his dark relatives who were sitting by, that they might turn to God, and be saved. While we were sitting by his side, I perceived him change for the worse; as though nature was almost overcome by the pain. He became very restless, and took less notice than he had done. The change was soon perceived by his friends, who now began to draw near-to kiss his hands or faceand to weep over him. At this time, Ata came in; and Lolohea told me to speak to him, but was unable to explain himself further. I suppose he meant that I should talk to him about his soul. Preparation was now made to remove him into a small house near the buryingplace, that he might die there; which is the custom here. As soon as he knew their intention, he said, "Ia: tauou;" that is," Yes: let us go." The Chief and his Wife both drew near and kissed him, and wept over him, before he was removed; and he was then carried out, by the mat on which he lay, into the small temporary house in which he was to die. Many persons were gathered together from all parts of the island; and placed themselves in groupes upon the ground, all clothed in mats, which is their mourn ing dress. We sat down by his side; when he dozed for a few minutes, but soon waked with pain. He wished his Mother to remove, that I might sit close to him; at which she was a little grieved, and shed tears. At times, he seemed a little delirious, but in the main was very sensible. He talked of prayer, and repeated several times, "Let us pray-let us pray." He dozed again; and waking up, saw me, and with much affection saluted me, with, "Jio-to-ofa," or, "My love to you!" Death was now taking down the earthly house. He laboured for breath. He looked at me, and said, “I am very ill;" and then adding, "I am now dying," in a few minutes he breathed his last, and with a sweet smile upon his countenance closed his eyes in death, Jan. 12, 1829. We have strong confidence that he is now in that Country where the inhabitant shall no more say, I am sick-that he rests from his labours and sufferingsand that he is with that Saviour, whom, having not seen, he loved; and ascribing his salvation to the blood of the Lamb. To the Sacred Name of Jesus be the praise and glory, now and for ever! Amen. Proceedings and Entelligence. United Kingdom. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THIRTY-SIXTH REPORT. State of the Funds. THE Directors gratefully acknowledge the largest amount of Contributions, within the year, which the Society has ever received; and, as this has occurred even in a year of considerable national pressure, they more especially regard it as indicating an increased prevalence of those great principles of Christian Liberality, on the due exercise of which, full confidence, as to the future maintenance and augmentation of the Society's Income (which may be considered as the measure of its active operations) can alone, under Providence, be securely placed. In reference to the Expenditure, it may be proper to add, that it presents a diminished amount, in comparison with that of several immediately preceding years. This is rather to be regarded as the result of incidental circumstances, Salaries, Poundage, Rent, Taxes, Travelling Expenses, Postage, and Sundries... 2863 6 8 1275 15 9 2877 18 1 Total...... 32,790 15 5 Changes among the Society's Missionaries. Mrs. Henry Crisp, of Salem, in the East Indies, has entered into the joy of her Lord. Mr. Bourne and Family have returned from the South Sea; Mr. Humphreys, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Kidd, from Malacca; Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, from Malta; Mr. and Mrs. Adam, from Benares; and Mr. and Mrs. Piffard, from Calcutta. The following Missionaries have been sent out since the last Anniversary :— Mr. John Baillie and Mr. Theophilus Atkinson, with their Wives, to Africa, in company with Dr. Philip; Mr. John Reid and his Wife, to Bellary; Mr. Michael Lewis and his Wife, to Demerara; and Mr. Josiah Hughes, to Malacca. It is the intention of the Directors, that, at the earliest opportunity, Mr. George Christie should embark for Calcutta; Mr. Thomas Kilpin Higgs, for Chinsurah; Mr. William Harris, for Travancore; and Mr. James Smith, for Tahaa, in the South Seas. Mr. Hands and Mr. Mundy still remain in this Country for the re-establishment of their health; and also Mr. Ellis, who has been publishing his interesting work on the Progress of Christianity in the South-Sea Islands, entitled "Polynesian Researches," and who continues to be very usefully employed in this Country, in promoting the interests of the Society. we hereby declare, that this Examination has brought before us satisfactory evidences of the ability, faithfulness, and indefatigable care of the Tutors; and of the diligent, conscientious, and successful application of the Students. Improved Tone of Public Meetings. The Directors are happy to state, that, during the progress of the last year particularly, a considerable improvement has been apparent in the moral tone of the Public Meetings of the Auxiliary Societies. There has been much less of unhallowed excitement, and greater sobriety; with a more evident practical recognition of the great principles and motives of Christian Obligation, in the exercise of pecuniary liberality, and in the various other efforts made in support of the funds of the Society. Improvement in Prayer-Meetings. Beside the enlarged measure and improved spirit of Christian Liberality, to which the Directors have already adverted, they feel peculiar pleasure in recording the increased attendance, the livelier interest, and more fervent devotion of the Missionary Prayer-Meetings, both in the metropolis and several parts of the country. On the degree in which this spirit of united supplication, in reference to the object and operations of the Society, is diffused, and prevails among its members, they cannot doubt that the improvement in the moral tone of the Public Meetings connected with it, and the measure and the spirit of benevolence manifested in its support, will, in future, materially depend. Value and Influence of Prayer, And on what other ground than this, it may be asked, can we expect the Divine Guidance, in the general direction and management of Missionary Societies, and especially in the choice and preparation of candidates-the preservation of Missionaries in perils in the sea; in perils in the city; in perils in the wilderness; in perils by the heathen; in perils by their countrymen; in perils among false brethren-the Divine Blessing on their efforts and those out-pourings of the Spirit on themselves, and on the people among whom they may labour, which are necessary to the production of those great moral results that can alone meet the just expectations of the Church, and eventually fulfil the predictions of the Inspired Volume, as to the universal establishment of Christianity in the world? To the discharge of this duty, therefore, as being of primary obligation and indispensable importance, in connection with diligent and persevering exertions in the cause of Christian Missions, the Directors affectionately and earnestly invite the attention of every Member of the Society. Striking Events of the Year. The records of the past year have presented to our attention events of a more prominent and striking character, than the Directors have ordinarily had to report-some of them apparently indicative of that kind of hostile movement, on the part of the Prince of Darkness, which the Scriptures lead us to expect whenever real danger menaces any considerable portion of his kingdom; and which Christians should regard, only as an auspicious omen of an approaching enlarge ment of that of their Divine Lord. In Bengal and Travancore, in Lattakoo and Tahiti, Christianity has lately triumphed over various forms of hostility; and the Directors cannot but cherish the hope, that whatever clouds may yet lower over the Island of Madagascar or violence assail its shores, the Banner of the Cross will yet wave in light and peace on the summit of Tananarivo, as a pledge and a signal of the future diffusion of its blessings throughout the whole of its populous and interesting provinces. PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY. EIGHTEENTH REPORT. Issues of Books. THE number of the Prayer-Books and Homilies issued as bound books, during the last twelve months, exclusive of those printed in India, is 9585-a number less by about 3000 books than that which was last reported; the diminution having been occasioned principally by withholding grants of Prayer-Books to Ireland, in consequence of its being supposed that such grants were not necessary: but the number of Tracts issued, amounting to 140,208, constitutes an increased issue of more than 60,000. The whole number of books circulated by the Society, from the first, is therefore as follows-of Prayer-Books, 177,215; of its Tracts, 1,450,555. Issues of Books to Seamen. The total number of ships visited on the River Thames, during the past year, is 1025; on board of which, 889 PrayerBooks and 8 whole Books of Homilies have been sold, and 1022 Books of Select Homilies have been deposited gratuitously. Of the Commanders of these, If from the foregoing statement it should appear that the number of Commanders who neglect Public Worship when at sea ed that the largest part by far of these is still very great, it must be rememberare Masters of coasting vessels, the crews of which are small-are at sea only occasionally on the Sabbath-and have freDay on shore; but that, of the Comquent opportunities of spending that Holy manders of vessels bound to Foreign Ports, full two-thirds Now hold Divine Worship on board ship on the Sabbath, weather permitting; and that, where the Society's Agents are most active, there the most considerable improvement has taken place, even with regard to coasting-vessels, in this respect. The Committee add So seldom, comparatively, is opposi-' tion now experienced, says the Committee of one of this Society's Associations in a sea-port, and so favourably disposed are Masters of vessels to the objects of the Society, that we hail these circumstances as satisfactory proofs of the improving spirit of the age; while those who are in earnest in religion thank God and take courage. Instance of the Benefit of Agencies in The establishment of Agencies in seaports provides for the profitable use of some of those awful circumstances which occur from time to time among those who go down to the sea in ships. Seven vessels were stranded some months since, after one of the most tremendous gales remembered for years, near the place where one of the Society's most active friends has undertaken to labour. "After a scene so awful as this," he says, “I found the sailors impressed, and disposed to attend to us: even a hard-faced rough old Pilot, who once had declared, that, if he was in my place, he would let the sailors go to perdition if they pleased, then said, 'Sir, I really do think I begin to think more seriously of these things→→→ I do indeed.' " Improving Prospects in Ireland. In reference to Ireland, it is saidThe calls for Homilies being both frequent and urgent, 60,000 in separate Sermons as Tracts, besides some copies of a Book of Selected Homilies, have been granted, and put into circulation. The Letters received in acknowledgment of these grants coincide generally in stating, that the books have been gratefully received, and, as far as they reached, have been eminently useful. The Members of this Society may well rejoice, in common with others, in contemplating the dawn of better things, which seems to be gradually, nay, perhaps rapidly, rising upon Ireland. One Clergyman, the Minister of a Parish Church which had for many years been sadly neglected, says - Thank God! things are better now. The members of my own Congregation are indeed a poor people; but I must say, that they are a kind-hearted people-anxious to receive religious knowledge and instruction-and most grateful for any little portion of it that I am enabled to impart to them.""I have the pleasure to tell you," says another Clerical Correspondent, that a great spirit of inquiry is afloat, and daily increasing, among the middling and lower classes of the Roman Catholics in ings in other parts abroad will ap- RELIGIOUS-TRACT SOCIETY. Issue of Publications. The Total Circulation of the Society, at home and abroad, exceeds ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY MILLIONS of Publications. Issues in Great Britain and Ireland. The moral and spiritual wants of London have not escaped the attention of the Committee: they have, therefore, considerably increased their supplies: the Christian - Instruction Society has received 66,800 Tracts and 200,000 Hand ceived 25,800 Small Tracts, for distribuBills a friend of the Society also retion to those who neglect the sacred duties of the Sabbath. The Agent who visits the courts and alleys and dark parts of London, where his labours during the year, 79,150 Publications. have been useful to many, has received, The following grants have also been made for circulation among the crowds found witnessing the Execution of CrimiPleasure Fairs in London and its vicinals, 39,300-for distribution at the nity, 109,700-for Workhouses, 5375— for Hospitals, 3625-for Prisons and Convict Ships, 7025. The Committee granted 32,000 Hand Bills, pointing out the danger of Fairs, to be distributed to Sunday-School Children on the Lord's Day prior to the holding of St. Bartholomew's Fair. During the winter the persons under the care of the Committee for the Houseless Poor received upward of 7000 Tracts. To Foreign Sailors visiting our port, 33,020 were distributed; and The Thirty-nine Articles will be of 4100 to other Foreigners, from different particular value to German Students of Nations, who are now resident in our Divinity, of whom many are now return- city. Jews received 1500 Tracts, to ing to Evangelical Principles. To Young remind them that Christ is the end of the Men of this description, the ancient, pub- Law for righteousness to every one that lic, and official standards of doctrine in believeth. The Committee, in closing the different Protestant Churches are this statement of their exertions for the documents of the greatest interest and benefit of London and its immediate viimportance. cinity, have only to add, that Soldiers, Seamen, Watermen, Boatmen, and Fisher my parish." And another Clergyman states "A spirit of inquiry has been excited in this Country, among all creeds and classes, which cannot be subdued. The spiritual wants of the Peasantry are great: they begin to feel them, and will seek to satisfy them." Foreign Proceedings. Instances are adduced of the usefulness of the Society's Publications in Switzerland and Germany: of Germany it is said— Notices of the Society's proceed men-classes who so frequently live in the entire neglect of the Public Ordinances of the Gospel-have been supplied with 27,830 of the Works of your Society; and that 21,800 copies of the Tract on United Prayer for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit were given to various friends, prior to the meetings which were held during the past year in connection with that important subject. After this statement, the Committee hope that they cannot justly be charged with neglecting their own neighbours, while they feel the deepest interest in the salvation of Heathen Nations. The Committee have endeavoured, also, to co-operate with several Institutions engaged in making known the Truths of the Gospel, in different parts of England. The Agents of the Home-Missionary Society have received 67,880 Publications, for distribution in the villages where they labour for the same purpose they presented 20,600 Tracts, Broad Sheets, and other Publications, to the General Baptist Home-Missionary Society, for Leicestershire and the adjoining Counties2700 to the Baptist Home-Missionary Society at Oxford-7000 to the Northof-England Evangelical Association and about 27,000 to the Bristol City Mission, Frome, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and other Christian-Instruction Societies. About 3600 Publications were sent to the Isle of Man: 24,450 Tracts and Hand Bills have been distributed at different Horse Races: 5000 Publications were sent to a Minister in the Scilly Islands; and about 5000 Tracts were placed at the disposal of a friend, for the use of the Masters connected with the British and Foreign School Society. The applications from Ireland during the year, for gratuitous supplies, have been very numerous; but the Committee have been enabled to meet the wishes of their friends: 60,620 Tracts have been given to Ministers and Laymen of different Denominations, or placed at the disposal of Societies which are labouring for the good of the Country, in making known the glad tidings of the Gospel. for additional Publications... They have been able, by the kind assistance of friends, to add several valuable booksparticularly Shaw's Welcome to Affliction, Sibbs's Soul's Conflict, Henry on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, and Watson's Divine Cordial; and they hope to continue to issue similar Publications, until they shall be able to furnish a wellselected Library of the Works of the Old Divines at a very low price. The Annals of the Poor, by your late Secretary, Mr. Richmond, has been added to the Catalogue: this Work contains, in addition to Mr. Richmond's well-known Tracts, The Cottage Conversation, and a Visit to the Infirmary. It seemed to be desirable that the Society should be able not only to furnish Mr. Richmond's Tracts at a low price for general circulation, but that they should also be printed in a style acceptable to those who would neglect them as Tracts. A Series of Narrative Tracts has been commenced during the year. The Committee have had frequent applications, urging them to publish a greater variety of Tracts of this kind, to meet the want which has been created by the extensive circulation of Tracts on loan. The Society's Second Series of Tracts having begun with No.500, the totals on sale of that Series, mentioned at p. 484 of our Volume for 1828 and at p. 391 of that for 1829, should have been, respectively, 99 and 101, and not 599 and 601. Notices respecting different Works. The sales of the past year shew an increasing demand for the Publications of the Institution, which satisfies the Committee that they have pursued a right course in republishing many of the Standard Works of the last Three Centuries. Numerous testimonies which have been received shew how great a blessing such Works are likely to become. Notwithstanding all that has been hitherto done, the rapid progress of Education requires that the Committee should still go forward in this important department. The History of the Church of Christ the Sixth Volume, which brings down has been completed by the addition of the history of the German Branch of the Reformation to the middle of the Sixteenth Century; the period when the Protestant Religion was established in Germany by the Peace of Passau. This work may be considered as complete. |