nity, which shall do honour to the Gospel of Christ. To all these I beseech the Be ing, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy,' to incline your hearts; and that He will nourish you with all good ness, and of His great mercy keep you in the same. Vast as is the extent of this Diocese, and varions as are the duties imposed upon me, I must not hope, even if life be spared me for some years to come, to be, an eye witness of your progress; but though absent, I shall endeavour to hear of your affairs; and I trust, that what I shall hear, will afford me satisfaction and comfort; that so my visit to this place may be associated in my mind with something even more gratifying than your personal attention and kindness; I mean your advancement as a Christian Community, and the probable extension, through your means, of the Kingdom of Christ. We will now proceed to the Table of our Redeemer; 10 which, as being on the point of leaving you, I have called you by a special invitation, there to draw still closer these ties of Curistian love, and to ask the succours of Divine Grace, that we "Great things are going on here," says a most respectable clergyman, in a recent communication from Calcutta, " and in five years time this will be an altered place, When I came here I passed through the Native district, as a being unconnected with the crowds who surrounded me, unnoticed and unknown. Now I am recognized with evident pleasure by the children, or their parents, who stop to make their salam. The former often surround my buggy, or run along by the side calling out, "Sahib, when will you come! Oh! he says, he will come to-morrow?" This is charming, and makes me love and pity them more and more. Our school system will soon be considerably enlarged, and when the spirit of enquiry is abroad, as it is now in a wonderful degree, the solemn exhibition of Christian may in all things approve ourselves unto worship in our principal stations, God our Saviour." P. 23. We have thus presented our readers with the larger portion of this discourse; if we had merely consulted our own inclinations we should have reprinted it entire; as every sentence affords proof of the wis dom and piety of its author; and is calculated to excite the attention, not only of his immense, and most important diocese, but of all friends to the advancement of genuine Christianity. The success of his lordship's labours will make a considerable addition to the claims already established by his character and attainments; and we are happy to learn, that there is every prospect of seeing that success abundant. will greatly tend to decide the waversing, and to impress the sincere enquirer after truth. There are some among the Natives who steal in to observe, and perhaps in heart to join our worship, and I trust that the opportunity will quickly be thrown open to them, wherever our power extends." The means of improvement among the Europeans are also increasing with rapidity; and the general disposition is decidedly good-the Bishop of Calcutta and his Clergy are gradually acquiring that influence, to which zeal, united with discre t.on, must ultimately lead, and from a perseverance in the plans which are maturing, there is every thing to hope. } MONTHLY REGISTER. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Extracts from the Annual Report of the Halifax Diocesan Cummittee, for 1019.6 2 1/2 gldemon "The Halifax Diocesan Committee have pleasure in presenting the following, as the Fifth Annual Report of their proceedings: “Although some little portion of the discouragement, which has grown out of the general embarrassments of the times,. has affected even their humble efforts, they are thankful to be enabled, at the close of another year, to assure all who take an interest in the diffusion of Christian Knowledge, that the quiet progress of those important objects which prompt their labours and their prayers, continues, under the blessing of Providence, to afford them much comfort, and to demand their lively gratitude. "1. The correspondence with the Parent Society, which has been full of encouragement, from the first formation of this Committee, still cheers their exertions and animates their zeal. "The names of twenty-five new members have been forwarded to England in the last year. "2. The Committee have the liveliest pleasure in continuing to bear testimony to the enlargement of the several District Committees in different parts of this Diocese; to their unabated zeal; and to the increase of their usefulness. "The Committees at Fredericton and St. John's, in New Brunswick, under the immediate and most zealous patronage of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of that Province, have already become, by a great accession of new members, so extensive, and have had need of so large a supply of books, that they considered it more convenient, especially as it would save them much time, to open a direct communication with the Parent Society, and receive some of their supplies immiediately from London, instead of procuring the whole from this Committee. The cause of this change will be very gratifying to every member of the Society, especially as care has been taken to guard against the necessity for any separation from the Diocesan Committee. Indeed, the most af fectionate intercourse is kept up between all the Committees, and no endeavours are wanting to make their cordial co operation extensively useful. Their stock of books is very ample, and easy of access to seve ral surrounding parishes, and individual members of the Society, who gladly avail themselves of the facilities thus afforded for obtianing such supplies as they require. The demand is very considerable already, and is likely to increase daily. "At St. Andrew's the Committee which had been particularly distinguished by their activity, were some time in recovering from the loss they sustained, in the death of the venerable Rector of that Parish, and several other valuable members; and the delay that arose in obtaining a successor to the living, as well as some little local difficulties, cliccked the exertions of the Committee for a season. These difficulties are now happily removed, and the Committee are again in active operation under the valuable superintendance of the present Rector. "In Prince Edward Island, the Committee at Charlotte Town continue to enjoy the zealous regard of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor of that Colony. They have favoured the Diocesan Committee with particular minutes of their proceedings from time to time, which afford honourable testimony to the exist ence of the same zeal and regularity with which they began their course. This Committee have also received several supplies of Books. 3. The distribution of Books and Tracts from the stores at Halifax has hardly been so extensive as in a former year, not because the demand can have been much lessened by former supplies, for an extensive circulation is generally found to increase the call for them; but partly, it is to be feared, from the difficulty which may be experienced in many places, in making payment for them, and partly on account of the direct importa tious to New Brunswick by the District Committees there. "But notwithstanding these circumstances the distribution has been very considerable. Besides numerous gratui tous supphes to small settlements and in dividuals, the wants of various places have been more abundantly satisfied. Through the benevolence of His Excellency the Right Honourable the Earl of Dalhousie, a supply of Books to the amount of 201, has been forwarded to the new military settlement of Dalhousie at his Lordship's expence, in addition to partial distributions of Books on a more limited scale by the Rev. John Millidge, of Aunapolis, when employed upon pastoral visits to this settlement in the midst of the forest. "An assortment of valuable Books .bas also been forwarded to the new military settlement of Sherbrooke, near Chester, at the expence of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. "A Collection has been made in the Church of St. Paul at Halifax to the amount of 391. 58. 2d. for the supply of Books to the Poor of the Parish. "A C Hection amounting to 36l. 18. 6d. has also been made in the Church of Trinity at St. John's, New Brunswick, for a similar purpose in that Parish. "Smaller collections and subscriptions have been made at different times in other places, from which a particular statement has not yet been forwarded. Fredericton, Kingston, St. Andrew's, and Sackville, in New Brunswick, and Annapolis, Gran ville, Yarmouth, Chester, and Gaysborough in this Province, and Charlotte Town in Prince Edward Island, and Sydney in Cape Breton, are to be distinguished among these-and even the scattered settlements on Margaret's Bay, where there is neither Church nor Minister, although the people are anxionsly desirous of both, have lately sent forward their little subscription of 9l. 18. Od. as their first effort to supply themselves with Books of religious instruction. "The Committee earnestly recommend the repetition of these collections and subscriptions in all places where their benefit has already been felt-and an imitation of their example to all other parishes and settlements." 5. The National School under the charge of this Committee, continues by its increasing usefulness, to afford the most abundant satisfaction. "An Examination of both Boys and Girls took place very soon after the publication of the last year's Report, attended by the Earl and Conntess of Dalhousie, the Members of His Majesty's Conncil, the House of Assembly, the Trustees and Superintendants of both Schools, many of the Parents of the Children, and numerous other visitors. "The appearance of the children—their perfect acquaintance with every thing they had learnt, and their general progress, conld not fail to gratify all who were pre sent-At the close of their examination in Reading, Writing, Cyphering, English Grammar, and Geography; the Children produced the numerous tickets of merit which they had received in the course of the preceding year, and appropriate medals and rewards were presented to the most descrving, from the hands of the Earl and Countess of Dalhousie. The rewards for the Girls' School were almost entirely supplied by the bounty of many Ladies who take a very lively interest in the prosperity of the Institution, "Since the time of this Examination every advantage, that was hoped for from the attention of the monthly superintendants for both Schools, has been obtained, and the Committee cannot omit to offer their sincere acknowledgements for such important benefits, and especially to those Ladies who have given in their turn, almost a daily superintendance to the School. Nor is it possible for them to exceed what is due, in expressing their most particular and grateful acknowledgements for the advantages which the Institution has derived from the countenance, the example, and the personal attendance of the Countess of Dalhousie. But Her Ladyship, and the other Superintendants, have higher satisfaction than these thanks can afford, in knowing that the attendance of the children, both at School and at Public Worship has been more regular and more constant-they have improved in the neatness of their appearance; and in their general habits and behaviour: they have made a rapid progress in the acquirement of useful knowledge, and it is humbly hoped, that by the blessing of divine Providence, a permanent foundation has been laid for their religious and moral principles and conduct. "The reports which have been forwarded to the Committee from the National School at St. John's, New Brunswick, are of the most gratifying nature, and represent it to be of very high reputation, and an acknowledged blessing to that city. The number of pupils is very little inferior to the number at Halifax. The Institution is honoured by the very active patronage of His Excellency the Lieute naut-Governor, and the most respectable persons in the city are its most zealous friends. The master, Mr Bragg, fully an swers the high expectations which were formed of him: his wife has been well instructed in the system, and has now opened a School for Girls which is already in a very promising state. "A valuable building has been erected for the School, which contains one of the largest rooms in either Province, and was opened on Christmas-Eve in a very mteresting manner. A public and most satisfactory examination of the Children was held on this occasion, and appropriate rewards were distributed to the most deserving by the Lieutenant-Governor. The Institution has been incorporated by a charter from His Excellency-a valuable grant of land has already been given to it; and another is expected—a stock of School Books, and other necessary articles, suf ficient for the whole Province for several years, has been imported from Englaud; and every School in New Brunswick that introduces the Madras System is gratuitously supplied with them-a choir of singers for the Church have been selected from the Scholars: they have been carefully and ably instructed in psalmody, according to the Madras System, which is found perfectly applicable to musical in struction, and perform their part of the Public Service in the most engaging manner. In short, the whole of the concerns of this important Institution appear to be already in as prosperous and promising a condition as its warmest friends can desire. "At the close of this report, the Com mittee are called upon, by every impulse of respect and gratitude, to repeat their sincere acknowledgements, of the important benefits, which have been conferred upon their objects by the continued en couragement, the liberal assistance, and the condescending and patient attention of their Noble Patron, who has on every occasion most cheerfully given his valuable time and counsel, and opened his purse, when either could promote the designs of this Committee." Clergy Orphan Corporation. THE children of this establishment were publicly examined on Monday, May 22d, before a numerous and respectable assembly; and acquitted themselves in a manner which called forth universal approbation. On Thursday, May 24th, six additional children were elected. The following account of the proceedings of the Corporation is extracted from the Report which has just been pub. lished: "AT the period of the Reformation, the Church of England was rescued from the errors of Popery; and its Ministers, whom one of those errors had condemned to celibacy, were restored to the charities of domestic life. But, unfortunately, no suitable provision was then made for a married Parochial Clergy, as no restoration took place of that portion of the revenues of the Church, which had been alienated to monastic uses. "The insufficiency of many benefices, stripped of the most valuable part of their tithes, to afford a provision for the families of the Incumbents, was, even at that time, felt and lamented." "On this account in 1749 some benevolent individuals formed themselves into a Society for this specific purpose; and in the year 1809 it was incorporated by the title of The Governors of the Society for cloathing, maintaining, and educating Poor Orphans of Clergymen of the Estab lished Church, in that Part of the United Kingdom, called England, until of Age to be put Apprentice. It would be ungrateful not to state, that the Act of Incor-, poration was obtained at the sole expence Sof that munificent Prélate, the present Lord Bishop of Durham, who has added to this, and other instances of liberality, a Fecent donation of 500. "To shew the necessity of such an establishment it will be sufficient to state, that the Clergy of England and Wales amount to more than 10,000. The income of a large proportion of this number, probably one-haif, is such, that, though managed with the greatest prudence, it cannot afford the means of making a provision for the contingency of an Orphan family. It hap pens also, not unfrequently, that the father, after having been placed in a situation, which might have enabled him to accom plish this most desirable object, is spatched away from his children by a premature death. Distress must therefore often unavoidably result from these causes; and and laudable Charity, which provides for that will surely be deemed a most useful the maintenance and education of Orphans, deprived of the Parent, whose professional income was their chief, and perhaps their sole support and stay. "The Schools instituted for this purpose subsisted for several years at Acton, and Lisson Green upon a smaller scale. In the year 1812, a spacious building, calculated for the reception of more than 160) children, was erected by subscription, in a healthy situation near the Regent's Park, Mary-le bone. "The Schools for the Male and Female, Orphans are thus brought together for the purpose of being more effectually superin tended by the Committees; but they are still, as they were originally, establishments in all respects distinct and separate. "The number of Children, which the Schools are capable of receiving, is much greater than the present funds of the Charity enable it to maintain; and at every election the painful necessity recurs of passing over cases of urgent distress. But, in determining the extent of the building, the Committee were guided not by the actual, but by the probable future revenue of the Institution. Resting their expectations upon the well-known liberal spirit of the country, they felt assured that, when Schools were erected to contain an increased number of Orphans, an increased influx of contributions would enable them to carry their design into full effect. - Nor have they since had reason to think that this expectation was ill-founded; for much has already been effected, though much still remains to be done. "At the completion of the present building the number of children on the establishment scarcely exceeded eighty, whereas the number at present is about one hundred; and the whole number educated by the Society, since its first establishment, amounts to more than nine hundred. «This statement is full of satisfaction with reference to the past, and full of enconragement with regard to the future. The increased interest, which has been lately manifested for the Institution, justifies the hope, that as the knowledge of its character and beneficial effects is more widely diffused, it will be enabled to extend its usefulness by additional contributions to its funds. And surely no Institution can prefer a stronger claim to general support from the friends of the Established Church in every part of England. For it is not of a local but of a general nature; it does not select its objects from the metropolis, or its vicinity; but, as far as its means extend, it takes under its protection the Orphans of the Clergy wherever they may be found. "The Right Honourable and Right Rev. the President of the Society, the Lord Bishop of London, ever attentive to its concerns, has not only made it more generally known throughout his Diocese, but has recommended its present circumstances to the consideration of the other Prelates; who have all added largely to their Annual Subscriptions. Their example has been followed by public bodies, and by the opnlent and the liberal among the Laity, and the Clergy. Increased assistance has been given by many, who were already contributors to the Institution; and many others, as soon as its merits, and its wants were pointed out to them, have willingly placed their names on the list of its Subscribers. "The Society has also to congratulate itself upon a distinguished mark of Royal favour. His Majesty, King George the Fourth, desirous to testify his approbation of its designs, recently ordered a donation of a hundred guineas to be transmitted to the Treasurers, and conferred a high additional valne upon the gift by declaring at the same time his gracious intention to become the Patron of the Institution. "The Committee cannot but hail this token of Royal approbation as an auspicions omen. They confidently anticipate the increasing prosperity of a Society patronized by the Supreme Head of the Church of England, and supported by all its Prelates; a Society, which ranks among its Subscri bers most of the beneficed Clergy, and many distinguished individuals of the Laity of the kingdom. And they trust, that at no distant period the extended beneficence both of the Clergy and the Laity will enable them, under the blessing of Divine Providence, to give full operation to the design of the Institution, and to educate in their Schools the whole number of Orphans which the Schools are calculated to receive. "May, 1820." "Such persons as may be induced, by the above account of this Institution, to become Contributors, are requested to order their Benefactions or Subscriptions to be paid to the account of the Treasurer, at Messrs. Drummonds, Charing-cross, or at Messrs. Sikes, Snaith, and Co. 5, MansionHouse-street; or to J. B. Morgan, Esq. the Secretary, Doctors' Commons; or to Mr. H. Stretton, the Collector, No. 6, Bartletts' Buildings, Holborn." A Statement of the Account from February, 1819, to February, 1820. |