The meeting was opened by reading the 65th chapter of Isaiah, by the Rev. JOHN ARMSTRONG, of the Episcopal Church, late Chaplain of the British settlement at Honduras. Letters, apologizing for unavoidable absence, were read by the Rev. Dr. S. S. WOODHULL, Secretary for Domestic Correspondence, from the Hon. JOHN JAY, President, the Hon. BUSHROD WASHINGTON, JOSEPH NOURSE, Esq. Hon. JOHN COTTON SMITH, Hon. WILLIAM TILGHMAN, Hon. SMITH THOMPSON, Hon. ANDREW KIRKPATRICK, Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, FRANCIS S. KEY, Esq. Hon. Charles GoldSBOROUGH, Hon. WILLIAM PHILLIPS, and Hon. DAVID LAWRENCE MORRIL, Vice-Presidents. The Rev. Dr. JAMES MILNOR, Secretary for Foreign Correspondence, read the following ADDRESS from the PRESIDENT of the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY. GENTLEMEN, We have the satisfaction of again observing, that by the blessing of Providence on the zeal of our fellow-citizens, and on the fidelity, diligence, and prudence with which our affairs are conducted, they continue in a state of progressive improvement. The pleasure we derive from it, is not a little increased by the consideration that we are transmitting essential benefits to multitudes in various regions; and that the value and important consequences of these benefits, extend and will endure beyond the limits of time. By so doing we render obedience to the commandment by which He who " made of one blood all nations of men," and established a fraternal relation between the individuals of the human race, hath made it their duty to love and be kind to one ano ther. We know that a great proportion of mankind are ignorant of the revealed will of God, and that they have strong claims to the sympathy and compassion which we, who are favoured with it, feel and are manifesting for them. To the most sagacious among the heathen, it must appear wonderful and inexplicable, that such a vicious, suffering being as man, should have proceeded in such a condition from the hands of his Creator. Having obscure and confused ideas of a future state, and unable to ascertain how far justice may yield to mercy, or mercy to justice, they live and die (as our heathen ancestors did) involved in darkness and perplexities. By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting act of kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced. gracious Creator has provided for us a ReThe Bible will also inform them, that our deemer, in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed-that this Redeemer has made atonement "for the sins of the whole world," and thereby reconciling the divine justice with the divine mercy, has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the Ving, nor in our power to deserve. The free gift and grace of God, not of our deserBible will also animate them with many explicit and consoling assurances of the divine mercy to our fallen race, and with repeated invitations to accept the offers of pardon and reconciliation. The truth of these facts, and the sincerity of these assurances being unquestionable, they cannot fail to promote the happiness of those by whom they are gratefully received, and of those by whom they are benevolently communicated. We have also the satisfaction of observing that the condition of the church continues to improve. When at certain periods subsequent to the Reformation, discordant opinions on ecclesiastical subjects began to prevail, they produced disputes and asperities, which prompted those who embraced the same peculiar opinions, to form themselves into distinct associations or sects. Those sects not only permitted Christian fraternity with each other to be impaired by coldness, reserve, and distrust, but also, on the occurrence of certain occasions, proceeded to alternate and culpable acts of oppression. Even their endeavours to increase the number of Christians were often too intimately connected with a desire to in crease the number of their adherents: and These prejudices,however,have gradually been giving way to more laudable feelings. knowledge, many individuals became better By the progress of civilization and useful and the diffusion of their reasonings among qualified to distinguish truth from error, the people enabled them to judge and to act with less risk of committing mistakes. of authority in church and state, have been Since the rights of man, and the just limits more generally and clearly understood, the church has been less disturbed by that zeal which "is not according to knowledge;" and liberal sentiments and tolerant principles are constantly enlarging the sphere of their influence. To the advantages which the church has derived from the improved state of society, may be added those which are resulting from the institution of Bible Societies. With whatever degree of tenacity any of the sects may adhere to their respective peculiarities, they all concur in opinion respecting the Bible, and the propriety of extensively distributing it without note or comment. They therefore readily become members of the Bible Societies, and in that capacity freely co-operate. Their frequent meetings and consultations produce an intercourse which affords them numerous opportunities of forming just estimates of one another, and of perceiving that prepos sessions are not always well founded. This intercourse is rendered the more efficient by the great and increasing number of clerical members from dissimilar denominations. Convinced by observation and experience, that persons of great worth and piety are attached to sects different from their own, the duties of their vocation, and their respectable characters, naturally incline them to recommend and encourage Christian friendliness. As It is well known, that both cathedrals and meeting-houses have heretofore exhibited individuals who have been universally and justly celebrated as real and useful Christians; and it is also well known, that at present not a few, under similar circumstances, and of similar characters, deserve the like esteem and commendation. real Christians are made so by Him without whom we "can do nothing," it is equally certain, that He receives them into His family; and that in His family mutual love and uninterrupted concord never cease to prevail. There is no reason to believe or suppose that this family will be divided into separate classes, and that separate apartments in the mansions of bliss will be allotted to them according to the different sects from which they had proceeded. These truths and considerations direct our attention to the new commandment of our Saviour, that his disciples "do love one another :" although an anterior commandment required, that "as we had opportunity," we should "do good unto all men;" yet this new one makes it our duty to do so, "especially to the household of faith." In the early ages of the church, Christians were highly distinguished by their obedience to it; and it is to be regretted that the conduct of too many of their successors has, in this respect, been less worthy of imitation. Our days are becoming more and more favoured and distinguished by new and unexpected accessions of strength to the cause of Christianity. A zeal, unknown to many preceding ages, has recently pervaded almost every Christian country, and occasioned the establishment of institutions well calculated to diffuse the knowledge and impress the precepts of the Gospel both at home and abroad. The number and diversity of these institutions, their concurrent tendency to promote these purposes, and the multitudes who are cordially giving them aid and support, are so extraordinary, and so little analogous to the dictates of human propensities and passions, that no adequate cause can be assigned for them, but the goodness, wisdom, and will of HIM who made and governs the world. We have reason to rejoice that such institutions have been so greatly multiplied and cherished in the United States; especially, as a kind Providence has blessed us, not only with peace and plenty, but also with the full and secure enjoyment of our civil and religious rights and privileges. Let us, therefore, persevere in our endeavours to promote the operation of these institutions, and to accelerate the attainment of their objects. Their unexampled rise, progress, and success in giving Light to the heathen, and in rendering Christians more and more "obedient to the faith," apprise us, that the Great Captain of our Salvation is going forth, "conquering and to conquer;" and is directing and employing these means and measures for that important purpose. They, therefore, who enlist in His service, have the highest encouragement to fulfil the duties assigned to their respective stations, for, most certain it is, that those of His followers, who steadfastly and vigorously contribute to the furtherance and completion of His conquests, will also participate in the transcendant glories and blessings of His TRIUMPH, The Treasurer,WILLIAM W. WOOLSEY, Esq. read the report of the Committee who audited his accounts, by which it appeared The usual resolutions were then offered and adopted, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. DAY, President of Yale College, Connecticut; the Rev.Mr.PETERS, of Bennington, Vermont; the Rev. Mr. CONE, of New-York; Col. VARICK, of New-York; the Rev. Dr. M'MURRAY, of New-York; Mr.TALMAGE,of Nassau-Hall, Princeton, New-Jersey; the Rev. Dr. MILNOR, of New-York: the Rev. Dr. RICE, Professor in the Theological Seminary in Virginia; Rev. Mr. BROWN, of New-York; and the Hon. Mr. Dagget of New-Haven, Connecticut. PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION SO CIETY. SIXTH ANNIVERSARY: Held in the Brick Church, New-York, on Thursday Evening, May 13, 1824. The Hon. DE WITT CLINTON, President of the Society, having taken the Chair, the celebration was opened with Prayer by the Rev. Dr. RICHARDS, Professor in the Theological Seminary, at Auburn, New-York. The President then rose and delivered the following Address:— In consequence of the resignation of the worthy and respectable President of this Institution, I have been honoured with an invitation to act in his place. And in acceding to this request, I have felt all the responsibility attached to the occasion, and all the solicitude connected with the important duties which we are assembled to perform. It is certainly a work of supererogation to expatiate on the high interests which are blended with the prosperity of this institution. The solemnities of the Jewish Ritual have given way to the mild administrations of Christianity, and the establishment of the Cross has destroyed the sanguinary prescriptions of the heathen mythology. With this change of the character of religion, the offices and functions of its ministers have received a correspondent improvement; and instead of the Priest, presenting victims at the altar to propitiate the fabulous deities of superstition; the Christian divine offers up prayers to the Almighty Father of the Universe, expounds the revelations of heaven, administers the solemn ordinances of religion, and exerts all the powers of his mind to inculcate the observance of morality. The experience of mankind evinces that religion is essential to cement society and to promote good government; and in reference to a future state, it determines our destinies for ever. The influence of religion must be co-extensive with the number and the character of its ministers. An able and pious clergy will produce a moral and religious people. And in proportion to a deficiency in the number and a failure in the qualifications of the Ministers, in that ratio will the morals of the people be affected, and the interests of the community be impaired. In this State, the functionaries of religion are constitutionally interdicted from office, and in most of the States they are practically proscribed. And it is well known that the emoluments of the sacerdotal office furnish no allurements to cupidity. The sons of the great and the powerful, of the opulent and the ambitious will seek the road to civil distinction or wealth through other professions; and it thus unfortunately happens that those most able to bestow the blessings of education on their children, are not the most willing that they should devote themselves to the ministrations of religion. This defect must be supplied, this evil must be remedied by gratuitous education. And with this view institutions like the present, which cherish merit without any regard to the factitious distinctions of society; which rescue poverty from privation, and elevate humility above depression, and which appreciate talent and virtue in the abstract, without any connexion with the endowments of fortune or political distinction, are calculated to enlist in the cause of religion men of gigantic minds and wonderful energy. In the dark abodes of poverty, and in the sequestered shades of obscurity genius often exhibits its powers, and the virtues of a saint and a martyr are frequently cherished with holy enthusiasm. Cultivation and patronage must unite in drawing forth these latent and dormant energies, and in enlisting them in the service of mankind. It is in vain to contend that the functions of a Christian Minister can be successfully performed without education. The apostles of Christ were, at first, men without the benefits of literature, but they were armed with the gift of tongues, the power of miracles, and the visitations of the Holy Ghost, But besides these preternatural endowments, all the learning and philosophy of the ancients were united in St. Paul, who was called into the Christian church by a miraculous interposition. His writings display the most powerful talent, and he has even condescended to refer to some of the great classical authors of antiquity. His eloquence was of Demosthenian energy; and to his intellectual cultivation must be ascribed, to a certain extent, the vast consequences that resulted from his labours in the cause of Christianity. An able divine ought to understand the original languages in which the inspired writers promulgated our religion. And it would be well if he extended his acquisitions to the other radical languages of the eastern hemisphere. His acquaintance with literature and science ought to be extensive and profound, and he should be deeply read in moral philosophy, metaphysics, and theology. He should also be master of all the points of polemic discussion, and be prepared not only to defend Christianity against the assaults of skepticism and infidelity, but to vindicate his particular creed against the objections of opposing sects. In order to attain this intellectual eminence so becoming an ambassador of heaven, and a minister of the Most High God, he must pass through all the seminaries of education, from the rudimental school to the university, and devote year after year to the attainment of pulpit eloquence and the acquisition of theological knowledge. How are these great blessings to be acquired? By the union of the friends of religion in the education of a Christian ministry-by inducing our youth to devote themselves to the altars of God-and by dispensing the benefits of gratuitous instruction to the favourites of piety and genius, wherever to be found. And let it be understood, that the interests of good government as well as of religion,are seriously affected by the want of religious instructers. Thousands of places are now destitute of Christian ministers: and the evils are felt not only in religious privations, but in the prevalence of practices incompatible with the public welfare. Wherevera good and able divine is settled, he will acquire the love, the confidence, and the respect of his congrega tion. His influence will be felt in all their conduct, and a commerce of benefit and gratitude will be established, which will reach the sources of the noblest virtues, and exercise the most powerful control over the whole field of human action. The aspect of the world is replete with wonderful indications. Within the memory and observation of many of us, the most extraordinary events, from the American Revolution to the present period, have occurred. A new power, unknown to the ancients, has risen up to direct the energies, and to superintend the destinies of mankind. Its authority is unlimited, its progress irresistible, and its force irrepressible. It derives its existence from the lights of Chris tianity, the invention of printing, and the diffusion of education. It governs the monarch on the throne as well as the peasant in the cottage. Need I say-the power of public opinion-which influences all the operations, and is felt in all the ramifications of society. This power, in order to be beneficial, ought to be predicated on just and proper grounds. It ought to be directed by piety and knowledge. Monitorial education, Sunday schools, and Bible Societies are the great levers which must raise public opinion to its proper elevation; and when reinforced and impelled into activity, by the ministrations of a virtuous and enlightened clergy, then the cause of liberty, order, and good government will be established on a firm basis, and the prospects of blessedness in another and a better world will brighten the gloom of seclusion, alleviate the burden of affliction, and solace the hour of death. Such are the objects and such the tendencies of this institution; and recommended as it is by all the considerations, which ought to operate on the man, the patriot, and the Christian, I feel happy on this occasion to offer my humble mite for its support, and to raise my feeble voice in its favour. The Annual Report was read by Mr. S. E. Morse. Several resolutions were offered, and addresses delivered by the Rev. Mr. KNOTT, of Galway, New-York; the Rev. Mr. HENRY,of Cranberry, New-Jersey; the Rev. Mr. PETERS. of Vermont; the Rev. Professor MONTEITH, of Hamilton College; the Rev. Professor RICE, of Virginia; and the Rev. President GRIFFIN, of Massachusetts. AMERICAN JEWS' SOCIETY. FIFTH ANNIVERSARY. The fifth anniversary of the American Society for meliorating the condition of the Jews, was celebrated in the City Hotel, on Friday evening, the 14th of May. The exercises were opened with prayer. The annual report was then read by the Rev. Dr. RowAN, Agent of the Society. On motion of the Rev. Mr. SANDFORD, of Brooklyn, seconded by Mr. PRIMKER, a converted Jew, Resolved, That the report be adopted and printed. On motion of the Rev. Mr. RUFUS BAILEY, of Pittsfield, Mass. seconded by ALEXANDER JONES, Esq. of Rhode Island, |