prophesy and say, come, O spirit, and breathe upon these slain." And here, sir, said Mr. W. I pause with amazement at the wisdom and goodness of Jehovah, who has constituted his church as the medium through which he sheds the light of life, and pours its healing waters over the face of this benighted and polluted world. In the very nature that rebelled, the remedy is found. Through the agency of men God has appointed to communicate all the provisions of his salvation. The part assigned to the sanctified members of that body, of which Christ is the head, is of high and awful import. I ask, said Mr. W. is the sword of the Spirit, the work of reconciliation committed to them? Is the command exclusively directed to them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature?" And is the provision limited to them, "Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world?" Is it not, then, to his devoted people, that the King of Zion looks for the consummation of his victory over the Prince of Darkness? The warfare is for immortal souls; and shall the partakers of the glory of the grace of Christ, sleep at their posts, and suffer the destroyer to hold his usurped dominion, when by united efforts under the captain of salvation, their victory will be complete, and their triumph eternal ? These were deep and awful questions of theology into which he would not obtrude; but in all our research into the scriptures, we no where find an intimation that any man can be saved, unless the holy bread, the medicine of life, is communicated to him, and the Bible presses upon us the necessity of spreading and preaching the Gospel to all nations, not even excepting the Jews, who hold the scriptures in their hands. It is the command of Jesus, "Go"-and the promise "I am with you," is the certainty of success, and the grandeur and glory of the issue.Do we ask for motives to animate us in the cause. On the banks of what river does not the herald of the cross tread? Through what valleys does he not traverse? Over what mountains does he not make his way? What island does he not visit? What language does he not speak? And to whom does he not carry the bread of life? The way is even now clear to open to every nation and tribe the Bible-a sovereign balm for the wounds of sin, in disclosing to them that kingdom which consists in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Shall we then faint or slumber while the world is awaking from the thraldom of Satan, and bursting the chains of darkness-while new and powerful allies are marching in the very van of our armies, and the inhabitants of the islands are burning the strong holds of the enemy---and all difficulties, like the waters of the Red Sea, are retiring to make way for the messengers of the Gospel. "Haste then, ye heralds, and with rapid wing, H. KETCHUM, Esq. of New-York. The wants and sufferings of our fellow creatures very properly excite in us feelings of pity, although it is inconceivable whence our most refined happiness would be derived, if there were no wants to relieve, no suffering to abate. The happiness of man springs out of his social relations, and is all in some way or other connected with benefits conferred or received. The feelings of gratitude which arise in the heart of a good man upon the reception of a benefit, warm and exhilarate him, but the most felicitous sensations are reserved for him who awards the benefit; "it is more blessed to give than to receive," We are apt to censure that economy which renders it necessary for the rich man to part with his substance for the relief of the destitute: but if any one will be at the trouble of analyzing his sensations of happiness and tracing them to their source, he will find that they are dependent upon this very economy. Let none therefore complain that he is called upon to give; his only concern should be to ascertain in what way his gifts will be productive of most service to mankind. But the motives which sometimes induce us to give are not commendable; the very fact of a man's ability to confer a favour, implies a superiority on his part, over the objects of his beneficence, the consciousness of which is flattering to the pride of human nature; the applause which they excite is also frequently the motive to actions apparently benevolent. If, sir, the individual governed by motives of this description would contribute to the support of commendable objects only, it would be of little consequence to mankind to investigate the character of his motives. But the misfortune is, that such a man as frequently contributes to support the wrong as the right, and when you receive his donation in aid of the most righteous cause you have no security that he will not the very next day, or the very next hour, yield his substance in support of some plan which will utterly defeat your purpose. The man who in the bestowment of his alms, is governed by any other motive than the moral improvement of the recipient of those alms, ought not to be commended; and although all possible charity should be extended to such a man, though every one ought reluctantly to yield to the belief that his motives were less pure than his actions were apparently benevolent, yet were it ascertained that he gave merely to gratify his pride, or to awaken the applause of mankind, the tongue should be palsied ere it moved in his praise. In applying these remarks to those to whom this institution looks for support, I would not be understood to mean that a desire for the salvation of the human soul, is the only laudable motive to the dissemination of the Bible. No, sir, putting, for an instant out of view, the happiness or misery of a future state, there are benefits of a temporal and civil nature derivable from an acquaintance with the precepts of the Bible, which render its dissemination of vast importance; to secure these benefits is an object worthy of any man's ambition. Were we unacquainted with the actual effects which have been produced in society through the medium of the Bible, and from a knowledge of its contents, should we suffer ourselves to speculate upon the probable consequences which would flow from this source, the conjecture would be an obvious one, that a book laying claim to such high authority, and making a declaration of facts and doctrines which, if true, so intimately concern the happiness of mankind, would, more than any thing else, awaken an interest in the human heart, and command the attention of the human mind; that it would excite the mental powers into action; that it would lead them to the investigation of moral truth and if it did so, the result could not fail to be beneficial; for whatever prompts the mind of man to diligent investigation, whatever overcomes his natural aversion to mental exercise, and makes him a thinking being, will promote his improvement, will advance his happiness. But, sir, it is unnecessary to prove by a course of abstract reasoning, what results would flow from the dissemination of the Bible; the world is not destitute of experience on this subject. Since the appearance of our Saviour upon earth, it has seen the scriptures of truth locked up from the vulgar gaze, and it has witnessed the night of mental darkness which then covered the earth; it has also seen the dawn of that reformation which has already furnished a few of the nations with these scriptures, in language intelligible to their inhabitants, and is now sending them to every quarter of the globe. To dwell upon the effects that have already been produced by this reformation is unnecessary; we are all acquainted with them; our babes can recite them ;-knowledge has unfolded her ample stores; science has advanced--liberty has been promoted. Christendom is wont to admire and eulogize the proud column of British liberty. I would ask, sir, when the principles of that liberty, which had been before partially asserted, began to be practically sustained? Not till the translated Bible was disseminated among the people. It is the testimony of the elegant historian of England, though not a believer in our faith, that the precious spark of liberty was kindled and preserved in that country, by these early readers of the Bible, and that to them alone the English owe the whole freedom of their constitution. Yes, for all that is useful in her scientific attainments, for all that is valuable in her political institutions, England is indebted to the influence of the Bible, and she is manifesting her sense of obligation by her stupendous efforts to send this invaluable book to the destitute inhabitants of the earth. But, sir, are we less indebted than England to the influence of the Bible for the superior excellence of our institutions? Can we contemplate the privileges we enjoy; can we view those institutions which secure to us the blessings of civil liberty, in a larger measure, than were before enjoyed by any people, without being thrilled with gratitude towards those who first planted the seeds of this liberty in our soil? And who were they? Have we forgotten the pilgrims, who deserted country and home, who, in the face of difficulties the most formidable, and dangers the most appalling, sought the savage shores of America, that they might here in the wilderness plant, the standard of the cross; that they might here exercise the freedom of opinion. No: the moral sublimity of their enterprise will rescue the story of these progenitors of our liberty from oblivion; but let it never be forgotten that they derived their instruction and imbibed their spirit from the Bible. Oh sir, the Christian who makes this book the guide of his faith and practice, must feel the elevation of the ground upon which he stands, when he is enabled to trace the finest effusions of genius, the mightiest efforts of the human mind, and the most valuable institutions in civil society to the influence of his religion.--Yes, these are the blessings of religion, though not her boast; these are only the blessings "which she scatters by the way in her march to immortality." Before concluding the very brief, and somewhat desultory remarks which he had to make on this occasion, Mr. K. observed that there were political considerations, applicable to ourselves, which make it peculiarly proper that this National Institution should be encouraged by those who are concerned to promote the best interests of the country. Mr. K. concluded as follows: Let, therefore, the good, the wise, the influential men of the country, ardently cherish this institution; let them contribute of their means, let them put forth their exertions. In aiding some institutions, called charitable, we have the mortification to see that we increase the evil we would remedy; but here there is no danger of this sort; we may give freely without any apprehension that our charity will not be well directed, so long as there is an individual on the earth, destitute of a Bible. WILLIAM JAY, Esq. of Westchester.-Permit me, Mr. Chairman, to assure you, that ill health alone has prevented my reverend parent from attending in his place this day, and acknowledging, in person, the honour now paid him. To be called to preside over this institution, an institution embracing the great, the wise, and the good of our land, consecrated by the prayers and the blessings of thousands, and devoted to the single object of advancing the glory of God, and the present and eternal welfare of his creatures, is indeed a distinction which the most ambitious might covet, but which the Christian only can truly appreciate. To contribute in any degree which Providence may permit to the diffusion of that volume which has been the study and the guide of his life, will, I am confident, he ever regarded by him, both as a duty and a privilege; and although the infirmities of declining years may deny him the pleasure of an active co-operation in your labours, his prayers will still ascend to the Father of Mercies for a continuance of that favour and protection which this Society has hitherto so richly experienced. (To be continued.) NEW-YORK RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. This society celebrated its 10th anniversary on Thursday evening, the 11th ultimo, at the city hotel. The Rev. Dr. SPRING presided, and opened the meeting with prayer. JOHN R. HURD, Esq. read the annual report, from which it appeared, that at the close of the year, there were 307,960 tracts, 41,000 had been printed, and 131,331 circulated during the year: these have been distributed as follows: To the Sunday School Societies, Mariners' Church, Bethel Union, Bancker-street Church, U. S. ship Franklin 74, Osage Indians, Michigan, Lima, Pensacola, Missouri, Canada, &c. The whole number of tracts distributed by the society is, 1,135,594. The balance in the treasury at the close of the year, was only $146 55, while the demand against the Society was $950. The usual resolutions were offered, and the Rev. Messrs. Bruen, of this city, and Somers, late of Troy, Divie Bethune, Esq. and the Rev. Dr. McCauley, of Union College, addressed the meeting. The collections and donations, amounted to about $300; and about $600 were loaned by different individuals, for one or two years, without interest. We regret that we have not room for a sketch of the interesting addresses delivered on this occasion. We trust they will have a due effect on the respectable and numerous audience which heard them. UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. On Wednesday the 8th Inst. this Society held its anniversary at the City Hotel. The Hon. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER, President, took the chair at 11 o'clock, and the meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. DAVID PORTER, D. D. of Catskill, N. Y. ZECHARIAH LEWIS, Esq. Domestic Secretary, read the Annual Report, which gave a detailed account of the important missions under the care of the Society. The balance in the treasury at the close of last year, was $1,253 35, which added to the receipts since that time ($10,695 23,) amounts to $11,948 58. The expenditure during the same period, was $12,448 36, leaving a balance due to the Treasurer, of $499 78. On motion by the Rev. ALEXANDER PROUDFIT, D. D. of Salem, N. Y. seconded by the Rev. E. W. BALDWIN, of this city, it was then Resolved, That the report now read be accepted, and that it be printed under the direction of the board of managers. On motion by the Rev. THOMAS DE WITT, of Dutchess County, seconded by the Rev. STEPHEN N. ROWAN of this city, it was Resolved, That the thanks of this society, be presented to Auxiliaries, to Congregations who have made their ministers members for life and made collections at the monthly concert of prayer, and all others, who, by contributions in money, or articles for the support and comfort of the Mission families, have aided the operations of the Society. These gentlemen followed their motions with appropriate addresses, but we have not room at present, to notice them farther. We are sorry to say that though the weather was pleasant, the house was wretchedly thin, and what rendered the whole concern most disagreeable, was the continual egress which was emptying the room, until the little remnant felt forsaken and alone. It is notfair, perhaps, to impute the thinness of the assembly to any fault in the arrangements; as the meeting was thin from the beginning. The report seemed to us too much in detail, but certainly it left sufficient time, and should have left sufficient patience for the addresses which were about to be delivered: but so it was, that there seemed but little disposition to hear addresses far superior to those commonly delivered at the anniversaries of our religious societies. We cannot but think, after all, that our community still takes a very undecided interest in that important body "The United Foreign Missionary Society;" and that the former symptoms of a contrary disposition have resulted from occasional excitement. Were it otherwise, of the crowds who thronged the Churches at the departure of the Missionaries, and of the two thousand congregations immediately connected with the Society; there would have appeared more than a a dozen dozen individuals to celebrate its anniversary. In the evening, the annual sermon was preached in the Presbyterian Church, in Cedar-street, by the Rev. Dr. Romeyn, and a collection taken up for the society. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION SOCIETY. The schools under the care of this society, assembled at the New-York Hospital on Tuesday the 7th inst. at half past 3 o'clock, and preceded by the officers, moved in procession to the Park, in front of the City Hall, where the Rev. J. M. MATHEWS, delivered an address, accompanied with other appropriate religious exercises. The number of scholars present, was estimated at 3000. After the exercises were concluded, the scholars, led by the Superintendents and Teachers, retired by the East and West gates, where each received a small cake for the customary annual reward. It was an afternoon of deep interest to the schools, and they exhibited a decency of appearance and order, which, considering |