There are several religious and social meetings among the Students, besides those for Family Worship. Each class meets separately, once or twice a week, to pray together and make acknowledgment of mutual offences. They also weekly meet the Inspector and each Teacher alternately, in four divisions; so that each class comes under the private inspection of Mr. Blumhardt and of each Teacher at least once a month. They have, further, every Saturday Evening, a Missionary Prayer-Meeting, composed of the Inspector, Teachers, Students, and pious Inhabitants of the Town.

The means employed for discovering

:

character and habits are more indirect than direct it is supposed that direct measures for that purpose are liable to lead to hypocrisy: by the freedom given, and the manner in which that freedom is used, a knowledge of the character is gained. The state of the Students in the Institution is considered, throughout, to be that of trial; and constant observation is made on their spirit and conduct. Various circumstances arise, from time to time, by means of which the temper and spirit are ascertained: their proceedings with regard to retired prayer, their conduct toward their brethren, the manner in which they attend to their studies, and their making a conscience of little things-these are employed as means of discovering their character. The general opinion of the body of the Students respecting an individual, is another criterion: an accuser of the Brethren is not admitted, nor are inquiries ever made of one Student what is the character of another: should a Student manifest a censorious spirit, no regard would be paid to his representations. The Inspector and Tutors live in the midst of the Students, and see and observe them continually.

The Students have opportunities of promoting the spiritual good of others, in the hours not devoted to study. The four Prisons of the Town are placed under their care, and eight of the Students are engaged every morning and evening in visiting them it is stated that the prisoners have derived much benefit from these visits. Other Students superintend Sunday Schools. There is also a School of Young Persons who receive daily instruction from the Students. The sick poor of the town are also visited by

them.

Regulations relative to the Marriage of
Missionaries.

The opinion of the Bâsle Committee, on the subject of the Marriage of Missionaries, does not appear to be materially different from that entertained by this Committee. They agree that it is against the Word of God to forbid to marrythat it may be laid down, as a general rule, that it would be advantageous that a Missionary should be a married man— and that the Wives of Missionaries, of a devoted character, would be eminently useful among the Heathen. They reason, however, thus:

In this country, when a person has finished his studies and enters on the Ministry, the common rules of prudence restrain him from marrying immediately; and he must wait till he has obtained a suitable standing and settlement. An apprentice to an ordinary trade does not, when his time is expired, think of marriage, till he has established himself in business. So a Missionary, having finished his preparatory studies, is not more than a Missionary in preparation; and must give proof of his fitness for the office in the Heathen World. For this trial, three or four years are considered to be necessary.

They have been strengthened in this conviction, by reflecting on the various difficulties with which the Missionary has, at the onset, to contend-a foreign, perhaps insalubrious, climate-the ac-. quisition of a new language-the perplexity of strange manners and customs; to add to which, the care of a Wife and Family would be greatly to increase his burdens. This subject is fully laid before the Student a year before it is intended that he should go out, and his judgment on this point ascertained. If, after prayer and consideration, he says, "I ought not to go unmarried ;" this is not refused; but he is not employed as a Missionary there are Stations in the German Colonies in Russia, where the Committee have the means of advantageously placing him with a Wife; and to one of these he is appointed.

The principle on which the Committee propose to act, is, to make trial of the individual for three or four years at his Station, before he marries.

A regulation connected with this subject is, that a sum equal to about Ten Guineas a-year is laid aside on account of each Missionary sent out, under the title of "Widows' Cash." This fund is to be appropriated, in the first place, to defray the expences of a Missionary's return home to marry, at the expiration of four or five years, if he should desire

to do so; and, subsequently, to make provision for his widow and family.

The Committee act on the principle of not weakening the Christian constancy of the Students, by too much facility respecting marriage; and unreservedly apprise them of the sentiments which they entertain on the subject.

Expediency of placing English and German Missionaries in separate Fields of Labour.

On the subject of separate fields of labour for German Missionaries, it was conceived, that, though brotherly love would be manifested by the German and English Missionaries dwelling together, yet that, as there are national habits and manners peculiar to each, Missions would probably be carried on more efficiently, by establishing separate Stations for those of each country; and it is thought that the Lutheran Stations may be conducted in conformity with the simplicity of manners, wants, and habits of these Brethren.

It is the impression of the Bâsle Committee, founded on their experience so far as that has extended, that Germans do not require the same allowance as Englishmen. They propose to assign to their Missionaries a certain sum, varying in amount according to the country in which they labour, which is to be the maximum of their yearly expenses; and leave it to them individually, after trial of their wants, to take as much as they find needful, it being expected that the surplus should be put into the Missionary Purse. This plan is acted on in the Armenian Mission. The maximum is to be revised once in seven years.

It was suggested that the Missionaries assigned to the Church Missionary Society from Bâsle might be placed on this footing; or, if the same Salaries are given to them as to Englishmen, that they might be directed by the Bisle Committee to apply the surplus to the objects of the Mission where they were stationed. The Committee were, on the whole, decidedly of opinion, that, considering the difference of national character, habits, and manners of the two bodies, it was highly desirable to have separate Stations for the Lutheran Missionaries employed by the Church Missionary Society-that their Missionaries should be placed at a distance from great cities, and in the midst of the Heathen Population-and that one point should be fixed as a centre, from which they might itinerate in the surrounding country.

It was admitted, that the experience of the Bâsle Committee was not at present sufficiently extensive, and that it referred to countries too different from those in which the Missions of this Society are established, to enable them to recommend to us the adoption of that scale of expense, which they have found commensurate with the wants of their own Missionaries.

Care to preserve the Institution from

prevalent Errors.

The Deputation have now to enter on that important topic, which more immediately led to their visit to Bâsle. Their statements are founded on communications with Mr. Blumhardt and with the Bisle Committee, and on conversations with other pious and respectable persons whom they met with in the course of their journey.

They were told, that the description of Neology given in the Rev. Hugh James Rose's Discourses on the "State of the Protestant Religion in Germany," is rather true of the condition of things some years ago, than at present. It was alleged, that, since the year 1815, there has been a considerable return to right sentiments; not only among the people, but also in the Universities and among the Clergy. Before that period, there was scarcely a University untainted by Neology. Some Universities, indeed, and many Clergymen, remained faithful; but Neology was the prevailing system. Now things are much improved; and a more Scriptural System begins to prevail. Formerly there was little or no opposition to the prevailing false and heretical opinions-now there is an earnest and extended opposition to them. The pious Ministers are yet the smaller party; but they are, through the blessing of God, growing in numbers and decision of character.

With regard to the Bâsle Institution, the Deputation were assured that the Committee have uniformly held the Neological System in abhorrence: they consider the Inspired Scriptures to be the only foundation of Christian Doctrine: all the instructions delivered in the Institution are founded on their Divine authority, and derived from their contents: every other foundation but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, as revealed in the Scriptures, they entirely disclaim. The subjects of study are eminently Scriptural-in the first year, the History of the Bible as introductory

to the study of the Scriptures-in the second year, the doctrine of Faith, as found in the Bible, without reference to any System of Theology or Philosophy. The Books employed in prosecution of this plan are, Warden's "System of Revealed Religion," and Storr's "Doctrinæ Christiana Pars Theoretica."

The Bâsle Committee have ever been in direct opposition to the principles of Neology and it is believed that their influence has led some of the Foreign Universities to consider the advantages of adopting the course of a simple explication of the Scriptures; and that a more evangelical plan of teaching Theology has, in consequence, been, in some instances, restored. The Institution is supported by those who are avowedly opposed to Neology; and if the least countenance were given to it, the confidence of the friends and supporters of the Institution would be withdrawn, and the Institution itself must fall. The Insitution has always stood on the simple principle of faith in Jesus Christ and His Divine Word. In this principle, the Teachers, and all the Members of the Committee, without exception, cordially concur. Their great aim

is, that the Students received into the Institution should be, themselves, real Christians; since no one can expect to labour with success for the conversion of others, if not himself under the influence of true religion.

Great circumspection is observed with reference to all Books introduced into the Institution, in order to exclude those which are tainted with erroneous opinions. The Committee rather use Theological Works of the beginning of the Eighteenth Century, for the purpose of the Institution, than those of a later date.

From the information communicated to the Deputation, it appears that Universalism is not the production of Neology: it existed before Neology, and had its origin among the Pietists: it would be considered ridiculous in Germany to ascribe Universalism to Neologians. It arose out of an extravagant idea of the superabundant merit of the death of Christ, and of the love of God to mankind; whence it has been inferred, that, at the end of the world, all will be saved.

The Inspector and Teachers of the Institution are fully convinced, that the opinions condemned in the Instructions to the Deputation, Neology and Uni

versalism, are not only absurd and extravagant, but antiscriptural, and opposed to the clearest testimonies of God's Word. They have always taught, that all who have sinned without Law shall perish without Law-that all who have sinned under the Law shall be judged by it-that only those who believe in Christ shall have everlasting life-that the punishments of the condemned are everlasting—that God will judge every one according to his workand that the servant who knew the will of God and did it not will suffer double punishment that all mankind by nature are in a perishing condition; those with the Revealed Law, and those without it that there is no salvation but in the merits of Christ; and that faith in Him is the only means of being saved-and that, consequently, all the world, Heathen and Christian, lie in a state of condemnation, without faith in Christ—that there may be a difference between the punishment of those who have not and of those who have heard the Gospel; but that, the nature of this difference not being revealed, we are not permitted to explain it.

It appeared, on investigation, that the opinions on Universalism, which the Church Missionary Committee had discovered that one of the Students from Bâsle had imbibed, were infused into his mind in the following manner:-an Advertisement had been published in the Circulars of the Bâsle German Missionary Society, requesting from friends of the Institution presents of books for the Library: a great number of books were, in consequence, sent to the Institution; and, among them, some contained this error: a copy of one of these was sent by the Author to the individual referred to, and to some other Students, without the knowledge of the Teachers. The representations made by the Church Missionary Committee led to the discovery of the circumstance: immediately on its being discovered, the books were destroyed; and a regulation was adopted, forbidding any Student to buy or receive any book, without inserting the title of the book and his own name in a Register now kept at the Institution for that purpose. This Register is given every week to the Inspector and to each Teacher. If the character of the book is unknown, it is delivered to the Teachers for their perusal, and the Student is not permitted to read it until it

receive their approbation. Thus every book read by or in possession of the Students is under the complete inspection of the Teachers. It is believed that no Student now in the Institution is infected with this error. If it should be embraced by any one, it could not now be long hidden from the Teachers; and, if such a case occurred, and the Student did not wholly abandon the error, he would be dismissed from the Institution.

The Committee strongly expressed their satisfaction at the visit of the Deputation; and deeply lamented that any one of their Students should have adopted an unscriptural opinion. The Deputation assured the Committee of their entire satisfaction at the explanations which had been given; and expressed their hope that the intercourse which they had had with the Committee and the Institution would tend to a closer union and warmer affection between the two Societies, in carrying forward their common work and glorifying their Heavenly Master.

The Deputation cannot refrain from recording their gratification and delight at the simplicity, piety, and zeal which they observed in the whole of the individuals connected with the Bisle Institution.

Shropshire-Sept 23: Sermons,by the Senior Secretary, morning and evening at Madeley, and afternoon at Stockton-Sept. 24: Meeting at the Tontine Inn, Iron Bridge, for forming the Madeley Branch; W. Anstice, Esq. Chn. Collections at Sermons and Meeting, 58. 13s. 1d.-Sept. 25: Ann. Meeting, at Shrewsbury, of the County Association; W. Cludde, Esq. President, Chn.; attended by the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, Patron: Col. 281. 6s. Sd.- Sept. 26: Meeting of Collectors at Ellesmere Sept. 27: First Ann. Meeting at Whitchurch; Rev. John Murray, Chn. Col.137. 10s. 5d. Assistance was rendered by Rev. E. Burn and Rev. John Davies, at Madeley and Shrewsbury.

Wrexham-Sept. 26: Ann. Meeting; Rev. G. Cunliffe, Vicar, Chn. Col. 71. 8s. 10d. Cheltenham-Sept. 28: Third Ann. Meeting, in the Montpellier Rotunda, more fully attended than usual; Rev. Francis Close, Perpetual Curate, Chn. Col. 531. Southampton- Sept. 30: Sermons, by the Senior Secretary, at Holy Rood Church: Coll. 271. 48, 5d. Oct. 1: First Ann. Meeting of South-Hants Association; Rt. Hon. Sir. G. H.Rose, Bart. M.P. Pres., Chn. Col. 101. 7s. 2d. Pinner (Middlesex)-Sept. 30: Sermons, morning and afternoon, by the Junior Secretary- Oct. 1: Ann. Meeting; Rev. J. B. Burnett, Chn. Collections, 137, 8s.

Bushey-Sept. 30: Sermon,in the evening, by the Junior Secretary: Col. 41. 4s. 6d. St. Stephen, Coleman Street-Sept. 30: Sermon,by Rev.Daniel Wilson: Col. 424. 11s. 7d. - Oct. 11: Meeting, in the Vestry, for the Formation of an Association; Rev.Josiah Pratt, Vicar, Chn. Subscriptions and Benefactions, 431. Os. 6d.

Chatteries - Oct. 4: Third Ann. Meeting; Rev. Dr. Chatfield, Vicar, Chn.-Oct. 5: Sermon, by Professor Scholefield, in the evening, at Bluntisham (Bedfordshire)-Oct. 7: Sermons, at Chatteris, by Professor Scholefield. Collections, including a Sale of Work, 477. 12s.

Norfolk & Norwich-Oct. 4: Ann. Meeting at Cromer; T. F. Buxton, Esq. M.P. Chn.Oct. 7: Sermons, in Norwich, at St. Gregory's by Rev. John Perowne, and at St. Laurence's by Rev. E. Sidney-Oct. 8: Sermon, by Rev. T. D. Atkinson, at St. Edmund's, NorwichOct. 9: Ann. Meeting of the County Asso

ciation, at Norwich; T. F. Buxton, Esq. M.P. Chn. An Evening Meeting of the Labouring Class; Rev. Mr. Barnes, Chn. - Oct. 10: Sermon, at St. Laurence's, by the Senior Secretary. Collections, with Benefactions, 154l. 18s. 3d.: of this amount, the sum of 521. was contributed at the Meeting at Cromer.

Acton Oct. 11: Annual Meeting of the Branch Association; Rev. John Bickersteth, Vicar, Chn. Col. 11. 2s.

South-Bucks-Oct. 14: Sermons, at High Wycombe, morning and afternoon, by the Senior Secretary: Coll, 177. 16s. 7d. - Oct. 15: Meeting at Marlow for forming a Branch Association; Rt. Hon. Lord Gambier in the Chair: Col. 501. 0s. 6d. Rev. T. T. Coxwell, Vicar, President. Rev. E. Neale, Treasurer. Rev. H. C. Ridley and Rev. T. Griffiths, Se

cretaries.

Berkshire-Oct. 14: Sermons; by Rev. J. N. Pearson, at Taplow and Bisham; and at Maidenhead, in the evening, by the Senior Secretary: Coll. 401. 6s. 9d.-Oct. 15: Meeting, at Maidenhead, for forming a Branch Association; Rev. Edward Neale, Chn. Col. 241. 10s. C. Sawyer, esq. President. Rev. James Knolles, Rev. E. Neale, Jasper Atkinson, Esq. and John Weyland, Esq. Vice-Presidents. Rev. Eardley Childers and Rev G. Welford, Secretaries. A Ladies' Association was formed in the evening.

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
TWENTY-FOURTH REPORT.

Progress of the Society. NOTWITHSTANDING the pressure of the times, the sales of the Publications of the Society have exceeded, by nearly One Thousand Pounds, those of the preceding year: the contributions from Auxiliaries have also increased nearly Four Hundred Pounds; and although your Institution has been deprived of some of its supporters, yet upward of One Hundred new Subscribers have been obtained. This increase of funds has been the more important, as the applications to the Society for assistance far

Issues of Publications.

The Issues of the Society, during the past year, exceed those of any preceding year, both in number and value.

The

Publications issued from your Depository have amounted to Eight Millions, Two Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Four Hundred and Eight. To these must be added, the Tracts produced by the grants of Paper and Money to Foreign Stations, which may be estimated at One Million Eight Hundred Thousand; making the Total of direct issues from your Society exceed TEN MILLIONS, without attempting to calculate the Additional Numbers printed by your Foreign Auxiliary Institutions, from funds raised immediately by themselves. It is added, in a Note

Should these numbers appear different from those of any former Reports, the Committee would state, that they have discovered some unintentional errors in

the calculations of the years 1824 and 1825. They regret that they are unable to ascertain the precise amount of these errors: but they do not affect the total number stated to HAVE BEEN ISSUED FROM YOUR DEPOSITORY, which exceeds NINETY MILLIONS; and the arrangements now adopted, they are satisfied, will prevent the recurrence of similar

errors.

It is remarked

:

The Committee, when reporting the extent of general circulation, refer with much satisfaction to the unexampled efforts of a private Gentleman in Devonshire, in the distribution of Religious Publications during the past year he has purchased Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Two Hundred Hand-bills, and Ninety-one Thousand Two Hundred Tracts; making a total of Seven Hundred and Forty-one Thousand Four Hundred of your Publications: they trust that his efforts will be crowned with much success, and his example generally imitated.

The following notices occur of the gratuitous distribution of the Society's Publications:

To Ireland, 53,000 to Mariners, 21,000-in the Courts and Alleys, Prisons, Hospitals, and Workhouses of the Metropolis, 40,900-at the Fairs in and near London, 132,700 to Sabbath Breakers, 10,400 — at Executions at

Circulation of Tracts in Ireland.
In reference to the distribution of

the Society's Publications in Ireland it is said

The attention of the Committee has been naturally directed to this portion of our own country, which, at the present time, possesses peculiar claims to their attention they have received numerous applications for your Publications; and they have had the happiness of attending to them all, as far as their funds permitted: no one has been sent empty away.

At no former period have more encouraging accounts been received from Ireland. Not only has there been a great spirit of inquiry created, but many have been led to feel the necessity of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. There appears to be a general determination, on the part of the Irish Peasantry, to examine for themselves the great truths which relate to the soul-to God-and eternity. One of the Agents of the Irish Evangelical Society states an encouraging fact: he had been interrupted by a Roman Catholic, while preaching to a large congrega

tion: he says

After the confusion had ceased, I spoke further to the Congregation; and concluded with offering some Tracts to any of my Roman-Catholic Friends who might be diposed to read them. The expression of eagerness with which the proffered boon was accepted loses in description; while the constant claim of the applicants on every side, with hands lifted up, was, "Oh, Sir, I am a Roman Ca. tholic! please give me a Tract." I was fre quently obliged to hide them for some time, to stop the agitation which the eagerness to procure Religious Tracts had excited. I could not supply one out of every ten applicants.

The Committee felt that these exertions ought not to be impeded by the want of liberal supplies of Scriptural Publications; and that, at the present time, it would be almost criminal to be parsimonious in their grants to Ireland. They were satisfied, that to withhold more than was meet would only tend to poverty; and, trusting that the friends of Ireland will come forward to the help of the Society, the Committee have directed the Rev. R. Pope, the Rev. W. Urwick, and other friends, to draw upon them for ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND Publications, to be circulated in those dis