of the finances, to pass a resolution that the number of day-schools in connexion with the Society should not be increased beyond twelve in any one year. The consequence was, that the increase of schools since last year had been only from 1,143 to 1,157; but the adoption of schools had been more than proportionate to the increase of the scholars in all the four provinces. There

were 5,539 more scholars this year than last, the total number being 91,074; the average attendance in each school was greater, and of the additional number more than half were Roman Catholics, 2,715 being Protestants, and 2,786 Roman Catholics. The schools opened on Sundays during the past year were 816, containing 45,000 scholars; 550 were exclusively Sunday-schools, and 18,224 exclusively Sundayscholars. There are 511 adult schools; 7,779 Irish schools. The statistics of the Society in relation to the four provinces are as follows:-Munster, 86 day-schools and 5,069 scholars; 2,426 being Roman Catholics, and 2,643 Protestants; Sunday and adult schools, 18, having 218 scholars; total, 104 schools, 5,287 scholars. Leinster, 144 day. schools, and 8,525 scholars; 3,821 being Roman Catholics, and 4,704 Protestants; Sunday and adult schools, 151, having 2,902 scholars; total, 275 schools, 11,427 scholars. Connaught, 176 day-schools, 13,035 scholars; 9,025 being Roman Catholics, and 4,010 Protestants; Sunday and adult schools, 46, having 576 scholars; total, 222 schools, 13,611 scholars. Ulster, 751 day-schools, and 64,445 scholars; 18,796 being Roman Catholics, and 45,649 Protestants; Sunday and adult schools, 869, having 86,797 scholars. The grand totals are, of day-schools, 1,157; of scholars, 91,074; of Roman Catholics, 34,068; of Protestants, 57,006; of Sunday and adult schools, 1,084; of scholars in them, 26,048. Total number of schools, 2,241; of scholars, 117,122. During the past year 49 Scripture readers had been employed, 30 of whom were also teachers of schools. A Sub-Committee, which had been appointed to look into the expenses, had recommended the gradually doing away with Scripture-readers. 5,279 Testaments, and 20,561 Bibles had been distributed during the year, and 445,4419 in all since the commencement of the Society.

The resolutions were moved and seconded by Lord Teignmouth, Sir E. Pearson; and the Revs. E. Sidney, G. Clayton, E. Rhodes, E. Tottenham, H. Hughes, R. Monro, S. Ramsey, and J. E. Speck.

copies had been sent to Bombay for distri bution among the troops there; 50 to the Wesleyan missionary at Madras; 50 to Ceylon; 500 for the British subjects in Canada. 1,400 copies had been sold to various pen sioners in London only. In the naval department the demand for Bibles and Testaments was increasing, and there was reason to believe that the books were read and valued. Pleasing accounts had been received from the agents at the various ports. At Portsmouth, 282 Bibles and 563 Testaments had been circulated; at Plymouth, 638; and at Falmouth, 1,178. The total number distributed among seamen, includ ing fishermen, canal boatmen, &c., was 7,431; about one-half gratuitously, the remainder at reduced prices. A great im provement was evident in the general manners and conduct of the men; and many, it was hoped, were looking to Christ as the only Saviour of sinners. It was stated that the various auxiliaries were effective, and that some new associations had been formed. 12,553 Bibles and Testaments had been distributed during the past year; and 344,186 from the formation of the Society. The receipts had amounted to 2,8041. 08. 3d., the expenditure to 2,8227. 158. 6d. There was a balance in hand, including a balance of last year, of 221. Os. 7d. Various bequests amounted to 5607.

Captains Sir E. Parry, Anderson, Clark, Layard and Harcourt; with Admirals Hawker, and Oliver; the Hon. F. Maude; and the Rev. Messrs. Hughes and Marsh; addressed the meeting.

Twenty-seventh Anniversary.—May 2nd.

The Right Hon. Lord Bexley, President of the Society, in the Chair.

The Rev. F. Dolman read the Report, from which it appeared that during the past year there had been 3,650 ships and vessels visited in the London river-That 1,790 books of Common Prayer and 200 Formu laries had been distributed. The grand total of the issue of books by the Society was 365,972 copies, besides 2,226,337 tracts. The total revenue for the past year was audited at 2,5327. 11s. 6d., and the ex. penditure at 2,538l. 11s. 3d.; leaving a balance due to the Treasurer, and it was also stated, that there were debts due last Christmas to tradesmen to the amount of 2,2187, 38. 1d.

The meeting was addressed by the Revs. T. Pyne, E. Sidney, W. Marsh, A. S. Thelwall, L. C. S. Fanshawe, R. Newstead, and J. Sabine; also by Captain Harcourt; and II. Goulburn, and A. Pering, Esqrs.