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directed in former acts of Parliament, and certified to have been so to the bishop, or the archdeacon, or the quarter-sessions (the certificate of registry to cost no more than 2s. 6d.); under the penalty, for every time of meeting, of not more than 20%. nor less than 20s. to be paid by the person knowingly permitting such assembly in a place occupied by him; and that if the assembly be held without the consent of the occupier, the person teaching or preaching shall forfeit, for every such offence, not more than 30., nor less than 21. It further enacts, that every person teaching, or preaching, or officiating in, or resorting to, any religious meeting of Protestants, which shall be duly certified, shall enjoy an exemption from all the penalties of former acts, provided only that those who preach or teach shall, when required by a justice of the peace, take and subscribe a certain oath and declaration; and no one refusing to do this when called upon, shall be allowed to preach or teach, until he shall have taken such oath, &c. on pain of forfeiting, for every offence, not more than 10, nor less than 10s.: no one, however, shall be required to go more than five miles from home, for the purpose of taking this oath: any Protestant may, at the same time, require a justice of the peace to administer to him the oaths under this act, and also to grant a certificate of the saine, for a fee of not more than 2s. 6d. It further enacts, that every teacher or preacher, who shall employ himself solely as such, and not engage in any trade or business except that of schoolmaster, shall be exempt from certain civil offices, and from serving in the militia or local militia; but that every person producing a false certificate, with a view to such exemption, shall forfeit 50%; that the doors of places used for religious meetings shall not, during the time of meeting, be fastened, so as to prevent persons from entering, under a penalty of not more than 201. nor less than 21.; and that persons wilfully disturbing a religious meeting, or moJesting any person officiating there, may be held to bail, and, if convicted, shall forfeit 401. It is provided, that nothing in this act shall affect the celebration of Divine Service according to the rites and usage of the Established Church, or the jurisdiction of archbishops, bishops, or other ecclesiastical authorities; or shall extend to the people called Quakers. Offences, liable to penalties under this act, when not otherwise specially provided for, may be tried before two or more justices, who shall have power to levy the penalties by distress, one half being paid to the in

former, and one half to the poor of the parish; or failing distress, to imprison the offender for a time not exceeding three months; a right being reserved to the person convicted of appealing to the quarter sessions. The penalties must be sued for and prosecuted within six months.

It will be seen, from a perusal of the above abstract, that the policy of the legislature towards all classes of religionists has been highly liberal; and we hope and pray that a corresponding liberality may manifest itself in the ministrations of the various denominations of Christians, and in all the walks of private life. We trust especially that the members of the Established Church, who have never shewn themselves the least loyal part of the community, will deem it their duty to promote the declared views of every branch of the government, by stu diously cultivating every lawful method of conciliation towards those whose religious sentiments differ from their own. The spiritual rulers of the Church have set us an example in this respect, which is highly worthy of our imitation. The Archbishop of Canterbury, and all our other prelates, concurred in the measure; and his Grace, to mark still more strongly the friendly sentiments which he entertained towards his Christian brethren of every class, sat as one of the commissioners for signifying the royal assent to this bill. All descriptions of Methodists and Dissenters have expressed, in the very strongest terms, their obligations, not only to his Grace and the other prelates, but to his Majesty's ministers, whose proper act it was to frame, propose, and conduct to its consummation, this wise and healing

measure.

The provisions of this new toleration act have not been confined to Protestant Dissenters, as that of William and Mary was, but extend to all Protestants, including, of course, members of the Church of England.

BAPTIST MISSIONS IN INDIA.

(Concluded from p. 472.) Extract of letters from an officer in the army stationed near the borders of the Mahratta country, to Mr. Ward, one of the Missionaries.

Nov. 7. 1810. "Your kind letter I received, and the Hindoost'hanee Testament a week before it. In that you have indeed sent me a most valuable present, for which accept of my sincere thanks. I have now begun to read it on a Sunday to the few Christians who always meet on that day at my bungalow. It is listened to with an attention

and apparent pleasure that gives me great
delight. Some of my servants, and a few,
other boys also, attend and hear it with some
attention; and I am in hopes that its pure
doctrines, with the sublime and interesting
account of our Saviour, and the salvation he
hath wrought for us, will gradually work its
benign effects, in their minds, and produce
an inquiry which I shall take every proper
opportunity of improving. The present Ra-
jah appears to be of a quiet and peaceable
disposition, and might tolerate a new religion,
especially as the Malirattas I am told are
not very tenacious of their casts, and gene-
rally speaking are a quiet well-disposed peo-
ple, mostly employed in cultivating the soil.
The brother of the Rajah, and his son, who
is considered as the heir apparent, are much
more attached to Brahmanism.",

Jan. 5. 1811.The Hindoost'hanee New Testament has proved a very great blessing, and is listened to with great attention by the several poor Christians here; and I am happy to add, that the conduct of some of them is altered for the better. Besides this, from one to three o'clock every day I have begun to read it to a Jemadar of our escort; also to a Mussulman priest, a man of some distinction here, and who lives on a hill not far from my bungalow, He is accounted by his own cast a very great devotee. His native place is Delhi, but he lived a long time in Arabia. An old Braliman Pundit also attends. They all three hear with delight and astonishment, and speak much in praise of the New Testament. When I speak of our Saviour, and the important purpose for which he was born and suffered, they seem very much impressed. As we read, I point out some of the most useful parts, and we converse on them; but I refrain at present from speaking of their religion, lest I should discourage their attention by giving them of fence. When I have read all through the book to them, I will then endeavour to point out the necessity of their quitting the false and absurd doctrines of Paganism and Mahometanism, and laying hold of that of Jesus Christ. There was another person of good family and education that began to hear; but I am sorry to say he has been dissuaded from attending, lest his friends, and the people of his own cast (Mussulmans) should persecute and bring him into trouble. He, as well as the others, are very earnest that I should get up the remaining part of the New Testament, and also the Old Testainent as far as it is translated. The two Mussulmans are very desirous of reading it in the Persian language and character."

CHRIST. OBSERV, No. 128.

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Jan. 23, 1811. I wrote you of late of the three to whom I was daily reading the Scriptures. If I can judge by their professions public and private, two of them, namely, the Mussulman priest, and the Brahman, are sincere, and really see the folly of their own belief. The Jemadar, although he says he believes in our Saviour, and seems to adruire our Testament extremely, is, I am afraid, as yet very insensible to its spiritual meaning and beauties, and to the great importance of what our blessed Redeemer has done for It is as you say we should labour at their consciences, shewing them that, without sincere repentance and faith in Christ, they cannot be saved. This weapon was powerful in the days of the Apostles, and will prove so now, if we who preach Christ are ourselves sincere; as God will sooner or later most assuredly own the labours of his sincere servants."

us.

A person belonging to the army, who appears to be descended from an Englishman by a native woman, and who has been converted by means of the Missionaries, thus writes to one of them from Cuttack, Dec. 14, 1810; "I am happy to inform you that on my journey I was refreshed by the consideration that the Spirit of God is working in these heathen lands. I see plainly that the missionaries are not working in vain. God hears their prayers for the success of his cause, and it shall prevail,

"On the 29th of Nov. we marched to Kushai-tola, where I had an opportunity of talking of Christ to a few Byraggees. On Dec. 1, we came to Suro, where I conversed with forty or fifty persons, and gave three Ooriya New Testaments, and some tracts, to three Brahmans. Lord's-day the 2d, we came to Seemuli. Here we had worship twice, and at the close of one of the meetings brother B. engaged in prayer, I made known the word of God to a few men, and distributed a few tracts. On the 3d, we marched to Bhudruck. Here two of the Brahmans, to whom I gave Testaments at Suro, returned them. In the course of the day five or six Mussulmans came to hear, and I gave them a Testament. In the even. ing, sixty or seventy Brahmans, with several others, came to me. I endeavoured to convince them of sin, and to lead them to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour. I got one of the Brahmans to read the 14th chapter of John, and I endeavoured to explain what they did not understand. All the rest paid great attention. When he bad read the chapter they asked me for some Testaments. I gave 4 A

them three or four of the Psalms, &c. and sixty or seventy tracts. They wanted more Testaments, but I had no more to spare. In the evening four Brahmans returned me one of "the Testaments, and a few of the tracts. Dec. 4th, we marched to Dhainnugur. Here I talked with about sixty Brahmans. They acknowledged their gods could not save them. On the 5th, we marched to Jajpoor, where I talked with eight or nine Brahmans, and several others, and distributed a number of tracts. We had worship the evening that we halted at Jajpoor, and in the morning I talked with a few persons, and gave away a Testament. In the course of the day I went with brother B. to eight different places in the neighbourhood to make known the word. We gave away a Testament, and

about one hundred tracts, all of which were received with thankfulness. On the 7th, we marched to Burumburda, where I talked with a number of people, among whom were three Brahmans. I gave these Brahmans some tracts. One of them came again in the evening with five or six others. 1 talked to them with tears about Christ, and gave them some tracts. I was much encodraged. On the 8th we marched to Urukpoor, where I talked with a number of people, and gave away some tracts.

"Lord's-day the 9th, we marched to Lukshmanpoor, after which we had worship twice, and I conversed with a number of persons. Ou the 10th we marched to Pudmupoor, where brother B. conversed with several persons, and gave away some tracts. In the evening I and brother G. talked with a great number of people, among whom were about eighty Brahmans. We gave them fifty or sixty tracts: they wanted some Testaments, and I was sorry that I had none to give them."

Mr. Ward, by way of reflection on the above, says, in this instance, as in many others, we see how much the parable of our Lord respecting the leaven is fulfilled: one man is converted; his wife and children gaze and admire; his neighbours also say one to another, Come and see this new thing that the Lord hath done. He writes to one and talks to another of Jesus the Saviour. He removes to another place of residence; he talks to those whom he meets with on his way, and puts into their hand the book of God; he thus scatters blessings on his jour ney, and on his arrival makes known in his new situation the words of eternal life. In this way the blessing of Abrahara came on the Gentiles; I will bless thee, and make thee a blessing!"

ST. ALBANS BRANCH BIBLE SOCIETY

On the 16th of April, a numerous and respectable meeting of the inhabitants of St. Albans assembled at the Town-hall,' for the purpose of forming a Bible Society for that town and neighbourhood, Lord Viscount Grimston in the chair. The cause of the Bible was pleaded with irresistible energy and effect by the Rev. Professor Dealtry, the Rev. Mr. Steinkopff, the Rev. Joseph Hughes, and the Rev. John Owen; and the proposed Society was formed, of which Lord Viscount Grimston accepted the office of president. The vice-presidents are, Joseph Halsey, Esq. M. P.; Daniel Giles, Esq. M. P.; G. Watlington, Esq. Recorder; W. Brown, Esq. Mayor; Robert Clutterbuck, Esq.; James Brown, Esq.; David Haliburton, Esq.; William Griffin, Esq.; James Timperon, Esq.; Francis Sapti, Esq.; and Samuel Maxey, Esq. the treasurers, John Boys, Esq. and W. Trelss, Esq. :—and the secretaries, the Rev. A. W. Roberts, the Rev. T. A. Warren, and the Rev. J. H. Cox.

CLAPHAM AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

A general meeting of the inhabitants of Clapham, Nine Elms, South Lambeth, Stockwell, Brixton, Streatham, Balham Hill, Upper and Lower Tooting, Wandsworth, and Battersea, was held at the Horns Tavern, Kennington, on Tuesday, the 4th instant; Samuel Thornton, Esq. M.P. in the chair; for the purpose of forming a Bible Society in that populous neighbourhood. The usual resolutions were unanimously adopted, and upwards of 6001. have been subscribed by the persons assembled on the occasion. Samuel Thornton, Esq. was appointed president;-the Earl of Aylesbury; Sir R. Burnett; H. Thornton, Esq. M. P.; W. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P.; C. Noel, Esq. M.P.; C. Grant, Esq. M. P.; C. Grant, jun. Esq. M. P.; W. T. Astell, Esq. M. P.; W. H. Hoare, Esq.; James Newsoine, Esq; W. Nunn, Esq.; Col. Fleming; Charles Elliott, Esq.; Joseph Benwell, Esq.; Ebenezer Maitland, Esq.; and Henry Waymouth, Esq, vicepresidents:-Joseph Bradney, Esq. treasurer; and the Rev. H. Laing, and the Rev. J. Phillips, secretaries.

CITY OF LONDON AUXILIARY BIBLE

SOCIETY.

A large and overflowing meeting, the object of which was to establish an Auxiliary Bible Society for the City of London, was held on the 6th instant, in the Egyptian Hall, at the Mansion House, which had been promptly and liberally granted by the

The hall replenish the exhausted funds of the Society, which are still very inadequate to the object it has in view, viz. the supply of the Navy and Army, of Naval and Military Hospitals, and Regimental Schools, with Bibles. In the preceding year, 2135 Bibles, and 518 Testaments, had been distributed. The applications since made by officers, on behalf of their men, amount to no less than 26,327 copies of the Scriptures, which applications are stated by the officers transmitting them to have been made by individual sailors and soldiers. The Committee being wholly unable to meet this demand, have confined their supplies to such ships and regiments as were almost or altogether (as several were) with ' out a single Bible. They call loudly on their members, therefore, to exert themselves in improving the funds of the institution.! How much may be done in this way is evident from this, that, the Bishop of London having benevolently sanctioned an appeal to the clergy of his diocese in favour of the Society, collections were made for its benefit on the last Fast-day amounting to upwards of 2,000l. The Committee thus close their Report.

Lord Mayor for that purpose. was crowded at an early hour, and it is ́ supposed that there were not less than from 2000 to 2500 persons present on the occasion. The persons who addressed the assembly in succession, were the Rev. Dr. Brunnmark; the Rev. Mr. Hughes; Mr. Rowcroft; Mr. Favell; the Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. R. H. Marten; Mr. J. Thornton; the Rev. Mr. Hatch; the Rev. Mr. Wilson; Alderman Scholey; Alderman Wood; Mr. B. Neale ; Mr. G. Barclay; Mr. W. Allen; and the Rev. Mr. Owen. A detailed account of the proceedings of the meeting will be published. In the mean time we will only remark, that there was much powerful eloquence displayed on the occasion; that the harmony and cordiality which pervaded the assembly were in the highest degree gratifying; and that the conduct of the Lord Mayor in the chair was such as fully entitled him to that warm homage of applause which he received from the multitude that surrounded him. The Lord Mayor for the time being was chosen president of this society. The vice-presidents are the Right Hon. N. Vansittart: Aldermen C. S. Hunter; H. C. Combe, M. P.; Sir J. Shaw, Bart. M. P.; Sir C. Flower, Bart.; Thos. Smith; J. Sylvester; G. Scholey; S. Birch; M. Wood; J. Atkins; C. Magnay; W. Heygate; and J. Ansley: Sir Thos. Baring, Bart. M. P.: Samuel Whitbread, Esq. M. P.: Joseph Marryatt, Esq. M.P.: W. Manning, Esq. M. P.: John Maitland, Esq. M.P.: S.Thornton, Esq. M.P.: Edward Parry, Esq.: T. Rowcroft, Esq.: and R. Clarke, Esq. Chamberlain :—the treasurer is D. Bevan, Esq.;-and the secretaries are, the Rev. D. Wilson, the Rev. H. F. Burder, and Gurney Barclay, Esq.

"During the correspondence of the past year, your Committee have met with instances wherein the necessity and utility of this institution have been questioned on the one hand by persons conceiving that no good is likely to arise from the distribution of Bibles amongst our Sailors and Soldiers, and on the other by those, who, though friendly to that measure, are uot satisfied as to the necessity for the continuance of a separate society for the purpose. Your Committee, therefore, feel it incumbent on thein, in concluding their Report, to remark briefly, that with respect to the former objection (which happily is now but rarely advanced), the testimony this day brought before you from Naval and Military Officers in favour of the perusal of the Scriptures by their men, ought to be deemed sufficient to confute so erroneous an opinion. As to the latter objection, which is more common, your Committee must be allowed to observe, that they are persuaded there are many and weighty reasons for its not being consolidated with any other institution: it possesses high and honourable patronage, and pecuniary support, which it is of the greatest importance should not be relinquished; and as many of its be⚫ nefactors do not unite with institutions engaged in the distribution of the Scriptures to This Society held its annual meeting on the other classes of society, it is evident that the 2d of April last. The Report of the Com- aggregate good done is considerably augmittee on that occasion detailed the means_mented by the continuance of this institution, which had been employed during the year to Your Committee might adduce many other

We congratulate the Christian world on the formation of a society, so supported and so patronised, whose attention is to be directed to supplying that grievous want of the Holy Scriptures, which is found to prevail among the poor of the metropolis. We trust that the powerful example of the first city in the world, thus recognising, almost in its corporate capacity, the paramount importance of the word of God to the happiness of man, will be felt, not only in every part of the British empire, but in every corner of the globe.

NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

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tian lives; and as I am fully persuaded of your charitable inclination to second such efforts, I take the liberty to beg your influence in recommending my crew to the Naval and Military Bible Society, for a supply of Bibles and Testaments in proportion to my complement of men."

powerful arguments, to prove that this Society is entitled to the countenance and sup port of every Christian, and of all true patriots: but they will content themselves with inquiring, whether it must not be very gratifying and encouraging to our sailors and soldiers, when far removed from their native land-contending with the dangers of the sea-with disease in unheathy climates-or" In a sloop I formerly commanded I

with the enemies of their country, to reflect, that there is a distinct Society of their countrymen at home, peculiarly alive to their religious interests, and providing for them exclusively the best source of instruction and consolation under all the hardships to which they are exposed?

"It is the duty of other departments, with much care and at great expense, to equip our forces with provisions, with clothing, and with arms, so as to fit then to meet the enemies of their king and country; and your Committee would ask the members of the Naval and Military Bible Society, and Britons in general, whether an appeal in behalf, of 560,000 of their countrymen in arins, shall be made in vain? and whether they will allow this institution to be abolished, or to fail for want of adequate support? an institution whose sole object is to provide these very men with the holy Scriptures, which, under the Divine blessing, will qualify them for that warfare wherein, as Christians, they must be engaged, and in which by far the greater number (as members of the Church of England) have pledged themselves manfully to fight under the banner of the King of kings, against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldiers and servants to their lives' end.""

Another Naval Officer thus writes:—

have been witness to the estimation in which sailors hold the sacred word; as, when they were wrecked, though their clothing was lost, yet they paid attention to the preservation of their Bibles, and used constantly to read them afterwards, when in prison."

The following is from a Military Officer :— "Inclosed herewith is the return required, and I beg to avail myself of this opportunity to express my satisfaction at the laudable intentions of the Naval and Military Bible Society; being convinced, in reference to this country, that by promulgating the aacred book as much as possible, the less probability will there be of the Papists making proselytes amongst my men, towards effecting which their labours never cease."

Another Military Officer observes :

"I have taken the liberty of acquainting you that I have, for a considerable time back, been in the habit of receiving from Colonel .... Bibles and Testaments to distribute to the Regiment of, but particularly to those poor married men, who are unable to purchase such:, I feel pleasure to say, I have good reason to believe that they were not given in vain, but that, through the mercy and grace of God in Christ Jesus, several have not only been made wise unto salvation, but are now walking in the ways of piety:

We extract a few of the testimonies al- upon this ground, I trust, Sir, you will be so luded to above.

The following letter from a Naval Officer was recommended strongly to the attention of the Committee by the Vice-Admiral of the station.

"The changes which have taken place in the crew of his Majesty's ship under my command, have very much reduced the books I procured for them, which I much regret, as I have har the comfort to observe the most happy effects on the lives of the crews of several ships I have commanded, in consequence of the distribution of the Scriptures among them; but very remarkably in this ship, having many men who, when I received them, were the most depraved creatures, but who through having their minds directed on the Sabbath invariably to a due observance thereof, and perusing the Gospels, are now, I am happy to say, leading sober and Chris

kind as to supply the place of the Colonel."

SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE.

An occasional Report, marked No.VI., has lately been published by this Society. Their former Report, we are happy to find, had produced such an accession of subscribers as enabled them to resume those active operations which had been in some measure suspended through a deficiency of funds. But for the narrowness of those funds their operations would have been much more extensive. They have entered, however, on five prosecutions, which they hope to bring to a successful issue.

The vigilance of the Society has continued to be directed to insuring the decorous observance of the Lord's-day, and its aid has been solicited by respectable individuals, clergymen, and even magistrates. In one

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