to divide the House of Commons on the motion, that every negro child born after the first of January, 1832, shall be free. Mr. Shiel, in his delineation of slavery, adverted to the case of a female slaveholder, who, to inflict acuter torture on the victim of her cruelty, rubbed pepper in the eyes of a female slave. Mr. Canning's propositions in 1823 had been disregarded, and from the colonial powers nothing but interminable slavery was to be expected. The shriek of the agonized negro had been heard across the Atlantic; and the time was at hand, when the slave must be emancipated from his chains. Mr. Pownal adverted to the artifice that had been practised upon the people by the promises of 1823, and warned them to beware of a similar deception. No rest should be sought until slavery had received its death-wound, and nothing could ensure this, but the fixing of some specific time, after which, children should cease to be born slaves in our colonies. The Rev. John Burnet surveyed slavery, as mentioned in the Bible, and argued that between this, and West Indian servitude, scarcely any resemblance can be traced. The British lion was asleep when slavery started into existence under the sanction of legislative authority, but, roused by the clanking of the chains which the victims of oppression wear, the hydra now trembles before him, and, awed with more than common presages, anticipates its fate. The Rev. Richard Watson could see no ground for hope from colonial legislation. Even Christianity, which was recommended to prepare the slaves for emancipation, was obstructed in its diffusion. Religion could not make good slaves; it would make good servants; but, enlarging their views, through which they might perceive the relative duties of life, it would beget a love of freedom, and forbid the slave to kiss his chain. A Christian father will not bear to see his children taken from him, as a heathen would, nor to see his daughter subdued by means of the whip, that she might be violated. We must aim to get a definite period fixed; till that be done, all else will be in vain, and even pernicious. At this anniversary, probably about six thousand were present, and all appeared to be actuated by one common feeling and spirit in favour of Negro freedom. For this desirable event, the present period is peculiarly auspicious. The Parliament about to assemble will meet under the impression, that to remove long-existing evils, something decisive must be done; and to such a Parliament, petitions for negro emancipation cannot be presented in vain. FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW NATION. The second anniversary of this Society was held in Exeter Hall, on Thursday, the 28th of April, Henry Drummond, Esq. in the chair, when a crowded assembly evinced, by the most ardent attention, their rising interest in the cause of afflicted Israel. The chairman stated, among other interesting things, that some time back a letter was received from the Committee of the Cambridge Auxiliary Branch Society, by the Committee in London, stating a report prevalent there, that it was intended by the London Committee to establish a New Hebrew Church, with a Liturgy founded upon the Hebrew ritual, and also on that of the Church of England. In order to answer this letter, the question was put in the London Committee, and a direct negative being given thereto, the result was transmitted to the Committee in Cambridge. To these proceedings, the then superintendant of the Hebrew Institution was privy; no circumstance pertaining thereto having been withheld from him. The Secretary read the report, which stated, among many other matters connected with the Society, that twelve Jews, then inmates of the Hebrew Institution, had been baptized by the Lord Bishop of London, in the year 1830, and seven others, under his orders, by the Rev. T. J. Judkin, M. A. early in the present year; making, in the whole, nineteen, who, through the instrumentality of this Society, had received baptism, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. That, in the month of February last, the inmates of the Hebrew Institution, without the knowledge of the Committee of management, elected, from amongst themselves, a bishop, elders, deacons, &c. &c. constituting what they denominated "The Apostolic Hebrew Church;" and that the superintendant wrote to the Lord Bishop of London a most unceremonious letter, containing an account of these proceedings. On these circumstances coming to the knowledge of the Committee, an inquiry was instituted, and it being found that the friends of the Hebrew nation never contemplated the establishment of such a church, when they found the Hebrew Institution, that they had stated their determination to the contrary, in their answer to the Cambridge Committee, and that, as the rules of the Institution did not embrace any such church, they could not give their licence for the exercise of the functions of a bishop, elders, deacons, &c. within the premises appropriated to the use of the Hebrew Institution. On this being intimated to the Apostolic Hebrew Church, the Superintendant of the Institution resigned his office; and, with him, the members of this Church formed a determination to remove to a situation about to be taken for their reception, in or near Kensington; to which situation, after many painful meetings with the Committee, at their own time, they removed; leaving in the Institution eleven, and taking with them twelve, Hebrews. Whether the Apostolic Hebrew Church is or is not of God, the Committee did not feel themselves called upon, nor did they presume, to determine. During this anniversary of the Society, this painful subject was introduced anew, and a discussion of some length ensued; which, however, terminated decidedly in the negative; a few hands only being held up in favour of the parties who introduced the subject. The harmony of the meeting was then resumed; and with one consent the Society determined, by divine aid, to persevere in their original plan, through good report and evil report, through honour or dishonour; keeping only in view the glory of God and the good of the Hebrew nation. Encouraged by past success, by the present harmony subsisting in the Hebrew Institution, and by the cheering prospects of future usefulness, one mind seemed to pervade the whole Society; namely, a feeling of gratitude to Jehovah for His manifested favour, and of confidence in Him for renewed displays of His mercy and grace to Israel. Taking into their consideration, that the Hebrew Institution was only to inquiring Hebrews, and that many of the sons of Abraham, who had put on the Lord Jesus Christ, under the sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost, and had testified their faith in Him, in baptism, and by an open profession of His name, were equally destitute of the comforts this world affords, with their junior brethren, who found an asylum there, the Society determined to unite with others, the friends of Israel, in rearing up an asylum for these also. In this new Hebrew Institution, the inmates will he taught useful trades, in a manner similar to the elder institution, in the exercise of which they will be enabled, on quitting the same, to provide things honest in the sight of all men. To these Institutions, may Jehovah, in the plenitude of His mercy and love, grant His blessing. W. COLDWELl. King Square, May, 1831. IRISH SOCIETY, IN LONDON, FOR EDUCAT- The Anniversary of this Institution was held in Exeter Hall, on Friday, April 29, the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry in the chair. The object of this society is, to extend the Gospel, as taught by the established Protestant church, among the benighted Irish, in their native tongue. It appeared from the report, that, in consequence of papal persecution, the schools established by this Society had been diminished, and that the number of pupils was less than during the preceding year. The demand, however, for books had increased, and many thousand copies of suitable publications had been put into circulation. In various parts of England, about forty auxiliary societies had been formed for the same benevolent purpose, and £150 had been transmitted to the parent institution in Dublin, to promote this excellent cause. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The anniversary of this well-known society was held in Exeter Hall, on Monday, May 2d, Launcelot Haslope, Esq. in the chair. It appeared from the report, that during the preceding year five missionaries had died; that the stations were 150; the number of missionaries 213, catechists, who were paid, 160; gratuitous teachers, 1,400, in the Sunday and other schools, making a total number of above 2,000 agents actively employed in spreading the Redeemer's kingdom, and giving diffusion to useful knowledge. The members in society on foreign stations, not including Ireland, amount to 41,186, of whom 24,439 are slaves. The aggregate of contributions throughout the year, was stated to be £50,017. 18s. 8d. On this occasion, the assembly was addressed by the Rev. Mr. Alder, from Sheffield, James Montgomery, Esq. J. Poynder, Esq. Rev. James Dixon, Rev. Dr. Burder, Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, Rev. John Burnet, of Camberwell, Rev. Robert Newton, Rev. Richard Watson, Peter Jones, an Indian chief, and several others. The speeches delivered by the above gentlemen were luminous, animated, and appropriate. The large hall was crowded with highly respectable and attentive hearers, and the utmost harmony prevailed. Among the speakers at this anniversary, no one excited so much attention as Peter Jones, the converted Indian chief. He spoke good English, and his speech was rendered remarkably interesting by the piety, humility, and simplicity with which his sentiments were delivered. The peculiarity of his character and condition in life, and occasionally the singularity of his phraseology, made a powerful impression in his favour. He frequently designated the Almighty the "Great Spirit, the light of whose good word had visited him and his tribe in the wilds of North America," and bore a luminous testimony to the influence of the gospel on his heart. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. This annual meeting took place at Exeter Hall, on Tuesday May 3d. Lord Gambier was called to the chair. It appeared from the report, that the donations and subscriptions for the year amounted to £45,584, and that on the whole the prospects of the Society were cheering. The chief speakers were the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, the Rev. Mr. Wilkes, the Rev. Mr. Woodroffe, the Rev. Daniel Wilson, H. Pownell, Esq. the Rev. W. Marsh, the Bishop of Winchester, Lord Bexley, the Bishop of Chester, the Rev. E. Bickersteth, and the Rev. J. H. Steward. During the addresses of the above gentlemen, an awful picture was drawn of the heathen world. Slavery, with its concomitant atrocities, was also introduced; and several instances were given of the grossest tyranny, injustice, and inhumanity, inflicted on its victims. From these gloomy delineations the imperious necessity was inferred, of continued and increased exertions, to send the light of the gospel into the benighted regions of the earth. All these advocated the necessity of outdoor preaching, urging, that if the people would not seek them, it was their duty to seek the people; and the conduct of Whitfield and Wesley was adduced as an example worthy of imitation. A benevolent lady, it was stated, had placed the sum of £200 in the hands of the treasurer; a gentleman of York had remitted a fourth donation of £50; and the chairman presented £25, in aid of this truly Christian cause. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. On Wednesday, May 4th, the anniversary of this grand national association took place in Exeter Hall. Lord Teignmouth was expected to preside, but a letter announcing his inability to attend, placed Lord Bexley in the chair. The report stated, that during the preceding year, 173,547 Bibles, and 297,382 Testaments, had been distributed, making a total of 470,929 copies, being 36,507 more than on the previous year. The amount of money received by the Society was £95,424, being about £10,441 more than the previous year had produced. The expenditure of the society was about £83,002, and its engagements £45,800. The auxiliary and branch societies had continued their exertions, and 164 new associations were added to those already existing. The principal speakers at this anniversary were, the Rev. Andrew Brandram, the Rev. Dr. Dealtry, Captain Gordon, the Rev. Rowland Hill, the Rev. Lundy Foote, the Rev. John Burnet, Sir Lancelot Shadwell, the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, the Rev. Washington Philips, Mr. Luke Howard, Mr. Hughes Hughes, M. P. Lord Lifford, and Henry Drummond, Esq. When Captain Gordon began his address, it was obvious that he intended to introduce alterations calculated to subvert the fundamental principles of the Society. The purport of his arguments was, that the Bible Society was a Christian institution; but that Arians and Socinians were not Christians, and that they should therefore be excluded. His propositions, however, were so far from being pleasing to the assembly at large, that innumerable voices were lifted against him, and the utmost confusion prevailed. Several times he was called to order, but nothing could deter him from persevering; and even at last he was compelled to desist by the incessant clamour which his indiscretion had raised. two among the speakers appeared to approve his proceedings, but the greater part were One or CELESTIAL PHENOMENA. decidedly hostile to the projected innovation; and when the question was put, the public shew of hands brought against him an overwhelming majority. The point thus agitated, not only destroyed the harmony of the meeting, but the subordinate branches which it involved engrossed nearly all the time, at once creating great disappointment, and exciting much unpleasant feeling. BOOK SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE POOR. On Friday, May 6th, the eighty-first anniversary of this Society was held in the lower room, Exeter Hall, the Rev. Rowland Hill in the chair. The object of this institution is, to impart religious knowledge to the poor by means of books. It appeared from the report, that during the past year 200,000 of the Society's books had been put into circulation, and that from its commencement 212,000 Bibles and Testaments, and about a million of its various publications had been distributed by this Society. This meeting was addressed by the Rev. T. Timson, the Rev. Mr. Saville, the Rev. Dr. Bennett, the Rev. T. James, the Rev. Mr. Preston, the Rev. Mr. Maconnel, and the Rev. R. H. Shepherd. PRAYER BOOK AND HOMILY SOCIETY. At the anniversary of this Society, which was held in Exeter Hall, on the 5th of May, From the Lord Bexley took the chair. name which this institution bears, its Church of England character must be obvious to all. This circumstance will, however, neither diminish nor increase its excellence. Its object is good, and its influence has been found to be highly beneficial. Among the vessels in the port of London, 1,518 were and numerous visited during the year, copies of homilies and tracts left on board for distribution. Ireland, the Continent, and India, have also experienced the Society's exertions. The number of books distributed during the year amounted to 11,851, that of homilies and tracts 127,683: the receipts to £2,127, and the expenditure to £2,177. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Henry Budd, the Rev. W. Marsh, the Rev. Edwin Sidney, the Rev. J. Peers, Lord Mountsandford, the Rev. Mr. Evanson, the Rev. Mr. Raikes, the Rev. Daniel Wilson, Sir Claudius Hunter, and others. To be resumed in our next. CELESTIAL PHENOMENA. June 1831. THE Sun enters the tropical sign Cancer on ing; his semi-diameter on the 1st is 15 The Moon enters her last quarter on the On the 9th, about two in the morning, the Moon passes near Mercury: she also passes near Saturn, about one in the morn. ing of the 15th; near Herschel, about 4 in the afternoon of the 28th; and near Jupiter about 8 in the morning of the 29th. On the 9th, at 17 minutes 12 seconds past 7 in the morning, the moon is in conjunction with y Tauri, which will prove an occultation at London. She will also eclipse Aldebaran on the same day, the conjunction taking place at 27 minutes 52 seconds past 1 in the afternoon. On the 21st, at 46 minutes 22 seconds past 9 in the evening, she is in conjunction with y Libra, which is also attended with an occultation. The planet Mercury arrives at his greatest elongation on the 20th. Venus is still a conspicuous object in the western hemisphere; during the evenings of this month, she is seen passing through the constellations Gemini and Cancer. On the morning of the 4th, she passes near & Geminorum, and on the 16th, near y Cancri. Mars is seen to the west of Venus, and passing through the same constellations: on the 30th, he is near Cancri, The noble planet Jupiter is still in the constellation of the Goat. On the 11th he is stationary, near μ Capricorni. There are four visible eclipses of his satellites this month; three immersions of the first as follows; on the 3rd, at 8 minutes 45 seconds past 2 in the morning; on the 18th, at 24 minutes 49 seconds past 12 at night; and on the 26th, at 18 minutes 47 seconds past 2 in the morning: the remaining one is an immersion of the second at 23 minutes 10 seconds past 2 in the morning of the 7th. At the commencement of the month, Saturn is seen to the west of Regulus, and y Leonis. He passes near the former star on the 17th. The Georgian is near the same spot he occupied last month; his motion is retrograde. POETRY. DAVID PLAYING THE HARP BEFORE TRIUMPHANT banners floating in the air, But fiends torment where peace before had smiled, But there were seasons when, to frenzy wrought, He felt as if an evil spirit sought To drive his soul to madness; then he raved, One time, when those around him saw his soul Of graceful carriage, modest in his air; THREE SONNETS, ON THE PAINTINGS AT THE ALTAR OF BERKSFORD CHAPEL, WALWORTH. THE ASCENSION. VICTORIOUS Conqueror of death and hell! Ere the first morning chased chaotic night,) 2. THE THREE MARYS, AND THE DEAD CHRIST. ELECT and holy women! unto whom |