by the House of Assembly, and which appeared in the Royal Jamaica Gazette of Dec. 30, 1815. " Resolved, nem. con. That early in the next session, this house will take into consideration the state of religion amongst the slaves; and carefully investigate the means of diffusing the light of genuine Christianity, divested of the dark and dangerous fanaticism of the Methodists, which has been attempted to be propa gated, and which, grafted upon the African superstitions, and working on the uninstructed minds and ardent temperament of the negroes, has produced the most pernicious consequences to individuals, and is pregnant with imminent danger to the community.' I observed to you, when in London, that I had visited the Methodist chapel in Kingston; that it was numerously attended by free people of colour and slaves, and as well conducted as any place of worship in England; and that, upon inquiry, I found many of the Society equal, in point of moral character, to their brethren of the same denomination at home; and that a great deal of good had been done among the slaves by the preaching of the gospel. It is much to be lamented, that ever a misunderstanding took place between them and the magistrates of Kingston, which put a stop to their useful labours. It cannot be supposed, that, in a large Society, however well conducted, no improper characters should creep in, and for a while deceive the managers; but it is a hard case, that the improper conduct of one or two individuals should deprive so respectable a body of their right to worship God in their own way. There have been instances of gross conduct among the established clergy and on the same principle, the Assembly might as well have suppressed religion in all the churches. In fact, it is a mere trick, intended only to amuse his Majesty's ministers; for the Assembly well know, that very fe overseers will attend to it; and if any one were to do so, he would be cried down as a madman, enthusiast, Methodist, Moravian, or Devil. Where there is a total neglect of religion, there is a want of honesty; and were you to be acquainted with the gross frauds and breaches of trust frequently committed, by which widows, orphans, and others are reduced from comfortable circumstances to beggary and ruin, while the perpetrators of these evil deeds escape with impunity, you would not wonder at the general aversion to religion. BARBADOES. By letters from Barbadoes, it appears that a dreadful insurrection broke out among the negroes on Easter-Day, when many estates were burned, and a terrible alarm spread. Martial law was immediately proclaimed, many negroes destroyed, and the rebellion suppressed, at least for the present; but great apprehension has been excited in the neighbouring islands. The com motion is supposed to have originated in a fit of despair, among the negroes, from hearing of the rejection of the bill for the registering slaves in the West Indies. That evangelical religion should produce such conduct, is utterly impossible. CATHOLIC INTOLERANCE. The German Papers state, that the Ambassador of the King of the Netherlands has failed in his mission to the Pope, relative to the intolerant conduct of the Belgic Bishops, his Holiness having declared that the toleration of several religions is contrary to the principles of the Catholic Church. Arau, April 20th. "Italy.Letters from Rome say, that the Ambassador of the King of the Netherlands has received a very unsatisfactory answer to the complaints which he had made to the Pope, concerning the behaviour of the Belgian Bishops. The Pope declared that the toleration of several religions is contrary to the principles of the Catholic Church, and that the Archbishop of Mechlin has given public offence, by doing homage to their principles of toleration in the new constitution of the kingdom of the Netherlands; whereas, the Bishops who have refused their signatures have done their duty. Further, That Protestant Prince cannot nominate Bishops; that the King of the Netherlands should either alter the Constitution, in what concerned the article of Religion, or not call upon the clergy to take the oath to it." a A gentleman, lately returned from Bilboa in Spain, informs us, that on the arrival of his vessel at that port, a guard-boat, belonging to the Holy Inquisition, came on board, having the banners of that tribunal flying, and manned with a respectable number of friars. They inquired for papers and books, and asked the master and crew many questions respecting the conversation of the passengers on religions and political matters; whether there had been much swearing on board during the voyage, &c. and to end the cere a for May last (p. 189) which had been transmitted to us by a Dublin Correspondent, it appears there are some inaccuracies, and we are obliged to the Trustees of that Institution for enabling mony, the master had CATHOLIC LENITY. The tribunal of the Holy Office at Rome, after invoking the illumination of the Holy Ghost, has annulled the proceedings commenced by the Inquisitor of Ravenna, against Solomon Moses Viviani, who, after embracing the Roman Communion, had relapsed to Judaism. His Holiness, in the decree issued upon this occasion, thus expresses himself: "The divine law is not like the law of man,-it carries with it mildness and persuasion. Persecution, exile, prisons, are the meaus employed by false prophets and false teachers. Let us pity the man who is deprived of the light, and who even wishes to be deprived of it; for the cause of his blindness may serve to promote the grand designs of Providence," &c. His Holiness has ordered that no future proceeding of the kind shall be attended with loss of life or limb to the culprit. [It is also said that the Pope has abolished the application of torture in the Inquisition; and has communicated this to the Courts of Spain and Portugal. - But how does all this agree with the Pope's Answer to the King of the Netherlands, on the preceding page?] IRELAND. May 15. Rev. J. Stratton, from Hoxton Academy, was ordained in York Street chapel, Dublin. Mr. Creighton, of Winchester, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Loader, Tutor of the Academy, Dublin, asked the questions and gave the charge; Mr. Brown, of Belfast, offered the ordination prayer; and in the evening Mr. Cooper preached to the people.-The congregation has considerably encreased in this large chapel, and the prospect of extensive usefulness is peculiarly encouraging. DUBLIN.-In our account of opening the Molyneux Asylum, in the Evan. Mag. us to correct them. The premisses, which had been originally the mansion of the Molyneux family, and since occupied by Mr. Astley, of London, as a Theatre, were, in 1815, taken of Sir C. Molyneux, at the rent of £100 per annum; and being in the last state of ruin, were fitted up at considerable expence, for the accom modation of 50 poor blind females, with a detached suit of five rooms for a chaplain. Upon the scite of the Theatre a chapel had been also built, 120 feet by 50, which seats commodiously about 600 persons: this building and the repairs have cost £1340.- The chapel was opened, as we stated, by Mr. Crosthwaite, who performed the whole duty; and the collection amounted to £250. The establishment is by deed, under five trustees and 15 visiting ladies. The trustees express a confident expectation, that the double object of promoting the gospel and relieving the blind, cannot fail to interest both the pious and humane in this country. PROVINCIAL. ASSOCIATIONS. The Annual Meeting of the Congregational Ministers at Llanfyllin, was held April 15; when Mr. R. Williams, of Rhes-y-cae, preached from Hebrews ix. 24; and Mr. B. Powell, of Mold, from Rev. i. 17, 18. At Seven, the following morning, Mr. Everett, of Denbigh, Mr. Jones, of Holywell, and Mr. Roberts, of Llanbrynmair, preached. In the afternoon preached Mr. Morgans, of Machynlleth, Mr. Williams, of Wern, Mr. G. S. Weidemann, of Wrexham, Mr. Jones, of Llanwchllyn. Messrs. Griffiths, Davies, Lewis, Ryan, and Jones, introduced the different services by reading and prayer. The hearers the walls, especially in the afternoon, a being by far too numerous to come with n the chapel-windows, where they could stage was erected for the preachers in at once address the two congregations. April 16, 1816. The Half-yearly Association of the Ministers in Cornwall was held at Fowey. Mr. Douglas preached in the morning, from Acts ii. 4; Mr. Bounsall, of St. Columb, in the afternoon; and Mr. Cope, of Launceston, in the evening, from Daniel vii. 13, 14. Evans, Hart, and Skeat, engaged in Messrs. Guard, Trevor, Cornwal, prayer. The Lord's Supper was after wards administered. M. Wildbore, of Penrhyn, preached the preceding 'evening. The next Meeting is to be held at Truro, the Tuesday before Michaelmasday. Mr. Skeat and Mr. Bounsall to preach. May 1, was held the 35th Meeting of the Lincolnshire Association. On the evening preceding, Mr. Woodward preached from Ps. cx. 2. On Wednesday Mr. Davis opened the service, and Mr. Woodward preached from Matt. xiv. 15. In the afternoon Mr. Everard prayed; and Mr. Davies preached from Hosea x. 9. In the evening Mr. Ketall preached, and Mr. Woodward concluded. The next Meeting to be held at Spilsby, the second Wednesday in September. A few Ministers of the counties of Northumberland and Durham, having formed an Association for the spread of the gospel, a Meeting was held last Christmas-day, at Newcastle upon Tyne; when two sermons were preached, and several Resolutions entered into. A circular letter was drawn up, addressed to Evangelical Ministers in general, to unite in this good work. Accordingly a more general Meeting was held on the second Wednesday in May, at Mr. Banks's chapel, Monk wearmouth; when Mr. Whittenbury, of Darlington, preached in the morning, from Matt. ix. 37, 38; and Mr. Davison, of Newcastle, in the evening, from Isa. xl. 16. A very interesting Meeting took place in the afternoon. Several Ministers gave an affecting representation of the deplorable darkness in the north of England. It was proposed immediately to procure -two itinerants.-The next Meeting is to be held at Hexham, on the second Wednesday in May, 1817, when Mr. Prattman, of Barnard Castle, and Mr. Banks, of Monk wearmouth, are to preach. May 29. A Meeting was held at Launceston, to form a Society for preaching the Gospel in the towns and villages in the eastern part of Cornwall, and part of Devonshire. It was stated that the word of God had been preached in the course of the last sixteen years, at South_Petherwin, Yeolmbridge, Truscott, Egloskerry. Tamartown, Bridge town, Bennicott, Lawhitton, Elscott, Carlington, and Ashwater, in the Laun ceston district, and recently at Menbe niot and Marymit, in the Liskeard district; and that, during the same period, Sunday-Schools had been opened at nine different places,-that the spirit for hearing was so great that, at many places, numbers could not gain admittance, and that many persons had been brought to a saving knowledge of the Son of God. This is to be denominated The East Cornwall Evangelical Society; and its objects, instructing and evangelizing the inhabitants of the neighbouring villages; educating and supporting young men to preach erecting and licensing places of worship; defraying the expences of horse-hire, candles, &c. Mr. Cope and Mr. Trevor were appointed Secretaries; and the latter preached in the evening' at Castle Green meeting, from Ps. cxix. 130; after which a collection was made for the Society. The next Meeting to be at Liskeard (D. V.) the last Wednesday in August. Mr. Cope to preach. June 4, was held at. Mr. Gardner's Meeting, Potters' Pury, Northamptonshire, the Annual Association for Buckingham and its vicinity. The Ministers met in the morning, to transact the business of the Association; and in the afternoon public service commenced by Mr. Fletcher, of Bicester, reading the Scripture and prayer; after which Mr.Scraggs, of the Old Meeting, Buckingham, preached from Jer. iii. 21, 22. evening Mr. Gravestock, of Towcester, began in prayer; and Mr. Aston, of the New Meeting, Buckingham, preached from Heb. v. 14.-The next Annual Association is intended to be held at Mr. Gravestock's Meeting, Towcester. In the addressed the church, from Heb. xiii. 17; Mr. Start preached from Rom. i. 16, in in the evening; and all the services were well attended. siderable number of ministers attended, and the devotional parts of the service were conducted by Mr. Luke, Dr. Ryland, Messrs. Robarts, Giles, &c. The chapel is neat and commodious, and the collections amounted to £181. April 17, 1816. The Rev. D. Thomas, late student at Carmarthen, was ordained pastor of the Congregational Jan. 4, 1816. A new chapel was Society at Tearscross, Pembrokeshire. opened at Portthelaw, in the parish of The services were conducted as follows: St. Keverne, Cornwall, when three Mr. Bulmer read and prayed; Mr. Davies, germons were preached by Mr. Start, of Panteg, explained the nature of a of Bodmin, Mr. Moore, of Truro, and gospel church; Mr. Meyler, of Rhos-y- Mr. Douglas, the county itinerant. ceirau asked the questions; Mr. War- This fishing cove had long lain in darklow, of Milford, offered up the ordina- ness and iniquity, till the gospel was intion prayer, Mr. Peter, of Carmarthen, troduced through the pious zeal of an gave the charge, from Col. i. 28; and individual, who opened a prayer-meetMr. Harries, of Abergavenny, addressed ing. A fish cellar was the first place the church, rom 1 Thess. v. 20, and resorted to for preaching; and now a concluded by prayer. In the afternoon place, which will contain from two to and on the preceding evening, Messrs. 300 people is crowded, and many have Price, Griffiths, Rowlands, &c. preached. reason to adore divine grace for This infant Society is in connection with sending them the gospel. that at Rhosemarket, formerly under the late Rev. Arn. Davies. A convenient chapel has been built, which was opened in June, 1815, and the prospect is encouraging. May 21. Rev. Joseph Freeman, from Hoxton Academy, was ordained copastor with the Rev. Samuel Douglas, at Chelmsford. Mr. Thornton, of Billericay, began with prayer; Dr. Collyer asked the questions, &c. Mr. Stevenson, of Hedingham, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Hooper, classical tutor at Hoxton, gave the charge; Mr. Newton preached to the people; Mr. Gray concluded. May 29. Rev. T. Kidd, late of Cleck-Heaton, was set apart to the pastoral care of the newly formed Independent church at Clapton, Middlesex. Mr. H. F. Burder, of Hackney, opened the service with prayer and reading; Mr. Lewis, of Islington, introduced the business; Mr. Kidd avowed his cordial acceptance of the charge; Dr. Smith, of Homerton, engaged in prayer; Dr. Winter, of London, preached from Ezek. xliii. 12, This is the law of the house,' &c.; and Mr. Mitchell, of Newington, closed with prayer. The whole service was conducted with an unusual degree of interest, and the purest satisfaction diffused through a very crowded and respectable audience. CHAPELS OPENED. Nov. 22, 1815. The new Indepen dent Chapel of Mr. Thorpe, at Castle Green, was opened by a short address from the minister. Mr. James, of Birmingham, preached from 1 Cor. i. 22; and Mr. Jay, of Bath, in the evening, from Ezek. xlii. 1--12. A con LONDON. May 2, was held the Eighth Anniver sary of the London Society, før promoting Christiauity among the Jews; when a sermon was preached at St. Bride's Church, by the Rev.Legh Richmond, M. A. from Rom. xi. 28; and on the following morning, a second sermon, by the Rev. D. Wilson, M. A. at St. Aun's, Soho, from the same chap. ver. 25-27. At Two, the General Meeting was held at Free-Masons' Tavern, Sir T. Baring, Bart. M. P. in the Chair, when the Report was read by the Secretaries, in which it was announced that the gospels had been printed in Hebrew, and were ready for distribution among the Jews. The Report also stated that the revenue of the current year had been found adequate to the expenditure. Three Jews gave an account of their conversion to Christianity, and the children in the Jewish school sung an hymn. The Collections amonnted to nearly £170. beside £30. collected for a school, by a Sermon on the Sunday following. We have pleasure in announcing the formation of a new branch of the. British and Foreign Bible Society, and which has received from that Society a gratuitous grant of 300 Bibles and Testaments, in aid of the object in view.-We refer to the Grand Junction and General Canal Bible Association, formed March 20, 1816. The Bishops of Durham, Norwich, Gloucester, and Charles Harvey, Esq. M. P. Patrons; the Rev. Basil Woodd, President; John Bacon, Esq. Treasurer; Rev. J. Bull, A. B. Mr. J. But ler, Mr. R. Harrison, Secretaries, grutis. THE Bumber of persons employed in navigating the boats on the Grand Junction and other Canals is estimated at about 6000; including their wives and families. The whole number is pro bably not less than 20,000. These may be said almost to live upon the water; and, by the peculiar nature of their occupation, are precluded all opportunity of attending public worship on the Sabbath-day. Legacies Dividends on Stocks (less Prop. Tax), For Bibles and Testaments, the 3 the 3 L S. d. 5118 13 6 378 18 8 476 3.10 78 7 4 1430 3 3 55450 62932 10 . 29927 12 Total 02860 3 9 For this deprivation uo remedy offers itself equal to that of providing them with copies of the holy Scriptures, which it is the object of this Institution to supply them with, at cost.or very reduced prices. The experiment has already been made; the proposal has been most cordially and gratefully received many Bibles and Testaments have been eagerly purchased; and there appears a great and increasing The Expenditure of the Year desire to possess the word of God. Obligations of the Society, cluding Orders given for Bibles All that is now wanting is the aid of and Testaments, about the benevolent, to enable this Institution to enlarge its efforts, till every indi- the course of an excellent speech, at The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in vidual, connected with the inland the Annual Meeting, as mentioned in navigation, is possessed of the invaluable treasure. our last, expressed himself to the follow The Committee there fore earnestly request the co-operation ing effect: of all such individuals as dwell in the iu 2 103680 18 $ 36000 0 "You will perceive, my Lord, that I am particularly alluding to a very remarkable transaction, which has dis tinguished the past year; and which differed so widely from diplomatic forms, and from the principles of ordinary policy, that it is not surprising that at first it should have excited some degree of jealousy and suspicion-I mean, the Secret Treaty, concluded and signed at Paris, by the Emperors of Austria and Russia, and the King of Prussia. The confused and imperfect notions of this proceeding, which at first crept out, naturally occasioned curiosity, and even alarm, rather than confidence; but to those who had the opportunity of being acquainted with the real and genuine history of this arrangement, and of knowing the sincerity and integrity of the principles from which it originated, it afforded the gratifying, and hitherto unpre Christian Sovereigns, differing in their cedented spectacle, of a union of sion, but agreeing in a public recogrespective modes of religious persua nition of the divine authority of the gospel, and binding themselves, by a solemn compact, to adopt its precepts as the rules of their policy and conduct. I feel it my duty to add, that, though legal and constitutional difficul ties prevented the Sovereign of this |
