Religious and Literary Entelligence.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL
SOCIETY.

The Anniversary Meeting of the British
and Foreign School Society, was held on
Tuesday May 13th at Freemason's Hall.

Before eleven o'clock in the morning, the Hall, which was fitted up with great neatness, for the accommodation of Ladies, was filled in every part by a respectable throng of persons of distinction; a considerable number of Ladies and Gentlemen of the Society of Friends were also present.

Soon after 12 o'clock, His Grace the Duke of BEDFORD entered the Hall, and took the Chair amid great applause. His Grace was accompanied by the Marquis of Tavistock, Sir John Jackson, Bart. Sir James Mackintosh, M. P. Mr. Barclay, M. P. Mr. Brougham, M. P. His Excellency the French Ambassador, Lord Ossulston, Lord William Russel, The Sultan Katteghery, Baron Strandman, Dr. Hamel, Mr. Mellett, Secretary of the Elementary School Society at Paris, Mr. Moran, and a considerable number of Ministers from various parts of the country.

When the Duke of BEDFORD took the Chair, he informed the meeting that His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, who took a deep interest in the well being of the Society, was every moment expected. His Grace begged leave to repeat the deep interest which he should ever take in its welfare.

The business of the day was then opened by reading the Report of the current year's proceedings. This Report was of the most gratifying kind-the sum of £10,000, which was required to clear off some old debts, and erect a proper School-house, had, with an additional sum, been procured within the last year. Mr. Owen of Lanark, had contributed £1000, to this vested subscription. It appeared from the Report, that the system of this Society had been widely spread in every quarter of the world. In the Borough Free Schools alone 12,000 children had been educated, independently of its being the centre from which instructors were initiated into the system, and sent to every part of the world. A -Jews' School, for the education of 400 - boys, had also been established in Houndsditch. The Auxiliary Society, in Southwark had also done much in support of the system; and the parish of Newington had erected a School on the principle of Associations, which would be opened in a few days. The most satisfactory accounts were also received from Scotland and Ireland; in the latter country the Catholic

Clergy, in many instances, lent their aid to the diffusion of education, according to this system. The same intelligence was received from India, where the Missionaries co-operated in the undertaking. The most favourable accounts had also been received from the Continent of Europe. In France, according to the information conveyed by Mr. Moran (who, first introduced the system into that country.) The most liberal support had been given by the King, the Duke de la Chartre, Count Laine, and several Prefects and other Functionaries. His Majesty had directed that the Catholic and Protestant boys should be educated in different Schools, to admit of their receiving religious instruction from their several pastors. In Russia and the North of Europe it received every support. In Rome no objections were started against its introduction, and Cardinal Gousalvi, on the part of the Pope, desired that books of the Society should be forwarded for perusal. In the Kingdom of Hayti it had also obtained a footing. In Spain, Africa, America, Sierra Leone, and other places similar success had marked its progress.

WILLIAM ALLEN, Esq. the Treasurer, then read the financical statement of the accounts of the Society. The Treasurer took a retrospective view of the great difficulties the Society had to struggle with in past years, yet he could not help acknowledging the hand of God in its support, for in a moment when there ap peared to be no immediate prospect of help, and those few friends who joined with the late lamented Joseph Fox, had exerted themselves to the utmost, they received a sum of £500 from a benevolent individual. This worthy man whose name he might now mention, was Richard Reynolds of Bristol, who, at different times had contributed between 2 and £3000 to the funds of this Institution, And when he viewed the prosperous situation of the Society, which is this day freed from the incumbrance of its debts, and the buildings erected with only a further advance of £2,500, he could not help thinking that if ever the hand of providence was manifested in support of a benevolent Institution, it was evident in this.

Sir JOHN JACKSON proposed the adoption of the Report, on which he pronounced the warmest panegyric.

The Rev. J. TOWNSEND seconded the motion, and took a warm and energetic view of the state of education in this country. He said that he should be ungrateful indeed, if he were not an advocate for gratuitous education, having him

self received it at Christ's Hospital. The Rev. Gentleman paid a just tribute to the early instruction he had received from an excellent mother, and very beautifully described the importance of education, to the present and future welfare of man,

The Marquis of TAVISTOCK proposed a motion of thanks to the Prince Regent, and their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent and Sussex, for their patronage of this Society.

Mr. CHARLES BARCLAY, M. P. seconded this motion, and paid a just tribute to the merits of the Society. Wide as this system of education had been diffused, there were, he was sorry to say, 6000 children uneducated at present in the Borough of Southwark.

The noble Chairman lamented the absence of the Duke of Sussex, which he apprehended was occasioned by indisposition. He then read a letter from the Duke of Kent, dated Brussels, May 5th. which contained the strongest expression of His Royal Highness's anxiety for the success of this Society.

Major TORRENS proposed a vote of thanks to the Duke of Bedford, as President of the Society. He pronounced an eloquent panegyric upon his Grace, whom he described as the hereditary friend of all that was noble, free, and liberal England. He also described in forcible terms, the quantity of female talent which this country produced, and strongly urged the advancement of the Female School.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex entered the room amidst the applauses of the meeting.

exertions in the Female department, from the important effects which education always has on the human mind, and very properly described those advantages in promoting the happiness of families, as servants, or the mothers of families. He expressed his regret that the Female department appeared to be deficient in the state of its funds, and relied on the assistance of the Ladies to support this important department of the Institution.

The Rev. Dr. WAUGH in seconding the motion took an extensive view of the blessings of instruction. Like the God of nature, in an intellectual point of view, it said "let there light." Light is daily diffusing its beams in all directions, and while the Ladies are entitled to the warmest thanks of the meeting for their active exertions, he reminded them of the strong claim which is laid on them from the rank which they held in society. Here the Rev. Dr. engaged the attention of his audience by some lively and interesting sketches of the inferior station of women in various parts of the world where education has not extended itself, nor Christian principles become established.

His Royal Highness the Duke of SUSSEX proposed a vote of thanks to the Treainsurer, Secretary, and Committee. His Royal Highness paid a just tribute to the Treasurer, who had supported this cause, when, but for him and a few others it would have sunk; and very eloquently stated his conviction that the broad and liberal ground which this Society took was the bounden duty of every man who respected the rights of conscience. It was the way to include every class allowing their parents to worship God, and train up their children according to their own religious principles. His R. H. stated, that on these grounds, although he could add little to the observations which had been made he considered it the duty of persons in the highest station of rank, to support such an Institution as this.

The Rev. JOHN PATTERSON gave a most encouraging account of the general disposition of the people in many parts of the Continent to read the Scriptures and mentioned the case of a number of boys at Gottenburgh, who, of their own accord had formed a Juvenile Bible Society, which amounted to 400, and that some of the boys, who had no money at command, subscribed a penny per THOMAS FAWELL BUXTON, Esq. very week, to be taken from their dinner eloquently seconded the motion. In alluallowance. He mentioned the universal sion to the Treasurer, who had stated his instruction of the people in many parts willingness to resige his office into other of Sweden, which he had visited, and hands, Mr. B. remarked that when the the custom of that country in refusing Society was in extreme difficulties-when marriage to persons until they were able year after year the Treasurer was called to read. He paid a just tribute to the upon for further advances, when every Emperor Alexander, who among the thing was difficult and discouraging, the various objects of his expanded benevo-worthy Treasurer said nothing about relence was engaged in promoting Schools on the improved system.

The noble Chairman acknowledged the thanks of the meeting, declaring that such were the transcendant advantages of this Institution, that he dared not have withheld his support and exertion in its favour.

signing his office. Now, when the Society
is in prosperity and in flourishing cir
cumstances, the Treasurer modestly con-
ceals bimself behind the Noble Chairman,
and is willing to yield up an office, no
longer calling for such anxious cares, into
other hands. He need not say that such
a resignation could never be thought of
by the members of this Institution or his

GEORGE PHILLIPS, Esq. in proposing a vote of thanks to the Ladies of the Com-services ever forgot. mittee strenuously urged still greater

The Rev. Dr. SCHWABE acknowledged

150

the thanks of the Meeting, both for the ters. Should this large mass of our fel Treasurer and himself.

The Rev. ROWLAND HILL highly approved of the plan of this Institution, and remarked that since their establishment the Sunday Schools in Southwark were increased from 2 to 8000. And he was happy to see the instruction of the children on week days, united with the benefits of religious instruction at their respective places of worship on Sundays. He rejoiced in what is doing by another institution among the children of the establishment, but he could not agree to the exclusion of those who dissent from it. Including the Catholics, half of the ing. population may be considered as dissen

found among the subscribers to the Bible
Society. But the great field for useful-
ness appeared to be in Russia and in
Poland. In the latter only were reckoned
400,000 of that nation, and in the whole
dominions of the Emperor Alexander,
not less than 2 millions. This had led the
Committee to turn their attention to those
countries, whither it is proposed to send
Missionaries, and if some of these could
be sent to Jerusalem at the feast of the
Passover, the gospel might be conveyed
to Jews of as many different nations as on
the day of Pentecost. A college was also
intended to be established in the British
metropolis for the preparation of such
Missionaries, for the cultivation of Hebrew
literature, and for the translation of the
book of Common Prayer.

taries) then read the REPORT, which
stated the honourable patronage it had
recently received from the prelates above
mentioned; that an episcopal chapel had
been erected, and is supported to preach
the Gospel to the Jews, besides lectures
adapted to their instruction in other cha-
pels and churches in the Establishment;
that Schools also had been founded for the
education of their children of both sexes,
in which there are at present above 70
under instruction. The Report then
stated the progress which had been made
in printing the New Testament to the
end of St. Paul's epistles (except that to
the Hebrews), the readiness with which
it had been received and circulated among
the Jews, both at home and abroad, so
far as to the end of Acts; that various
tracts, both practical and controversial,
had been disseminated among the sons of
Israel with good effect; that a monthly
publication, called "the Jewish Exposi-
tor," was carried on to promote the same
benevolent design; that a correspondence
had been opened on this subject in vari-pendence on the divine blessing for suc-
ous parts abroad; and that at home a
society had been formed for visiting and
relieving distressed Jews at their own
habitations, which last promised results
peculiarly gratifying.

The Report then proceeds to state, that towards supporting the funds of the Society, various Auxiliary Societies had been formed, not only in Britain, but in Calcutta and America-that in this work of benevolence the ladies had been particularly active; that Mrs. Hannah Adams, author of a late History of the Jews, had (in particular) founded a Ladies Auxiliary Society in Boston, New England, and that another lady (whose name could not be mentioned) had lately given £500, in addition to £200 before, making the whole produce of the last year £6,589. But the expenditure had been proportionally large; and left in the hands of the treasurers but a very trifling balance.

It had been expected that the chapel lately occupied by the Society in Spitalfields might have been opened in the establishment, but as the rector of that parish strenuonsly opposed this, it would be necessary to dispose of it in some other way. Some painful circumstances had also occurred in the conduct of persons from whom much better things were hoped, and those it had been necessary to dismiss from the Society; but on the other hand they had not been without encouraging success. A Polish Jew of considerable learning had embraced the gospel; and a wealthy Jew of Malta, who had been sometime since converted by reading one of the Society's Hebrew Tracts, had exerted himself in the conversion of his brethren. At home 3 Jews and 39 of their children had been baptized, and not less than 50 Jews had been

It might be said that these were extensive plans and called for extensive funds; but on this point there was no ground for despair, as other societies had found that the only way to accomplish great things was to aim at them, with an humble de

cess. The Report closed with reciting
the 80th Psalm.

The Report being ended, the Bishop of
GLOUCESTER moved the acceptance and
printing of it; on which occasion he re-
marked, that this cause was chiefly sup-
ported by the same individuals that were
engaged in the other great benevolent
institutions, which had met on the pre-
ceding week, and that though it had not
to boast triumphs so conspicuous as some
of them, it was no less worthy of support.
But Christianity had always been exposed
to trials, and in the present case they
might be expected from the prejudices of
the Jews, from the opposition of the
world, and from false friends-it was
through these that it advanced to victory,
as in the instances of our Lord himself;
and whenever the conversion of Israel
should take place, it would be no less than
a resurrection, or in St. Paul's words,
"life from the dead."

THOMAS BABINGTON, Esq. M. P. who seconded the preceding motion, was fearful lest any thing he might say should lessen the effect of their excellent report, or of the remarks of the right rev. prelate, to several of which he briefly and respectfully adverted. He added, that the Jews abroad had not been inattentive to the wars and commotions which had lately afflicted Europe; that their thoughts had been directed to the advent of the Messiah, and the benevolent exertions of Christians, especially in the distribution of the Scriptures, had favourably impressed them, and led them to enquire into the character of our Saviour: this was particularly the case, he observed, in Poland and in Russia.

W. WILBERFORCE, Esq. M. P. moved the thanks of the meeting to the right rev. prelates, who had favoured the