of books on hand permitted, and had formed such libraries for Bombay, Colaba, Matoonga, Poona, and Kaira, when the measure was to a great degree rendered unnecessary by Government's undertaking a plan of a similar nature, and much more extensive in its views, for the benefit of European soldiers within this Presidency. This liberal plan of Government has now been accomplished, and it goes to the extent of providing seven libraries for the seven principal stations, each containing a complete set of the books and tracts of the Society, including the Family Bible, together with Bishop Mant's Prayer Book, and books besides amounting to upwards of 130 volumes, comprising the works of many of the best English authors in history, travels, biography, poetry, and the elements of science. These libraries are placed under the superintendence of the chaplains, subject to regulations issued by the Commander in Chief, and the Committee consider them to provide amply for the wants in this way of European soldiers, and what they may still pursue of their own original plan will have a view only to the convenience of those who may be found at some of the stations who are precluded from having access to the military libraries.

II. Translation of Tracts, &c.

The Committee beg to refer to a full statement which appeared in their last report of the progress which had been made up to the close of the year 1821, in translating and circulating tracts in the native languges. Desirous as they are of using every means of promoting Christian knowledge which is in their power, this measure early suggested itself to their attention, and it immediately received the entire sanction of the Parent Society. The approbation by the Board in London of the Committee's proceedings in this department was not only declared in the warmest terms, but further evinced by grants of money to assist the Committee in this important and useful purpose. The Committee can now say that they believe they have made a good use of all the funds which they have

appropriated to it, and they have now to announce an additional grant from the Society of 150l.

The Mahratta and Guzerattee are the languages which present themselves in this part of India, and in each of these the Committee have now a stock of the following tracts: Our Lord's Discourses, Miracles, Pa. rables, and Sermon on the Mount, the History of Christ, the Chief Truths of the Christian Religion, the History of Joseph, and Ostervald's Abridgment. In addition to these the Committee have recently been enabled to add the Sermon on the Mount in Persian, and also an edition of the History of Joseph in the same language.

For the great object of gradually preparing the way for the effectual progress of the Christian religion, as well as for the immediate purpose of furnishing for schools unexceptionable books of elementary instruction, and useful moral lessons for all classes of the natives, the Committee have the satisfaction of knowing that these tracts are found to be essentially serviceable. Thus, although the establishment and superintendence of schools have not been undertaken by themselves, and although they have no missionaries in connexion with the Society to which they belong, they believe that they are rendering important assistance to those who directly attend to the education of the natives, and materially contributing to the success of all missionary purposes. It is the wish of the Bombay District Committee to make their tracts in the native languages as extensively useful as possible, and with this view they have most readily complied with all applications which have presented a reasonable prospect of advantageous distribution. To the missionaries of the Scotch Society settled at Bankote and Severndroog, who have numerous schools in different parts of the Southern Conkan, they have sent supplies within the last year amounting to 500 copies of each of their Mahratta tracts; and those gentlemen very warmly express their gratitude for the assistance. Supplies of their tracts in Mahratta have also been sent

to the Rev. Mr. Taylor, a missionary of the London Missionary Society settled at Belgaum, who speaks most favourably of the manner in which they are sought for and read by the natives; and in Guzerattee they are largely used in missionary and other schools where that language prevails. In preparing tracts to be added to their list since the publication of the last report, the Committee have to mention the services they have received from the Rev. Thomas Robinson, who has transmitted for printing at Bishop's College, Calcutta, an extract from his Persian translation of the book of Genesis, comprising the history of Joseph. They are also indebted to the same zealous and learned member for the superintendence of the printing at the Courier Press, of our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, extracted from the Persian translation of the New Testament by the late Rev. Henry Martyn. Of this tract an edition of 1000 copies has been completed, and a portion of them has been already transmitted to the Persian Gulph for the use of schools, under the superintendence of Armenian and English residents, which have lately been established at Bassora and Bushire.

The Committee have also to acknowledge their obligation to the Rev. Richard Kenney, a missionary of the Church Missionary Society, residing in Bombay, who has presented them with a translation in Mahratta of the Chief Truths of the Christian Religion, and of this 1000 copies have been printed at the Courier press.

The Committee look forward to having in future the advantage of procuring such of their tracts as may be judged expedient to be printed at the press of Bishop's College, by which they will have the benefit of revision by the College Syndicate, and be printed with the advantage of the best types and superintendence. In a letter to Archdeacon Barnes, the Rev. Mr. Mill, the learned Principal of the College, has promised every assistance in his power to the designs of the District Committee in this department. It may be expected, that, by these arrangements, in addition to

VOL. VIII. NO. III.

other advantages, the expense of printing will be considerably reduced.

In thus keeping up a connexion with Bishop's College, the District Committee find gratification in thinking that they are acting in accordance with the views of both Parent Societies, which have for so long a period cordially co-operated at home, and they trust that the objects of each will in this manner be most effectually promoted. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, to which the Mission College at Calcutta belongs, is coincident in date of origin with that for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The principles by which each is guided are the same; the chief difference which subsists between them arises from the sphere of their operations; and here, where both appear labouring on the same ground, it appears that it should be the object of either to bring into notice and to develope the usefulness of the other, and that by so going hand in hand they may expect greater success in their common object of extending and invigorating the branch of the Church of England established in the country." III. The Funds.

The only remaining subject to be noticed by the Committee is the state of their funds.

From the institution of the Committee in June 1816 to the end of 1824, its receipts have been 41,788 rupees; of which 18,749 have been contributed by individual benefactors and subscribers, 4780 have arisen from the sale of books to this Government, and 16,149 from the sale of books and of the family bible to the public.

Among the receipts the Committee acknowledge with sincere gratitude the sums collected at the opening of the new churches at Poona and at Kaira. From the former, the sum remitted by Mr. Robinson after a sermon by the Archdeacon was 773 Rs. From Kaira, Mr. Payne not only remitted 500 Rs. after a sermon by himself, but previously collected from the residents there donations to the amount of 401,

A A

together with upwards of 100 towards payment for the books which had been provided as a station library. The Committee have much satisfaction in stating, that the subscriptions at both of these stations were aided by the voluntary contributions of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the European regiments, at Poona H. M. 47th and 67th, and at Kaira H. M. 4th regiment of Light Dragoons. These are gratifying testimonies of the sense entertained by the soldiers of the advantages they derive from the exertions of the District Committee; nor should the instance remain unnoticed where an individual soldier contributes a rupee monthly to the funds of the institution.

Postscript. The foregoing report was approved at a general meeting of the District Committee, held in the vestry-room of St. Thomas's Church, Bombay, on the 3d of May, 1825, at which the Lord Bishop of Calcutta presided; and the Committee are sure the friends of the Society will have much satisfaction in being informed, that the Bishop, having heard the report read, congratulated the meeting on the account the Committee were able to give of their exertions, and expressed his approbation of every part of their proceedings. He touched briefly upon every thing contained in the report, exhorted the Clergy who were present to continue to use to the utmost of their power the

valuable assistance offered by the Society; and, in allusion to the Committee's designs in the formation of lending libraries, he pointed out the great advantage of such institutions, with particular reference to the circumstances of Europeans in India, and commended the judicious liberality of Government which now supplied the soldiers at many of the stations, with a set of books much more extensive and valuable than the Committee had the power of furnishing. His Lordship confirmed the assurance given by Principal Mill of the readiness with which every assistance would be rendered, which might be in the power of Bishop's College, to the exertions of the Committee in the translation of the Society's tracts; and, in allusion to that establishment at Calcutta, he intimated that he should take an early opportunity of proposing the formation in Bombay of a District Committee for this Archdeaconry of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The Bishop concluded his address with expressing his regret at the low state of the funds of the Committee, and his hope that the appeal made to the public in the report would not be neglected. As a proof of his own approbation of their exertions, he announced his intention of conferring on the Committee a grant of 1000 Sicca rupees, from a sum intrusted to him before his leaving England by the Parent Society.

t

J. M. Loyd, Esq. M. P.; G. Lyall, Esq.;
T. Sanctuary, Esq.; Sir T. Shelley, Bart.;
C. Stanhope, Esq.; J. Trower, Esq.;
Hon. & Rev. E. J. Turnour; J. Wake-
field, Esq.; R. W. Walker, Esq.; J.
Wilson, Esq.

Treasurer.-Rev. W. Woodward.
Secretary.-Rev. W. Davison.

ADDRESS.

"In the year 1749, some benevolent individuals, knowing how small an income was possessed by many of

the Clergy, and how utterly impossible it was for them, even with the strictest economy, to make any provision against the contingency of an orphan family, resolved to endeavour to mitigate, as far as human aid could, the painful anticipations of the parent, and the actual want and distress of the children.

"They accordingly established a *Society for the Maintenance and Education of the "Poor Orphans of Clergymen ;" and engaged two large Houses, one at Acton, and the other at Lisson Green, in the neighbourhood of London, for that purpose.

"But these having been found in many respects ineligible, a spacious and commodious building, capable of containing 160 children, was erected in 1812, in a convenient and healthy situation, near the Regent's Park, Mary-le-bone.

"The system of education is such as may qualify them for a faithful discharge of the active duties of life. They are admitted at any age between seven and twelve years. The Boys at fourteen, and the Girls at sixteen, are usually placed out as apprentices in different trades; and the Committee of management is particularly careful in selecting such families and employers as are likely to afford the children the benefit of a moral and religious example, combined with humane and tender treatment. A few Boys have been allowed to remain in the Establishment beyond the customary period, to be fitted for Teachers of Schools in some of our Colonies; and the Society is desirous of giving the most promising of the Girls such advantages in education as may enable them to go out as Nursery or Preparatory Governesses in private families.

"The Society, however, has never yet been able fully to realize its reasonable hopes and wishes. Many

In the year 1809, the Society obtained an Act of Incorporation; the expense of which, above Four Hundred Pounds, was defrayed by the Lord Bishop of Durham, who has also made Donations amounting to Eight Hundred and Fifty Pounds, besides subscribing annually Ten Guineas.

pressing applications are repeatedly made for admission, which it is under the painful necessity of rejecting; as the present funds, though economically administered, can only maintain about a hundred and ten children.

*

“This is a fact, which surely needs only to be made publicly known,to have redress. It cannot be that the sympathies of the friends of the Established Church will not be aroused,or that the hand of benevolence will not be opened wide, in such a cause. To arouse those sympathies,-and to excite that benevolence, within this District, by giving publicity to the object of the Society, and to the existing state of the Funds, was the occacasion of the establishment of the Storrington Committee. This purpose has been attained. Nearly a hundred and fifty Pounds have been collected in its narrow limits, in the course of last year; and though the Committee cannot expect so much in the present,→ many Subscribers having paid Ten Pounds in lieu of future Annual Subscriptions,-it still reckons with confidence on an undiminished zeal and benevolence.

"The example, thus set by the Storrington Committee, was immediately followed by an adjoining district, always forward in Christian duty;and it is hoped, that a like spirit will pervade other parts of the country.

"The Church is powerful in friends; and those friends will not suffer such an Institution to languish! Often, indeed, must the minister of that Church, when bidding adieu to his helpless babes,-supposing them destitute of earthly friends and protectors, -have betaken himself to the divine promise, 'leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive;' and doubtless that promise shed some ray of comfort on his last end: but how would it have rejoiced and gladdened his soul, could he have foreseen their being sheltered and defended, and trained in the paths of piety and virtue, of industry and usefulness,→ in this Orphan Institution!

"Oh, you, who are rich in the things of this life,-remember those who teach you to lay up treasure in heaven, and grant them this joy and

gladness; it will return into your own bosom!

"Would you not, at that same trying moment, which comes to all,— gladly anticipate from your Saviour's lips, that cheering announcement, 'inasinuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' Take then to yourselves, in this pious service, ground for the anticipation."

[Since the establishment of the Society, Nine Hundred and Fifty Orphans have been admitted; and there are at present in

President. The Marquis of Bute.
Vice-Presidents.-The Earl of Plymouth;
Lord James Stuart, M.P.; Wyndham
Lewis, Esq. M.P.; the Bailiffs of Car-
diff; William Crawshay, Esq.; J. J.
Guest, Esq.; R. F. Jenner, Esq.; T. B.
Rous, Esq.; W. Towgood, Esq.
Treasurers.-Messrs. Savery, Towgood,
and Co.

Committee. Mr. Alderman Bird; T.
Bourne, Esq.; T. W. Booker, Esq.; J.
Bradley, Esq.; T. Charles, Esq.; Wal-
ter Coffin, Esq.; Rev. Thos. Davies, jun.;
Rev. PowellEdwards; Mr.N. French, jun.;
R. Griffiths, Esq.; Mr. David Harris;
Mr. William Harris; Mr. William Hogg ;
Mr. Thomas Hopkins; Mr. Alderman
Prichard; Rev. J. M. Traherne: Mr. C.
Vachell; Mr. C. C. Williams; R. W.
Williams, Esq.
Secretaries. Rev. Thos. Stacey; E. P.
Richards, Esq.

REPORT.

"It will be satisfactory to the friends of The Cardiff School established for the Education of the Poor,' to learn that the promises of good, which were held out at its commencement, have been, in many instances, and are still continuing to be, fulfilled, to the best wishes of its supporters. Ten years' experience of the utility of the Institution is sufficient to justify your Committee in making such declaration. The intentions nourished, at the foundation of the School, were to impart so much instruction in sound morals and true religion as to make the partakers of it good men and pious Christians; and so much skill in writing and knowledge of arithmetic as to enable them to ex

ercise, with a greater degree of correctness and facility, than was attainable heretofore by the lower classes, the several occupations and trades common to their condition ;-and, if some were endowed with better abilities than others, to put before them laudable objects of ambition, to teach them to emerge from their humble stations, and fill such situations as were more fitting to their higher capacities. Your Committee can turn back with pleasure to the numerous periodical records of the School, and, by comparing them with the conduct of those young persons to whom they principally refer, now that they are pursuing their respective courses in life, are furnished with the best testimony that these first intentions have been amply fulfilled. Under these delightful circumstances and they are not anxious to recount others your Committee confidently rely on a continuance of support to an Institution which contributes to such excellent ends.

"Your Committee record with satis faction that, during the last winter, many of the children belonging to the School, both boys and girls, were furnished with several articles of clothing, at the expense of Mrs. Wyndham Lewis, and of the Marquis of Bute, to whom your Committee beg to make this their public acknowledgment;-and they are glad, further, to state that the Noble Lord has undertaken the entire clothing of twelve children-six boys and six girls during the period of their remaining at the School, and has