Page images
PDF
EPUB

which they were seduced by our example. If we have been chief in the guilt, let us be as prominent in our repentance. If ours have been, most largely, the profits, let our liberality be proportionate; for the sincerity of that repentance may justly be suspected, which satisfies itself merely with acknowledging its fault, but does not endeavour to repair the injuries fairly to be placed to its account. Never, alas! can we make to Africa any thing like an adequate compensation; but let us at least do all we can, though with a tardy yet with a liberal beneficence, to check the progress of that wasteful destruction which, in all the varied forms of human suffering, is desolating the African continent; and, by removing the barrier which hitherto has obstructed the entrance of religious light, and of moral and social improvement, to open a way for their admission into those benighted regions."

To these exertions the colony of Sierra Leone furnishes a strong encouragement; for, from the testimony of numerous and impartial witnesses, it appears that the poor uninstructed natives who were rescued from the holds of Slave-ships, and planted in that land of light and truth and liberty, are promptly and amply rewarding the benevolent labours of their instructors,and in the enjoyment of the blessings of a British constitution both in church and state, transplanted for the first time into the soil and climate of Africa, are, from the root of Christian principle, bringing forth the blessed fruits of ho

nest industry, and of social and domestic comfort. For the trial and success of this grand experimeyt on human nature, as it may be truly termed, mankind are greatly indebted to the discernment and Christian benevolence of the Church Missionary Society. The sums they have expended have been considerable; but large and delightful has been their reward. It may be boldly declared, that, perhaps with the single exception of the Moravian converts, never before did any new colony manifest, in any thing like an equal degree, the happy influence of Christian principle, in civilizing and improving the rude and uninstructed, and in imparting to them the multiplied enjoyments of civil and social life.

How different, or rather how opposite, in all particulars, is the scene exhibited to the world in all the provinces of Africa that are under the dominion of the crown of France! While we cannot but

feel confident, that what has been accomplished at Sierra Leone will have the effect of vindicating the much injured natives of Africa, from those imputations of inferiority to the rest of the species which have been so unjustly cast on them, we cannot also but indulge the hope, that, if our neighbours of France will not be influenced by a higher motive, we shall surely shame them out of holding forth such a humiliating and disgraceful contrast to the example of this country, as will be afforded by their still continuing to diffuse desolation and misery throughout that unhappy land.

and religious Tracts, has continued without abatement; and the general operations of the Society have been progressively enlarged.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. · THE last Report states, that the number of subscribing members now amounts to 14,650; of whom 635 were elected during the year. Within the same period an accession of twenty Diocesan and District Committees has been made. The circulation of Bibles, Prayer-books,

One of the earliest transactions of the past year, was a resolution of the Board to reprint Bishop Bedell's translation of the Bible, and also

to re-publish the Common Prayer Book in the Irish tongue and character. Some measure of this kind appeared necessary, not only for the benefit of the Irish poor residing in the metropolis, but with a view of supplying the demands of the Irish clergy. One volume of the Bible, comprising about half of the Old Testament, is already printed; and the work is rapidly advancing towards completion.

A supply of books, not exceed ing the value of 1000l. has also been granted for the use of gaols, schools, hospitals, and workhouses in Ireland. The distribution of these books was entrusted to the Irish Association for discouraging Vice and promoting Christian Knowledge; and special instructions were given to the Committee for Correspondence to improve this favourable opportunity of establishing a connexion with the sister kingdom.

The next point to which the Board advert is the formation of a Supplemental Catalogue in aid of Parochial Lending Libraries. On this subject the following explanation is given, in order to obviate some misapprehensions which appear to have arisen. "It seems to have been imagined, that some portion of the funds which were intended exclusively for the promotion of religious designs, is now employed in purchasing books of fiction and entertainment. The fact, however, is, that not a single shilling of the Society's income is diverted from its proper channel by the adoption of this plan. From the great extent of the negotiations now carried on with the booksellers, and from the arrangements which have been made for securing prompt payment to their bills, the Society is enabled to deal with them on very advantageous terms. They have, accordingly, agreed to supply the books on the Supplemental Catalogue, at a reduced rate, to such members of the Society as are desirous of combining safe and approved works of

amusement and instruction with the religious tracts of the Society, in the formation of Parochial Lending Libraries. Thus the full benefit of the wholesale price is extended to the retail purchaser: but the Society defrays no part of the ex-pense; nor has it, in fact, any farther concern in the transaction than as being the medium of effecting a most beneficial arrangement for its members, and of expediting their communication with the booksellers."

The Board remark, "The education now given to the poor naturally excites among them a taste for reading. This increased appetite for information must be gratified to a certain extent; and unless it be supplied with wholesome and nutritious food, it will probably devour those poisonous productions of infidelity which are still disseminated with unwearied diligence through the remotest districts of the land."

The shop opened in Fleetstreet for the sale of anti-infidel. publications having been found to auswer its purpose in a most effectual manner, it was thought that much advantage might be derived from continuing the establishment, and adapting it to the general promotion of the Society's designs. The privilege of distributing books, either gratuitously or at a reduced rate, at the Society's expense, has been hitherto necessarily confined to subscribing members. A depository, however, is now established in Fleet-street, where Bibles, Testaments, and Prayer-books, are sold to the public at cost price; and all other books and tracts, either on the General or Supplemental Catalogue, are sold to the trade, or to the private purchaser, at a very trifling advance on the cost price. It is hoped, that the advantage thus afforded to the public will soon become so generally known, as to contribute essentially to the promotion of sound religious knowledge.

The District Committee at Bath

has established a shop on the same principle. The same plan is in agitation at Liverpool and Bristol.

The whole number of books and tracts issued during the year amounts to 1,222,382. A proportion of these has been granted for special purposes;-among others, to the African Colonial Tract Society; to the Rev. Mr. Hill, for the use of schools in New South Wales; to Captain Owen, commander of an expedition of discovery to the western coast of Africa, for his ship's company; to Bishop Skinner, for the troops at Aberdeen; to the Ordinary of Newgate, for the prisoners in Newgate; and to many other individuals, for the use of schools, gaols, hospitals, and alms-houses in various parts of the empire.

The Board next proceed to give a brief sketch of the Society's foreign operations.

By the powerful and zealous aid of the late Bishop of Calcutta, the labours of the Society in India within the last year have been more extensive, and it is humbly hoped more effectual, than at any former period. The exertions of the District Committees have also been materially increased.

In the year 1821, the number of books received at Calcutta was 10,822; of which 5,885 had been sold, or gratuitously distributed. Lending libraries have been partially established in this presidency, aud, it is stated, have given great satisfaction to those who take an interest in the moral and religious improvement of the country. The report of the schools in Bengal is highly encouraging. The children make much greater proficiency than formerly, and the value of instruction is now more duly estimated. The Calcutta Committee have resolved to appropriate a part of their funds to printing religious tracts in the native languages, for the use of schools. The Discourses, the Miracles, and the Parables, of our Saviour, as extracted from the New Testament, have been chosen for CHRIST. OBSERV. APP.

this purpose; and will soon be printed in Hindostanee, (Nustaleeg character); in Hindooe, (Nagree); and in Bengalee, according to existing translations. A communication had been received from the Bishop, in which he expresses an earnest wish that the schools in Bengal may be placed under the care of missionaries, as far better qualified for the task of instruction than ordinary schoolmasters.

In the early part of the year a highly interesting Report was received from the District Committee at Madras. It comprises a very clear abstract of the proceedings of the Society in the Carnatic, from the year 1710 to the present day. It details, among other particulars, the measures which have been adopted for restoring the missionary establishment at Vipery to an efficient state. This establishment has existed since the year 1710. It has been discovered that the Mission is possessed of considerable property under the will of Mr. Gerické, now yielding an annual income of 3822 rupees; besides an additional sum of money, and some houses, in reversion. The church, the mission-house, and burying-ground, with a garden adjacent, and the houses occupied by the schoolmasters, were also reported as the property of the mission; together with a library of 900 volumes, machinery and materials for printing and book-binding, church furniture, communion plate, and other effects. An English and a Tamil school were also attached to the mission; the former containing sixteen scholars, the latter thirty-three. On the strength of this discovery, the District Committee proceeded without delay to place the whole institution in a state of permanent efficiency. The buildings have been enlarged; the schools increased; and the printingpress at Vipery, which for above a century had contributed to the propagation of religion in the East, but had almost fallen into decay, 502

complete y re-established. The to Colombo, for the immediate use congregation and schools, which of the Committee. This, it is

were lately in a very distressed condition, have now increased three or four fold.

A new church being much wanted at Vipery, the Society have resolved that a sum not exceeding 20007. should be appropriated for that purpose. It is hoped, however, that an object of such importance as the erection of a mission church at the principal station in Southern India, will excite a strong interest among the friends of Christianity, and will ultimately be accomplished without any serious encroachment on the Society's funds.

In other parts of this presidency the affairs of the Society are no less prosperous.

From the letters which have been received from Bombay during the year, it appears that the friends of the Church continue to prosecute their labours with unabated zeal. The tracts stated last year to have been translated into Guzerattee, are now printed also in the Mahratta tongue; and the District Committee are resolved to proceed in the work of translation to the utmost of their power. Lending libraries have been established in the out-stations of this presidency, under the management of the chaplains.

It was stated in the last Report that a great impulse had been given to the operations of the Society in Ceylon, by the visitation of the late Bishop. His lordship spent a month at Colombo, in the Spring of the year 1821, and devoted his whole attention to the spiritual affairs of that important station. He called a special meeting of the DistrictCommittee, and presented them with 300. from the King's grant, for the special purpose of translating and printing the Society's tracts in the native languages of Ceylon. At his suggestion a printing-press, with an ample supply of paper and ink, have been sent out

hoped, will prove a most effectual means of promoting religious knowledge in Ceylon; and when the urgent demands of that island shall have been in some degree supplied, the press will be transferred to the Bishop's College at Calcutta.

The printing of the Cingalese Prayer-book is at length finished. One thousand copies have been printed, and there is little doubt that the whole impression is by this time distributed.

Turning to the Western world, the Quebec Committee report that their sale of books had greatly increased. Much attention has been paid, both at Quebec and Montreal, to the establishment and regulation of schools on the national system. In May 1821, the number of children in the central school at Quebec was 268; and during the winter mouths an additional school was opened in a barrack-room for the reception of such children of the emigrants (by whom the barracks are occupied) as were unable to attend the central school. The number of these children at one time amounted to about fifty, and they were supplied with books gratuitously from the Society's depository. At Montreal, the number of children attending the school amounts to sixty-seven, with every prospect of increase.

In Barbadoes a national school, containing 120 children, is established at Bridge Town. Seats are provided for the children at church, aud constant attendance on public worship is observed.

District Committees have been established at Gibraltar and in the island of Jamaica.

Such are the most important transactions of the Society during the last year. "The reports,” it is remarked, "which have been received from all parts of the kingdom prove, that the labours of the Society are in a state of gradual extension, and are producing, under the blessing of Providence, ■

beneficial influence on faith and morals. Animated by this persuasion, the Board still venture to anticipate greater encouragement. They trust that those friends of the Society, by whose judicious zeal so much has already been effected, will still endeavour to excite among all classes of the community a more lively interest in its affairs. A wide field is open for the exertion of all who are zeal ously attached to the Church of England, and are anxious to communicate to those around them the blessings of religious knowledge. Their time and faculties can never be more nobly employed than in furthering the gracious design of Providence, that all men should be saved, and should come to the knowledge of the truth.""

To the Report is prefixed a persuasive and affectionate sermon, preached before the Society at St. Paul's, by the lord Bishop of Gloucester. We extract a part of his lordship's introduction as illustrative of the motives and spirit which should characterize all our efforts to promote Christian knowledge.

[ocr errors]

"The Divine Teacher of our religion invites us to come and learn of him,' and declares, through his inspired servant St. Peter, that He has left us an example, that we should follow his steps.' His most distinguished Apostle and closest imitator exhorts us to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,' and 'to be followers of himself, even as he also was of Christ.'

"It well, therefore, becomes us, whether we refer to the past or to the future conduct of Christian in

dividuals and associations, to lift up, to point, and to fix the eye upon Him who is our great Model and Pattern; who knew no sin," who did all things well,' and 'in whom his Father was always well pleased.' 'Measuring ourselves by ourselves, and comparing ourselves amongst ourselves, we shall not be wise.' Human rules and human examples must have their errors and defects: they will deviate from the course; they will fall short of the mark.

"But referring to the only perfect standard, we cannot fail to judge aright. And the contemplation of this object will not only rectify but elevate and spiritualize the sentiments and feelings. The image of the Saviour will cast a light upon the whole scene of Christian duties, and infuse a spirit into their performance, which will make each act of charity a true labour of love,' a tribute of gratitude, an acceptable sacrifice; and give to it a claim, through free unmerited mercy, to the recompence of reward.'

[ocr errors]

"It is to a comparative blindness or inadvertence to this blessed Object that we must ascribe any obliquities of motive, any decline of exertion, and any failure of success. It is upon the direction of a steadier and livelier regard to Him, who was lifted up to draw all men unto him,' that we must ground all our hopes of effectually promoting Christian knowledge, and hastening that time, when they shall no more teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know Him, from the least unto the greatest.'

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

IN briefly recording the proceedings of the Society during its twenty-second year, we feel much pleasure in reporting an increase in its funds and an extension of its labours. New Associations have been form

[ocr errors]

"

ed at Chichester, Sunderland, North Shields, Retford, Harrow, Edmonton, Taunton, High Wycombe, Llanfyllin, Bromley, and Darlington; besides some Ladies' Associations, and a Ladies' Society for

« PreviousContinue »