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RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

ON Wednesday the third of October, a Meeting was held to take a farewel of the Rev. Dr. Vanderkemp; the Rev. J. Kicherer; Mr. J. Edmonds, and W. Edwards, Miffionaries, intended for Caffraria, beyond the Cape. On this occafion, the Rev. J. Stephen, of London, preached from Ifa. xlix. 6; and the Rev. W. Moorhouse, of Huddersfield, and the Rev. T. English, of Wouborn, Bucks, prayed.

We are happy to find the Friends of this inftitution, are coming for. ward with fresh fupplies of money toward paying the expence of the fecond Miflion to the South Seas; and we have reafon to believe the exertions both in England and Scotland, will be fuch as to encourage the Directors to render the long and tedious voyage of the Missionaries, as comfortable as poffible; and furnish them with fuch articles for prefents, as may con. duce to the convenience of the Heathen, and make favourable impretions on their minds. In addition to the annual fubfcriptions of the members of the Society, the congregations in London, united in this good work, are making collections; and the country congregations are emulating them. Collections have already been made at the Adelphi Chapel; Mr. Townsend's, Rotherhithe; Surrey Chapel; Mr. Freer's, TorringtonAtreet; Mr. Brookfbank's, Haberdasher's Hall; Tabernacle, at Briftol; Ditto, at King(wood; and Mr. Priestley's, Deal.

Alterations are being made on board the Duff, for the greater accom modation of ten married Miffionaries, befides children; and for about twenty fingle men. More than that complement are already accepted, and the reft will be relerved for future Miffions. The day of folemn defignation, is fixed for the 13th inft. in the morning, at Spa Fields Chapel; Mr. Maurice, is to give an Introductory Sermon, and Mr. Eyre to deliver the Charge.

As the Committee of Equipment, have fignified that the hip will be ready to drop down to Gravelend, about the fitteenth day of the month, it is hoped that those friends who have any letters or parcels for the abfent, or any offerings for the prefent, Miffionaries, will be good enough to forward them by the tenth.

Mr. Robfon, is appointed Captain of the Miffionary Ship, for the prefent voyage.

WE are happy to hear that the friends of the Miffionary Society in Kello, continue unabatedly zealous in the good caule, having transmitte the other week, thirty-four pounds to the Treasurer; their zeat appears the more commendable in this, that liberal contributions have lately been made in that place, in the fupport of government, for the re-building of the bridge, and the inftitution of a Sunday School, which, under the united exertions of the minifters of different denominations in the town, is in a very profperous fate.

Twenty Pounds, have likewife been received from a Friend, by the hands of Mr. Wilkes.

WIDOWS

WIDOWS' FUND.

TO THE CHRISTIAN LAITY IN GREAT-BRITAIN, OF ALL
DENOMINATIONS.

GENTLEMEN,

PERMIT us to addrefs you on a fubject, which muft deeply interelt your generofity, your humanity, and your gratitude. It is in behalf of a very valuable, feful, and important clafs of our fellow-fubjects, the Minitters of the Goipel all over the united kingdoms. You are well aware that, in general, no defcription of men of fimilar rank, is so slenderly provided for in life, and fo little enabled to lay up any thing for the fuppor: of their families, when they themselves are removed by death. Having most of them their pittance of income paid in money, that pittance is every day, from the advanced price of all the neceffaries of life, diminishing in value and effect. A pecuniary stipend, or fubfcription, is not half the value now, that it was thirty years ago. But the object of this addrefs, is not to devife an increafe or revenue to the minifter himfelf; he mult continue to struggle through his complicated labours and difficulties as he may; it is to affift him in making fo.ne permanent provifion, for the partner of his humble lot, and for a friendless offspring, fhould they furvive them. In the view of this event he has indeed, as a Chriftian, much to encourage and fupport him, but as a man, he is fubjected to many painful feelings, and depreifing apprehenfions, which it would be highly defirable to prevent, or to remove.

No one can be weak enough to think that an attempt to relieve the widow and fatherlets children of a minifter of the religion of Jefus Christ, by means of a well-digested plan of human prudence is to encroach on the province of Divine Providence. The great Ruler of the Univerfe, conducts the affairs of it by created agents, and by the exercife of thofe powers and faculties which he has committed to them. The example of our bleffed Lord, is equal to a thousand arguments, to recommend the use of prudent forefight, while we yet live, towards alleviating the diftreffes of those who are dear to us, after we are dead. In dying agony, and in the very act of pouring out his foul an offering for fin, he felt for the approaching folitude, defertion and dependence of a mother, through whofe foul a fword had pierced; and he, who could hav eprovided for her by a miracle, thought proper to employ the kind offices of friendship and compaffion. "WOman, behold thy fou; my beloved difciple, behold thy mother."

Ministers of the Gofpel will not be offended if we fay that, in general, they are very indifferent men of buliness. Wife unto falvation, and to win fouls to the Redeemer, many of them are children in understanding, as to the things of this world. There are cafes in which we must think and act for them. Partakers as we are of the fpiritual benefits which they are commiffioned to impart, we lie under an obligation of juftice, as well as gratitude, to 'et them partake of the bencfit of our skill, industry, experience, time and fubitance.

Impreffed with this idea, we, in conjunction with many of our refpectable lay friends in the Metropolis, have cheerfully ftepped forward to lend counsel and affiftance to a body of Minifters affociated, under the d nommation of the Protefiant Union, for the purpofe of forming a plan, and creating a fund, whole annul produce hall conftitute a regular, though moderate, provifion for the families of deceafed minifters, which, from want of such provilion, are frequently left in many-formed diftiefs. After 3 I 2 much

much deliberation, in the courfe of which the first-rate profeffional abili ties have been reforted to, and the experience of fimilar inftitutions has been confulted; and after frequently looking up to heaven for wisdom to direct, a plan has been adopted, of which a copy is herewith transmitted to you: it is respectfully fubmitted to your confideration, and folicits your fupport.

Gentlemen, in forming the plan, it was neceffary to calculate on a re gular annual fubfcription to the general fund, to be paid by the minister himfelf, proportional to the benefit devifed to furvivors. But you must be fenfible that, in most cafes, this annual payment must become a very heavy burthen. We are called upon therefore, at least to divide it with the good men, whom we are bound to "efteem very highly in love for their works' fake." The liberality of the public will, we flatter ourfelves, do more. Is it over-rating the generofity of this great nation, ta hope that not many years hence, by the donations, annual subscriptions, collections at places of worship, and bequests of the Laity, a fund, fufficient for all the purpofes in contemplation, fhall be raised without trenching on the poor fcrip of a minifter, whofe profession obftructs to him the path that leads to wealth, while it entitles him to countenance and fupport during life, and to all the confolation which friendship can administer in the profpect of diffolution?

Miles's-Lane, O&. 12,
1798.

[Signed on behalf of the Lay Trustees.] T. PRESTON, Treasurer,

We whofe Names are hereunto fubfcribed, having met together for the purpose of forming ourselves into a Society, for the Benefit of the Widows and Orphans of Proteftant Minifters and Preachers, refident in Great Britain, to be called the PROTESTANT UNION, have agreed upon the following Plan, under the authority of the Act of Parliament, of the 21st of June, 1793, intitled An A&t for the Encouragement and Relief of the Friendly Sacieties.

I. The Object of which

Is by a regular annual fubfcription to form a permanent Fund, fo as to allow a certain income to the Widows and Children of ourselves, and of fuch other persons as fhall hereafter become members of this Society.

II. The Means of raifing and supporting the Fund.

1. This Society fhall be divided into three Classes, that Ministers of fmall, as well as of larger incomes, may have an opportunity of enjoying

the benefit of it.

2. That every Minifter or Preacher, upon his admiffion, fhall make choice of his Clafs, which thall not afterwards be altered, unless he descends from a higher to a lower clafs.

3. The Claffes fhall be as follows:

1. The members of the 1ft Clafs fhall pay the fum of five Guineas-annually, 2. The members of the 2d Clafs fhall pay the fum of four Guineas annually. 3. The members of the 3d Clafs fhall pay the fum of three Guineas annually 4. That every Member, on his admiffion, fhall pay the first year's Subfcription in full.

5. That the Subfcription fhall afterwards he paid half yearly, that is to fay, on or before the 30th day of December; and on or before the 30th day of June in each year.

6. That in cafe any member shall neglect to pay his subscription within N. E. Thefe fums are exped to be raifed by collections, in the congregations whofe minilters are menibers of this Society.

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one month after it becomes due, he fhall pay, according to his clafs, a forfeit of three fillings, if the clafs be three guineas; a forfeit of four fillings, if the clafs be four guineas; a forfeit of five fhillings, if the clafs be five guineas.

7. That if any member of this Society fhall fail to pay his fubfcription, with intereit and forfeit, for tix months after the fame becomes due, he fhall be excluded, and alto forfeit all his preceding payments.

8. If any member of this Society, on leaving the kingdom, fhall continue beyond feas for a year and a day at one time, except to exercife his ministry in the neighbouring kingdom of Ireland, or with the knowledge, confent, or permiffion of the Trustees, his family hall forfeit all intereft in the institution: and if any member shall lofe his life by fuicide, or by the hand of justice, his family fhall in like manner lofe their interest. 9. That the treasurer or trustees, or any member of this Society will thankfully receive any fubfcription or donation from those whose benevolence may incline them to affitt in raifing and fupporting the faid fund. And all fuch fubferiptions, donations, and bequests shall be part of the stock of this Society.

III. Members and Mode of Admiffion.

1. That this Society fhall confift of fuch Proteftant minifters and preachers of all denominations in Great Britain as thall become fubfcribers to the fund, who, without their manual fubfcription hereto, fhall be bound by the rules of this Society as now fettled, and by all fuch other rules as thall hereafter be paffed at a general meeting of the fociety, and confirmed at a fecond general meeting.

2. That no minifter or preacher now exercising his ministry, who fhall neglect to join this fociety within two years from the date hereof fhall hereafter be admitted a member.

3. That if any minifter or preacher in England fhall neglect to join this fociety within two years from his commencing preacher, or from his ordination, admiffion licence, or leaving the academy, he shall for ever be ineligible to become a member.

4. That if any minifter in Scotland shall negle& to join this society, within two years after his ordination and admiffion to the charge of a congregation, he fhall be for ever ineligible.

5. That after two years from the date hereof, no minifter or preacher can be admitted a member who shall be more than the age of forty-five.

6. That all members after the 30th day of December next shall be admitted by ballot, at a general meeting, and no perton fhall be admitted unJefs two thirds of the members present ballot for him.

7. That every minifter or preacher defirous of becoming a member, fhall fignity his intention with a certificate, or other fatisfying proof of his age, and age of his wife (if any) and the number and age of children (if any) to the Secretary, at least three months before the general meeting.

8. It is, moreover, exprefsly agreed, that every layman, fubfcribing one guinea or upwards, annually, be entitled to vote, and be fummoned if in London or Weftmintter, or within the Bills of Mortality, to attend the General Meetings, but can have no beneficial intereft whatfoever in the Funds of this Society.

IV. The Application of the Funds of the Society.

I. The widow of each minifter fhall receive according to his Clafs, the following yearly fums :

1. Thofe whofe hufbands belonged to the firft clafs, the yearly fum of twenty-five pounds.

2. Those

2. Those whofe husbands belonged to the fecond clafs, the yearly fum of twenty pounds.

3. Thofe whofe husbands belonged to the third clafs, the yearly fum of fixteen pounds.

II. That if one or more children fhould be left, and no widow, they shall be provided for in the following mamier:

1. If one child thall be left, that child fhall receive a fim equal to four years annuity, in the clafs to which the deccafed parent belonged.

2. If two children, they fhall receive a fum equal to fix years annuity. 3. If three, they hall receive a fum equal to leven years annuity. 4. If four children, or more, a fum equal to eight years annuity, and the preceding fums shall be divided equally amongit them, according to their number.

5. While a child or children are minors, the intereft of the fum due, at the rate of five per cent. per annum, fhall be paid by the trustees half yearly, to the executor or other friend of the orphans, at the discretion of the trustees, till the faid child or children attain the age of twenty-one ; when the whole fum fhall be paid. In cafe of the death of one or more children, before the age of twenty-one, then the fum due to the deceafed child or children, fhall fall into the general fund of the Society.

III. If the widow of a minifter thall die, or marry again, within eight years, after the decease of her husband, leaving a child or chil dren, the child or children left, fhall be entitled to a fum equivalent to the difference between the fum actually received by the widow, and eight years of faid annuity, according to the regulations in the cafe of other children. IV. That the faid annuities and provifions shall be fubject to the following reftrictions and regulations:

1. That if any member of this Society fhall die before he has been a member two years and a half, and before he has made his first half yearly payment for the third year, then his family is not to receive any benefit from this fund.

2. That if any member of this Society die before he has paid a fum equal to four year's annuity of his widow, the deficiency fhall be deducted from the annuity, or the fum to be paid to the children; provided always, that the fum deducted from the Widow's annuity, do not in any one year exceed one half of her faid anuity.

3. That if any member of this Society fhall marry a perfon twelve years younger than himfelt and die, his widow the 1 not be entitled to the whole of her annuity, nor his children by her (if any) to their provition, unles he has paid into the Furd of the Society, a fumi equal to fix years annuity of his widow, but the de uction fhall be as by the preceding article.

4. That annuities to Widows and provifions to Orphans, fhall be paid within fix months after the death of any member is certified by due proof of his burial, and an athidavit of the identity of the deceated, or otheiwife attefted to the fatisfaction of the Trustees.

5. If at any time it fhall appcar to the Society, that their funds will not be fufficient to pay the claims (which is highly improbable) then the Trustees fhall be empowered to direct a call to be made upon the feveral members of this Society in proportion to their claffes, for making good any deficiency, provided the call in any one year, do not exceed one third of his rate; and any member actuling to answer fuch call, fhall be excluded, and all his payments forfeited to the benefit of the Society.

6. That if in process of time through the favour of Divine P.ovidence, it fhall appear to the Society, that it has acquired a capital more than fut ficient to uphold its credit, as well as to fatisfy all claims to which it may

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