comprehend a book written, or a continued discourse spoken in any other. Gentlemen, I speak not upon mere information: I have tra In 1796, the first edition of the New Testament being exhausted, they published another, consisting of twenty thousand copies. And now, some of the first printed volumes of the Old Testa-velled in the service of the Sociement are so much reduced in ty through every part of the number, that they will scarcely Highlands and Islands, and have supply the urgent demands of preached to congregations conthe Highlands in general, and sisting of many hundreds, who, of our own schools in particular, from curiosity, flocked together till a new edition can be printed. to see and hear a strange minisThe Society have it much atter; but of whom perhaps not heart to furnish to their country-above a dozen in each, undermen in the Highlands this much stood what he said. desired work: but their own What benevolent heart would funds, as may easily be collected not rejoice to be instrumental in from what I have already said, sending to so numerous a people, are utterly inadequate to the ex- and these our fellow citizens, the pense. The new impression, it Word of God in their native lanis proposed, shall consist of guage, and at such a rate, as the twenty thousand copies: the cal- poorest among them can afford? culation of the expense of which, Who that is guided by a spark in printing and paper, given in of humanity, would not wish to by the Printer, amounts to convey to successive generations 22841. 168. The Members and of many thousands of children, Officers of the Society have con- this best and most effectual tributed according to their abili- means of instruction and imty, and were their subscriptions provement in every thing valuato be made known, there are few|ble and important, whether rewho would not deem them libe-garding man as a member of hural. Many among the opulent man society, or a being destined and well disposed of their coun- for immortality? trymen, have joined them in this good work. Near one half of the sum required, is now subscribed for, but above eleven hundred pounds are still wanting. Yet, notwithstanding, the Society with that trust in Providence and in the benevolence of the Public, in which they have never been deceived, have begun the work. They feel the importance of hastening it forward for the accommodation of no less than three hundred and thirty-five thousand persons, of whom it is computed that three hundred thousand understand no other language than the Gaelic, or at least cannot One circumstance claims particular attention at present. From a variety of combined causes, unnecessary to be enumerated, a rage for emigration to America has for some years prevailed through the Highlands and Islands. Instead of diminishing, it continues to increase. It is computed by those who have best access to information, that at least twenty thousand people are engaged to cross the Atlantic during the course of the present season. Should this disposition remain, these countries will, ere many years elapse, be deprived of their native inhabi tants; and surely the climate and soil contain few attractions to strangers to come to supply their place. A few solitary shepherds and their dogs will constitute the inhabitants of the Highlands and Islands. The mischief which, from this unhappy change, will result to the empire at large, is obvious to every man of the least reflection. Are not the Highlands and Islands the nursery of our army? From their health-covered mountains, have not a multitude of our most gallant defenders sprung? Men, who in every field, and in every climate, have covered themselves with glory? And does our country stand in less need of their assistance now, when a proud and violent Foe threatens to invade our coasts, and deprive us of every thing dear and valuable to us, as men and as Christians as citizens of the happiest country, blessed with the noblest constitution of any on the face of the earth? Gentlemen, is not this a time when such a people should be soothed, and by every possible means encouraged in their ancient and well known attachment to their native country? Much I trust the wisdom of Government will see it necessary for them to do, for this most important purpose. And ought not we in our several stations, to do all in our power to promote the same valuable end? And I affirm from a thorough knowledge of these people, that we can do nothing more grateful to them than to send to them the Scriptures in their native language, and schools to teach their children to read them. Gentlemen, to be sensible of the value and importance of these schools, think only of what the Highlanders were, and what they now are. I will not resume the sad description of what they formerly were; but I assert from personal knowledge and experience, that there is not now upon the face of the earth, a people more peaceable, more honest, or more attached to the king and constitution of their country. Compare their character with that of the peasantry of a neighboring island. It is needless to descend into particulars: the broad facts which constitute the difference, are well known, and the contrast is distressing. What is the cause? Is it not, that the inhabitants of the one country are blessed with the means of education and instruction, while those of the other, uneducated, and uninstructed, are left to all the dismal effects which ignorance and superstition combined, produce upon the mind and character of man ? From the schools of the Society, besides their happy effects upon the civilization and improvement of the inhabitants at large, have issued numbers qualified by their knowledge of letters, and still more by their good principles and sober and regular habits, to rise in the army thro' all subordinate gradations to even the highests ranks, as many of them have actually done. From the schools of the Society have issued many, who in consequence of the first principles of literature imbibed in them, have been enabled to prosecute their studies, and to become qualified for the places of trust and consequence in civil life which they now occupy. There are present some, who from their own experience cau bear testimony to the truth of these observations. And there are now in heaven thousands who give glory to God in the highest, that by the Society, schools were erected in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Need I say more, Gentlemen, to prove the importance of these seminaries to individuals and to the Public at large? I appeal to the understanding of every man who hears me, whether there can be a better directed charity than to contribute to their support and to the increase of their number? I have spoken perhaps too long, and with too much earnestness, but your good nature will find an apology for me in the interesting nature of the subject-in this perhaps too, that with me it is in some measure a personal cause; because during the best part of my life I have been intimately connected with this Society; for ten years as a Director, and for fourteen more as its Secretary;-that I have travelled much and labored much in its service, and that still the largest portion of my time and attention is devoted to it. The kindly expressed sentiments of approbation by the Gentlemen in the Direction, and the Members of the Society at large, have all along animated my exertions; and together with the consciousness of endeavoring to promote the best interests of re ligion, and of a large body of my countrymen, have proved a high reward of my otherwise gratuitous services. To the above general Account of the Society, we beg leave to subjoin the following particular Statement of its Expenditure, extracted from the Appendix to Dr. OGILVr's Anniversary Sermon, published in February last (1802.) THERE are upon their establishment above 300 teachers of both sexes, who give education to 15,719 children, whose salaries amount annually to Thirteen missionary ministers and catechists in various remote districts of the Highlands and Islands; their salaries amount to To the aged and superannuated, among the teachers upon their establishment, is paid, in annual pensions, a considerable sum, necessarily various, but which, at an average, is computed at To six students in divinity having the Gaelic language, bursaries or annual pensions of L.15 to each, The Society defray the expense of candidates coming from remote distances to Edinburgh, for examination as to their fitness for being employed as teachers, and often of their residence for some time for their improvement. The amount cannot but be various, but may safely be estimated at The expense of the books which they send to their schools for the use of the poor scholars, viz. Bibles, New Testaments, catechisms, spelling-books, and various elementary tracts, both of religion and literature, amount at an average taken from different years, to L.3,015 326 150 90 60 167 The salaries of three of the office-bearers of the Society (and none of the other officers enjoy any emolument whatever,) viz. the Treasurer, Book-holder, and Clerk, fixed many years ago, the smallest perhaps ever given for such services, L.25 each, and that of the beadle or servant, L.12. In all Repairs, taxes, and public burdens upon the houses of the Society, postages, stationary, and other casual expenses, averaged at 87 180 L..4,075 Explanation of Scriptural Types. ISAAC a type of CHRIST. kingdom? And are not all the promises of God in him, yea, and in him, amen? 2. Isaac was a son of faith and patient expectation. Abra who Fall the eminent characters have on stage of human life, few have promised was able also to per been introduced with so many form, who also would do it; but marks of consideration, as the long was the accomplishment patriarch Isaac. While others of the promise delayed, many have been generally introduced and insuperable to nature were without any premonitions, of the trials and discouragements him so much was predicted, of his faith; but he staggered that long before his birth, he be- not at the promise of God, came an object of ardent ex- through unbelief, but was strong pectation. How obvious in this in faith giving glory to God respect, the parallel between Much longer was the birth of him and his great antitype the promised Saviour deferred, Christ Jesus?-Of the particu- more numerous, obstinate and lars in which Isaac typified absolutely insuperable to reason Christ, the following are select- and nature were the obstacles to ed as the most important. an accomplishment of it, yet judging him faithful who had promised, in hope and patience, did the Church wait for the consolation of Israel, until the desire of all nations entered into his temple. 1. Isaac was a promised son, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son. He was a promised son in such a peculiar manner, that this was a mark of distinction, and he was called the son of the promise-and how soon after the apostacy was Christ promised to the sinning parents of mankind? The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head. How many and illustrious were the promises which went before his birth, concerning his person, work, and his glorious and eternal 3. The conception, and the birth of Isaac, were attendedwith remarkable circumstances; and eminently so were the conception and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. 4. Before the birth of the promised son his parents were directed to call his name ISAAC; joy, gladness and great was the joy of Abraham and Sarah at his birth; and before the birth of Christ his parents were directed to call his name JESUS, for he should save his people from their sins, and great was the joy in heaven and on earth when a multitude of the heavenly host praised God, and said, Glory to GoDin the highest, on earth peace, good will to men. 5. Eminently did Isaac typify Christ in being offered in sacrifice. To illustrate this, mark the resemblance between them. (1.) Isaac was the only and affectionately beloved son of his parents; and Christ was the only begotten and beloved son of his Father, was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him. (2.) Necessity was laid upon Abraham by the command of God, to offer up Isaac his son; and it was of absolute necessity that Christ should die, the just for the unjust to bring sinners to God. If there had been a law which could have given life, verily righteousness should have come by the law. (3.) When Abraham was tried, he withheld not his son, his only son; and so God spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, that with him he might freely give us all things richly to enjoy. braham must officiate as priest, and he stretched forth his hand to take the knife; and when Christ was to be made sin for us, his Father must immolate him on the altar of justice, and he said, Awake, O sword, against the man that is my fellow. (7.) Abraham accounted that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead, from whence also he received him in a figure; and God raised up his son Jesus, that his holy one might not see corruption. (8.) After this symbolic transaction, Isaac returned to his place; and when Christ by one offering had purged our sins, he ascended on high, to heaven from whence he came, and for ever sits down on the right hand of the majesty on high. (9.) In offering up Isaac, Abraham gave the most deci-. sive evidence of love to God; and God commendeth his love. to us, in that when we were sinners and without strength, Christ died for us. (10.) For the obedience of Abraham, God renewed his promise and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and thy seed shall possess the gates of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations. of the earth be blessed, and because Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, God hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall ex-bow-hath promised that he (4.) Isaac had committed no particular crime for which he was to suffer; and Christ, who did no sin, offered himself as a lamb without spot to God. (5.) Isaac bore the wood on which he was to be offered as the victim; and Christ bore the cross on which he was to piate the guilt of the world. (6.) In offering up Isaac, AVOL. VI. NO. 7. shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied that a seed LI |