situation so revolting as that of holding property in their fellow-creatures. (Hear.) Bat, Sir, this is the exception, and not the rule; and we are not to resolve for the exception, but for the rule. We are bound to draw a line, which, as a rule, shall exclude from our fellowship all men holding property in men, and, still more, men who defend their right to do so. (Cheers.) You have heard the testimony borne by Mr. Garnett to the effect of American slavery, as sustained by the American Churches, on infidelity. You have heard him say, that nothing has contributed more, in many quarters, to steel men's hearts against the Gospel. Sir, I can believe it; and it has occurred to me to have had specimens of the thing to which our coloured brother has so touchingly adverted. With my own ears I heard Mr. Garrison declare-and, notwithstanding the horror with which the declaration filled ine, I can yet see in what light men will be affected by the fact-I heard Mr. Garrison declare, that "if slavery was founded in the Bible, and supplied with a bulwark by inspiration, he must reject inspiration;" and when he uttered the dreadful words, "Your God shall be my devil," notwithstanding, I say, the horror with which it filled me, I must say it should be considered, that if the language was dreadful, and altogether unwarrantable, still there must be something in a state of society which could prompt the conception, and the language in which it was expressed. On these grounds, Sir, I say, that great decision becomes us. Let us pass a resolution of a general nature, which will comprise slaveholders and their abettors in the mass, and, since every rule must have an exception, let it be left with each individual to make the exception in the case of such as may come before him claiming its benefit. If, on inquiry into all the facts and circumstances of an individual, still a slaveholder, I would,-satisfied of his integrity, and that he was the victim of his position, struggling to be free from fetters which were to him as galling as bondage was to those he held,-I would take that man to my bosom, invite him to the fellowship of my family and of my flock. (Cheers.) I, therefore, propose that we shall pass a declaratory resolution-not a recommendatory one-to the Churches. Let it be the act and deed of the Assembly now met. (Loud cheers.)

Dr. Campbell, Josiah Conder, Esq., and the Rev. Mr. Owen, were elected into a Sub-Committee, to draw up a resolution, which they presented in the terms following:

That this Assembly, while most anxious to reciprocate sentiments of fraternal regard and unity towards the Pastors and Churches in the United States of the same faith and order as the Churches in connection with this Union,-more especially to the descendants of the venerated Pilgrim Fathers in the New England States,-deem it their duty to renew their solemn and indignant protest against Slavery as still existing among the American Churches; and, in particular, to express their great surprise and deep regret at the conduct of those Ministers of various denominations who have given either their direct countenance or their tacit support to the Fugitive Slave-Law recently passed by the American Legislature; inasmuch as they cannot but regard that wicked and accursed statute as being, in the language of the eminent patriot and philanthropist, Judge Jay, "a palpable violation of the principles of justice, the rights of humanity, and the religion of Jesus Christ;" a statute to which no one who would obey God rather than man can consistently or righteously submit. And this Assembly earnestly pray, that it may please the Divine Head of the Church, in whom there is neither bond nor free, to open the eyes of the Ministers and Churches in the United States to the aggravated guilt of participating in the sin of man-stealing or holding their brethren in unjust and cruel bondage, which creates, in the judgment of this Union, an insuperable barrier to Christian fellowship with them on the part of all who reverence the authority of God and respect the inalienable rights of their fellow-men.

This having been moved by Josiah Conder, Esq., seconded by Rev. Mr. Owen, and supported by Rev. Dr. Campbell, was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.

The following resolution was then moved by Rev. Dr. Massie; seconded by Edward Swaine, Esq.; and carried:

That this Assembly, adverting to the announcement of a General Congress, to be held in this Metropolis in July next, for the promotion of measures calculated to bring about the entire abolition of War, cannot refrain from expressing the lively interest which they take in the object of the Society, and their earnest prayers for its success; entertaining, as they do, the firm conviction, that the predicted time is approaching, when, as the result of the reign of justice and freedom, nations shall learn war no more. That, without pronouncing on the principle of the unlawfulness of military defence, or of the military service when employed in the repression of crime, disorder, or hostile irruption, this Assembly avow their utter abhorrence of international war for purposes of territorial conquest, or on the pretext of effecting the settlement of differences, as condemned alike by religion, reason, justice, humanity, and the interest of peoples.

The Assembly was then adjourned till the Autumnal Session at Northampton.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS.

THE Annual Meeting of Members of the Baptist Missionary Society was held in the Library, at the Baptist Mission-house, Moorgate-street.

The year was begun with a debt of £6,357 98. 1d., inclusive of a balance of £1,554 14s. 1d., due on the account of the Special Grant to Jamaica. The debt on this latter account was to have been liquidated by charging every year the sum of 500 to the

For two years

general account of the Mission. this was accidentally omitted, but this year it has been done, and that account is now closed. The present balance, therefore, against the Society, which will appear in the account about to be read by the Treasurer, will be the amount of the entire debt. The total amount of receipts has been £19,064 18s. 5d., and the expenditure £18,459 0s. 8d.; the excess of income over expenditure is £605 178. 9d, which will reduce the balance due to the treasurers 19 £5,751 118. 40,

BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY.

THE Annual Meeting of the Baptist Irish Society was held on Tuesday, April 29th, at Finsbury Chapel; when J. L. PHILLIPS., Esq., presided.

JOSEPH TRITTON, Esq., the Treasurer, read the Report; after which he presented the financial statement, from which it appeared that the amount received from all sources was £2,297 15s. 8d. The expenditure exceeded the income by about £200. A balance remains due to the Treasurer of £1,828 4s. 1d.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting of the Baptist Society for Foreign Missions was held at Exeter-hall, April 30th. GEORGE GOODMAN, Esq., Mayor of Leeds, occupied the chair. The spacious edifice was well filled.

The Rev. FREDERICK TRESTRAIL, one of the Secretaries, read the Report.

S. M. PETO, Esq., Treasurer, submitted the cash account, from which it appeared that the receipts for the year amounted to £19,064 18s. 5d.; payments, £18,459 0s. 8d.; balance due to Treasurer, £5,751 11s. 4d. There had been received for the West India Cholera Fund, £2,151 6s. 1d.

VOLUNTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. THE Third Anniversary of this Institution was held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgatestreet.

The receipts of the Association for the year had amounted to £1,682 19s. 8d., which, with the balance in hand on March 31st, 1850, £922 11s. 8d., made a total on the receipt side of the account of £2,605 11s. 4d. The expenditure had amounted to £1,776 13s. 5d., leaving a balance in hand of £828 17s. 11d. With reference to the Normal-school for young men, the Committee had to report, that during the year eight pupils had completed their course of study, five pupils had been admitted, and the present number in the Institution was six, on whose account the Committee were open to receive applications from schools requiring masters. The Training-school for young women had continued to prosper so far as the educational progress of its inmates was concerned; but the Committee regretted that the advantages of this Institution had not been more widely extended. The sum of £84 had been granted to necessitous schools in Great Britain. To schools in the West Indies upwards of £500 had been appropriated, in grants of from £5 to £15 each. Upon a retrospect of the past year, the Com. mittee expressed their conviction, that, were the Society duly supported by all who concurred in its principles, it would be enabled to realize the utmost wishes of its promoters; but that its present position, though far from discouraging, called loudly for the increased and persevering exertions of its friends.

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MISSIONS. THE Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held in Exeter-hall on Monday evening, May 5th, when the chair was taken by His Grace the DUKE of ARGYLL,

The Rev. L. MACBETH read the Report, which noticed the Home, Foreign, and Jewish missions of the Scottish Church. The sum collected for the whole was £27,470. In addition to this £25,000 had been raised for endowing poor churches in destitute parts of Scotland; £20,000 more had been annually collected, which does not appear on the ordinary Missionary lists, for purposes of education in places in a similar condition. Touching the Foreign Missions, it appeared that 2,000 boys were under a course of instruction in their mission-schools in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay; and 700 girls in the schools and orphanages of the "Ladies' Association for the Promotion of Female Education in India." With reference to the home mission scheme, it also came out that there were between 16,000 and 17,000 in the schools of the Assembly, all of whom were beyond the reach of the ordinary parochial provision; 124 places of worship were receiving aid from the Society, the members of which are gradually enabled to become self-supporting, and so allow the assistance to be transferred to other places hitherto neglected for want of funds. With regard to the Jews, it appeared that the missionaries numbered only five; five Jews had formally renounced their Judaism, and professed the faith of the Gospel during the present year; and to these must be added 20 adult heathen, in various parts of the world, who had been brought to Christ through the instrumentality of these Jewish missionaries. It was intimated that a Syrian priest, with no fewer than 150 of his charge, were now waiting for a fitting opportunity to come over en masse to the Protestant Church.

INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE DAUGHTERS OF MISSIONARIES, WALTHAMSTOW.

THE Twelfth Annual Meeting of the friends and supporters of this valuable Institution was held in Crosby-hall, Bishopsgate-street, on Tuesday, the 29th of April; J. A. HARDCASTLE, Esq., M.P., in the chair. An admirable and highly-gratifying Report was read by the Rev. E. Prout, and the meeting was addressed by the Rev. Eustace Carey, the Rev. Dr. Tidman, the Rev. Dr. Morison, the Rev. Robert Machray, Charles Reed, Esq., and T. Piper, Esq.

The Report stated, that forty-six children, the offspring of parents devoted to the cause of God in heathen lands, have composed the Mission family. Six of these are literally orphans, some are motherless; but here they have found maternal care and tenderness, united to a sound and liberal education; and He whose paternal eye watches over his children, has cared for them, and shielded them from disease and death, so that no serious evil has come nigh their dwelling. Of those who were there at the commencement of the last year, eight have returned to their parents, and have either reached home, or are on their way to it.

The income for the past year, derived from collections, donations, subscriptions, and pay ments by parents, together with the balance in hand, was £1,454 28. 7d. From the Bazaar there has been received £922 13s. 9d. The expenditure has been £1,421 10s. 4d.; and the Society has £1,000 Three per Cent Consols. The balance in the Treasurer's hands is £104 25,

CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.

THE Twenty-fifth Annual Meeting of the above Society was held on Wednesday evening, the 6th of May, at Falcon-square Chapel.

The Rev. ROBERT ASHTON read the report; of which the following is an abstract :

"There are nearly 100 Associations, comprising 2,000 visitors, who visit about 50,000 families. On the districts occupied by the Associations, there are 73 preaching stations, where prayer is offered, and the words of eternal truth are proclaimed. More than 1,500 children have been gathered into Sabbath-schools; about 1,500 persons prevailed on to attend public worship; upwards of 1,740 cases of distress relieved; and 470 copies of the Holy Scriptures procured for the visited; and in addition to 50,000 covered tracts in constant circulation, many thousands of tracts have been promiscuously distributed.

"Some of the agents of the City Mission, feeling the necessity of coadjutors in their important and self-denying labours, are forming Visiting Societies on their districts.

"Some churches the Committee would refer to as specimens of earnest and combined effort for the good of their respective localities, each being marked by peculiar characteristics, and worthy of universal imitation. Craven Chapel, with its nearly 100 visitors, whose systematic and well-sustained attempts to close shops on the Sabbath are deserving of all praise; the Tabernacle Association, marked by its earnest and persevering efforts to crowd that ancient edifice with worshippers on the Lord's day; Union Chapel, Horsleydown, distinguished for zealous out-door and street efforts to induce men first to hear abroad, and then to conduct the hearers to the house of prayer; Surrey Chapel, with its 22 preachers, who, in various rooms and streets in the most wretched parts adjacent, "hold forth the word of life;" and Mile-end New Town Chapel, with its devoted band of agents, whose enlarged and wide-spread efforts in tract-distribution are deserving all praise.

"The following tracts, among others, are specified as having been the means of conversion:-'For Ever,' 'Are you Fit to Die?' The Swearer's Prayer,' 'The Riches of Grace,' The Traveller Arrived at the End of his Journey,' Hinder Me Not,' The Bar of Iron.'

"The distribution of tracts at Greenwich, Wandsworth, and Fairlop Fairs, has been vigorously prosecuted; thousands of tracts have also been given at various services in the tent, and streets, and also at the lectures and discourses to the working classes. In this department of labour the Committee have been greatly assisted by the generous grants of the Religious Tract Society.

"Numerous grants of tracts, both plain and covered, amounting to several thousand copies, have been made by the Committee to Associations both in town and country. The number of covered tracts sold to Associations has been 67,900; and a considerable order has been executed for the Association at Hobart Town, Van Dieman's Land. The Committee, through their Secretary, prevailed on Rev. C. G. Finney to deliver three Lectures at the Tabernacle, to the visitors and friends of the various Christian

Instruction Associations in London, with a view to impart a fresh impulse to the holy cause, and enlist more visitors in connection with their respective churches. The Tabernacle was crowded with willing and earnest hearers, and all appeared deeply interested in the object."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE
SOCIETY.

THE Forty-seventh Anniversary Meeting of this great Institution was held on Wednesday, May 7, at Exeter-hall. The chair was taken at eleven o'clock by the Right Hon. Lord ASHLEY, M.P.

The financial statement was as follows:

The entire receipts of the year ending March 31st, 1851, amount to £103,330 2s. 8d.; being an increase of £11,695 10s. 1d. on those of last year. The receipts applicable to the general purposes of the Society have amounted to £53,795 78. 10d., including £33,896 0s. 10d., free contributions from Auxiliary Societies. The amount received for Bibles and Testaments is £49,534 148. 10d.

The issues of the Society for the year are as follow :

From the depôt at home. . 788,073
349,544
From the depôts abroad

THE Annual Meeting of this Union was held on Thursday evening, May 8, in Exeter Hall, which was crowded in every part. RICHARD HARRIS, Esq., M.P., in the chair.

W. H. WATSON, Esq., read the report. "With regard to foreign affairs, it appeared that the schools in the neighbourhood of Copenhagen (Denmark) were still sustained by the Committee. The Committee expressed great gratification at having received copies of a French Sunday-school Magazine. In Van Dieman's Land, the schools in connection with the Union were 22, teachers 165, and scholars 1,335. Several of these scholars had been admitted to the churches during the past year. From New Zealand, the accounts were very encouraging. Grants of libraries had been made to schools in the West Indies, which were received with great thankfulness. Trinidad, too, was the subject of interesting reference. During the past year £175 had been granted, in ten sums, in aid of erecting school-rooms. 221 libraries had been granted; making a total of 2,298, affording the means of self-instruction to no fewer than 40,000 scholars, of whom 23,507 were Scripture readers. The retail value of these 221 libraries was £1,252, which had been furnished to the schools for the sum of £419. The following are the particulars of the returns which have been received of the schools within a circle of five miles from the General Post-office:

Total 490

99,936

69,968

9,512 No report has been obtained from 191 unconnected schools, and, if the numbers contained in those schools are in proportion to those which have been reported, the grand total will be-schools 681, teachers 13,220, scholars 138,891; average attendance 97,241, or little more than two-thirds. After a few words on Sunday postal labour, the report touched on the subject of criminal statistics. It will be remembered that a return was procured, some two years back, with regard to the numbers of Sabbath-school scholars incarcerated for the infraction of some criminal law. The result was, that the statistics thus obtained presented the alarming fact, that a larger proportion of children from Sabbath-schools had rendered themselves amenable to the laws of their country, than from those portions of society which had been deprived of such advantages. Whilst, to many minds, these statistics commended themselves as truthful, and were received with deep grief, in other directions they were regarded with a smile of incredulity, while a portion wholly rejected them.

This led to an

investigation on the part of the Committee of the Sunday-school Union, which resulted in the conclusion, that not only were many of these youths wholly undeserving of credibility, from the fact of its being greatly to their interest to conceal the facts of their past history so far as it was not already known to the police, but that in looking at the fearful numbers who were said to have been in Sunday-schools, a very large proportion had only just passed through them, and could not, therefore, be said to have ever been brought fully under Sabbath-school instruction. The Committee, therefore, hoped that those teachers who had been somewhat disheartened by the credence which these statistics had obtained, would now take courage, seeing that they were clearly founded on a misconception. In conclusion, the report next adverted to a subject which had been more or less the subject of comment in most reports this year-Popery. Teachers were strongly urged to take some means of thoroughly acquainting themselves with the leading errors of this pernicious system."

LONDON CITY MISSION. THE Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, May 8, in the Large Room, Exeter Hall.

The Rev. J. GARWOOD read the report, which stated that the affairs of the Mission were in a prosperous condition. The number of Missionaries at present engaged was 245. The receipts amounted to £23,053 198. 4d.; being an in

crease on the receipts of the previous year of £2,733 18. 9d. The number of visits paid by. the Missionaries was 1,180,911, an increase on last year of 162,475; tracts distributed, 1,326,372, an increase of 128,419; meetings for prayer and familiar expositions of Scripture was 20,377, an increase of 446. The number of Scriptures given away was 3,925, an increase of 835; the number of readings of the Scriptures in the houses of the poor was 336,364, an increase of 7,587; children sent to schools, 5,659, an increase of 491; shops closed on the Sunday, 107, an increase of 5. The report closed with an expression of the gratitude of the Committee for the support now afforded to the Mission, and an appeal for still further liberality.

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. THE Fifty-second Annual Meeting was held at Exeter Hall on Friday Evening, May 9th.

WILLIAM JONES, Esq., the Secretary, read the report, of which the following is an abstract:

It gave an encouraging sketch of the Society's operations during the year, in the printing and distribution of religious publications through the agency of the Society in various parts of the world-France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, India, China, the Georgian and Society Islands, Southern, Northern, and Western Africa, the West Indies, and Great Britain. The report then noticed the special objects to which the Committee had given their attention. With a view to meet the circumstances of the times, they had offered books and tracts on Popery at half-price, and premiums for essays on the errors of that system. The adjudication on the larger MSS., sent in competition for the prizes on the present state of the manufacturing classes, was announced. Also, the efforts made in the publication of books and tracts in connection with the Great Exhibition, colportage in Ireland, the counteraction of unsound and immoral literature, and the supply of libraries for several important purposes. The grant made to District Visiting, City and Town Missions, Christian Instruction, and kindred Societies, for Sabbath-day circulation, soldiers, sailors, emigrants, inmates of prisons, hospitals, and union-houses, railway workmen, fairs, races, and foreigners, in England, home missionary agents, convict-ships, colliers, and miscellaneous objects, amounted to 2,875,502 publications, of the value of £3,067 98. 2d. The libraries granted for destitute districts, schools, national and British schoolmasters, and union-houses, amounted to 712. The issues from the Depository during the year have been 20,840,000, being an increase of 1,594,559 on the preceding year; making the total circulation, at home and abroad, amount to about 549,000,000, in about 110 languages. The benevolent income, inclusive of that for special objects, has amounted to £7,202 4s. 3d., being an increase of nearly £2,000; the legacies have been £682; and the amount received for sales, £50,902 1s. 8d. The Society's total receipts, including the sales, £62,169 98. 11d. The report concluded by earnestly impressing upon the friends of the Society the necessity for enlarged and persevering efforts in the circulation of religious publications.

The Inquisition; Its History, Influences, and Effects, from the First Establishment to the Present Time. Hardy and Sons.

THIS publication, already in its fourth thousand, is remarkably opportune, as contributing materially to illustrate a most important subject, at the present hour. We know not by whom the work has been put together, but the facts are carefully selected, well arranged, and so adjusted, as to exhibit the great facts of the mighty question. It is, to a large extent, a history of horrors. It exhibits, what may be called, the most striking features of the Pandemonium Chronicle of savage cruelty, as practised in an Inquisition. In fact, it appears as if the history of that Institution had been carefully ransacked, for the sake of culling the more telling points. The volume cannot be too extensively circulated, since it is impossible to read it, without imbibing impressions which no time will obliterate. We desire for it a most extensive circulation in England, since it were difficult to produce a more solemn and condemnatory verdict against the system. The system that produced it, must be from hell. On this point we have no patience to argue. From first to last, it is outwardly and inwardly, from top to bottom, every way Satanic. The book is especially one for young people, who will read it with immense avidity.

The Genius of Popery opposed to the Principles of Civil and Religious Liberty. Hardy and Sons.

This volume, like the foregoing, is extremely seasonable. Its object is different, its flight is loftier; it addresses itself to a higher order of mind, and approaches the precincts of morality and legislation. It is an exhibition of Popery in its fuller developments, showing its utter incompatibility with civil and religious libertythat such liberties have ever expired wherever it became established, and that they can never be established where it is in the ascendant-that they are in a state of constant and eternal antagonism, and never can be reconciled. The book is marked by a commendable vehemence, for it is difficult to speak of such subjects in language which, in point of intensity, can exceed the character of the subjects discussed. The writer has taken a wide survey of the mighty field before him, and collected his facts from an extended surface. He has shown that Popery is now precisely what it was in the darkest ages, and that while things all around it are changed, there is no change in it. It is very clearly made out that the priesthood of Rome never can be good members of a free country-that Popery is the implacable foe of Popular Education.

The writer has dealt with great effect on the bearings of Popery on morality, and freedom of thought, giving the place which is due to that terrible engine of modern mischief-the Confessional, showing how effectively it dissolves the bonds of civil society. Maynooth has not escaped without proper animadversion, and Popery and the Press have been very ably descanted on. The Canon Law, the Papal Creed, the claims of Councils, and many other subjects, are well dis

cussed. We ask for this work also an extensive circulation, since it is excellently suited for the more intelligent portion of the general public.

The Primitive Christian. By CESAR MALAN, D.D.

THIS interesting narrative has special reference to the early publications in Provence, and very materially serves to illustrate many points affecting the two great subjects of Popery and Protestantism. There is a considerable dash of originality about it. The volume is characteristic, close in thought, abrupt in its transitions, vivacious, and yet pathetic. It is conducted in the form of a dialogue, which has been eustained with great success. A geometrician is introduced as one of the principal parties, who, with a traveller, argues matters with great spirit and considerable learning. The geometrician is a shrewd, bold, pertinacious disputant, but the traveller proves more than a match for him. The book cannot fail to be read with interest.

By J.

A Description of the Electric Indicator. RUTTER, F.R.A.S. Horne and Co. THE Electric Telegraph is the wonder of our age, and threatens to become the mistress of the world. Annihilating space, it will enable men in both hemispheres and at both poles, to speak together. But much as the world has heard and wondered at the marvellous power of this invisible agent, very few know anything about the mechanism of its operation; and of the Indicator they know still less, since, although in some respects it resembles the Telegraph, in others it is totally dissimilar. It operates in ways which could never have been anticipated. One of its uses is for the preservation of life and the protection of property, the Indicator giving instant and unerring warning of danger, whether from fire or burglary. The Telegraph comes promptly to assist in detecting crime, apprehending offenders, and communicating mind; the Indicator, however, takes precedence,-its special office being to give notice of approaching peril, by which the danger to life, the destruction of premises, the abstraction of property, and the perpetration of crime, may be prevented. The Telegraph, powerful, truthful, and quick as it is, requires thoughts, and eyes, and hands, to impart intelligence to it; the Indicator, however, is self-acting, less time than is usually occupied in winding up a watch being all that is required daily for perfecting its arrangements. We must not enlarge. For the insignificant sum of twopence, the whole history of this marvellous instrument may be understood.

A Grammar of General Geography, for the Use of Schools and Young Persons; with Maps and Illustrations by Goldsmith. Revised, Corrected, and greatly Enlarged. By EDWARD HUGHES, Head Master of the Royal Naval Lower School, Greenwich. Longman and Co. THIS Geography has long possessed something approaching to a monopoly; and, under its present improved auspices, it bids fair to maintain a large portion of its ancient empire. Mr.