INTELLIGENCE, &c. DOMESTIC. Recent Deaths. funeral discourse by T. Welsh, the present pastor of the church, from Gen. xlix. 18, "I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord." On the 30th of April, after eleven days Died, on Monday, March 14th, in the 49th year of his age, the Rev. T. Allen, severe illness, died, at Cotton-end, near Bednearly 16 years pastor of the Baptist church, ford, the Rev. John Holloway, the respected Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire. He pastor of that church. He was buried on preached three times and administered the Friday, May 6th, when his kind friend the Lord's supper on the first sabbath in March, Rev. Mr. Hillyard, of Bedford, delivered a and was heard with peculiar profit and most appropriate discourse from Job xix. 25 delight by many of his hearers. His mortal-27, "I know that my Redeemer liveth," &c. remains were consigned to the grave on Monday, March 21st, when the Rev. G. Morrel, of St. Neots, preached an appropriate discourse from Acts xx. 32, and the Rev. J. Simpson, of Bythorn, delivered the funeral address. During his short but painful illness our departed brother was favoured with a rich measure of Divine support and consolation. And though he knew that by his death a beloved wife and four of their children would be left utterly unprovided for, he was enabled, in the exercise of faith, to commit them to the care of that God who has said, "Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me." J. J. THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, The twenty-seventh anniversary of this Society was held on Wednesday, May 4th, in the great room Exeter Hall, every part of which, long before the hour of meeting, was crowded to excess. The admission of Ladies- distinguished this, from former meetings, of whom there was a very large and respectable assemblage present. Lord Teignmouth, the President, from indisposition, arising from the increased infirmities of age, was not able to take the chair that day as usual. Under these circumstances, the Right Hon. Lord Bexley presided. The Rev. Andrew Brandram, one of the Secretaries, read an abstract of the Report, it stated that :— Rev. James Bicheno, A.M., died at his residence, Shaw Road, near Newbury, on Saturday, April 9, aged 80 years; and on the following Friday his mortal remains were interred in the family vault at Wantage. This aged and respectable minister of Christ "During the last year, 173,547 Bibles, was pastor of the Baptist church at Newbury and 297,382 Testaments, (making a total nearly 27 years, and for eight years dis-of 470,929 copies,) were issued by the charged the duties of the same office in connexion with the church at Coate. In 1820 The Society, being 36,507 more than in the he returned to Newbury, that he might spend the evening of his long life in the society of his early friends, by whom he was held in the highest estimation. On August 26, 1824, he was seized with a paralytic affection, which deprived him of the use of his speech, and rendered him incapable of moving without help. This affliction was painful and protracted, but the sure promises and cheering prospects of the Gospel were his solace and support. He commenced his public ministry in Newbury, April 9, 1780, and finished his A letter was read at the opening of the course of labour and suffering just 51 years from that day. This solemn event was im-meeting, from the noble president, Lord proved in the Baptist chapel, Newbury, in a Teignmouth,-breathing the spirit of grati continued their respective exertions; and 164 new societies have been added to those already existing, being 31 more than in the former year." tude to God, and of charity to our fellow- | was carried in a manner most decidedly creatures,—which seems to have been expressive of the sentiments of the body written under the painful apprehension, of subscribers present. that the harmony of the meeting would be interrupted, as his Lordship expresses it, "by propositions to change the constitution of the Society." This apprehension, we are sorry to say, was soon realized, and to an extent greatly at variance with the professed object and character of the assembly. We are not disposed to give the unhappy detail. We would rather say, "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines reoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph." Leaving the spirit of the meeting, the following is a brief account of its proceedings. Capt. Gordon, objecting to that part of the Report, which recommended the adherence of the Society to its long established principles, proposed the following amendment : "That instead of the recommendation contained in the Report, that the constitution and practice of the Society continue as they are, the following Resolutions be adopted : "I. That the British and Foreign Bible Society is pre-eminently a religious and Christian Institution. "II. That no person rejecting the doctrine of a Triune Jehovah can be considered a member of a Christian Institution. "III. That, in conformity with this prineiple, the expression 'Denominations of Christians,' in the 9th General Law of the Society, be distinctly understood to include such denominations of Chritians only as profess their belief in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity." The Rev. G. Washington Phillips seconded the amendment of Capt. Gordon; to which an "amended amendment” was proposed by the Rev. Lundy Foot, from Ireland, and seconded by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, to the following effect:- "That the words of the Ninth Law, and of the others which prescribe the terms of admission to the Agency of the Society, be not taken to extend to those who deny the Divinity and Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ." Both the above amendments were rejected by an overwhelming majority, and the original motion, viz.— "That the Report, an abstract of which has been now read, be adopted, and printed under the direction of the Committee," The Rev. Drs. Dealtry and Bennett, D. Wilson J. Blackburn, Rowland Hill, and J. Burnet, Camberwell; also Sir Launcelot Shadwell, Vice-Chancellor of England; Luke Howard, of the Society of Friends; &c. &c., addressed the meeting in support of the principles of the Society. Our present limits will not allow us to enter fully into the question at issue between THE BIBLE SOCIETY and a certain party which has arisen amongst its members; but we can scarcely satisfy ourselves without suggesting a remark or two which lie on the surface of this unhappy controversy. I. In the first place. The proposed change in the Bible Society, which makes religious sentiment a term of admission, cannot be regarded as one of those modifications in its plans and proceedings, which experience and the progress of time may suggest in relation to any human institution; but as the violation of funda. mental laws, and the subversion of the constitution of the Society. No one can question that the BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY was constructed on the broadest and most liberal principles-its doors were thrown wide open, its invitations were indiscriminate and unconditional. Without requiring any surrender of principle, it agreed to merge all distinctions of sects and sentiments, in the prosecution of one simple and sublime object-the circulation of the pure Word of God. Hence the subscription of the Socinian to its funds, was as freely received as that of the soundest Calvinist; such was unquestionably the the broad principle on which the Society was founded. To invade this principle, therefore, would not be to repair some of its out-works, but to demolish its fabric. It would be in fact to form a new Society, a Society based on new principles; and that, after the present has been in successful operation for nearly thirty years. II. In a Society of this description, if a test of membership be admitted, who shall draw the line, and say to what particular heresies it shall be restricted? Is it to be confined to creed; or shall it be extended to character? If the Society be invested with the authority of a Church, then, the test should certainly be extended to both; but if not, why should its terms of membership take cognizance of either? Why should the Bible Society be more contracted in the terms of admission, than other kindred institutions which embrace a religious object? of Socinians argued? It is this:-The Bible Society is stated to be a religious society, and hence, those who are declared not to possess this qualification, it is urged, are, by the very character of the Society, virtually excluded. Now in this statement there is a mixture of truth and error. If the Bible Society be regarded in its object, it is undoubtedly religious,-for its aim is to circulate that volume which is the source of all religious truth. If considered in its instruments and agents, however, it is not necessarily religious, for,—however desirable in refer III. As the extent of the Society's operations must depend upon the extent of its pecuniary resources, whatever limits the latter, will proportionably diminish ence to the individuals—it is no more esthe former. Every guinea rejected on ac-sential to the Society's existence and end count of the heresy of the person offering that its members and subscribers should be it, will therefore impede the circulation of pious, than that its printers and binders just so many copies of the Bible as that should be so. guinea would supply; and consequently, prevent a certain number of perishing immortals from ever perusing that sacred page "which is able to make men wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Who will dare to take upon himself the responsibility of thus narrowing the channels of those waters of life, which are now flowing for the healing of the nations? And here it is important to observe, that the Socinians do not require the distribution of their Bible-the "Improved version"-but are willing to subscribe to the circulation of ours-the pure and unadulterated Word of God, to which we can appeal with confidence for the truth of our sentiments. In this respect we cordially unite in the sentiments-as denoting one who is vitally united to expressed by the venerable Rowland Hill, Christ,-to preserve the purity of the Soat the meeting, The Society has also been denominated a Christian Society, and a reference to its records has been made to prove it such→→ and then comes the inference:-that those are not entitled to be admitted as members who reject an essential article of the christian faith. But here again the argument is sustained by the ambiguity of the term Christian in this connexion. If taken in its broad and popular sense,—the sense in which this is a Christian country as distinguished from heathen and Mahometan nations,-the Socinians being comprehended in this definition of the term, are still entitled to be admitted within the pale of the Society. But if the term Christian be understood in its strict and proper sense, ciety in this character, would require a law of exclusion, it is to be feared, much more extensive than that embodied in Capt. Gordon's amendment. "He could wish," he observed, "that all Roman Catholics and all Soeinians belonged to the Bible Society, for they would find enough to convince them, in that Sacred Volume, that they were wrong. He did not care who gave him a Bible, but he would only ask, What kind of a Bible it was that he gave? He believed, that those who held these opinions were very few in number; and the more Bibles were given the fewer there would be; for from that Book they would understand that Christ was the Glory of the Father, and that, all the angels were to worship him." IV. On what principle is the exclusion duals whom this party are anxious to ex We will only add, the most singular feature in this opposition to the Bible Society is, that it originates with evangelical members of the Church of England. On witnessing the zeal of these gentlemen on the late occasion we could not help asking ourselves,-Is the Church of England then quite clear of all unholy and heretical members? Have not the very indivi clude from the Bible Society, free access Jones (or Kahkewaquonnaby), à converted Indian, from the wilds of Upper Canada, and others, expressed their sym THE ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. The Anniversary of this Society was to the most sacred rites of their own church? and if expelled from the one may they not if they choose still claim member-pathies and sentiments on the occasion. ship with the other? But is the Church of England less religious in its constitution than the Bible Society! And is its Communion Table less sacred than the Platform of a human institution! He who contri-held in the great room, Exeter Hall, butes his guinea to a Bible Society, incurs (which is estimated to contain about no personal hazard, while he may be the 3000 persons, and was crowded to excess), means of confering on others incalculable on Saturday, April 23rd. From this benefits: he who approaches the table of meeting, every friend to freedom-to the his Lord "unworthily" confers no benefit freedom of those who are unhappily enon any one, while according to the decision slaved, for every man is sufficiently atof an Apostle, he "eateth and drinketh tached to his own-retired, we believe, damage to himself." If the party who are with bis heart warmed, and his hopes raisthus concerned to purify the Bible Society, ed, by what he saw and heard, on that in"have a zeal for God which is according teresting occasion. We are happy to be to knowledge," we are satisfied they may able to refer our readers to a full REexert their influence in a more important PORT of its proceedings, appended to sphere, and in a less equivocal and injuthe present Number. rious direction. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Anniversary Meeting of this Society was celebrated on Monday, May 2nd, at Exeter Hall, in the Strand. At eleven o'clock, Thomas Haslope, Esq, was called to the chair. The Rev. George Morley, President of the Conference, opened the Meeting with singing and prayer. The Rev. John James read the Report. It stated, that "Since their last Anniversary, five Missionaries had died. In all, the stations were 150, the number of Missionaries 213, salaried catechists 160, gratuitous teachers 1400, in the Sunday and Daily Schools, with their wives; making the total number of agents zealously engaged under this Society upwards of 2000. Total of members on the foreign stations 41,186, exclusive of Ireland; of these, 24,439 are slaves. The contributions during the past year amount to 50,0177. 18s. 8d.' The Rev. R. Alder (Sheffield), J. Dixon, Dr. H. F. Burder, Dr. Raffles, J. Burnet, R. Newton, and R. Watson, addressed the meeting; also J. Poynder, Esq., J. Montgomery, Esq. (Sheffield), and Peter LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the subscribers and friends to this society was held at Exeter Hall, on Thursday, the 12th ult. Shortly after nine o'clock every part of the hall was excessively crowded, and from the numbers still endeavouring to gain admission, it was deemed advisable to open the room below stairs, in which another numerous meeting took place. The Report, after having been read to the general meeting, was again read to the smaller one, and several interesting addresses were delivered by gentlemen who volunteered their services for that purpose. A more animating scene we have never witnessed than upon this occasion. W. A. Hankey, Esq took the chair at a quarter to ten o'clock, and the Rev. J. Arundel commenced the proceedings by giving out a hymn, and the Rev. Mr. Wildbore invoked the Divine blessing on the assembly, and the cause which they had to promote. The Rev. Dr. Bennett read the report, which he materially abridged in order that it might be transferred to the meeting below. The following is an account of the society's present operations: Principal Stations, where European Missionaries labour, exclusive of the Dependencies of those Stations.. European Missionaries Assistants, Missionary Artisans, Native Teachers, Readers, Catechists, and Schoolmasters Schools..... 360 352 ... Scholars The Chairman then rose to present his accounts as treasurer, from which it appeared, that the total income of the society during the past year, was 40,8007.; the expenditure, 40,7471. 9s. 7d.; leaving a balance in his hands of 52/. 10s. 5d. Rev. W. Ellis (Missionary from the South Sea Islands), E. Rae, (Missionary from Calcutta), R. Watson, P. Jones, E. Carey, R. Hill, and J. Montgomery, Esq. animated the meeting by their respective addresses. IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. the objects of the society, than any thing he could advance. The Rev. A. Tidman (Secretary) read the report, which commenced by adverting to the inadequacy of legal enactments to tranquillise Ireland. The natural soil of that country was so fertile as to obtain for The annual meeting of the subscribers and friends to the above society, was held at Finsbury Chapel, on Tuesday evening, the 10th ult. T. Walker, Esq. in the chair. The meeting having been opened by it the appellation of the garden of Engsinging and prayer, The Chairman rose, and said, that it afforded him peculiar satisfaction to be once more permitted to attend the anniversary of the Irish Evangelical Institution. In introducing the business of the evening, he did not know that it would be necessary for him to say any thing relative to the operations of the society. The abstract of the report, which would be read, would give a more accurate idea of land. To what causes, therefore, were they to trace the contrast between its natural fruitfulness, and its existing moral state? In the northern provinces, nature had been less bountiful than either in the western and southern provinces, and yet in the former they were the most happy, in the latter the most miserable; in the former they enjoyed the privileges of the Gospel, and in the latter they did not. The report then went on to detail the |