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in England during the last two years has been highly useful to the cause of missions in the East. The information he has conveyed, and the zeal which he has excited will not be lost at home; and in India his report of what he has witnessed here will, we trust, have considerable influence upon the European residents. The Rev. Bernard Schmid, and the Rev. Deocar Schmid, two Lutheran Clergymen, brothers, have accompanied him as missionaries. They were educated at the University of Jena, and have been for some time in England, preparing for missionary labours, under this Society. Their knowledge of languages is considerable. They are accompanied by Mrs. Deocar Schmid, who from early habit and benevolence of character is well qualified to assist the Society's plans of education in India; and also by Mr. John Adlington, a native of the West Indies, whom Mr. Corrie brought with him from the East, and who has been studying for the ministry in this country, but has now returned to India, to devote to the instruction of the young the years that must elapse till he is of due age to receive holy orders.

NATIONAL EDUCATION SO

CIETY.

On the 5th of June, the National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church held its annual meeting at the Central School, in Baldwin's Gardens.

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury took the chair, supported by the Archbishop of York, and the Bishops of Exeter, Salisbury, St. Asaph, Carlisle, Ely, Chester, Gloucester, Oxford, and Llandaff; the Archdeacons of London, Buckingham, Northumberland, Huntingdon, and Chichester; Lords Kenyon and Radstock; Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Duncombe, Mr. Ashton Smith, Mr. G. Gipps, and a numerous and highly respectable assembly of the clergy and laity.

The Archbishop of Canterbury opened the business of the day in nearly the following words :-" I have the honour to meet you for the sixth time to receive the Annual Report of your General Committee; and I meet you with more than ordinary satisfaction, because the hopes which I ventured to express when last I filled this chair have been realized. The law officers of the crown, by the gracious directions of his royal highness the Prince Regent, have prepared

a charter, which having received the sanction of the great seal, has been this day accepted by your Committee, on behalf of the members at large; and the National Society now constitutes one of the great incorporated charities of the empire. I now request the Secretary to read us the Report."

The Report having been read by the Rev. T. T. Walmsley, the Secretary, his Grace thus resumed

"I rise with great satisfaction, after hearing this Report, because it developes most clearly the progress of the national system under the care of your Committee. It appears that the num ber of scholars in your Central School has increased one hundred and sixtynine; making the number now in attendance nine hundred and seventy-four, being as many as the school can conveniently hold; a decisive proof that the master and mistress have discharged their duty. The state of the Central School is a matter of the very first importance, on the ground that it is the resort from whence all other schools are to receive information.

"The training of masters, another important branch of the Committee's care, has received particular attention, and great numbers of those thus trained are now diffusing the system both in this kingdom and abroad. These exer

tions have not been made without incur ring great expense; and it appears that the disbursements have exceeded the annual receipts by upwards of 1,000%. This circumstance has been occasioned by many persons having withdrawn their subscriptions from the general fund, and applied them to the support of schools in their own immediate neighbourhood. The expense of training mas ters in the Central School alone, during the last year, has been upwards of 5001.

"The extent to which the labours of the Committee have gone may be esti❤ mated, when we learn that not fewer than two hundred and thirty-three schools have been united to this Society in the course of the last year, making the whole number now united one thousand and nine.

"Your attention is farther called to the increased number of children now under instruction in the principles of the Established Church. It is estimated that the scholars now taught upon the plan and principles of our Society, of whom no official intimation has been received by the Committee, amount to

no less than forty thousand. Of these, it is probable that many are in fact united to District Committees in the country, though no regular return has yet been received from them. I am happy to say, that the scholars, of whom regular returns have been received by the Secretary, amount to one hundred and fifty-five thousand. The number of scholars now educating according to the plan and principles of our Society, cannot, therefore, be much less than two hundred thousand. When you connect this statement with the rapid succession of scholars which takes place in our schools, some idea may be formed of the good which has been done, and which is now doing, throughout the island. Nor has the benefit of our plan heen confined to this kingdom only; the colonies and several foreign nations have largely participated; a reflection which, to the liberal feelings of an Englishman, will afford the highest gratification.

"The expenditure of our funds has proceeded nearly to their whole extent; and I trust we have not been faulty in giving an assurance, that although there is a deficiency at present, we expect a fresh spring in the bounty of our fellow countrymen. Three thousand pounds only now remain, and this we will liberally dispense, trusting that when the public know our wants, and see our efforts, we shall not have reason to regret our liberality.

"The result of the whole appears to be, that with a sum of about 30.0007. upwards of a thousand schools have been united with this Society, and two hundred thousand children are enjoying the benefit of a religious education. We hope this result shows that your Committee have endeavoured to do their duty. It must not, and will not be forgotten, that putting books into the hands of this immense population, may be the means of doing infinite good, if rightly superintended; and the means of doing infinite mischief, if left loose and undirected to their proper channel."

Mr. Joshua Watson, the treasurer, stated, that the Vice-Chancellor and the Lord Chief Baron, the auditors of the accounts, had commissioned him to express their satisfaction at being enabled to render their services to the Society. Various persons of distinction spoke at the meeting, and concurred in testifying the merits and the importance of the institution.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The Anniversary Meeting of the British and Foreign School Society was held on Tuesday, May 13th, at Freemasons'-hall.

His Grace the Duke of Bedford took the chair, and 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 Wm. Russel; the Sulton Katteghery; Baron Strandman; Dr. Hamel; Mr. Mallett, the Secretary of the Elementary School Society at Paris; Mr. Moran; and a considerable number of Ministers from various parts of the country. His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex shortly after entered, and took a part in the proceedings.

The Report stated, that the sum of 10,000l. 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 1,000l. to this vested subscription. The new system had been widely spread in every quarter of the world. In the Borough of Southwark FreeSchools, 12,000 children had been educated, independently of their forming a 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 been established in Houndsditch. Satisfactory accounts were received from Scotland and Ireland: in the latter country, the Catholic Clergy, in many instances, had lent their aid to the diffusion of education, according to the new system. Similar intelligence was received from India, where the missionaries co-operated in the undertaking. In France, according to the information conveyed by Mr. Moran, (who first introduced the system into that country,) a very 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 Fro. testant 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 had been

raised against its introduction; and cardinal Gonsalvi, on the part of the pope, desired that the Society's books should be forwarded for perusal. In

the kingdom of Hayti, it had also obtained a footing; and also in Spain, Africa, America, Sierra Leone," and other places.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THE Occurrences of the last month, both foreign and domestic, have excited Imore than usual interest.

The whole of the South-American Continent appears to be on the verge of the most important changes. Both in the Portuguese and Spanish dominions the successes of the popular party against the royalists have of late been very considerable. Pernambuco especially has made the most strenuous efforts to throw off the yoke, and has been joined by several of the neighbouring provinces; so that, upon the whole, there is every probability for supposing that the period is not far distant, in which South America will achieve its independence, and open new prospects of the most important kind to the hopes and energies of the European world.

The difficulties with which the royal house of Portugal have had to contend in the Brazils, have been accompanied with serious revolutionary movements in the parent state. A conspiracy for subverting the regency, and organizing a new system of government, has

been detected, and for the time apparently suppressed; but it is still evident that a large number of persons in Portugal feel unwilling to submit much longer with cordiality to a trans-atlantic government; and that the royal family will be ultimately obliged to make a decisive choice between the evils which on every side are gathering around them.

It gives us much pleasure to find, that the Congress of the United States have authorized their President to negociate with all governments in which they have accredited agents respecting the best means of effecting an entire and immediate abolition of the Slave Trade. They also wish Great Britain to receive into the colony of Sierra Leone, free People of Colour from the United States; or, in case of this being refused, that we and other maritime powers should guaranty the permanent neutrality of a similar colony, to be esta blished at the expense of the United States, on some other part of the African coast.

GREAT BRITAIN.

The right honourable Manners Sutton has been appointed Speaker of the House of Commons, in the room of the late Speaker, Mr. Abbot, whose ill health has obliged him to retire from his high office, amidst the eulogies and regrets of men of every party and opinion, both in and out of the House. He has been rewarded with the title of Baron Colchester, of Colchester, and a pension of 4,0001, per annum for his own life, with 3,000l. per annum for the two lives next in succession,

The finance committee have estimated the future produce of the public income at about fifty millions; the expenditure for 1817, at 67,817,7521.; and of 1818,at 65,216,657. As, however, each of the latter sums includes fourteen or fifteen millions to be applied for the reduction of debt, the revenue, it is calculated, will exceed

the expenditure by two or three millions per annum, even independently of the probable improvement which may be expected in the general circumstances of the country. The net revenue for the year, ending April 5, 1817, was 52,850,3231.

The trials of the state prisoners have occupied a considerable portion of public attention and anxiety during the last month: the particulars are doubtless known to all our readers, and need not therefore be here repeated. After a minute investigation, which lasted a whole week, and excited the most intense interest, Watson, who was first put to the bar, being found Not Guilty, the other prisoners were liberated without any witnesses being called. This result has, of course, produced on the minds of the public very different impressions; but it seems on all hands to be admitted,

that seditious, and indeed treasonable conspiracies, of a very decided and atrocious character, have been proved to have existed; and that however ignoble the conspirators, or ridiculous some of their projects when contrasted with the inadequacy of their powers, yet that an extensive and organized plan was actually formed for subverting the present government, and for establishing a system of the most wild and revolutionary nature. It was not the fault of the conspirators that it did not succeed: nor ought the miserable imbecility of their plot to be admitted as an extenuation of the guilt of its projectors. The principal witness for the prosecution was a man of the name of Castles, whose disreputable character, as well as his inflammatory mode of procedure in the character of a spy and secret informer, appear to have operated very much in favour of the prisoners. At all times, the evidence of persons who are themselves implicated in criminal transactions, is to be received with caution; and it certainly does appear, and is indeed expressly stated in the late Report of the Secret Committee of the House of Lords, that instances have of late occurred of persons fomenting those conspiracies which they were authorized only to detect. Yet allowing the utmost for these palliating circumstances, the general leading fact of the existence of a bold and regular design to subvert the present system of things has been unequivocally established; and, in the opinion of Parliament, (as far as that opinion has been hitherto expressed,) the necessity for the continued suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act still remains. Indeed, under present circumstances, it certainly appears, however painful the sacrifice, to be necessary,not only for the peace of the com munity at large, but also for the benefit of the deluded individuals of whose sufferings the leaders of revolt are glad to avail themselves, to allow Government the power of detaining notoriously factious characters. We deeply lament the mecessity, but would not, therefore,

wish to see the public safety risked by denying for a short time, till the next meeting of Parliament, this important power. The recent disturbances in the North, where tumults of a serious kind have arisen, affecting particularly the counties of Nottingham and Derby, and part of Yorkshire, are a strong argument for the further suspension. These tumults were promptly sup◄ pressed, (the more promptly on account of this very suspension,) and a large number of persons taken into custody. We rejoice, however, to find that neither these nor preceding riots have been encouraged by any persons of consideration, or even by the neighbouring farmers and tradesmen: so that we may reasonably hope, that in proportion as the fatuity of such plots and the character of the ringleaders are discovered, the misguided part of the populace, in every part of the kingdom, will return to their ancient loyalty and submission to constituted authorities. Should Providence bless us, as there appears every reason to expect, with an abundant harvest, and its consequent benefits, the discontented will lose one of their most powerful instruments of popular delusion for great as have been the wants and privations of the poor, they have been rather the instrument and pretext employed by a few seditious individuals to stir men up against the government, than the motive cause in which such proceedings originated.

A measure proposed by the chancellor of the exchequer is now before the House of Commons, for facilitating the erection of places of worship in connexion with the Established Church, in those parishes where the existing churches and episcopal chapels are insufficient for the public accommodation. The details of the measure are not yet completed; but our readers will rejoice with us that something, at least, is to be at length done on a subject of such vital importance both to the interests of the Established Church, and of Christianity at large.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

H.; R. H. S.; A CONSTANT READER; THEOGNIS; ALBYN; N. H.; are under consideration.

T. S. H.; and the Memoir of Lady O'B.; will obtain early insertion.

PHILO-CRANMER'S Papers are left as he directed.

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To the Editor of the Christian Observer. ON Thursday, May 1, died at Rodney House, Clifton, the Right Honourable Lady EDWARD O'BRYEN, aged twenty-nine.

To attempt some slight sketch of her religious character is considered-rather fondly perhaps-a debt due to the worth of the departed, no less than to the general interests of the church of God; to the glory of whose grace, it is trusted, she hath been made "accepted in the beloved."

Placed by the providence of God in one of the higher walks of life, and elevated to a still more advanced station by her marriage with the Right Honourable Lord Edward O'Bryen, in April, 1816, she accounted it still her highest honour to sit at the feet of her Redeemer. To this wise choice she had been gradually led by Divine grace for several years before; having first of all made a persevering, but a fruitless, search after happiness in the pursuits and amusements of fashionable life. Scarcely had she been convinced, upon experience, of the vanity of these expectations, when it pleased God to visit with illness, and in the course of twelve months to remove by death, an elder and beloved sister. This painful, but seasonable disruption of one of the tenderest of human ties, proved the happy means of binding the affections of the attached survivor more closely to her Saviour. The world now appeared to her, indeed,

6 a

broken cistern, that can hold no water:" and she in consequence determined never to wander more from "the fountain of living waters." CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 187.

As the youthful subject of this short memorial had often before expressed her surprise at the conduct of those whom higher thoughts and views had detached from the objects of this lower scene; so, on the other hand, was her astonishment now excited in an equal degree, by the too common devotion of mankind to the pomps and vanities of the world. This change, which most clearly appeared to all who knew her, made it no doubtful fact that the eyes of her understanding had been enlightened to behold the true glories of the Cross; -in Scripture language, "to know the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of Christ;'

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and from this discovery she had derived the full conviction of it being her duty, no longer to live unto herself, but unto Him that died for her and rose again." In her situation, it will easily be credited, that this duty was not merely a sacrifice of that which would cost her nothing." She had fully counted the cost of a religious profession, before she began to make it. She had learned already, as well from her own observation of the world, as from the concurrent testimony of sacred history in every age, that love to the Redeemer was not to be faithfully maintained without the censure of the world. "better part" was modestly, but deliberately, chosen by her. Her conduct, indeed, towards others, proved her just value for Christian prudence, combined with Christian charity, in order to remove all reasonable occasion of offence: but it proved likewise that her first object was a prize alike beyond this 3 H

The

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