social prayer and praise to the God we worship, is enough to animate our devotion, and give energy to all our efforts.

The second Resolution, pledging the Society to renewed exertions in the Missionary cause, was moved by ED. PHILLIPS, Esq. High Sheriff of Wilts. Rev. G. COLLISON, of Hackney, though of another denomination, cheerfully seconded the Motion, because he considered the various Mis-. sionary Societies as forming one of the strongest bonds of union presented in the present day, in which all denominations might meet and act in harmony, without any compromise of sentiment. Mr. C. mentioned a friend having received a few pounds as a residuary legatee, arising from. the sale of some slaves in the Bay of Honduras; and understanding that their Society had determined on a Mission to that spot, his friend had empowered him to present them with 177., and he wished it were as many hundreds.

The third Resolution was moved by Dr. A. CLARKE, and contained a vote of thanks to the Governors of Ceylon, New South Wales, Dominica, the Cape of Good Hope, and Sierra Leone, for the encouragement afforded. to their Missions in their respective Governments. Dr. Clarke directed his observations to the necessary co-operation of Bible and Missionary Societies and Schools, as all combining in the great work of the conversion of the world.

J. H. HARINGTON, Esq. of Calcutta, in seconding Dr. Clarke's Motion, adverted to the numerous suttees and other scenes of cruelty which he had witnessed in India, and which, if they were not absolutely enjoined, were certainly sanctioned by the Hindoo religion.

Rev. Dr. STEINKOPFF moved a Resolution, and then adverted to the progress of the Missionary cause upon the continent, particularly at Basle, where but six or seven years ago they had only two missionary students, but have now twenty-six men of the right stamp," prepared to propagate the Gospel through the world.

Rev. THEO. BLUMHARDT, Inspector of the just-mentioned Institution, followed to second this Motion, which he did with pious ardour.

Thanks to the Auxiliary and Branch Societies, to the Ladies and Juvenile Societies, and to the Subscribers in general, were moved by the Rev. S. LOWELL, of Bristol.

Lieutenant GORDON, R. N., in seconding this Resolution, considered the ascendancy which Britain had obtained among the nations as calculated greatly to promote the Missionary cause, especially in the facilities afforded by her commerce in communicating with all parts of the world. Rev. G. MARSDEN moved, and Rev. H. MOORE seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Butterworth.

United Brethren: Annual Sermon.-No public Meeting is held by the. Brethren in behalf of their Missions; but an annual sermon is now preached, in aid of the association formed in London for the support of these Missions. The sermon on the present occasion was preached, on Thursday evening, the 2d of May, at the church of St. Clement Danes, by the Rev. Legh Richmond, M.A. Rector of Turvey, Bedfordshire.

In reference to the Brethren, Mr. Richmond pointed out the eminent manner in which their church had displayed, in its Missions, the work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope. In the very midst of their

persecutions,

persecutions, they had published several editions of the Bible in the vulgar tongue. It was in their flight from their native Moravia, during a persecution which harassed them from the commencement of the last century, that they settled in Germany; and, though a small and exiled body, they began, within a few years, to send out Missionaries to the most inhospitable regions, and to the most savage and degraded tribes of the known world. They had maintained the original character of their Church through all their vicissitudes, and amidst the severe hardships which had accompanied their labours among the heathen. Their success might chiefly be ascribed, under the blessing of God, to the simplicity and constancy with which they exhibited the cross of Christ, as the power of God and the wisdom of God. The extent of this success had been great: they now employed, including the females of the Missions, nearly 170 labourers; and numbered in their congregations 32,000 converts. The increasing calls upon them for further supplies of Missionaries and of funds, their own poverty as a people, their retired and withdrawing character, and the difficulties under which they labour, give them a claim on the enlarged support of their fellow Christians.

The Synodal Committee, at Herrnhut, who direct the concerns of the Brethren's Missions, have published the following statement of the receipts and disbursements for the year 1820:

Receipts of the Year 1820. Collections from Congregations and Friends Benefactions, chiefly from Great Britain

Legacies

By course of Exchange

414 11 II

South America

157 17 8

To 18 married Brethren and Sisters, and 9 unmarried

Brethren

To 31 Widows of Missionaries.

To 70 Children of Missionaries, in sundry Schools and

at Trades

Sundry Expenses.

726 11 1

325 2 11

Remarks of the Synodal Committee on the State of the Funds. These remarks are addressed to the Brethren's Congregations in this country.

"The inclosed account of receipts and disbursements of the Synodal Committee for the management of the concerns of the Brethren's Missions among the heathen, in the year 1820, will inform you that the expense of this branch of our service has been no less than 9,4321. within the said period. This great increase of expenditure, compared with former years, has been chiefly owing to the building of the new church and premises at Bethesda, in St. Kitt's; and the rebuilding of the settlement at Enon, in South Africa. To this must be added the extraordinary long journeys and voyages rendered necessary in the year past, and the maintenance of 76 superannuated Missionaries, and 70 children of Missionaries either educated at schools or learning different trades. Our receipts in 1820 amounted to the large sum of 7,1924, which, however, falls short of the expenditure by 2,2387. and leaves of the years 1819 and 1820 a deficiency of 2,7251. (Rix-dollars at 6 for 17.)

This state of the finances of our Missions might well create an apprehension within us, amounting to a doubt, whether we should in future be able to afford the means of supporting that extensive and every year increasing work, which the Lord has committed to the church of the Brethren. But we will not yield to doubts and unbelief; but, with confidence and faith, look for help to the Lord, who, from the very beginning to this day, has caused the Missions of the Brethren among the heathen to be a work done in faith. We will encourage each other anew, to persevere in prayer and supplication to the Saviour of mankind, in behalf of this precious cause; and likewise assist with all the means which we can afford in our several situations: and that with the more earnestness, as the spirit of extending the knowledge of the Lord throughout the earth by Missionary labours in so many denominations, calls upon us not to grow weary and remain behind our Protestant brethren in this blessed work.

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One of the most powerful aids which we have received in the year past, has been afforded to us by the zeal of the 'London Association in aid of the Brethren's Missions,' instituted in the year 1817, by persons not in church communion with the Brethren, but friends and well-wishers to their exertions in the cause of God; as also by the kind assistance of the ladies' association connected with them, and of associations formed in Glasgow and Edinburgh for the same benevolent purpose. Most fervently do we pray the Lord to bless and reward those worthy benefactors, whose hearts He has thus disposed in love and charity towards us, and filled with zeal and courage to persevere in taking such a kind share in our endeavours to make known His saving Name among heathen nations. May He also richly bless those ladies' associations, which have been formed in our own connexions, and their friends, in London, Bath, Bristol, and Bedford. We thank them cordially for their exertions, and considerable contributions received from time to time."

State and Prospects of the Missions.

The Synodal Committee adds on this subject :

"The weekly accounts in manuscript sent to our congregations by the Elders' Conference of the Uunity, the periodical accounts in England, and

VOL. I. NO, II,

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the

the printed accounts in Germany, have given our brethren and friends, from time to time, a distinct view of the internal state of the Missions in all parts of the world; by which it is evident, that also in the year 1820 the congregations collected from among the heathen have grown both in number and in grace. We have particularly noticed, with great gratitude, the awakening and divine life which has been manifested throughTM the preaching of the cross of Christ. In South Africa, Paramaribo, and the island of Antigua where we have been called upon to form two new establishments, and also in Jamaica and St. Kitt's, the Lord has been pleased to cause His work to flourish. If it still please Him to give success to the testimony of our dear Missionaries, when they preach Jesus and Him crucified among the heathen; if he grant to them to labour together in brotherly love and harmony of spirit, and humbly and in dependence on Him to do their work; and if He continue to prepare Brethren at home, who gladly and willingly accept of the call to step into the places of those whose labours are finished, and are called home to Him, or retire to rest at home-then we may rest assured, that the joy and gratitude of our hearts will supersede all fears and doubts, which otherwise might assail us.

"In all heathen lands new doors are opening, inviting the messengers of peace to enter in; and many invitations are sent to us to come and proclaim deliverance to the captives of sin and Satan, that they may be translated into the glorious liberty of the children of God, being brought from darkness into the light of the glorious Gospel of God. The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few. Our slender means render it impossible for us to accept of the invitations given. Let us, dear Brethren, and most earnestly, see to it, that the spirit of the Lord may have free course among us in the Brethren's church; that the members thereof may be well grounded upon the merits of our blessed Redeemer; and that we may continue to be a people bearing witness, by walk and conversution as well as by doctrine, that in the sacrifice of Christ alone are to be found grace and the remission of sin for all mankind.

"We request you to pray most fervently and diligently for us, that we may be strengthened in our official situation; in which we meet, in many respects, with difficulties of various kinds."

Contributions of the London Association. This Association, which was formed Dec. 12, 1817, has paid the following sums to the Brethren, in aid of their Missions :--

£.
S. d.

640 9 4

1156 12 2

1095 8 3

1896 12 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

Improvement of Prison Discipline.-On the 4th of June the Meeting of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline, and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders, was held at Freemasons' Hall. The

hall

hall was crowded at an early hour, and several ladies of distinguished rank attended.

At a quarter past 12 o'clock, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester entered the room, attended by the Earl of Blessington, Lords Suffield, Nugent, Ebrington, and Calthorpe, Mr. Wilberforce, M.P., Mr. Coke of Norfolk, M.P., Mr. Holford, M.P., Dr. Lushington, M P., the Hon. H. G. Bennet, M.P., Mr. Bootle Wilbraham, M.P., Mr. Wm. Williams, M.P., and several other public characters who take an active interest in the promotion of this Society. Mr. Randolph, of America, and Mr. Zea, of Columbia, were also present.

As soon as His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester took the chair, Mr. HOARE proceeded to read the Report, which developed the objects and progress of the Society.

After congratulating the friends of the Society upon its progress within the last year, the Report proceeds thus, with reference to some objections which the Society had to encounter :

"It has indeed been contended by some who yet profess themselves friendly to the Society, that the sole end of punishment is to deter, and that the reformatory measures which the Committee recommend, if even morally efficacious on the criminal, would be injurious to the community at large, by weakening the terrors of imprisonment, and rendering gaols desirable habitations.

"The Committee may, however, be allowed to state, that they have been much misunderstood, when it has been supposed that they desire to introduce comfort into gaols. They are well aware, and have always contended, that corrective discipline ought to be the leading feature in prison management. The punishment of the offender must be the first step, as well for his own interests as for an example to others. He must be made to feel, that personal suffering, as far as is consistent with humanity and the character of his offence, attends the infringement of the laws and the violation of the peace and property of society but while the Committee are strenuous advocates for rigorously enforcing the penalties of guilt, they are firmly convinced that the prevention of crime can never be effected by the influence of fear alone. In proof of this, they confidently appeal to the page of history. In no Christian or civilized country has unmixed severity of punishment attained this object. Other motives and impressions, besides those produced by the infliction of suffering, must be called into action. You must regard the offender as a moral agent, and an accountable being you must operate upon his understanding and his heart; and you must convince him how deeply his reformation is connected with his best interests here, and his happiness hereafter.

"In this system of prison management, classification is provided to such an extent as to prevent that corrupt association to which the vicious are peculiarly prone. Hard labour and useful employment, religious instruction, spare diet, occasional solitary confinement, and habitual restraint, are steadily enforced."

The Report then details the particulars of the bill now pending in Parliament for consolidating and amending the various laws at present in force relating to prisons, and also adverts to the alterations now con

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ducting