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NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

Tue Forty-eighth Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday, May 13, at Freemasons' Hall. The Chair was taken by Mr. WilBER FORCE.

Major Close read the Report, which stated an accession of Vice-Presidents to the Society, in the appointment of the Bishops of St. David's and Chichester, and Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India. Auxiliary Societies have been formed at Huntingdon, Wisbeach, Clapham, Boston, Louth, Grimsby, Brighton, and Chichester. The number of Bibles and Testaments distributed by the Society in the course of the past year, were 11,706, making a total since the Society's commencement, of 220,557 Bibles and Testaments.

The Society has appointed agents for the purpose of securing to the commercial seamen, consisting of more than 200,000 persons, a regular supply. It has also turned its attention to the men employed on canals and in barges, to whom five or six hundred copies of the Holy Scriptures have been sold in the vicinity of London alone. One owner of barges purchased seventy Testaments for the purpose of having one on board of each of his own boats; and the Committee, by the assistance of a pious boatman, was enabled to supply the boats on country canals. The Society has also turned its attention to that most numerous and deserving class who had bared their hearts in defence of their country, and whose wounds and scars gave proofs of the bravery with which they bad maintained her cause against foreign foes, namely, the Naval and Military pensioners. It was an anomaly not creditable to the country, that we should have bridges, and streets, and squares, named after the victories of Trafalgar, Vittoria, Waterloo, and other memorable scenes of our country's prowess; while these brave men, by whose bardy exertions those glorious victories were achieved, were neg, lected, and that too in a matter which affected their most important interests. These men evinced a strong desire to possess themselves of the books issued by the Society, with the name “ Naval and Military Bible Society” marked on them, in preference to any; as that name was naturally associated with the profession to which

they were still so much attached. In the town of Aberdeen alone they had purchased the whole of the Society's stock. The total amount of the Society's receipts for the year were £3,522. 6s. 5d. the whole of which had been expended, and a deficit left to be provided for next year of £312. 11s. 9d."

The Hon. and Rev. GERARD NOEL said, That though there was something in the Report painful to his feelings, namely, that the resources of the Society were not sufficient for the accomplishment of its objects; yet on the whole, they had to thank God that they had been enabled to do so Aruch. It was immense satisfaction to think that they had already circulated upwards of 220,000 copies of the Bible, amongst the Army and Navy. He then Jwelt upon the importance of this distribution, not only to the Army and Navy themselves, but to the thousands with whom they came in contact both abroad and at home, and who it was hoped would be materially benefited by their exampie.

Col. BROUGHTON observed, That in his experience while on service, he had seen the great importance of giving opportunity to the troops, exposed as they were to numerous temptations, of employing their many leisure hours in reading the word of God. It had been his lot to command a large body of men in India, and he had there seen the advantages derived not only to the Europeans, but even to the native heathens by the example of the few of the troops who were attached to Scripture reading. Many conversions bad followed from the pious zeal of those men. He had attended service in India in a chapel erected by the joint efforts of and equally resorted to by the native converts and the soldiers. He had heard the word of God expounded by a native convert, and he had no doubt, that under God the conversion of that person, and of many others which had followed upon it, was owing to the zeal of those amongst the troops, who had attended to Scripture reading. The Gallant Officer then proceeded to point out the necessity of making every exertion to circulate the Bible amongst soldiers, particularly on foreign stations, and most of all in India. He observed that in India it was well known that the soldiers were, in consequence of heat,

obliged to be confined in their Barracks could not read, were anxious to listen for the greater part of the day, and to the reading of it by others. that this confinement, and the want of Captain PARRY, R. N. observed, occupation for the leisure thus afforded, that he was not much acquainted with produced a degree of irritability often military men, but could state from attended with the most fatal copse- bis own knowledge, that sailors were as quences. He had always remarked, willing to receive the Holy Scriptures that in corps with which he was ac as any other class of persons in the same quainted (and he had no doubt the rank of life. The means employed by remark was a general one), that in pro- this Society were not only the best for portion as a soldier studied his Bible, those who were its immediate objects, and attended to his religion, the more but they were also highly advantageous he became active and efficient in his to the interests of the country. Since he duties in the camp and the field.

had last the pleasure of addressing them, The Rev. B. ALLEN, (from America) he had found fresh cause for knowing could corroborate, from his own that the best men, and those most to be observation, the statement, that the cha depended upon in the hours of difficulty racter of soldiers and sailors was much and danger, were those who were most improved by habitually reading their attentive to the reading of the Holy Bibles. He could also bear testimony Scriptures ; and he believed that as to the fact, that these men were not in religious instruction increased, so would disposed to religious instruction, when also increase its benefits and advantages a very little pains was taken to com to the community. He begged that municate it to them. He had known those whom he addressed would conseveral instances of persons who were sider that the small contribution which obdurate at first in refusing Christian produced a solitary Bible, might be the instruction, yet had afterwards received means of affording comfort and consoit with docility, and became the means lation to some human beings in the of communicating it to others. He burning clime of Africa, or in the frozen knew one case of a serjeant, who had at regions of the North. The Bible was first refused even to read the Bible, but frequently the only consolation in sickwho had afterwards not only read it to ness and disaster, when no one was his own conversion, but had been the near to comfort; and what was more instrumental agent in the conversion important, it might often be the means of many others. He then instanced of rescuing the soul from death. some cases, in which young, and thought- The Rev. Mr. FREER, said he reless, and dissipated officers, in the army membered that formerly when in the of America, had been led to a know army, he lay for ten months under ledge of the truth by the casual reading the effects of a severe wound; for of a few religious tracts, left purposely the greater part of that time his bed in their way. He also mentioned the was on the ground. Seeking for case of an old man, who, at the ad- something to employ his mind, he vanced age of 80, was gathered to his sent his servant to get him a Bible, fathers. This man, for a long period but his servant returned without being of his life, devoted his whole time to able to procure one. Thank God, the instruction of sailors. He began, however, the case was now different, first, by assembling a few of them for wherever British soldiers marched, in a sail-loft on Sundays, and reading there were Bibles to be found. This and explaining to them the word was mainly owing to the Society. He then of God. At length, by the assist. dwelt on the advantages to be derived ance of others, he was enabled to have from the dissemination of religious a chapel erected, in which divine instruction amongst the Army, and read service was now regularly performed, extracts from several letters received and where a large number of sailors from soldiers and sailors abroad, pointconstantly formed a part of the con ing out the advantages of religious gregation. He mentioned this as a instruction. proof that sailors were not indisposed The Meeting was also addressed by to attend to the word of God, when Capt. Gambier, Capt. Bazalgette, the proper opportunities were offered them. Rev. W. Ellis, Capt. Saurin, Capt. Seamen might, perhaps, neglect to Franklin, Lieut. Rhind, the Rev. H. attend to Scripture reading, but at sea M`Neile, H. Maxwell, Esq. M. P. they would read their Bible, and were Lieut. Gordon, and the Hon. and Rev. glad to have it to read, and those who F. Noel.

SCHOOL FOR CLERGYMEN'S DAUGHTERS. We have just received the Second pupils are now waiting for admission, Report of this valuable Institution, and it has consequently been determined which states, that seventy-five daughters to enlarge the house. For this purpose of clergymen are receiving a plain and £400. is necessary, and the annual useful education which may fit them expenditure beyond the sums received for the different stations of life to with the children is about £500. for which Providence may call them. which subscriptions and donations are The expense for each pupil the first solicited from the public. We trust half-year is £11. and every subsequent they will not be sought in vain. Subhalf-year £7. If French, music, or scriptions are received in town by drawing is learnt, £3. a year additional Messrs. Mastermans, Nicholas Lane, is paid for each. There are six weeks Seeleys, Fleet Street, Hatchards, Picholidays at Midsummer, but the pupils cadilly, &c. at Cambridge by the Rev. may remain at school during the holi- Professor Scholefield, and by the Rev. days by paying £1. 1s. About twenty W. C. Wilson, Kirkby Lonsdale.

RECENT RECANTATION IN IRELAND. A VERY intelligent woman, the wife of the spirit in her hand, be setting at a respectable and independent farmer, defiance his empty threat, and casting and mother of an interesting family of an abhorrent glance upon the darkened eight children, who lately renounced the state she had left behind.—There is unscriptural tenets and worship of the no man, of ordinary discernment, Romish Church, and embraced the doc- who calmly and dispassionately observes trines and worship of the Church of the systematic violence with which the England, states, that she was first led to Romish Clergy oppose the circulation doubt the truth and purity of the religion of the Sacred Volume, and the conseshe was bred up in by the gross and quent re-action produced upon the minds revolting questions which Priests put to of the people, but must acknowledge females at the confessional. She then, that the rotten fabric of Priestcraft is under the pastoral care of the Curate fast crumbling to its ruin; that the of the parish, applied her mind to the Church of Rome, ruling by the vaccilaperusal" of the Sacred Volume, and tion of such impotent support, and now after conforming to the established unable, as she is, to endure the heavenly church, regrets that she had not done so glare of gospel light, will ere long twenty years ago. It is a curious coinci. vanish before the sun of righteousness, dence that, whilst the Priest of the parish and that the angel of the Lord, with was commanding the congregation under more than human power, is winging pain of his heavy displeasure, “ to burn his flight through this benighted land, their Bibles, or send them to him to be commissioned with a mandate from burnt," one of them should, the same above, as awful and imperative as that day, and at the same moment of time, which was pronounced at the birth of the in the parish Church, with the sword of world, “ Let there be light.”

REGISTER OF EVENTS. We are happy to announce that the House of Lords, after a full, deliberate, and temperate discussion of two nights, declined concurring with the resolution proposed to them by the House of Commons, by a majority of 45: the numbers being 182 to 137. The difference between this division and that of May 1827, is small; the votes on that occasion being 178 to 130. It should not however, be forgotten, that a creation of peers for the most part favourable to the Komish claims was made during Mr. Canning's administration; and that in May 1827, the question was in reference to a particular Bill; whereas on the late occasion, the resolution went merely to pledge Parliament to a consideration of the state of the laws affecting Roman Catholics : the House of Lords therefore, by a considerable majority, deem such consideration unnecessary.

The principal speakers in favor of the Resolutions were the Dukes of Sussex and Gloucester; Marquisses of Lansdowne, Londonderry, Bute, and Wellesley; Earls Darnley, and St. Vincent; Lords Goderich, Caernarvon, Melrose, and Plunkett.

The Dukes of Cumberland and Wellington; the Lord Chancellor; Archbishops of Canterbury and Tuam ; the Bishops of Durham, Lincoln, Llandaff, and Baih and Wells; the Marquis of Salisbury; Earls Bathurst, Winchelsea, Guildford, Dartmouth, Falmouth, and Eldon; and the Lords Manners and Colchester, spoke against the Resolution.

The Archbishop of Tuam entered largely into the Question on scriptural grounds, showing how diametrically opposed the Romish tenets were to the word of God. The Morning Herald states that several of his Grace's appeals to Scripture were followed by laughter; we hope the Reporters were mistaken. If an Archbishop's appeals to Scripture are treated with any thing like disrespect in so distinguished a place as the House of Lords, it is an ill omen for our country. The general accuracy of the Morning Herald reports induces us to fear there is some truth in the statement, at the same time we cannot but hope that the laughter was confined to a few of the junior and less informed Peers.

The Duke of Wellington's speech is especially important, as evincing the views of his Majesty's Government." His Grace stated, the only terms upon which the demands of the Roman Catholics ought to be even listened to. First, that securities for the established church shall be found ; secondly, that they shall be adopted and acquiesced in by the Roman Catholics ; thirdly, that they shall be permitted to operate so long as that the state shall have had full proof of their sufficiency, and until the ill influence of the present system shall have been worn out; after which the admission of Roman Catholics to a full participation of political power may be safely canvassed. So long as Government entertains such views, there is little danger of Romish Emancipation.

As we intimated in our last, Lord Palmerston and Mr. Huskisson, together with Lord Dudley and Ward, and Mr. Grant have relinquished office. Mr. Huskisson gave a long explanation of the circumstances wbich led to his retirement, which has not added much to his reputation for sagacity.

The Russian Army has crossed the Pruth and the Danube. We are still of opinion that the contest will be more severe than is generally anticipated.

A Meeting was held at Freemason's Hall on Saturday, June 21, the Duke of Wellington in the Chair, when it was determined to found a place of instruction in this metropolis, to be called King's COLLEGE.

Notices and Acknowledgments.

Received R. I.–Viator.—GAD.-G-5.-C. W. &c. We are obliged to our ' Friend in the Gospel' for his communication, but at the same time conceive the expression, “ permiited to expose himself to danger," (see p. 180) means no more than that a person may be left so to expose himself, and cannut, by any fair interpretation, be considered as justifying any in engaging in rash and imprudent adventures.

The anecdote transmitted by Abigail Hannah has been already so extensively circulated, that it appears scarcely advisable to insert it in our pages.

The last WESLEYAN MAGAZINE contains ten pages of animadversion on our Number for May, and we have subsequently received a third Letter from Mr. Hill. These laboured efforts are not very consistent with that sovereign contempt which the Wesleyan Editors affect towards the Christian Guardian. Neither their pages, however, nor the Letter of Mr. Hill, adduce a single circumstance which in the least moderates our views of the evil of the case, as originally stated, or of the injustice and folly of the proceedings of Conference concerning it. Indeed the more the case is examined the worse it appears. We trust, however, that our remarks will render the ensuing Conference somewhat more discreet; and, that in any case which may hereafter arise, that body will remember, that the justifying the wicked and condemning the just, are both abomination to the Lord. Prov. xvii. 15.

The Statements of the Wesleyan Magazine, concerning our own motives and conduct, are so entirely unfounded, and so obviously incorrect, as to be utterly unworthy of notice, much less of reply. They cannot produce any effect on those who are acquainted with our Publication, and it is of course useless to write for others—we therefore leave them to their fate.

CHRISTIAN GUARDIAN,

AND

Church of England Magazine.

AUGUST 1828.

MEMOIRS OF ENGLISH DIVINES.

DONNE.

Joun Doxne, born in London in honour of their studies.” * He 1573, was descended on the father's removed to the sister university side from an ancient lineage in the when about fourteen, but still principality of Wales, and on the avoided graduating for the same mother's from the celebrated but reasons. At seventeen he entered unfortunate chancellor, Sir Thomas Lincoln's Inn, designing to study More, as well as the worthy and the law, which however he did not laborious Judge Rastall. His fa- follow as a profession. On the ther's station in life is not known, death of his father, which happened but he must have been a man before he could have been regularly of considerable opulence, as he admitted into that society, he rebequeathed his son three thousand tired upon the property of which pounds, which in the sixteenth cen- he became possessed, and had tury was a large sum.

nearly dissipated the whole before He received the rudiments of he made choice of any plan of life. education at home under a private At this time however he was under teacher, till the tenth year of his the guardianship of his mother and age, when he bad made such pro. friends, who provided him with ficiency, both in the acquisition tutors in the mathematics, and such of French and Latin, as to be other branches of knowledge as deemed fit to be entered at Hart- formed the accomplishments of that hall, now Hertford College, Oxford; age ; and his love of learning, “ having for the advancement of which was ardent and discursive, his studies tutors of various sciences greatly facilitated their labours, and to attend and instruct him, till time furnished his mind with such intelmade him capable, and his learning lectual stores as gained him conexpressed in public exercises de- siderable distinction, clared him worthy to receive bis He was led, about the age of first degree in the schools; which eighteen, to study the controversy he forbore by advice from his friends, between the two churches. His who, being for their religion of the preceptors had been instructed to Romish persuasion, were conscien- instil into his mind the peculiar tiously averse to some parts of the tenets of Romanism, and the anxiety oath, that is always tendered at of his mother that he should escape those times, and not to be refused by those that expect the titulary

• Walton. AUGUST 1828.

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