tute them the almoners of a wide and efficient charity; to take care that their agency in the cause of salvation is circumscribed by naught but the sphere in which they act; and to trust that they will at length be rewarded by him whom they have imitated, in "going about doing good."

But there is a consideration of seri ous moment, and of which we should be especially mindful upon such an occasion as the present. The Missionary goes forth, bearing the Gospel in his hand; and ascending mountains, traversing oceans, penetrating wildernesses he sows the seed of divine truth in regions once sterile and cursed -in a soil where naught but the fruits of superstition and idolatry were hitherto cultivated. For these purposes of indescribable importance immense sums are contributed. And they are wonderfully successful. The dews of heaven descend, and the genial rays of the Son of Righteousness vivify and prosper the work. But this is not all that is required to bring it to perfection. The Almighty employs human instrumentality in accomplishing his minutest designs. A gentle and a fostering hand (if I may resume the figure) is necessary to follow in the path of the sower, to protect and cherish the tender plants of grace, and to supply a description of aid, which, the more extended labour of the Missionary forbids his imparting.-Such is the office of the agent of the Tract Society. Look through any Christian community, and observe how often the possession of a Bible, and an access to many other means of religious improvement, are seemingly unprofitable and misapplied. The Bible is a large volume. Mingled with its sublime instruction and practical precepts, it contains a mass of prophecy-of ancient historical narrative of abrogated Jewish rites—of mystical poetry, highly adorned with eastern imagery-and of exercises of devotion, many of which, to the untutored Christian mind, are obscure and incongruous. God forbid that I should impeach the wisdom of comprehending these several departments of religious truth, in the volume which is the charter of our

salvation! "All scripture is given by inspiration of God;" and it is all conductive to the great end of bringing salvation, through an atoning Redeemer, to perishing man. But its Author designed that it should not only be promulgated, but explained; and that the various modes of its illustration should be adapted to the almost infinitely varied ability, wants, infirmities, and even tastes of those to whom it is sent. Instruction delivered from the pulpit is necessarily of a general character; and it is also elevated, by the dignity of its oflice, above the minute exhibition of some topics, which are, notwithstanding, important in the Christian life. The diligence, and the toil, and the prudence in expense, imposed upon almost every condition of men, forbid their resort to elaborate discussions of moral truth. The religious tracts, of the character disseminated by this Society, are diversified in their style, minute in their investigation, and condescending to the foibles, as well as to the grosser vices which are found even among the humble and unlettered. The perusal of them need not intrude upon the duties of the most engaged. They are at hand in the moments of vacuity; and at those seasons when the heart, softened by unexpected blessings or calamities, is peculiarly capable of improvement. They blend the fascination of romance with the force of truth. Like the parables of our Lord, they insinuate their moral, before the mind has been able to assume an attitude of defence; and they produce conviction without creating that displeasure against the teacher, which often renders verbal instruction worse than useless.

I will add but one more advantage characteristic of religious tracts. They afford the pleasure and the blessing of benevolence to persons of every condition and period of life. To bear the banner of the Cross among heathen nations, to scatter the priceless benefits of the Gospel among those who were before without consolation under inevitable afflictions, and without guidance and grace in the darkness and corruption of the natural heart-this is a sacred task, for which many are qualified, in respect of piety and self-devotion,

whose condition withholds them from the labour and from the reward. But vice is not less odious in a Christian, than in a Pagan land. Sin is not less the object of divine malediction. To be instrumental in rescuing a professing Christian from practical infidelity, and of conducting him to consistent purity, integrity, and devotion, is an achievement at least not less noble than proclaiming the holy name and gracious truths of Jesus, to one who may only render them the means of his greater condemnation. A single tract has, in many cases, through the divine blessing, imparted light to the erring, conviction to the insensible and obdurate, and holy resolves and increased graces to the back-sliding professor. And a peasant, a domestic, or a child, contributing to a Tract Society, may thus become the agent of extending the triumphs of the Cross, and of swelling the songs of praise presented before the throne of Deity.

I have offered these remarks merely to show the interest properly belonging to the present occasion-the efficacy of the instrument employed by this Association of Females, in co-operation with the ministry, the Scriptures, and the Spirit of Christ.

May he, in whose cause they are engaged, guide and prosper them! May his grace accompany every little volume which they bestow, and endow it with " a power unto salvation!" May they always remember that the Omniscient Eye marks the deed of charity in the privacy of a cottage, no less than the munificence which blesses a whole community, or the talent that is instrumental in sanctifying the possessor of a throne! And when the recording angel shall disclose the page of pious and honourable actions, may they behold their labour of love, marked with the approbation of heaven. Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Female Tract Society of Baltimore, as revised at their Annual Meeting, held in St. Paul's Church, May 9th, 1821.

ARTICLE I.-This Society shall be composed of ladies belonging to the Protestant Episcopal Church, duly ad

mitted, agreeably to this Constitution.

ART. II.-The object of this Society is to purchase or publish Tracts, for the dissemination of religious knowledge, and the promotion of practical piety.

ART. III.-Every lady paying one dollar, annually, to the Society, shall be a member thereof.

ART. IV. Every lady subscribing ten dollars, or upwards, shall be amember for life.

ART. V. No Tract shall be published, or circulated, unless it shall be approved by two thirds of the Managers, and unless it has obtained the approbation of the Bishop, and any one of the Episcopal Clergymen of the city.

ART. VI-The subscribers shall elect, by ballot, twelve Managers, who shall remain in office one year, and until a new election; and who shall, at the end of their term of office, furnish a report of their proceedings, to be presented to the Society at their annual meeting.

ART. VII. The second Wednesday in May shall be the day of the annual election, and due notice of the meeting shall be given to the subscribers.

ART. VIII. The Managers shall choose à President, Treasurer, and Secretary; and fill all vacancies that may occur at their board.

ART. IX. The Managers shall solicit donations from either ladies or gentlemen, but ladies only shall be annual contributors; and all monies thus collected, shall be paid into the hands of the Treasurer, at the stated meetings of the board.

ART. X.-The Managers shall direct the distribution of the Tracts, and perform all other business incident to the institution.

ART. XI. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to manage the funds of the Society; to keep regular entries of all receipts and disbursements, in a book be produced at every stated meeting of provided for the purpose, which shall the board, and to furnish, annually, a statement, to be attached to the report.

ART. XII.-The Managers shall use their influence to promote the establishment of Auxiliary Societies, with whom

it shall be their duty to maintain a re gular correspondence, and to co-operate in advancing the great object contemplated by this Society.

Managers for the present year.President, Mrs. Dr. Alexander; Secretary, Mrs. D. C. Heath; Treasurer, Miss Atkinson ;-Mrs. Bartow, Miss Bowley, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Hesselins, Miss R. Hudson, Mrs. Schoolfield, Mrs. Charles Wirgman, Mrs. E. G. Woodyear, and Miss Yates.

For the Christian Journal.

WHEN Dr. Bisse (page 214) speaks of a sermon appointed, by the Church of England, to be delivered once on the Lord's Day; it is to be presumed that he refers to the volumes of the 17th century, rather than to the half-hour glasses of modern times. Of the interminable length of pulpit discourses of that period, some idea may be formed from the following anecdote of the celebrated Doctor Barrow. Divines of the present day, who would aim at any thing like his altitude of excellence, should imitate his example of transcribing their ESSAYS, THREE OF FOUR TIMES, and not plume themselves on ejecting their crudities at a single heat. Indigator.

Anecdote of Doctor Barrow. Doctor Isaac Barrow was remarkable, not only for the excellence, but like wise for the extraordinary length, of his sermons, which he generally transcribed three or four times, his greatest dif ficulty being always to please himself. M. Le Clerc, in his Bibleothèque universelle, says of them-"This author's sermons are rather treatises or com plete dissertations, than mere harangues to please the multitude." Doctor Pope gives the following instances of the extraordinary length of Doctor Barrow's

sermons:

"He was once requested by the Bishop of Rochester, Dean of West minster, to preach at the Abbey, and withal desired not to be too long, for that auditory loved short sermons, and were used to them. He replied, My Lord, I will show you my sermon; and pulling it out of his pocket, put it into

the Bishop's hands. The text was the 10th chapter of Proverbs, the latter end of the 18th verse; He that uttereth a slander is a liar. The sermon was accordingly divided into two parts; one treated of slander, the other of lies. The Dean desired him to con

tent himself with preaching only the first part, to which he consented, but not without some reluctancy; and in speaking that only it took him an hour and an half. At another time, upon the same person's invitation, he preached at the Abbey on an holiday. Here I must inform the reader, that it is a custom for the servants of the

Church, upon all holidays, Sundays excepted, betwixt the sermon and and the effigies of the Kings and evening prayers, to show the tombs Queens in wax, to the meaner sort of people, who then flock thither from all quarters of the town, and pay their twopence to see the Play of the Dead clown not improperly call it. These Volks, as I have heard a Devonshire perceiving Doctor Barrow in the pulpit, after the hour was past, and fearing to lose that time in hearing, which they thought they could more profitably employ in receiving; these, I say, became impatient, and caused the organ to be struck up against him, and would not give over playing until they had blown him down. But the sermon of the greatest length was that concerning charity, before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen at the Spital; in speaking which, he spent three hours and an half. Being asked, when he came down from the pulpit, whether he was not tired; Yes, indeed, said he, I began to be weary with standing."

(From the Missionary Register for April, 1821.) National Education Society. NINTH REPORT.

CENTRAL SCHOOL.-The average number of boys is 502, and that of girls is 205. Of these scholars it is stated "The children have been twice publicly examined; and have exhibited most striking proofs of their proficiency, and of the general excellence of the system. In numerous instances, the children, on leaving school,

have attended, with their parents, to return thanks for the instruction which they had received; and have, in consequence, been presented with a Bible and Prayer Book."

An assisting mistress has been appointed, with the best effect, to pay exclusive attention to the working department of the female school.

Of the Training Department it is said "The schools which have been supplied with permanent masters and mistresses, during the year, are 42; and those assisted bý temporary instructors and monitors, 32; the masters and mistresses received into the school for instruction, from different parts of the kingdom, amount to 82. Thus the whole number of schools, which have derived assistance from the Central Establishment, during the year, amount to 156."

Progress of the System.-The new schools received into union, during the ear, are 147; making the total of schools in union, 1614.

The Committee estimate the increase of scholars, in the ninth year, at 20,000, carrying the total number to 220,000; or to 270,000, if the 50,000 be added, who are educated in schools conducted on the principles of the System, though not in union with the Society.

The System had been before generally introduced, under the patronage of the Commander-in-Chief, into the Army: an opening has been recently made for its introduction, with a fair promise of success, into the Navy.

In Nova-Scotia, the schools are producing extensive benefits. From the other Foreign Dependencies, no information of importance has been received. A native of New-Zealand, and another of the Gold Coast, have been instructed in the Central School; and this advantage has been granted to teachers proceeding to Sierra-Leone, New-South Wales, New-Zealand, and Bermuda.

Pecuniary Grants.-The Grants of the year have been as follows: To the parish of St. Matthew, BethnalGreen, with a population of 40,000, and about 4000 children requiring gratuitous education, €400-to the parish

of St. Pancras, population 50,000, the sum of £250-to the parish of St. Mary, Newington, 30,000 inhabitants, £200-to the parish of St. Nicholas, Deptford, 7000 people, £150-to the parish of Woolwich, with upwards of 16,000 inhabitants, £100-to Áldburgh in Suffolk, Chatteris in Cambridgeshire, Bridgenorth in Shropshire, Hurstperpoint in Sussex, Whitwick in Leicestershire, Mold in Flintshire, Farnham in Surrey, and Cumberworth in Yorkshire, £100 each.Besides these larger Grants, others have been made, which varied from £90 to £20. The whole number made, in the course of the year, amounted to 44; and the sum thus expended, to £3202.

Funds.-The income of the year, applicable to the purposes of the Society, was £2589 12s. 3d, and its expenditure £5193 28. 2d: the deficiency having been supplied by the sale of stock.

The net sum now remaining in hands of the Committee, amounts to but about £2500. On this point the Committee remark-"Sensible as they are that this sum must soon be exhausted, they will continue to dispense it, as long as any portion remains, in the way which may appear most conducive to their important purposes."

Conclusion of the Report." The Committee having brought their statements to a conclusion, are anxious, before they close their report, to call the attention of the meeting to the peculiar circumstances of the present times, as pointing out the imperious necessity of promoting, by every possible exertion, and on the most extensive scale, the cause of National Education.

"It is too well known, at the present time, in some parts of the kingdom, with what industry designing persons are employed in spreading irreligion and disaffection among the poorer classes of the community. It has even been rumoured, that, in some places, the excellent mechanism of the National System is abused to the purpose of training children to habits the very reverse of those which it has been hoped that this System is, under the blessing of Providence, destined to up