CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Hull and East Riding Church Missionary Asso

ciation.

AN Association was formed on Wednesday, June 2d, at Hull, for that town and the East Riding of Yorkshire, in aid of the Church Missionary Society. The Secretary of the Society, together with the Rev. Joseph Jowett, and the Rev. William Jowett, preached sermons on the occasion, and assisted at the Meeting. About 500l. is already contributed. Further particulars in our next.

Hibernian Church Missionary Society.

We announce with great pleasure the establishment, on a large scale, of a Society in Ireland, in aid of the Church Missionary Society. The centre of its operations is to be in Dublin; but its influence is to be extended, as opportunities may offer, by the formation of Associations throughout Ireland.

The Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, with the Rev. Daniel Wilson, and the Rev. William Jowett, passed the greater part of this month in Dublin, assisting in the formation of this Society;

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which promises abundantly to repay their exertions, in calling forth the zeal of Churchmen in Ireland for the support of the Society's undertakings. A full account will be given in our next.

Foreign Intelligence.

SWEDEN.

The Speech of His Excellency Baron Rosenblad, one of the Lords of the Kingdom of Sweden, Minister of State, Knight and Commander Grand Cross of all his Majesty's Orders, &c. &c. &c.-when he took the Chair as President of the Evangelical Society, in the Committee, which atet at Stockholm, on the 5th of October, 1813.

Gentlemen,

WITH sentiments of the sincerest gratitude, I now undertake the confidential office with which your choice has honoured me. I am aware of my deficiencies; and they could not fail to occasion me great anxiety, even so as to make me very doubtful whether I ought to accept this place among you, when I consider that I succeed that venerable and revered character, whose great age has induced him to withdraw from a Presidency which he has held from the commencement of this Society, and which, under the blessing and favour of Almighty God, he has filled, with great advantage to the diffusion of Gospel Light, as well as with much satisfaction to all the Members of the Institution.

But, Gentlemen, I have considered your call as the finger of Providence, pointed by that unerring Hand, which, unseen, directs the conduct of mortals, and always with a view to lead them nearer to himself. The principal part of my life has been occupied in my extensive

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and laborious official engagements; and the unceasing care I have been obliged to exercise, in order to accomplish their many important duties, has not seldom awakened in me the painful Reflection, that but a small portion of my time had been alike laboriously devoted to advancing the cause of Religion. But now, although in the autumn of life, a gracious Providence has been pleased to open to me a new field, and so favoured me with an opportunity of correcting my past neglect: placing me, through its kind guidance, within this not only more exalted, but also more peaceful sphere of action; in order that I may do my part in furthering and supporting the important objects of this Society. To do so is my resolution; nay, the very desire of my heart: but I feel my own incapacity for such a solemn work, and rest all my hopes of success upon assistance from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ-yes, upon him alone, who has assured us, that he will not quench the smallest spark of grace and truly we may all encourage ourselves in the certainty of his Almighty Aid, if we follow the light of his Holy Spirit, and have a single eye and a firm purpose to promote his glory, and to communicate to our fellowmen a knowledge of salvation by faith in his Atonement.

We have outlived the awful period when the doctrine of the Atonement of Christ was shrouded in darkness. Mournful was the lot of those who confessed His name. For almost an entire century, did Infidelity, with unblushing front, deride the revealed Will of God, and either openly or secretly undermine the sacred foundations of the Gospel Doctrine. The deleterious poison, having worked its way among what are called the most enlightened nations of Europe, and established its influence in their higher circles, soon spread abroad among the mass of the people, and rolled on in fearful torrents of iniquity, carrying with it a sweeping destruction wherever it went-we have truly the most abundant cause for thankfulness to a gracious God for having preserved our native land from such scenes of desolation. We dare not, however, deny, that even among us were found an increased indifference to the Word of God; and, with many, a bold contempt of it. Not a few were ashamed to confess the name of Jesus: and have we not ourselves had to endure long discourses upon religion, in the course of which we scarcely once heard that blessed

name` mentioned, before which, however, every knee shall bow," whether it be upon earth, or under the earth?"-But the promises of God are fulfilling: for "heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," (Luke xxi. 33.) And "Upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her." Gospel Light is dawning again on those nations where the shadow of death sat almost enthroned, and barriers are raising against " the abomination of desolation."

In a certain country, most powerful because of its veneration for religion, and consequently for the laws; where, as a result, the welfare of the public and individuals rests on the surest foundation; a Society was established, and in times, too, while the whirlwinds of desolation were yet laying waste the earth. The aim and glorious object of this Society embrace a distribution of God's Holy Word and Gospel Light through the whole habitable globe. That revered Society, which has also held forth its friendly and generous hand to our Swedish Evangelical Institution, has found in its zeal and liberality a success which so utterly exceeds the power of all human effort, as evidently to proclaim-that the finger of God is in it: His guardian care is therein distinctly un veiled.

Warned and roused from their indifference by what they have experienced of the horrible effects of infidelity, several other nations have also bestirred themselves, and followed the glorious path struck out by the before-mentioned honoured Society. And we, among others, cannot help being exceedingly thankful to God, that what is called the "New Philosophy" begins to be treated with contempt in our native land, and that the minds of men have taken a favourable turn toward better things.

Under the protection of a Government affectionately attentive to the preaching of the pure Gospel of Christ, measures are now actively adopted for improving both the character of preaching and the mode of education; and we have often the happiness to find that the best gifts of eloquence are no longer wasted upon dry moral portraits, but suitably exerted to honour the Giver, by ascribing glory to the name of Jesus and his Atonement.

Gentlemen, you are reaping the comfort of that delightful reflection, that from the first moment which

gave existence to your Society, you have been co-workers with Him who alone can bless the works of our hands and the meditations of our hearts. You have sent forth, among high and low, thousands and ten thousands of instructive Religious Tracts; but, what is infinitely better-the Holy Scriptures, that fountain of all true light, which shews us the way to everlasting salvation. We know that these precious donations have brought forth much fruit, and been received with gratitude. throughout the land; which cannot but be very pleasing tidings to you, and afford you a mighty encouragement to persevere in well-doing.

Eternal Saviour of the world! strengthen and support the desire Thyself hast graciously awakened in this Society; that all the members of it may work as one man, and, with full purpose of heart, spread abroad that heavenly knowledge which records Thy Atonement, Thy Suffering, and Thy Death! Grant success and Thy richest blessing to all we shall do toward promoting this great end! We place all our reliance on Thee; .and rest our hope of a gracious answer to our supplications, upon that wonderful love which brought Thee into the world to save sinners.

NORWAY.

Valye put on a Copy of the Scriptures.

A FARMER in one of the northern provinces, whe had often endeavoured to procure a Bible, but was never so happy as to get that precious volume into his possession, brought at last a cow to the next market-town, and offered her in exchange for one, but in vain-there were no copies for sale; and those who enjoyed the blessing would not deprive themselves of it for the sake of the temporal advantage which was offered them.