lapsed since the formation of the London Missionary Society, how many children have arisen to call her parent! In Britain, Ireland and India; in Africa, on the Continent, and in America; in all parts of the world, there have sprung from her, innumerable associations, for the practice and propagation of Christian benevolence, and charity. From that generous spirit which she first displayed, have sprung societies for the circulation of religious tracts, and for the suppression of vice; for the education of the poor, and the relief of the diseased; for missions to the heathen, and for giving the scriptures to all people in their own language; and in fine, for every thing which can exalt the character, or enhance the enjoyment of the individual, and for all that can adorn and bless domestic, civil, and religious society, or prepare their members for seeing and sharing forever, the rest and glory of heaven. It was not to be expected, that the spirit of debate and discord, of party rancor, and schismatical animosity, which had been roused for so many centuries by ignorance and barbarism-it was not to be expected, that this blind and furious spirit would subside at once, and yield without a struggle, to a spirit so truly enlightened and liberal, so singularly catholic and generous, as that which had so suddenly and unexpectedly made its appearance. Yet how rapid has been the decline of the one and the increase of the other! Argument has done much, but events have done more, to put down the empire of ignorance and prejudice, and to dispose Christians of every denomination and of all ranks, to suspend their disputes about smaller matters, at least so far as to unite with harmony, and zeal, and energy, in that great work of faith, and labor of love, which has for its glorious object the evangelizing of the world, and the salvation of mankind. Upon this enlarged, and truly Christian principle, was formed, first of all, The Loudon Missionary Society. All its auxiliaries are founded on the same comprehensive principle. It is also adopted by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and maintained by the great multitude of auxiliary institutions, which have arisen in her train. The same liberal and noble spirit has happily been carried into almost all recent associations for meliorating, in any respect, the physical or intellectual, the civil or political, the moral or religious condition of Britons, and of mankind. How truly divine is this principle! "Charity," saith the only wise God, "is the bond of perfectness." It is the heavenly spring which moves this distinguished age. To the joy of the wise and good, it continues to gather strength, and to extend its glorious influenee. Priests and prelates, judges and nobles, magistrates and ministers of state, princes of the royal line, and our venerable King among the first, have added dignity to their rank, and rendered themselves more illustrious than before, in becoming patrons and promoters of institutions so beneficent and glorious in their object, so divinely forbearing, and so charitably comprehensive in their principle. Against this principle, which in seeking to improve, in all respects, the condition of Britons and of mankind, refused to recognise the shadowy and fleeting distinction between churchman and dissenter, there was raised suddenly, and, for but a short season, a loud and bitter cry. This principle, so manifestly from heaven, and so full of the divinity, that God himself expressly commends it as "the bond of perfectness," was strangely said to be preg nant with great danger to the church, and to the state. It ought to be remembered, for the credit of the age, that the alarmists were few, and that their weight was not great. Some of these unhappy few, it is supposed, have seen their error, and amended their ways: others are, perhaps, ashamed of the awkward predica ment in which their party anger had placed them. At any rate, the prevailing and almost universal opinion, is now decidedly in favor of forbearing and uniting charity. Even the remains of the exclusive spirit are, happily, constrained by the characteristic disposition of the age, to become ac tive in their own way, for the instruction of the ignorant, and the relief of the unhappy. "Surely these things come forth from the Lord, who is wonderful in council, and excellent in working!" In contemplating the events of this singular period, all the considerate, and wise, and good, wonder, adore, and rejoice. They stand still, to behold with devout and joyful amazement, the great Ruler of the universe, working at once destruction and salvation, in the midst of the earth. While they muse and are still, a voice is heard from the excellent glory, saying, "wonder, but go forward; sing of mercy, and of judgment, while the glory of both is before you, but forget not to perform your own part in those great movements which so justly fix your attention, and almost overwhelm you with astonishment." How great the honor and felicity of being called to be workers together with God himself, in the mighty enterprizes of his redeeming providence. We who now address ourselves to the public, wish to yield a cheerful obedience to this divine call. We desire also to carry along with us, as many as possible, in pursuit of "glory to God on high, peace on earth, and good will among men." Let it ever be remembered, that such is the great object in view. Let it also be well understood, that whatever improves, or tends to improve, in any respect, the physical or intellectual, the civil or political, the moral or religious condition of our own countrymen, or of any portion of the human race, is acceptable to God, approv ed by wise and good men, and accords, most perfectly, with the divine character, and glorious design of Christianity. The work is one, and it is great. It has many parts, and each of these is important, in its own place and order. Rightly understood, it begins at home. The benev olence and the charity, which neglect the near and known centre of operation, and charge themselves, first of all, with the care of the distant and unknown circumference, have ever been, and ever must be, spurious and abortive. Benevolence and charity, truly Christian, originating in principle and guided by discretion, proceed from assiduous care and labor, to improve, in all respects the condition of our own families, connexions and countrymen; to do, in addition to this, whatever Providence may put in our power, for the general welfare: and, above all, for the spiritual and eternal salvation of mankind. The London Missionary Society (to which ours is meant to be auxiliary) pursues, as every one knows, this last and greatest object of Christian benevolence and generosity. To this society belong the distinguished honor and happiness of being both the spring, and centre of tar the greatest part of the missionary operations which are now going on in the world. How delightful is it to see all the Missionary and Bible Societies, all the multiplied, beneficent, and Christian institutions, which, under the blessing of Heaven, have sprung from this prolific parent, look up to her with filial affection, and cherish one another with fraternal love! We regard the prosperity of each member as contributing to the health, the happiness, the success, and the glory of the whole family, and especially of the venerable and most useful parent institution. The object of all these ultimately and substantially the same; and each of them leads, in its own place and measure, to the attainment of that object. We call on no man to desert any one of those kindred and noble institutions, that he may join himself to another. It is our own intention to support as many of them as our time and other circumstances may permit, and our desire is, that others may feel it to be their duty and their happiness to act on the same principle. Notwithstanding all that is done and all that is doing by so many other societies, still there is need, and still there is room, for many such institutions as this of the Edinburgh Auxiliary Missionary Society. Men full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom are wanted to be missionaries, and funds for educating, sending forth, and supporting them, are required; and such societies, under the blessing of Heaven, seem well calculated for furnishing both to the pa rent institution. It ought to be well understood, and powerfully and practically felt, that Bible societies, however nume. rous, active and useful, can never supercede the employment of missionaries. Bible societies prepare the scriptures for circulation, and this is an important branch of the great work. But how many tribes of the earth have no written language at all, into which the scriptures can be turned for their use! Where the people have the happiness to be so far advanc ed in civilization as to possess a written language, still in many places, the great majority cannot read that language. If, even in England, more than two thirds of the poor and laboring classes cannot read the Bible in their own tongue, what must be the case among ruder and more neglected peoples? Where the people whom we wish to instruct in the knowledge of our holy religion, possess no written language, who but missionaries, conversing personally with them, can reduce their rude speech to writing, and so render the word of life into it, as that it may, when read, be intelligible to the poor savages? And even when all this is done, who, but a missionary, residing and laboring among them, shall teach them to read the prec.ous book themselves? Where the language of a people is recorded in books, it may be possible to send them the divine word from a distance, in their own tongue; but still some kind stranger, some Christian missionary is needed, or the book can be of no use to the unlettered multitude. To be of use, it must be read. If the learned among themselves have not taught them to read even the pretended religions. which they wish to maintain, will they teach them to read the Christian scriptures which they desire to suppress? Nay, even when the oracles of God are in their hands, when they have acquired the capacity of reading them, and when they read, wishing to be acquainted with the contents of the sacred book, there can be no doubt that such inquirers would still feel themselves in need of farther assistance. If the ancient question were put to any such heathen reader, Understundest thou what thou readest? the same reply which was given of old might be expected still, How can I unless some one teach me? We rejoice greatly, that debased Hindoos in the East, and oppressed slaves in the West; that unlettered Hottentots in the South, with savage Esquimaux and Canadian Mohawks in the North, now read the word of life in their own tongue. But it remains a fact full of instruction, and never to be forgotten, that, in all these, and many other such cases, the pious, patient, and persevering labors of missionaries prepared the way. The inspired witers, be it also remembered, first spoke to the people the great things of God, and presented themselves before them as the living epistles of Christ, written, not with ink and pen, but by the Spirit of the living God; and then wrote to the same people, to be kept on perpetual reco. d, the sum of the things which they had addressed to them before, with all the rousing eloquence of the living voice, and all the persuasive influence of holy fervor. How can the people believe on him of whom they have not heard? How can they hear without a preacher? and How can any preach to the heathen if none be sent? Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, not merely written or printed, but also spoken in his name. The same lesson seems to be suggested by the order in which it has pleased Divine Providence to unfold events in this important crisis of the church and of the world. First the missionary spirit was called forth; and when it had been in active and widely extended operation for a while to prepare the way, then Bible societies arose to follow in the train of missions, and to send, under missionary care, the word of life in their own tongue to every people under heaven. Whether, therefore, we consider the nature of the work, or the example of the inspired writers, or the order of events in Divine Providence, our support appears to be due, first of all, to those missionary operations which break up the ground; and then to Bible societies, which prepare the seed, and send it out to the field prepared by others, for its reception. God has honored that society which we invite you to assist, with peculiar tokens of his favor. These, in our opinion, establish her claim on our peculiar attention. As a parent, she naturally and justly takes precedence of her children. She attracts regard by her libera spirit. Her ardent zeal and matured experience inspire confidence. By her extensive engagements and ever-increasing efforts in all quarters of the world, and by the measure of success with which not a few of her undertakings are already crowned, our hopes are sustained, expanded and enlivened. The known inadequacy of her funds to those great and noble enterprises in which she is engaged, makes a very powerful appeal to our Christian benevolence and generosity. That Loblę and generous confidence in the spirit and principle of the Christian public, which has induced some of her first and chief members to advance a large portion of their property that her benign operations might rather be extended than contracted:-this, it must be seen and felt, puts in a strong demand on our good-will to the heathen, and on our gratitude to their generous friends. All these, and other circumstances, do, in our opinion, call loudly on us and others in all parts of the kgdom and of the world, to come forward with alacrity in aid of this institu tion, which has already done so much good, and which presents the fairest probability of being, by the favor of Heaven, an unspeakable blessing to Britons and to mankind. Jealous rivalship is utterly unworthy of our great cause. We trust that no such feeling shall be either manifested or felt in any quarter. But generous emulation in seeking the salvation of ruined men, the triumph of Christianity in all the world, and, in these, glory to God of the most exalted kind, and in the highest degree,--emulation of this description, is one of the noblest, most active, and useful principles. To feel in ourselves, and to behold in others, its energetic and hapby influence, is a thing most devoutly to be desired. If the institution of our society shall rouse such emulation, less or more, into holy activity, we shall rejoice, and others will reap advantage. We have thought fit thus to unfold our sentiments and views at considerable length, and our hope is, that the exposition may be found both seasonable and useful. And now, brethren, suffer a word of exhortation. We address you, not in our own name, or in our own authority, or on a subject of small importance, or in a case of light responsibility. We speak in the name of the divine Savior; on the authority of Jehovah, the Creator, Ruler, and Judge of the world, on a subject of ineffable and everlasting importance. The gain or the loss attached to compliance or refusal, is for eternity, and is too great to be stated in the language of men, or brought within the comprehensive grasp of our feeble powers. What, say you, shall we cast into the sacred treasury? Think not that money is the only contribution that is needed, or that will be accepted. Personal labor in the great work, is of prime importance. But for this, talents and endowments of the noblest kind are necessary. Vigor of body and of mind, habits of close study and discriminating observation, a disposition to count all things but loss for the glory of Christ in the salvation of men, willingness, if it should so please God, to Le fered at any time, in any way, in any quarter of the world, on the sacrifice of the Christian faith. Men thus full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, will ever be regarded, by our Parent Society and by God, whom they wish to serve in the Gospel of his Son, as the most noble and acceptable offering to the missionary cause, Cherish the gifts and graces which may seem suitable; and pray without ceasing to the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers in the blessed work, into all parts of the world. Comparative few are qualified, disposed, or at liberty, to cast into the missionary fund such an offering as that of which we have just spoken. Well, let us suppose that you are opulent; give then of your abundance, with a willing and grateful heart. Thus shall you lodge your stock in the funds of a kingdom whic cannot be moved, and, when all else shall have passed away, in the final conflagration of the earth and its works, this abundance, which in grateful love, you shall have cast into the fund for Christian missions, will remain your rich treasure in heaven for eternity. Say not, you have a family for which provision must be made, and a rank in society which must be supported with honor; say not, that already you have given much, and are pledged to give more to many other noble and necessary institutions of Christian benevolence and charity; but remember rather, that of what you possess, you are only the stewards; that the Great Proprietor of all instru ts you to be liberal, and will call you to account; that there be who scatter, and yet, through the blessing of Heaven, increase, while there be who withhold more than is meet, and through the curse of Providence, it endeth in penury. We know that the number of the wealthy, though they were all liberal, is small; but we know also, that the number of those, who, though they have not much, can yet spare a little, is very great. The multitude of small contributions soon swells into great sums. Suppose that the inhabi ants of this city and its vicinity, amount to a hundred thousand. Let but one in ten of this number be found able and willing to contribute one penny sterling a week, and the annual amount wil be two thousand, one hundred, and sixtysix pounds, three shillings and four pence. If but one in twenty give so trifling a sum, still the yearly amount will be one thousand and eighty three pounds, one shilling and eight pence. One penny sterling a week for one in twenty of the inhabi tants of Britain and Ireland, would yield sixty-five thousand pounds a year; and this is more than six times the amount of the annual contributions to the tunds of the London Missionary Society. It appears then, that hitherto there ha lot been, at an average, more than one out of a hundred and twenty who has paid so much as one penny sterling a week into the funds of this so much celebrated Missionary Society! We are amazed and ashamed, that, in such a country, and for such a purpose, the amount of contributions should be so small. Surely it is time for all who feel any concern for the credit of our country, and for the honor of the Christian profession, for the salvation of mankind, and for the glory of Christ, to bestir themselves according to their ability, their op portunity, and their influence. Let pastors stir up their people, parents their children, masters their servants, and friends, connexions, and neighbors, one another, and let this be done, at once, by instruction, exhortation, and example. Let punctual contribution, and persevering prayer, he always combed. If there be a few who can, with truth, say, "Silver and gold have we noue," still let them add, with the wise and good of aucient times, and of all ages, "for Zion's sake will we not hold our peace, and for Jerusalem's sake will we not rest, till the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth, til alt nations shall see their excellence, and all kings rejoice in their glory." Some, we trust, will soon devote themselves to missionary labors and privations; others, we hope, will give liberally out of their abundance; and many con tribute regularly a small sum out of the little which Providence may put in their power. All Christians, we expect, will pray without ceasing, that God would bless their own humble endeavors, and call forth the exertions of others, and speedily make "his way known on earth, even his saving health among all nations." Let it not be forgotten, that it is the duty, the happiness, and the glory of the one sex as well as of the other, to be so employed. The means then, brethren, let it be remembered, of doing the greatest good to others and to ourselves, to the people of our own times, and to the generations that shall arise, are, by the kindness of Providence, at our disposal. The obligations by which we are bound to use them, are of the strongest and most sacred kind. A great movement is commenced among Jews and Christians, Mahomedans and Heathens. The Supreme Disposer of all persons, things, and events, is "shaking the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land." It seems as if the glory of the Redeemer were about to be so "req vealed, as that all flesh may see it to gether." The promise is recorded of old, that the "Messian shall have the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession." Many centuries ago he has ratified this precious promise in his own blood, Jehovah is faithful and omnipotent; his counsel must stand, and his promise be accomplished. The glorious work will proceed, by whomsoever it may be neglected or opposed. "Woe to all who remain at ease in Zion," and woe to every one who shall oppose the righteous, the peaceful, the pure, the universal empire of her prince. But hail, happy people, in whose hearts the reign of heaven has commenced. Ye will labor, heart and hand, to have it established over all the earth. Knowing that your time is short, you will be the more active while it shall continue. If you fall asleep before the triumph of the Christian religion be uni versal in the world, in death itself you will remember with joy, that God lives to. fulfil his word, and to bless the nations. When the shout shall be raised on earth, that the kingdoms of the world are be come the "kingdoms of Jehovah, and of his anointed," the blessed sound will reach your celestial habitation. With angels and redeemed men, and with emotions which cannot be uttered or conceiv ed on earth, you will break forth in these glorious and triumphant strains, "Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth; salvation to him who sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, we will be glad and rejoice for ever." Go then, "be strong, quit yourselves, like men, and, happily assured, that your labor cannot be in vain in the Lord, work the work of God while it is day, duly rememering that the night cometh in which no man can work." Amen. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. DUELLING. THE following General Order of the Duke of York, Commander in Chief of the British Forces, is important as it marks a new era in the history of duelling. GENERAL ORDERS. The Murder of Lieutenant Blundell. House Guards, Sept. 10, 1813. THE Commander in Chief is persuaded, that the late Trial of Ensign Edward M'Guire, 6th West-India Regiment; Ensign James Gilchrist, 6th West-India Regiment; Lieut. Anthony Dilon, 101st Regiment; Ensign Daniel O'Brien, 101st Regiment; for the heinous crime of murder, has excited the liveliest interest and anxiety throughout the army. His Royal Highness has therefore been pleased to direct, that the following Letter, which he has received from the Lord Viscount Sidmouth, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, shail be published in General Orders; "Whitehall, Sept. 8.-In obedience to the commands of the Prince Regent, I have the honor of acquainting your Royal Highness that it is his Royal Highness's gracious intention not to order the sentence upon the four Officers of the Army, who were capitally convicted at the last Assizes at Winchester, of the murder of Lieut. Blundell, of the 101st Regiment of Foot, to be ca ried into execution, but to grant them the Royal Pardon, and I think it incumbent upon me, at the same time, to lay before your Royal Highness a copy of the evidence adduced upon the trial of those Officers; from which it appears, that the original disagreement between Lieut. Blundell and Ensign M'Guire, arose from a trivial cause; that no attempt was made to reconcile the parties, but on the con trary, that, instead of those efforts, which if properly and seasonably exerted, might have had the happy effect of preventing the meeting which led to the fatal result, great pains were most unwarrantably tak en to promote and instigate it. This ob servation, I am bound to state, refers more especially to Lieut. Dillon, who, from his rank in the regiment, and his standing in the army, was peculiarly called upon to exercise his influence and authority for a purpose very different from that to which they were applied. "I deem it my indispensable duty to submit this representation to your Royal Highness, and I do so in the full persua sion, that your Royal Highness will be pleased to cause such steps to be taken upon this painful occasion, as the circumstances of the case shall, upon consideration, be found to require. (Signed) ""SIDMOUTH." While the awful sentence of the law was pending, the Commander in Chief ab stained from expressing any opinion ou this most distressing occasion. His Roy al Highness now feels it incumbent on him to take that part, which a due regard to the discipline and character of the army demands. The Commander in Chief is sincerely rejoiced that the clemency of his Royal |