spicuously in your predecessors; and led them to sacrifice their friends, their country, their worldly prospects, whatever we are most apt to love and value, to the service of their Redeemer; under a firm conviction, that, in charging them selves with the government of an Episcopal Church in India, they were obeying God's call, and surrendering themselves to His wise and gracious disposal.

Under this conviction, you, my Right Reverend Brother, are now going forth to the work in which they were engaged, and the field in which they have laboured. The task, which you are about to undertake, is indeed a task of no ordinary toil and difficulty. Your experience of the relation between a Bishop and his Clergy in this country will probably be of little service to you, from the very different circumstances of the establishment in our Indian Provinces, and the small resemblance which your Clergy bear to a Parochial and Settled Ministry. Your Diocese is, as was observed on a former occasion, "scarcely inferior in extent" -with the additions that have been made to it, we may perhaps say, not inferior in extent-"to the Roman Empire in the. plenitude of its power." You will therefore be, like the Apostle, in journeyings often, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from a burning sun and an unknown and untried climate, in watchings often; besides those things that are without, that which will come upon you daily, the care of all the Churches.

After the death of your lamented predecessor, this Society represented to the Governing Powers, in strong but respectful language, the expediency of increasing the number of Bishops in India, and of dividing that labour which seemed too great for any individual. Strong reasons, no doubt, have prevented them from acceding at once to the prayer of the Society and you are now prepared, in faithful reliance on God's goodness, to bear the whole weight of that burden which was laid on Bishops Middleton and Heber: still, we are willing to hope, that the time is not far distant, when the arrangements which we have contemplated will be carried into effect, and you will be relieved from some share of your laborious and complicated duties. Under this impression, the Society bids you, in God's name, a solemn and affectionate farewell; assuring you, that it will receive your communications with

gratitude, and meet your suggestions and advice with deference and respect. Your Lordship has declared, in another place, that the feelings with which you enter upon the lot assigned to you, are feelings of hope-that grace which has ever been the support of Christ's Soldiers and Servants in their toils, and trials, and sufferings for righteousness' sake: this Society partakes of these feelings; and, in this confidence, commends you to the love of Christ, and the care and keeping of God's good Providence. In the prayers which we shall offer up continually to the Throne of Grace, before we enter on the business of our Meetings, your Lordship will not be forgotten as a Pastor and Prelate of our Venerable Church a chosen instrument in the promotion of Christian Knowledge-the Guide, Counsellor, and Encourager of our Reverend Brethren and faithful Missionaries.

We now humbly beseech the wise and merciful Disposer of all human events, that He will attend upon you in your going out and your coming in-watch over and preserve your valuable lifeand bless you and yours with health, comfort, and happiness; above all, that He will prosper the work to which he has called you, and give power and effect to your Ministry. One other prayer we offer to Him with an earnest devotion, a fervent hope, and a filial reverence for His decrees-that when the term of your official duties shall be completed, He will restore you in health and safety to your country, your friends, and this Society: and that you may long enjoy that unspeakable satisfaction, which you will then derive from reflecting on your past labours, the dedication of yourself to this Great and Holy Cause, and the services which you will have rendered to the Church of Christ, the propagation of His Gospel, and the spiritual and eternal welfare of your fellow-creatures.

The expression of the Bishop of Calcutta's sentiments, to which the Bishop of Gloucester here alludes, was in his Address at the Anniversary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, an extract of which was given at p. 272. In his Reply to the Bishop of Gloucester's Address on the present occasion, the Bishop thus feelingly speaks of his own motives and purposes

If I have not courted this important

office, so neither have I shrunk from it when once I thought it my duty to obey: and I trust it will yet be in my power to prove that it is one thing to shew zeal to obtain an office, and another to shew zeal in its discharge. Having put my hand to the plough, I turn not back: I look forward, not indeed to higher duties. (for none can be higher than those arising out of the relation of a Parochial Minister to his flock,) but to a wider and more extensive field of usefulness, and hope to claim a larger share of confidence from my Mother Church than that with which I have been hitherto entrusted.

A Clergyman, and the Son of a Clergyman, I feel a firm affection, a deep and a pious veneration, for that Church.... But, while I regard with the warmest love that branch of our Establishment which has been committed to my charge, I must not lose sight of that which our admirable Liturgy styles THE CATHOLIC,

THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH OF CHRIST MILITANT HERE ON EARTH: and while I uphold, as far as I can, that which my manifest duty in a more especial manner requires me to do, none that cometh in the Name of Christ shall ever be considered as a stranger by me.

On other points to which my Right Reverend Friend has alluded, I will not dare to enlarge at the present moment. I will not venture on subjects in which I am still unpractised, or trespass on a field where my footsteps have not yet been seen. Time and diligence will, I hope, give me a clearer view in these matters; and experience may ripen those thoughts, which if now brought forward might seem rather the offspring of anxiety than of knowledge. And if ever it should please a kind and indulgent Providence to restore me to this land, with what pleasure shall I look forward to the day-to the hour when I may again be received within these walls; when I may devote myself with all the fruits of my experience, as one lately returned from Bombay has done, with so much zeal and ability to the noble and exalted objects of this Society.

General View of the Society. The Board thus conclude their Report

By the blessing of God upon the labours of the Society, it is instrumental in promoting Christian Knowledge in every quarter of the globe-at home and abroad-among old and young-among

the Pagans of the East, who have never received the light of the Gospel; and among the new Settlers in the forests of North America, who are in danger of forgetting its existence: and "all sorts and conditions of men" are assisted on the same principle-namely, by furnishing them with copies of the Holy Scriptures, by forming and supporting Schools for the religious education of their children, and by distributing Books of instruction, exhortation, and devotion, adapted to general use. This simple and efficacious system may now be considered as distinctly recognised, and, after long experience, approved in all corners of the British Empire. The blessed Word of God, the exposition of it provided by the Church of England in her Liturgy and Homilies, and the application of its contents to the understandings and consciences of men by distinguished and popular writers-these are the weapons of the Society's warfare, the lessons which she wishes to inculcate in the infant mind, and the truths which she endeavours to unfold to those by whom they are still unknown, or to recal to the recollection of those by whom they have been heard and neglected. The sublime object of its manifold labours is, to promote the glory of God, and the temporal and everlasting happiness of mankind. While this object is pursued with humble-mindedness and sincerity, a fervent hope may be entertained of the continuance of that Divine Favour, without which no human institution can prosper. The Society therefore requests the prayers of its numerous members and friends, for the permanence and increase of this invaluable blessing.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
TWENTY-SEVENTH REPORT.

Income and Expenditure. THE gross Receipts of the Twentyseventh Year have amounted, without deducting Expenses, and including Contributions to the Institution at Islington, to

FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS. The Net Income deducting Expenses and the Amount received on account of the InstitutionBuilding Fund, available for the General Purposes of the Society, has amounted to nearly FORTY-THREE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED POUNDS, while the Amount of Expenditure has been Forty Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Pounds.

Ten New Associations were formed in the course of the year.

Department of Secretary.

It will be in the recollection of the Members, that the augmentation of the Society's concerns induced the Committee to recommend to the Twenty-Fourth Annual Meeting the appointment of Three Secretaries, with an Assistant-Secretary; for the due discharge of the duties connected with the Office in London, and

for the regular visiting of the Associations in the country. On the appointment of a Second Secretary, it was, after full deliberation, judged most conducive to the interests of the Society that Four Official Visitors of Associations should be annually chosen, who should travel, each three months in the year, and receive in the whole a sum of money equal in amount to what would have been the salary of a Third Secretary.

Candidates, Students, and Missionaries.

The number of Candidates and Students, with a summary view of the death, return, ordination, and sailing of Missionaries, will be found at p. 232 of the Number for May: the various particulars on these subjects which appear in the Report have been noticed by us as they have occurred.

Missionary Institution.

It was stated in the last Report, that there were 19 Students in the Society's Institution at Islington: two of that number have entered on their labours in Africa; a third has embarked for his Station; and two have left the Institution. The total number of Pupils, at present, is Thirty-one.

After noticing the First Annual Examination of the Students in Classical and General Knowledge and Theology, which was stated at p. 358 of our last Volume, the Committee add

The Second Examination of the Oriental Classes, in Hebrew, Arabic, Bengalee, and Sanscrit, took place on the 19th of October. Both Examinations were gratifying to the Committee of Visitors, and to those friends who attended.

The last Report noticed the determination of the Committee to enlarge the Buildings, for the accommodation of Fifty Students and the Officers of the Institution. The Foundation Stones

were laid on the 31st of July, the day of the Annual Examination; the President, and a very large number of the Society's Friends, attending on the occasion.

The Committee are increasingly convinced by experience of the utility of such an Institution: and, while they still appeal to the liberality of their friends on its behalf, they trust that many faithful and zealous men will go forth from the Seminary, qualified, not only by Literary Endowments, but by the unction of the Holy Ghost, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Summary View of the Missions.

A statement on this subject was given at p. 232 of the Number for May: the following estimate in the Report was formed on later despatches, and shews some diminution of numbers.

In the Nine Missions of the Society, there are 54 Stations, with which are connected 286 Schools. All these different Stations are employing 458 Labourers; of whom 124 are Europeans, where they are employed. In the Schools and 334 born in the respective countries

there are 13,447 Scholars; 9479 of whom are Boys, 3086 Girls, and 882 Adults.

Conclusion of the Report.

Of the success which God has given to the Society, the Committee desire to express their sentiments with caution; and, while they acknowledge, with devout gratitude to the God of all grace, that they have been permitted to gather some fruit from among the Heathen, they regard the present only as the seed-time: scattering, as God enables them, the incorruptible seed, they would wait in faith and patience for the promised harvest.

In the present aspect of things there stances; and the Christian cannot but are, indeed, many encouraging circumcontemplate with lively joy the steady support which is continued to the Cause of Missions-the facilities which are afforded for the education of Missionary Students-the erection of Churches in Heathen Lands-the establishment of Schools-and the favourable disposition manifested by the Natives in various parts of the world toward the Messengers of Peace. In these things, there are many occasions of joy, and many excitements to hope; but there is a corresponding danger, lest the friends of Missions should argue from these preparatory measures

to their final success, as from cause to effect, without reference to that Almighty Mind which controuls all measures and orders all events. In this work, especially, should the over-ruling will of God be kept constantly in mind: and while, in obedience to His command, His Servants publish the Gospel of His grace, they feel that it becomes them to wait with patience for the effusion of His Spirit to make their labours effectual; and, remembering that He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will, and hath put the times and the seasons in His own power-that He will accomplish His own work in His own time and way, and often by means and instruments the most unsuspected by man-they rejoice to leave the issue of their labours to the appointment of His sovereign will.

Nor should it be overlooked, that the Cause of Missions is an aggressive warfare, which necessarily excites the opposition of the Powers of Darkness. We wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Against those who are labouring for the subversion of His kingdom, it is to be expected that the Evil Spirit will muster all his force and exert his utmost malice; and, in proportion as this work extends and prospers, will the activity of his opposition increase: he has marshalled against it his various emissaries, who, by artful insinuations, perverted statements, and unholy sneers, have decried the principle of Missions and denied their utility. For this, the supporters of Missions are prepared; and, having endeavoured with well-doing to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, have no apprehension as to the result of such attacks.

But there is a more insidious, and therefore more dangerous weapon, which the Prince of Darkness has frequently used for the advancement of his cause. When he has failed in his more open and direct attacks, he has had recourse to stratagem; and has too often succeeded in disuniting his opponents: the enemy in the field was powerless-the enemy within the camp prevailed. That our own Society has hitherto escaped this device of Satan, is not to be attributed to any superiority in the wisdom or the measures of those who have conducted its affairs, but to the undeserved favour and over-ruling hand of Him in whose Cause it is engaged. For the success of any of their past measures, the Committee desire to give Him

the glory, as well as to confide in Him for the future. To Him, and Him alone, would they look for victory over every enemy; and, while they would urge on all who are associated in this Cause the importance of cultivating a spirit of candour and brotherly love, and of supplicating a larger communication of the grace of the Holy Spirit both on the whole Church of Christ and on every Individual Member of it, they would wait in hope for the fulfilment of the promises of God and for the coming of the Messiah's kingdom.

Appendix to the Report.

1. Instructions of the Committee to the Rev. Charles Lewis Frederick Haensel, proceeding to Sierra Leone, for the purpose of taking Charge of the Christian Institution: delivered December 28, 1826.

2. West-Africa-Mission Report for 1826. 3. Resolutions of the Committee of the Church Missionary Society, on the Death of Bishop Heber, for founding Two Theological Scholarships in Bishop's College, Calcutta; with a Memorial to Government for the appointment of more than one Prelate to India.-Dec. 1826.

4. Bishop Heber's Letter to the Church Missionaries in Ceylon.

ADDRESS TO THE ASSOCIATIONS

on the present State of the Funds. We earnestly beg the attention of the Society's friends to the following Circular.

The Committee have directed us to communicate to the Friends and Contributors to the Society the following Statement, relative to its Funds.

It is the practice of the Committee to close the Yearly Accounts of the Society on the 31st of March, and to audit them Quarterly. At the termination of the First Half of the Current Year, on the 30th of September last, it appeared that the Income of the Society had fallen short, by a very considerable sum, of the corresponding half of the preceding year. In some principal Associations there has been a considerable declension from former years; and though New Associations have been formed, the Returns from them have not been of such an amount as to supply the deficiencies of the Old Associations.

The importance of calling the attention of the Friends of the Society to the

state of the Funds will be more clearly seen, when it is remembered that the Society nearly expends from year to year its whole Income; and that, as its exertions are enlarged, there will be an increasing expenditure in each Mission. On balancing the Sales and Purchases of Stock for the last Seven Years, it ap. peared that the addition to the Funded Property of the Society had been, in that period, but a few hundred pounds-so closely has its Expenditure kept pace with its Income. In the last half-year, considerable sales of Stock have necessarily been made, to cover the abovementioned deficiency of Income; so that the whole extent of our resources under this head is at present considerably less than the amount of half-a-year's expenditure.

If such a deficiency in the Income of the Society, as has been now stated, were not to be retrieved, it would unavoidably follow, that some of those plans which God has hitherto blessed must be abandoned; and it would become necessary to reduce within much narrower limits, if not altogether to withdraw, some of those Missions, the extension of which the state of the World loudly and powerfully claims from British Christians.

A Special Committee has been formed for the purpose of fully investigating the state of the Funds, with a view to ascertain, not only by what means the present deficiency may be supplied, but whether any and what reduction can be advantageously made in the Society's Expenditure.

Though various concurrent causes have probably contributed to this deficiency, the Committee feel it to be their duty to state their conviction, that one principal cause has been their incompetency to meet the wishes of the Associations that more persons might visit them at their Anniversaries and for a longer period of time.

It had been hoped that the arrangement (see p. 506 of the Missionary Register for November 1825) by which it was provided that Four Visitors of Associations should be appointed in the place of a Third Secretary, would have met the wants of the Associations: but the Committee have not had it in their power to bring that arrangement into full effect; and have some reason to fear, that its tendency, so far as it was brought into action, was rather to prevent their receiving the voluntary aid of Νου. 1826.

other Clergymen. It is intended, therefore, to relinquish that design; and, in its place, to appoint Two Official Visitors of Associations, who shall be devoted to the service of the Society. The Committee cannot, however, but cherish the hope that other Clergymen will not fail gratuitously to render them that aid in visiting Associations which will still be absolutely requisite, and which has been one principal means of raising the Missionary Spirit throughout the Country, and of gathering together the funds of former years. For want of such aid, many Associations have been obliged to leave ground uncultivated which would have yielded abundantly, and considerable sums have thus been lost to the Society in the last half-year. The Committee beg to urge this subject on those Friends who assisted them in former years; but who seem to have thought their assistance unnecessary, since the appointment of Visitors of Associations.

Other arrangements are in contemplation: but the Committee felt anxious to avail themselves of the earliest opportunity of communicating information to the Associations, in reference to the actual state of the Society's Funds.

The work in which the Society is engaged is eminently a Work of Faith as well as a Labour of Love; and the Committee feel increasingly the importance of carrying on every part of their Proceedings in such a spirit as may draw down the Divine Blessing on their ef forts. They would, therefore, earnestly press on their Friends the cultivation of a spirit of intercession in private, in the Family, and in the Social Circle, as essentially connected with the prosperity of this Cause, both at Home and Abroad.

The wide diffusion of Missionary Intelligence is also earnestly recommended, in order, under the Divine Blessing, to excite and cherish exertions in behalf of the Society's object.

It has been already observed, that should the Funds of the Society continue to decline, a contraction of its labours would be the distressing, but inevitable, consequence. But the Committee venture to submit to the Society's Friends, whether they would willingly abandon any one of those promising Fields of Labour on which they have been permitted to enter. Would they allow the sums that have been expended in establishing a Station to be lost by its abandonment ? Would they recall those

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