THEOLOGY.

Sermons, selected from the Manuscripts of the late Rev. C. Moore, M. A. 2 vols. 8vo. ll. 1s.

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of London, at the Visitation in July and August, 1818; by William, Bishop of London. 1s. 6d.

The Church Catechism and Rite of Confirmation explained and illustrated in a Course of Lectures; by Thomas Tunstall, B. D. 13s.

A Sermon preached in the Cathedral of Wells, before the Diocese Association of the Members of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, at their Anniversary Meeting, on the 1st of Sept. 1818; by the Bishop of Gloucester. 1s. 6d.

Sermons preached in the Parish Church of High Wycombe; by the Rev. C. Bradley. 10s. 6d.

Monumental Pillars, or a Collection of Remarkable Instances of the Judgment, Providence, and Grace of God: accompanied with suitable Reflections; by the Rev. Thomas Young, of Zion Chapel, Margate. 12mo. 58. 6d.

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S.: comprising numerous political, philosophical and miscellaneous papers, now first published from the originals; by his Grandson, W. Temple Franklin, Esq. Vol. III. 4to.

Observations Introductory to a Work on English Etymology; by J. Thompson, M.A.S. 8vo. 3s. 6d.

Tableau Historique et Politique de Malte, et de ses Habitans, dépuis les Temps les plus reculés jusqu'à la Réunion de cette Isle à la Grande Bretagne; par F. A. de Christophoro Davalos. 8vo. 78.

Letters on French History, from the earliest period to the battle of Waterloo, and re-establishment of the house of Bourbon for the use of Schools; by J. Bigland, 12mo. 6s.

An Universal History, in twenty-four books translated from the German of John Vou Müller. 3 vols. 8vo. 11. 16s.

Historical Memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor; including original Notices of Lady Grange, &c.; by K. Macleay, M.D. 12mo. 1s.

Relation des Operations Militaires, qui ont en lieu en France, et en Belgique, pendant les Cent Jours: ecrite de St. Helena; par le General Gaugaud. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

The Shrubbery Almanack, or the Juvenile Gardeners' Memory Calendar, on a sheet. 1s. coloured

Criminal Trials, illustrative of the Tale entitled "The Heart of Mid Lothiau;" published from the original Record, with a Prefatory Notice, including some Particulars of the Life of Capt. John Porteous; with a View of the Tolbooth, Edinburgh. 12mo. 6s.

Directions for the Treatment of Persons who have taken Poison; and those in a State of apparent Death; together with the Means of detecting Poisons and Adulterations in Wine; translated from the French by R. H. Black; with an Appendix on Suspended Animation, and the Means of Prevention; by M. P. Orfila. 12mo. 5s.

An Inquiry into the Influence of Situation on Pulmonary Consumption, and on the Duration of Life: illustrated by Statistical Reports; by J. G. Mansford. 8vo. 58.

A Table of the Moveable Fasts, Feasts, and Terms; the Cycle of the Sun, Dominical Letter, Golden Number, and Epact, for twenty-five years. 1s. 6d.

Letter to Sir Samuel Romilly, M. P. upon the Abuse of Charities; by H Brougham, M. P. F.R.S. seventh edi tion, 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Appendix to ditto: containing Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Committee. Svo. 3s.

The Emigrant's best Instructor, or the most recent and jmportant Information respecting the United States of America: selected from the works of the latest travellers in that country, particularly Bradbury, Hulme, Browne, Birkbeck, &c.; by John Knight. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

A Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Oswego, on the Coast of South Barbary, and of the Sufferings of the Master and the Crew, while in bondage among the Arabs, interspersed with numerous Remarks upon the Country and its Inhabitants, and the peculiar Perils of that Coast; by Judah Paddock, her late Master. 4to. 11. 5s.

The Tourist through Ireland: by which the traveller is directed to the objects most worthy of notice, whether of antiquity, art, science, or the picturesque; by an Irish Gentleman, aided by the communication of Friends. 12mo. Cs.-coloured maps, 7s.

NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE

SOCIETY.

WE gave in our Number for May, (page 340), an account of the very interesting annual meeting of this Society, and of its proceedings during the preceding year. We shall now add a few extracts from its correspondence, as detailed in the Appendix to its last Report:

From an Officer commanding one of his Majesty's ships.

"On taking command of the I caused the Purser to demand the usual number of religious books for the crew of the ship I command, and they have in consequence been supplied; but in this supply there are only four Bibles allowed to the whole crew, which is 121, persons."

From a Chaplain in the Royal Navy, serving in a Flag Ship at the Home Station.

"I am happy to find that the ship's company to which I am chaplain, have so eagerly applied to me for a supply of Bibles and Testaments which you were so good as to afford me a few months ago, The Bibles I have entirely distri buted, and have but a few Testaments left. If you could, from your excellent Society, furnish me with more Bibles, it would oblige me much, as I have had several applications since I expended the last."

From a Naval Officer. "Actuated by the desire of seeing morality established in the service, and for the want of which the name of the British Sailor has been tarnished, I feel it as the duty of an officer to come forward and subscribe in the propagation of the Bible. I will therefore thank you to send me the regulations by which I may know how to enter my name." From a Military Correspondent in North America.

"I forgot to mention, that on my arrival at Fort George, after a few days' absence, I found a paper on my table with not less than twenty-three young drummers' names, given by themselves for Bibles, which 1 delivered to them, and for which they are to pay by a shilling per month. I have reason to hope that much permanent good will result from the general distribution of the Scriptures amongst our army."

From an Officer serving with the
British Army in France.

"I inclose you 13. two guineas of which is on account of Major and Mrs. ....'s subscription, &c. &c. I am now to make fresh demands upon the bounty of the Society, having had a return and application sent in to me for 115 Bibles and 29 Testaments from the — regiment. I have also had applications from other quarters; so that I doubt not I could soon dispose of 300 small Bibles and 150 small Testaments."

From a Barrack-master at a Military Station.

"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th August, with its inclosures, and to inform you that I will most certainly do every thing in my power to forward the views of the Naval and Military Bible Society, by adding the Bibles and Testaments committed to my charge to the inven tories of barrack furniture, &c in order to their being produced at the usual periodical inspections; and this not only as a common act of courtesy due from one person to another, but also as a national benefit, which I think it the duty of every officer in a public department to promote by every means in his power."

From a Correspondent at Gibraltar. "I have sold to the amount of British this money I will remit by the first opportunity. I am happy to say, that above 50 men in the regiment have taken the Bible for the rule of their faith and practice, and do credit to religion: the Bibles have been of great use to many soldiers in our society."

From an Officer serving with the

British Army in France. "I have, and have had, such repeated applications for the Bibles you gave me reason to expect, that I feel quite uncomfortable at being still unable to answer the constant demands, and thus lose so many favourable and valuable opportunities of circulating the Gospel of salvation. Above all, I fear exhausting the patience of the men who have sent in their names for copies. The repeated inquiry is, 'Have you got the books?' Do, I beseech you, obviate whatever difficulty or hindrances stand in the way of their being forwarded, if

it lies in your power, and gladden our eyes with the sight of the long-desired books. We have much cause for thank fulness here on many accounts. The promotion of schools amongst the regi ments for the instruction of the men is a very promising circumstance." From an Officer serving with the

British Army in France. "Would it be practicable to add about 100 Bibles to the number already packed up? Captain was with me yesterday, and told me he could himself dispose of all that were coming out in the case I am expecting, being pressed by numerous and urgent demands, which were daily multiplying. He said that the men even watched for him as he came from mess to make their applications. Besides this, Lieut. has demanded of me a supply for and I expect many more. You see, therefore, that the expected supply is already mortgaged to more than its full amount. The taste of the Waters of Life which had been afforded, only increases the thirst. O may the Spirit be poured out from on high, and give his healing powers to the Waters!" From an Officer serving with the Bri

tish Army in France.

"A Danish soldier (once in the British service) wrote some time since for some religious books. I sent him three Danish Testaments in consequence; and at the same time I wrote him a letter conveying what instruction I thought was suited to his situation: some time afterwards he came over from his cantonments, ten miles distant, with seven of his comrades, and earnestly besought me, in the name of his regiment (which had newly arrived in the country in place of one which had been relieved, and therefore had not partaken of the British and Foreign Bible Society's bounty), to furnish them with the Scriptures. In consequence, I loaded them with twenty-two Danish Testaments, twenty German ditto, and one German Bible; and these I bestowed as from the Society gratuitously, they having nothing to pay: with these they thankfully departed.”

From a Naval Officer at a Sea-port.

"I was somewhat surprised this morning at seeing a boy from one of the ships in ordinary earnestly soliciting a New Testament from a person on shore; stating, in justification, of his request, that he was unable to purchase one, and that there was not a CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 203.

single copy on board, although there were nearly thirty men in charge of the vessel. Upon further inquiry, I found that this was not a singular instance; and that the ordinary, generally speaking, were as much in want of the Scrip. tures as this particular vessel. I mention the circumstance in order that you and the rest of the Committee may be acquainted with the actual wants of these men."

From an Officer at a Military Station. "I cannot omit mentioning a circumstance which afforded me much pleasure; as it tends to shew that there are Catholics who know the value of the sacred Scriptures. A private soldier of the name of ―, of the Romish Church, having expressed an earnest desire to obtain a Bible, he was directed to me. On asking him if he was not forbid to have the Scriptures, he replied in the affirmative (with regard to the Protestant Version), but added, 'We have souls to be saved as well as others:' and further said, that from his own knowledge there was no material difference between the Protestant and Catholic Versions. I asked him wherein their value consisted? He replied, In their testimony of Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of sinners; that all the priestly ordinances had reference to Him, whose blood alone could take away sin.""

SOCIETY FOR THE CONVERSION OF NEGRO SLAVES.

We rejoice to learn that this Society, under the fostering care of the Bishop of London, is enlarging its exertions. Its funds, which chiefly arose from the produce of an estate left by the Hon. Robert Boyle, will be greatly assisted, so far as its efforts in Jamaica may be concerned, by an Act of the General Assembly of that island, allowing from 100l. to 2001. currency per annum, to ward the support of clergymen to be sent out thither for the purpose of instructing the Slaves.

The Rev. James Curtin has resided for several years in Antigua, as a missionary from the Society; which has also a schoolmaster, Thomas Croote, in that island.

The Rev. James Dawn is in Jamaica: two other missionaries, the Rev. John MacIntyre and the Rev. John Stainsby, have been lately ordained by the Bishop of London, and are designed for that station. The Rev. D. G. Davis is to proceed to the island of Nevis.

5 F

MONKS OF ST. BERNARD. To the Editor of the Christian Observer. Sir, Several attempts having been made to collect money in England by persons describing themselves as Chanoines (or Monks) of the Hospice of St. Bernard, and acting on its behalf, and' asserting that the object of the contribution which they solicited was either the maintenance of the hospitality on that mountain, or the completion of the Hospice of the same order on the Simpton; you will much oblige me by inserting in the Christian Observer a declaration on my part, that I am authorised and requested by the Prior of St. Bernard, in a letter dated 18th Sept. 1818, to state in the public journals of this country, that the Religious of that house have never made, or authorised others to make, collections in England in their name, or on behalf of their institution. It is probable that, at no distant period, such an appeal may be preferred by them. Whenever that may be, the case, their mission will be verified by public references to responsible individuals in this country.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

ROBERT HARRY INGLIS. Battersea-Rise, Clapham,

Nov. 17, 1818.

to

in the study of Latin, English grammar, geography, &c. Examinations have been held, which were attended by a considerable number of coloured people and others, who have expressed much satisfaction at the progress which the youths had made.

In a circular letter, issued by the Board, the measure is thus defended:"This is surely the true way to strengthen the African missions. Let youth, instructed in a knowledge of the original Scriptures and in general science, be raised up to display the banners of the Cross, from the Mouth of the Nile to the Cape of Good of Hope; and from the Straits of Babelmandel to the Mouth of the Gambia, where there are 50,000,000 of our fellow-creatures destitute of the Word of Life.

"There have been combined in this city many circumstances highly favour able to this object. Through the benevolent exertions of the pious of differ ent denominations, and particularly of the Society of Friends, nearly all the slaves in Pennsylvania have been li berated. Many Africans possess very considerable wealth and very liberal views. There are twelve English schools, in which there are 500 coloured chil dren acquiring the elements of learning. These will be leaders to Augustine Hall.' There are three flourishing Christian congregations; one of these, in six years, increased from six commanicants to two hundred."

The ministers of the three congrega tions above-mentioned, who are them selves Men of Colour, are zealously en gaged in supporting this undertaking.

A similar establishment has been formed by the Synod of New York and New Jersey.

The following is part of the Address of the Board:-"By computations, founded on the latest information, there are in Africa and its islands twenty millions of the proper Negro Race, be side thirty millions who differ from them, more or less, in complexion and fea tures. There are supposed to be a million and a half of the same people in the United States; and a million and a half more may be reckoned for the Floridas, Mexico, South America, and the West India Islands, to say nothing of New Guinea. Here then is a vast world of twenty-three millions of souls, beside the thirty millions before-mentioned, a population equal to that of the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, and Denmark, united,

"Though we are fully persuaded, that, to the end of the world there will remain different orders in society, it cannot be supposed that so considerable a portion of the human race, consisting of so many independent nations, and occupying the greater part of one of the four quarters of the globe, are always to be regarded as made only for slaves, and to be excluded from the blessings of Christianity and civilization. In those days which are yet to come, and which are even now at the door, the descendants of Ham, we are bound to believe, will attain to an elevation and dignity which will do away the memory of their past disgrace, and give them a rank among the polished nations of Europe and America. On the Niger, as on the Thames, temples will arise to the Living God.

"If Africa is to stand forth in the glory of Christianity and civilization, her own sons, and not the sons of strangers, must be the instructors of her youth and her ministers of religion. No nation will ever advance far in any improvement but by the instrumentality of her own children. Strangers may make a beginning; but strangers cannot continue to support her schools and her churches: history presents no instance of the kind. Apostles and Missionaries may pass over a country, but Native Teachers must finish the work. So it was in primitive times. So it was in every country of Europe, when it received the Christian faith. So it is in India at the present day. Hindoos proTong and extend the order which European Missionaries have established. To say that Africans are not competent to become teachers and preachers, is, therefore, to say that one quarter of the world is never to support a Christian Church."

"This work" (their instruction), continue the Directors, "plainly devolves on America rather than on Europe, for two reasons:-first, the great mass of the transported Africans are here. Allowing that there are thirty thousand dispersed through the different nations of Europe, the number in the United States alone, compared to that in all Europe, is as fifty to one. Here, this vast mass is concentrated; there, the small number are thinly scattered over different countries, and lost in an overwhelming popu lation. Our advantages to make selections are, to those enjoyed by any nation in Europe, as two or three hundred

to one and our chances to find proper subjects are still greater. Here, special attention may be easily directed to form the African character; there, the attempt is almost impossible. Perhaps in ną district of Europe could an African school or congregation be collected: either of these might be done in almost any neighbourhood south of New England, and even in the large towns of that part of the Union. No spot on earth is so well fitted for the sublime and holy effort, as that on which we dwell.

66

Secondly, no portion of the world is so deeply indebted to Africa as this Western Continent and its Islands. This is the prison which has received all her captive sons. America is the only civilized country in which slavery is allowed. Though some of the Christian nations of Europe tolerate it in their American colonies, not one of them, it is believed, admits it in the parent state. This land of freedom is the only enlightened land of slaves.

"The Board are aware of the many difficulties which attend this undertaking, und of the disappointments which they must expect to meet; but, in the name of the 'Lord, they will go forward. They are not unmindful of the existing state of things in their own country, and of the duties thence resulting. Should an opening be made for any of their young men within these States, and should this Board be authorized to send them forth, they will select only the most faithful and discreet, and give them peremptory instructions to inculcate subordination, according to the apostolic example. The whole wisdom and dignity of the Synod, under whose direction the Board act, are a guarantee to the public for the caution and prudence of their proceedings."

It is added, that applicants must possess respectable talents, sound discretion, undoubted piety, be able to read and write, and come well recommended.

A third society has been formed, with similar views to the others, under the title of "The Education Society for People of Colour in New England." We have only space for one short extract from the "Address of the Execu tive Committee:"

"The number of Coloured People in New England is several thousands: they are less numerous, indeed, than in any other portion of the United States of equal population; but they are al