Of the confidence of the public in the integrity with which this facred and important truft has been conducted, we have received, and particularly of late, the most flattering and fubftantial proofs. Men of the first rank in the kingdom, whose names are an ornament to their high station, and others, both of this and the neighbouring country, diftinguished by the eminence of their talents, and their influence in public affairs, have not difdained to enrol their names with ours, as members of an affociation for promoting religious knowledge and useful induftry. They have not been ashamed to appear in an open, avowed manner, as its patrons and benefactors, and with an active and liberal fpirit, to labour for promoting its great and beneficent purposes. In the consciousness of their own benevolence, in the bleffings of them who were ready to perish for lack of knowledge, and above all, in the approbation of the great universal Parent of mankind, may they find their noble reward!

To a variety of perfons, whom their fituation in life precluded from perfonal fervices, we have lately been indebted for generous donations, to affift in carrying on the good cause in which we are engaged. With gratitude they have been received, and with fidelity they shall be employed.

But one donation received fince we had last an opportunity of meeting together upon this occafion, is of too great magnitude to be paffed

over

over with this general acknowledgement. I mean the princely benefaction of a Lady*, whofe name will long be precious to the real friends of religion and their country-a Lady whose rank and high connections, whofe uncommon natural abilities and acquired accom. plishments, would have attracted the notice and commanded the refpect of the politeft circles, but whofe chief diftinction arofe from a warm and uniform fenfe of piety, a heartfelt zeal for the beft interefts of religion and her fellow-creatures, and unwearied, uninterrupted exertions in promoting them. To thefe important purpofes fhe devoted her eminent talents and her beneficent life. To thefe objects, at her death, fhe confecrated her ample fortune: To promote the ends of this Society in particular, fhe bequeathed a fum + fo confiderable, as greatly to enlarge our sphere of usefulness.

While we gratefully acknowledge this and other benefactions, while we give thanks to God for putting it into the hearts of those to whom he had given the power to beftow them; we at the fame time profefs ourselves to be only stewards for the public in employing them. For public purposes they were given, and to the public, we pledge ourselves, they fhall faithfully be devoted. Be ours the pains and the labour, be theirs the advantage. We folicit the countenance and aid of our fellow

Lady Viscountefs Glenorchy. † L.5000 Sterling.

citizens,

citizens, only in fo far as our fidelity to our truft fhall appear to deferve them. The real friends of religion and their country must be friends to our caufe. They who have feen the excellence and felt the power of the gofpel of Christ, must be anxious for its extenfion; their hearts will dictate a benevolent, fervent prayer to the Father of Lights, that. the glorious Sun of Righteoufnefs may speedily arife upon the dark places of the earth; that upon the remote corners of our own country, in particular, where as yet he is feen but obfcurely, his light may break forth in all its luftre, to difpel the gloom of fpiritual darknefs, and to alleviate the wretchedness of penury and toil.

Real Chriftians cannot fail to regard with approbation attempts to open up profpects of prefent comfort and of future joy to our unhappy fellow-fubjects, hitherto left in ignorance and poverty, to convey to them that peace and animating hope, which the benign influence of the gofpel never fails to infpire. To fuch benevolent efforts, in their feveral ftations, and according to their respective abilities, they will lend their countenance and aid, and to all they will join their earnest pray. ers for that bleffing which alone can give fuccefs.

Pray, Brethren, for us, and for all who are immediately engaged in promoting the great objects

objects of this inftitution, that our zeal and abilities may correfpond to the importance of our work, that the effectual energy of the Spirit of God may accompany our endeavours, and that we, however mean and unworthy, may be honoured as fellow labourers together with God, to bring many fouls from darkness and ignorance, to knowledge, and light, and life in the Lord. Amen.

The

The Character of the Right Honourable Thomas late Earl of KINNOULL *.

THE Society in Scotland for propagating Chriftian Knowledge, deeply sensible of the lofs which they have fuftained by the death of the Rt Hon. Thomas Earl of Kinnoull, their late worthy Prefident, confider it as a duty incumbent upon them to testify to the world their respect for his memory, and their gratitude for his beneficent attention to the objects of their inftitution. As a Society, founded for the purpose of promoting the cause of religion, they think themselves called upon to exhibit to public view a character formed upon religious principles, and affording a bright example of their influence. General panegyric is often the creation of fancy.-The object which they have in view, they imagine will be beft attained by a plain unornamented detail of a few facts in the conduct of this fingularly good man-From thefe his real character will beft appear.

The late Earl of Kinnoull was born in 1710, married, 1741, to Conftantia, daughter of John Kirle-Earnley, Efq; † by whom he had iffue one fon, who died an infant. He was chofen Member of Parliament for Cambridge in 1741, and reprefented that corporation till he fucceeded his father in the Peerage in 1758. He was alfo chofen Re

* The following Character of the late Earl of Kinnoull, written at the defire of the Directors of the Society in Scotland for propagating Chriftian Knowledge, was by them adopted, inferted in their Records, and ordered to be pu blished in their name along with the preceding Sermon.

† She died in 1753.

corder