foregoing letter, a second was addressed to the members of the mission, by his Majesty.

"Reverend and beloved,-From your letters, dated Tranquebar, the 12th September, 1725, which some time since came to hand, we received much pleasure; since by them we are informed not only of your zealous exertions in the prosecution of the work committed to you, but also of the happy success which hath hitherto attended it, and which hath been graciously given of God. We return you thanks for these accounts; and it will be acceptable to us, if you continue to communicate whatever shall occur in the progress of your mission. In the mean time, we pray you may enjoy strength of body and mind for the long continuance of your labors in this good work, to the glory of God, and the promotion of Christianity among the heathens; that its perpetuity may not fail in generations to come.

"Given at our Palace at St. James's, the 23d February, 1727, in the 13th year of our reign. "GEORGE R."

The following is a translation of a letter of archbishop Wake.

"To Bartholomew Ziegenbalg and John Ernest Grundler, preachers of the Christian Faith, on the coast of Coromandel.

"As often as I behold your letters, reverend brethren, addressed to the venerable Society instituted for the promotion of the Gospel, whose chief honor and ornament ye are; and as often as I contemplate the light of the gospel either now first rising on the Indian nations, or after the intermission of some ages again revived, and as it were restored to its inheritance; I am constrained to magnify that singular goodness of God in visiting nations so remote; and to account you, my brethren, highly honored, whose ministry it hath pleased Him to employ, in this pious work, to the glory of His name and the salvation of so many millions of souls. Let others indulge in a ministry, if not idle, certainly less laborious, among Christians at home. Let them enjoy, in the bosom of the church, titles and honors, obtained without labor and without danger. Your praise it will be (a praise of endless duration on earth, and followed by a just recompense in heaven) to have labored in the vineyard which yourselves have planted; to have declared the name of Christ, where it was not known before; and through much peril and difficulty have converted to the faith those among whom ye afterwards fulfilled your ministry. Your province, therefore, brethren, your office, I place before all dignities in the church. Let others be pontiffs, patriarchs, or popes; let them glitter in purple, in scarlet, or in gold; let them seek the admiration of the wondering multitude, and receive obeisance on the bended knee. Ye have acquired a better name than they, and a more sacred fame. And when that day shall arrive, when the chief Shepherd shall give to every man according to his work,' a greater reward shall be adjudged to you. Admitted into the glorious society of the prophets, evangelists, and apostles, ye, with them, shall shine, like the sun among the lesser stars, in the kingdom of your Fa ther, for ever. Since then so great honor is now given unto you by all com petent judges on earth, and since so great a reward is laid up for you in heaven; go forth with alacrity to that work, to the which the Holy Ghost hath called you. God hath already given to you an illustrious pledge of his favor, an increase not to be expected without the aid of his grace. Ye have begun happily, proceed with spirit. He, who hath carried you safely through the dangers of the seas to such a remote country, and who hath given you favor in the eyes of those whose countenance ye most desired; He who hath so liberally and unexpectedly ministered unto your wants, and who doth now daily add members to your church; He will continue to prosper your endeavours, and will subdue unto himself, by your means, the whole continent of oriental India. O happy men! who, standing before the tribunal of Christ, shall exhibit so many nations converted to his faith by your preaching; hap

py men! to whom it shall be given to say, before the assembly of the whole human race, Behold us, O Lord, and the children whom thou hast given us;' happy men! who, being justified by the Saviour, shall receive in that day the reward of your labors, and also shall hear that glorious encomium, 'Well done, good and faithful servants; enter ye into the joy of your Lord.' May Almighty God graciously favor you and your labors in all things. May he send to your aid fellow-laborers, such and so many as ye wish. May he increase the bounds of your churches. May he open the hearts of those to whom ye preach the gospel of Christ; and hearing you, they may receive life-giving faith. May he protect you and yours from all evils and dangers. And when ye arrive (may it be late) at the end of your course, may the same God, who hath called you to this work of the gospel, and hath preserved you in it, grant to you the reward of your labor, an incorruptible crown of glory.

"These are the fervent wishes and prayers of, Venerable Brethren,
"Your most faithful fellow-servant in Christ,
"GULIELMUS CANT."

"From our Palace at Lambeth, January, A. D. 1719."

pre

I cannot here refrain from adverting to the admirable sermon of the sent lord bishop of London, delivered last year (1817), before the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and which precedes their last report.

The circumstance also may be here mentioned—and I shall only mention it-that if the efforts of the Church Missionary Society were suppressed, the number of missionaries in India and its dependencies, supported by members of the Church of England, would not exceed three or four; while those supported by other religious communities in this country amount to above seventy.

ON THE

ORIGIN AND VICISSITUDES

OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART,

AND THEIR INFLUENCE

ON

THE PRESENT STATE OF SOCIETY.

A

DISCOURSE,

DELIVERED ON THE OPENING

OF THE

LIVERPOOL ROYAL INSTITUTION,

25th NOVEMBER, 1817.

BY WILLIAM ROSCOE, Esq.

LONDON:

To the Proprietors of the Liverpool Royal Institution, the following Discourse, published at the request of their Committee, is most respectfully inscribed.

LIVERPOOL ROYAL INSTITUTION.

COMMITTEE ROOM, 26TH NOVEMBER, 1817.

TO WILLIAM ROSCOE, Esq. Chairman of the Committee.

Dear Sir,

We solicit the favor of your consenting to publish the Discourse, which we had yesterday the gratification of hearing you deliver, on the opening of this Institution.