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and so truly respectable as the English.

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We have already purchased a considerable quantity of fire wood, which, you know, is an article of great moment at this time: but we have been obliged to pay 13 rix-dollars for a fathom; which, last year, only cost three *. We have also been distributing ready money, in

small sums.'

In consequence of a Circular Let ter sent to many ministers and gentlemen, several collections have been

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made; but what has been res ceived is as yet very insufficient to discharge the sum expended forTM seed-corn, purchased by the Committee. It remains with the public to determine, whether that corn can be sent for gratuitous distribution" among the poor Swedes or not.

**The smallest donations are

thankfully received by Mess. Hardcastle and Reyner, Treasurers, Old Swan Stairs; J. Butterworth, 43; Fleet Street; and Mess. Coutts and Co. Bankers, Strand.

*Sweden used to be supplied with fuel from Finland.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY.. The following is the Arrangement of the next General Annual Meeting:

WEDNESDAY Morning, May 10, Surry Chapel, the Rev. JAMES PEDDIE, of Edinburgh, will preach.

Wednesday Evening, Tabernacle, the Rev. J. CLAYTON, jun. will preach. Thursday Morning, at the Rev. Mr. Wall's Meeting-House, Pavement, Moorfields, the Members of the Society will meet to elect Officers and Di rectors for the ensuing Year, to hear the Report of the Directors, and transact the General Business of the Institution.

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Thursday Evening, Tottenham Court Chapel, the Rev. Jostan R. RICHARDS, late of Hull, will preach.

Friday Morning, St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, the Rev. JOHN KING MARTYN, jun. M. A. Curate of Pertenhall, near Kimbolton, will preach. Friday Afternoon, at Four o'clock, the Members of the Society will

meet for Business, at the School-Room of Sion Chapel.

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Friday Evening, Sion Chapel, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered to those Members and Friends of the Society who are Stated Communicants. No others can be admitted.-Tickets for Admission may be had of their respective Ministers.

Morning-Services to begin at Half past Ten, and the Evening at
A Collection will be made at each of the Places.

Six o'clock.

We are desired to say, That the front seats of the galleries being reserved for the ministers, it is respectfully requested, that other gentlemen will not oc cupy them.

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The Annual Meeting of the BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY will be held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, on Wednesday, the 3d of May, instant, at Eleven o'clock. - The President will take the Chair precisely at Twelve.

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The Annual Meeting of the RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY will be held on Thursday, May 11, at Seven in the Morning, at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, opposite Threadneedie Street, the Room at the New London having been found too small.

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The Annual Meeting of Subscribers and Friends to the HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, for the Diffusion of Religious Knowledge in Ireland, will be held

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at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, London, on Friday, the 12th of May, at Seven in the Morning.

GENERAL CONGREGATIONAL UNION. Wednesday, the 17th, a Sermon will be preached by the Rev. Ma Bogue, of Gosport, before the Members and Friends of the Union, at the Rev. Mr. Wall's, Moorfields; after which, the Committee's Report will be read, and the business of the Society transacted. - The Friends of the Union are respectfully requested to breakfast together, at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, at seven o'clock in thẹ Morning of the same day.

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MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c.

W. N. Tweedmouth, 17. - R. S. G. 17. 18.

Rev. Mr. Stodhart and Congregation, Mulberry Gardens
Rev. Mr. Bogue aud Congregation, Gosport

W.

Tutors of Children of the late Mr. T. Cuthbertson, Lyon Cross,
Neilson, North Britain

W. K. H.

A Lady in Edinburgh, by the Rev. Dr. Buchanan, in Aid of the
Plans carrying on for the Conversion of the Jews
Fetter Lane, Auxiliary Society, by J. Bunnel, Esq. Treasurer

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

DEMARARA.

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We have the pleasure of communicating to our readers further information, of a very pleasing nature, from this colony. It cannot fail to afford to all Christians who peruse it, and especially to the Members of the Missionary Society, the greatest satisfaction to find that our sable brethren are thus happily visited with the great salvation; and, we doubt not, it will give a new zest to the enjoyment of the Missionary Anniver sary which is at hand; it will excite praise, enliven prayer, and ani

mate to fresh exertions.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Wray, dated Feb. 14, 1809.

I HAVE reason to believe, that 150 negroes are earnestly seeking the salvation of their souls, - most of whom never heard of a Saviour before my arrival, and many of them were nearly as ignorant of God as the beasts of the field.

Twenty-four have been solemnly received into the church of Christ by baptism; and are, as far as I know, ornaments of that religion which they profess. I have opportunity to watch over them daily. Indeed, their managers bear witness of their good conversation in Christ.' I have received 13 more as candidates for baptism; and, as far as I am able to judge, they are truly devoted to God. Believe me, I will not baptize one who does not appear to give sufficient proof that he is a sincere believer in Christ, and who has not for a considerable time manifested his sincerity by an upright walk and conversation.

The number of people whom I have an opportunity to instruct, is nearly 600. They are not all able to attend at once; but the number that generally bear at Bethel Chapel is about 400, or sometimes 500. Perhaps, a more attentive congregation was never seen; every individual seems anxious to understand every word. Many of these poor people are not only desirous to obtain their own salvation, but they are saying to others, Come ye with us, and we will do you good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning his people.' They willingly teach others what they know. I am informed, that some, at the distance of 20 miles, who never saw our chapel, have learned Dr. Watts's First Catechisin. Ten of our men, who best understand; have taken eight each under their care to instruct them, to watch over them, and settle disputes among them. Themanager, who attends the chapel, says he is astonished at the change wrought among their

Before they heard the gospel they were indolent, noisy,

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and rebellious; but now they are industrious, quiet, and obedient. A few days ago they saw that the manager was anxious to have the cotton picked, and brought home; on which account the invalids and old people, who had not been asked to do any thing for a long time, went, of their own accord, into the field and worked. Even the sick nurse and two free wo men, who live on the estate, went; and one of them took her two slaves with her and on the next day, they were so anxious to get the cotton home, that they would scarcely allow themselves time to eat or drink. Without doubt, this was the effect of the gospel. It is well known, that, in many cases, it is almost impossible to make the slaves work without the use of the whip; but now they work willingly. A few days ago, a gen tleman asked a manager under his direction, Whether the people had not been very disobedient since they heard the gospel? He replied, Quite the contrary. I seldom have occasion to use the whip now!'

A gentleman, who formerly prohibited his people from attending, now permits half of them to come every night; and they take much pains to learn the Catechism. This gentleman's lady one day asked a woman, who attended our chapel, Whether she understood what she heard? She ans swered, Yes; me an English neger, and de minister an English gentle men; me understand.' Äfter relating what she had heard, she added,' We all come good now, no thieves now: before, all our fowls were stolen, but now we can keep dem,' &e. The same woman said to me, 'Tank you for bringing the gospel to dis country. Ah! Massa, I wish you had come sooner, when I was younger !' I bid her thank God, not me. She re

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plied, I know we should not have seen, nor known, nor heard you, if God had not sent you.' We were then led to say something about England. • England,' said she, is a good country; but buckra men come a Demarary a get money!' I then said, "I have not come to get money.' • Ah, Massa,' she said, 'you will be rich,' pointing to Heaven; and then added, The riches of Heaven are far better than a house full of money! Another gentleman, who had formerly forbidden his people to attend preaching, heard, the other day, one of the little creole children repeating a prayer, and teaching it to some others. He was so much affected with it, that he made the child a present; and promised that they should come to the chapel when they are bigger. All his people have now liberty to attend. One of them asked him if he would permit him to be baptized. He answered, Yes, when the minister thinks you fit; and I will give you a note to him.'

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A third gentleman has permitted some of his people to be baptized This was the occasion of great joy to us, for I was long afraid that I should not be allowed to baptize any; which was the source of much grief to me. This is another display of God's great goodness!

Society for Missions to Africa and the East.

ON Whit-Tuesday, the 23d of May, being the Ninth Anniversary of this Society, a Sermon will be preached at the Parish - Church of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe, and St. Anne, Blackfriars, by the Rev. Leigh Richmond, M. A. Rector of Turvey, Bedfordshire. Service will begin at 11 o'clock. A Collection will be made, for the benefit of the Institution. At Two o'clock, the Annual Meeting of the Society will be held at the New London Tavern; when the Committee will make their Report, &c. Four Lutheran Ministers are now in Africa, under the protection of the Society, as Missionaries to the Susoo Nation. Of these Missionaries, the Rev. Melchior Renner went out in the spring of 1804. Since that period Mr. Renner, or one of his brethren, has had the charge of the spiritual concerns of the colony, which had been for several years destitute of a chaplain; and their services have been highly acceptable and beneficial. The Rev. G. R. Nylander, the Rev. Leopold Butscher, and the Rev. J. G. Prasse, arrived at Sierra Leone, in October, 1806. Mr. Nylander now

acts as Chaplain at Sierra Leone, and has the care of the children in the colony. The other brethren are settled at a Missionary Station, on the Bashia River; and a second station is preparing at a short distance.

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The Committee have established a Missionary Seminary in this country, the direction of which has been kindly undertaken by the Rev. Thomas Scott, Rector of Aston Sandford, Buckinghamshire. Four Lutheran ministers, who came from Berlin, soon after the peace of Tilsit, are now preparing for their future labours, under Mr. Scott's superintendence.

Preparations are making for the formation of a settlement at the Bay of Jslands, in the northern point of the two New Zealand Islands. The settlement is to consist of a few pious mechanics, who may instruct the natives in the arts most useful to thein, while they will labour to perfect themscives in the native language, and employ their leisure in the care of the chil dren; and thus prepare the way for a regular mission,

Provincial Intelligence.

Society in Scotland for Propagating lized life. The remote fasinesses of Christian Knowledge in the High-the distant North, which were, in Jands and Islands.

former times, the retreats of banditti and the coverts of rebellion, are now the venerated abodes of independent men, - the nurseries of loyalty and heroism. The public, will be delighted to hear, that many of the heroes of Acre, Maida, Vimiera, and Corunna, were once pupils in the humble seminaries of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge.'

But the Institution presents itself to our view, in a light even still more interesting than this, when it is considered as the nursery of immortal souls, and as a first step towards the enjoyment of eternal glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.Let the mind, for one moment, calculate the hundred thousands which it has snatched from ignorance and error;

The Anniversary of this excellent Institution, will take place early this month. The following short account of it will not be uninteresting to the public:-The business of the Society, both in Edinburgh (the scat of the Parent Board), and in London (where the Correspondent Board has, for many years, been establish, ed) is conducted gratuitously by gentlemen of great influence and respectability. The flourishing circumstances of the Institution, are a proof of the zeal, the talents, the discretion, by which its interests are conducted and promoted. The purposes which, in general, it has in view, are the dissemination of useful and religious knowledge, and the instruction of poor children, in the ordinary employments of hum the influence and value of ble life. These valuable purposes those hundred thousands, when at are obtained by means of school. the head of their own families, they masters established in remote dis- are enabled to declare to their little tricts of the country, and the addi- ones the whole counsel of God, tional assistance of catechists and the merits of the cross, and the missionaries, &c. Under the care felicities of Heaven! The Instituof the Society, there are not less tion, on this view of it, will not fail than two hundred and eighty schools; to assume a magnitude of proporin which there are daily educated ation, and an extent of power which not fewer than sixteen thousand chil... will confirm it, in the high rank it dren. We know not which to ad........justly occupies, among the works of mire most, the immense number of We have no interesting little creatures under its tuition, or the invaluably beneficial consequences, which are continual ly resulting from its labours. Those districts which were formerly buried jn barbarity and ignorance, aré how enjoying the day-light of Christianity, and the advantages of civi

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British benevolence.

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doubt that on this, as on former occasions, it will receive the most am ple encouragement from a generous aud discriminating public.. This year brings round the first centenary of ils existence, it being just one hunred years since it was incorporated by Royal Charter.

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Fortune Telling and Murder.

MARY BATEMAN, one of those base impostors who pretend to know the future destiny of their infatųated followers, had, for many months, practised her deceits oi Rebecca Perrige, of Bramley, near Leeds. This unfortunate woman imagined she had an evil wish upon her, or some malignant influence, we suppose, of an evil spirit or witch; and applied to Mary Bateman, who was esteemed a wise woman, for relief. She pretended to give, not her own directions, but those of a Miss Blythe, of Scarborough, and contrived false postmarks, &c. on letters, supposed to come from her. By a series of artful frauds, too tedious to mention, she obtained, from Mrs. Perrigo, about 707. and when Mr. Perrigo began to suspect that the whole was a deception, she laid a plan for the destruction of them both by poison, which was mixed in a pudding. Of this they both ate, but Mr. P. very sparingly; - his wife, still so infatuated as to expect relief from the mystic food, ate more largely, and died.

The affair appears to have excited uncommon interest in the county, and to have discovered what sad remains of ignorance and superstition are yet found among multitudes of the common people. She was executed at York, on Mon day, March 20. It does not appear that she discovered any sensibility on account of her wretched condition, or felt a pang even when her sucking child was taken from her, a little while before she was hanged. Her body was taken in a cart to Leeds, to be dissected.

Sincerely do we hope that this awful event may check the foolish and wicked practice of consulting fortune-tellers.

Beneficial Effects of Sunday-
Schools.

SIR, To the Editor. The very interesting communica tion inserted in your last Magazine, respecting the associations of various Sunday - Schools in

North Wales, containing hints and examples which may be adopted with advantage in many paris of England, I am induced to request your insertion of the following, which manifests the practical effects of such associations. Yours, &c. J. T.

Extract of a Lelier from the Rev. T. Charles, of Bala.

Nov. 27, 1808.

THOUGH my journey to in Sep. last, was attended with consequences very painful to me in my late illness, yet the effects of that meeting, and public catechizing of the cinidren in the open streets, before the largest inn in the town, hate proved most beneficial indeed to that place. It is one of the most drunken, ignorant, and profligate towns in, Wales, and has been so (and a very persecuting place) for two centuries past. We have now, in consequence of that day's work, a Sunday - school attended by above 100 children, and continually in creasing; in which are also a great number of grown persons, altogether as ignorant as the children; and the tidings from these are inore favourable every week. As soon as I am able to take the field, I mean to pay them another visit; the last was a very solemn one indeed. Last Suraday fortnight, we had an association of children here at Bala: attending at it was the first thing I did after my illness. Our large chapel overflowed, and the effects of the work of that day are very evident and beneficial in the town and neighbourhood; and they are everywhere, in different parts of the country, for similar meetings, as soon as I may be able to move about, next spring. never knew any means so successful to bring all the grown-up young people to engage in the work of Their learning the Scriptures." whole attention is at present engaged in preparing for another meeting; and nothing else is talked of but the Bible, and consulting together what Scriptures are appli cable to the points in hand. The points are, The Duties of Pacents

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