The preacher's plan was-' s-To afcertain the period to which the text refersTo illuftrate the properties of the day mentioned in the text, and-Tó make fome practical inferences fuited to the occasion. The prayer before fermon was by Mr. Molely, of Long Buckby, and that after fermon, by Mr. Douglas, of Reading. The hymns were read by Mr. Golding, late of Blandford, Mr. Froft of Dunmore, and by Mr. Loader of Fordham Bridge.

TABERNACLE.

Wednesday evening. The Rev., Mr. Bennet of Romfey, prayed. The Rev. Mr. Roby of Manchester preached on 2 Thefs. iii. 1. That the word of the Lord may have free courje and be glorified, even as it is with you. Mr. Roby confidered-The Divine character of the Gofpel, the word of the Lord"-The eminent vigour of its progreis-and-The importance of interesting ourselves in promoting the word of the Lord. The concluding praver was offered up by the Rev. Samuel Burder of St. Alban's. Hymns from the Miffionary collection were g ven out by the Rev. Meffis. Podmore of Tunbridge, Beaufoy of Town Sutton, and Dentham of Petersfield,

TOTTENHAM COURT CHAPEL.

ON Thursday evening the prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Edwards, curate of the chapel; after which Dr. Kemp of Edinburgh, engaged in extemporary prayer. The fermon was preached by the Rev. John Cooke of Maidenhead, from Matthew vi, 10. Thy kingdom come. In which he confidered--The object of this petition-The character of its adminiftration— The principles upon which it is founded-The exertions which fhould be made to carry it into effect-The certainty of its accomplishment. The prayer after fermon was by the Rev. Mr. Allen of Exeter. The hymns were given out by the Rev. Meffrs. Hunt of Titchfield, Kent of Gravel end, and G. Townend of Ramfgate.

CHRIST CHURCH, NEWGATE STREET.

ON Friday morning, the public fervice was held in this church, when the prayers were read by the Rev. S. Crowther, vicar of the parish, and the Sermon delivered by the Rev. W. Tyler, rector of Braytoft, Lincolnshire. The text was Galatians i. 14, 15. But when it pleased God who feparated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen: immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. The preacher noticed three things remarkable in the converfion of the apostle Paul-The time when it happened The manner of it-and the effects which it produced on his heart; and then proceeded to show at large that-The converfion of a soul is entirely the work of Divine Grace; that whenever a foul was made partaker of that grace, it would be deeply concerned that others might be converied to God. After which he drew fome practical inferences from the fubject, directed to the encouragement of the Miffionary Society, in their benevolent exertions for the perishing heathen.

The Society encouraged by the pleafant experience of the two last anni. versary meetings, affembled again on Friday evening at

SION CHAPEL,

To celebrate the fupper of our common Lord, and to express their love to Him and to the brethren. On this occafion the Rev. Mr. Kingsbury of Southampton prefided. Mr. Gill, of Market Harborough, prayed. Mr.

George

George Townsend delivered an introductory difcourfe. Mr. Kingbury prayed over the elements which were ditributed by the following miniters: The bread by the Rev. Meffrs. Buck, Cafleden, J. Knight, Fowler, Gold, Towers, Taylor and Mofeley. The wine by Meffis. Sioper, G. Burder, Steven, J. Townend, Nicol, Cockin, Beaufoy, Platt, Hockley, Jackson of Warminster, Brookbank, Bickerdike, Eyre, and Town: Mr. Rankin of Paifley, Mr. Anlezark of Stockport, and Mr. R. Hill, feverally exhorted the people; and Meffis. Durant, Jackson of Stockwell, Douglas of Reading, and Hopkins of Chrift Church gave out the hymns; and Mr. Bogue concluded in prayer. It was truly "a time of refreshing from the prefence of the Lord," and afforded a spectacle highly gratifying to the friends of union and brotherly love; to all whofe language is

"Let names and fects and parties fall,

"And Jefus Chrift be All in All.”

Indeed all the devotional meetings were exceedingly pleafant and profitable. The large places in which they were held were much crouded. It was thought as many, if not more, minifers were prefent than on any former occafion, and there appeared to be no abatement of the facred flame of love to God and man.

MEETINGS FOR BUSINESS.

The Society met for the dispatch of bufinefs on Wednesday afternoon, at the Rev. Mr. Brooksbank's Meeting, Haberdafher's Hall, where all the fub. fequent meetings were alfo held. The Rev. Mr. Kingsbury of Southamp ton opened the meeting with prayer. The minutes of the laft general meeting, and the plan of the Society were then read by the Secretary; alfo the report of the Directors by Mr. Shrubfole. This report will fhortly be printed, together with the four fermons preached before the Society. The public will then perceive, as alfo by a paper, which by defire of the Direc tors we fhall infert, that although univerfal fuccefs hath not been granted to miffionary efforts, yet that great, effential, and very-extenfive advantages have already refulted from this excellent inftitution. The thanks of the Society were unanimously voted to the Directors of the past year, for their diligent attention to its concerns to the Treafurer, Jofeph Hardcastle, Efq. for his difinterested and unremitting exertions in behalf of the inftitution, also to the Secretary. Rev. S. Greatheed concluded with prayer.

On Thursday morning the Society met at ten o'clock. Dr. Rippon opened the mecting with prayer. According to the established order of a former general meeting, the following gentlemen, being a fourth part of the Directors, went out by rotation, viz. For London, Rev. George Durant, Mr. Thomas Hodfon, Rev. Joel A. Knight, Rey, W. Maurice, Mr. James Nelfon, Rev. Mr. Nicol, Rev. W. F. Platt, Mr. D. Whitaker, and Mr. Samuel Yockney. For the country-the Rev. Mr. Bailey of Clavering, Rev. Mr. Bottomley of Scarboro', Rev. Mr. Charrier, Lancafter, Rev. Mr. Douglas, Reading, Rev. Mr. Hey, Bristol, Rev, Mr. Jefferfon, Bafing ftoke, Mr. Minchin, Gofport, Rev. Mr. Roby, Manchefter, Mr. Skinner, Bristol, Mr. Taylor, Southampton. For Scotland→→ Rev. Mr. Gillies, Paifley, Mr. Haldane, Airthrey, Mr. Mackerzie, Glafgow, Rev. Mr. Mackintosh, Tain. For Wales-Rev. Mr. Charles of Bula. And the following new Directors were chofen, viz. For London-Mr. Alers, Rev. Charles Buck, Mr. Emerfon, Rev. Dr. Haweis, Rev, Rowland Hill, Mr. Foyfter, Mr. Hawkes, Rev. James Steven, Mr. Reyner, Rev. Alexander Waugh, and the Rey. Matthew Wilks. For the counby-Rev. Mr. Alliott of Nottingham, Mr. Brittain, Bristol, Rev. Mr.

• To be published July 1.

Field,

Field, Blandford, Rev. Mr. Fowler, Sheerness, Rev. Mr. Gill, Market Harboro', Rev. Mr. Greatheed, Newport Pagnel, Rev. Mr. Griffin, Portfea, Rev. Mr. Hobbes, Colchester, Rev. Mr. Kingfbury, Southampton, Rev. Mr. Lambert, Hull, Rev. Mr. Mofeley, Long Buckby, Rev. Mr. Saltren, Bridport, Rev. Mr. Sloper, of the Devizes, and Rev. G. Town. fend, Ramfgate. For Scotland-The Rev. Dr. Brice Johnfon, near Dumfries, Rev. Mr. Ruffel, Stirling, Rev. Mr. Strothers, Edinburgh, and the Rev. Mr. Rankin of Paifley. For Ireland-the Rev. Mr. Walker, Dublin, Rev. Mr. Stur, Bellygomy. The late Directors who continue in the Society, and were not ineligible by rotation, were re-elected. The Treafurer and Secretary were requested to continue their fervices. After the bufinefs of the morning was concluded, the Rev. Mr. Bogue gave an animating exhortation to the Society, taking a retrospective view of the proceedings of the Directors, in diftributing religious tracts among the French and Dutch prifoners—and the good effects which it hath pleased God to produce by their endeavours. The Rev. Mr. Rankin of Paifley concluded with prayer.

On Friday, at three o'clock, the Society again met. The Rev. Mr. Hopkins, of Christ Church, opened the meeting by prayer. The following refolutions were paffed, viz. That the thanks of the Society be given to the Rev. Herbert Mends, the Rev. William Roby, the Rev. John Cooke, and the Rev. William Tyler, for their judicious and interefting difcourfes, preached before the Society, with a requeft that they would permit the fame to be printed for the benefit of the inftitution. To the Rev. Rowland Hill, to Samuel Foyfter and John Wilfon, Efq:s. to the Rev. Samuel Crowther, vicar of Chrift Church, to Lady Ann Erskine, and the managers of Sion Chapel, and to the Rev. Jofeph Brooksbank and deacons, for the use of their refpective places of worship. The Rev. Mr. Williamfon, of Glafgow, gave a fhort address, and concluded with prayer.

We fhall forbear to enlarge on the prefent ftate and profpects of the So. ciety, as thefe will fully appear in the following paper, tranimitted to us by the new Directors, and which we infert at their request.

AN ADDRESS FROM THE DIRECTORS OF THE MIS-
SIONARY SOCIETY.

London, May 18, 1801.

AT the clofe of our feventh anniversary, the period which we have now reached, we think it may not be unfuitable, or unacceptable, to take a retrospect of the general effects of an inftitution, which has excited fo univerfal an attention, and which has been the fubject of fuch fincere and ardent prayer. It is, however, only by an enlarged and comprehenfive view of the fubject, that a found judgment can be formed, refpecting its general utility, and whether it has thus far accomplished the important ends for which it was inftituted. We more elp cially invite the attention of the religious public to this criterion, that on this folid ground they may be able to decide whether the feelings of depondency, or thofe of gratitude, of hope, and of praife, fhould predominate in their breafts. We fhall, therefore, in the fift place, glance at thofe beneficial effects which, by the general acknowledg ment of impartial obfervers, have proceeded from this inftitution in our own country, and then confider its influence on the ftate of Chriftianity throughout the world.

The Miffionary Society is compofed of chriftians of various denominations; for more than fix years they have frequently united together both in

public devotional exercises, and in a focial manner to carry on the great defigns of the general body. A degree of union in fpirit, before unknown, Has pervaded the fociety at large; they have "feen eye to eye." While they retained their feveral peculiarities, they have, with one heart and one hand, engaged themfelves in the work of the Lord. This unity of spirit has prevailed in a very confiderable meature through the kingdom. Monthly Prayer Meetings have been established in many of our most popu lous cities and towns, where minifters of various names unite with their feveral congregations, meeting by rotation in each other's places, to offer up ardent prayers for the Miffionary caufe. Here, a point of confiderable importance is gained, That unhappy alienation and party fpirit which formerly prevailed is confiderably abated; and has, in the purfuit of this grand object, given place to a more generous temper, and to a more liberal conftruction of the feveral views which prevent a perfect coalefcence.

Another very confiderable advantage acquired is, that our brethren appear to have felt à warmer degree of gratitude to heaven, for the in aluable privileges which are enjoyed in this country. While they were contriving how to fend the gofpel abroad, they wanted to compare their internal state with that of the millions who are involved in pagan darkness; the comparifon has excited in their breaft a warm fenfe of the Divine goodness to Britons. They have been constrained to say "The lines are fallen to us in pleasant places; yea, we have a goodly heritage.' "Bleffed are our eyes for they fee, and our ears for they hear." Bleffed be God for Jesus Chrift and his glorious gospel.

Sentiments like thefe have animated their fouls to new exertions in their refpective fpheres. Some worthy people feared that zeal for the heathen abroad would induce a neglect of the heathen at home: but their fears are happily difappointed. The Miffionary Society has been the occafion of enlivening the zeal of many. Never before were there fuch exertions for the inftruction of the ignorant by village preaching, the happiest effects of which are already feen and generally acknowledged.

From hence allo arofe the Religious Tract Society, whofe exertions during the two paft years, have been inftrumental in the inftruction of many ignorant, and in the reclaiming of many vicious perfons.

A new impetus has been given to the zeal of many minifters in the religious inftruction of youth, both in Sunday fchools, and among the children of their respective congregations. Thefe are but few of the benefits which the Society has already had the fatisfaction of contemplating. And if fuch important and beneficial effects have been experienced in our own country in connection with the Miffionary inftitution, we have also the most fatisfactory proofs that God has been pleased to affix his gracious fanction to it, by rendering it the occafion of very extensive revivals of religion in different and diftant parts of the world. The letters which we have received from various nations, place the fact itself beyond the reach of doubt, but it is probable the bluffed influence thereof is exerting itself in different ways and plans, the details of which have not yet reached us. In Holland, however, the zeal for the converfion of the heathen has not only manifefted itself by the production of devoted and useful Miffionaries-and by a remarkable fpirit of union and co-operation; but by an increased attention to the growth of the divine principle within themselves, and its more general introduction in their respective vicinities. And the recent inftitution of private meetings for prayer and exhortation, as well as their more folemn and pubhic miffionary fervices, give us reafon to cherish the perfuafion, that the times of refreshing from the prefence of the Lord have vifited that country, where the interefts of religion had too long languished and declined, and

that

that a foundation is now laid for a blessed revival and increase both in grace and in numbers. Similar circumftances have attended the Miffionary inftitutions in Friesland and Germany. A letter has just been received from a new Society established in Denmark, for propagating the gospel, wherein it appears that the Danes have been stirred up, by our example, to more zealous endeavours in that glorious caufe. This Society has in a fhort time increafed three-fold: a very vifible bleffing has crowned their inftitution, in its effects among themselves. They have also established a Danish Evangelical Magazine, which fucceeds beyond all expectation; they are alfo diftributing religious tracts with good effect; and they speak with the highest degree of fatisfaction of the union which begins to prevail among christians of every country. There has been a remarkable uniformity in the effects which they have produced wherever they have been eftablished. We defire that it may be noticed with efpecial attention, that God has been pleased to sanction and reward, in every place, the fincere endeavours of his people to promote the converfion of the heathen, by his benediction on themselves, in their individual experience, and in their respective spiritual connexions. With fatisfaction and thankfulness we pronounce this obfervation to be generally supported by folid evidence, and we appeal to it as a ground of encouragement and perfeverance, as well as a fufficient reply from the highest authority to all the objections that can be urged against these inftitutions-either as to their nature and tendency, or the period of time selected for their eftablishment. The fate of religion at the Cape of Good Hope affords a ftriking illustration of this remark. Previously to the formation of the Miffionary Society at that place, there were undoubtedly many ferious individuals there, who were in fome degree at. tentive to the inftruction of the heathen; but no fooner was the Society formed, than this became the direct object of near two hundred zealous individuals, and the number of heathens under their immediate care had increased, in the month of August last, to the extent of two thousand; and from subsequent advices, there appears no doubt that they were in a course of rapid enlargement; these are exclufive of the many thousands who are the subjects of the attention of our own Missionaries. This concern for the falvation of the heathen has awakened and revived, among the brethren at Cape Town, an anxiety also for the converfion of their neighbours, and there are now feveral houfes opened there for Divine worship, focial prayer, and other means of edification several times every week, and our Society are now commiffioned to fend to them two minifters acquainted with the Dutch language, to fuperintend the intereft of religion in that place at their own expence. The profpects of utefulness by the exertions of our Miffionaries in that colony are also, to speak in moderate terms, very encouraging; we might add that the contrite tears, the subdued corruptions, the enflamed af fections towards the Lord Jefus, of several of the degraded Hotentots and Boschemen, form a demonstration of its utility, which we will cherifh in our hearts as a facred pledge of Divine approbation, and exhibit to the world, as a tribute of our gratitude and praise on that account; but the beneficial effects which have followed from the inftitution of the Miffionary Society, are not limited to Europe or to Africa. Our brethren in America have readily acknowledged that the accounts received there of the zealous exertions of Chriftians in England in this caufe, have had an happy influence among them, in rousing and rekindling the fame ardent difpofitions to enlarge the kingdom of Chrift among the heathen, and in confequence thereof, feveral fimilar focieties have been formed on that continent; already various millionaries have been appointed, and by the mott judicious and difereet inftructions, authorized to proclaim, among the native Indians, the VOL. IX. welcome

M m.