the specious arts and arguments of the Sceptic, addressed as formerly to the middle and higher ranks, and to them almost exclusively, (though these are not to be lost sight of, in the measures to be adopted by the Board,) that we have at this time, principally to provide. The peculiar and more pressing danger of the moment arises from a diffusive circulation, amongst the lower classes, of short tracts, which, however otherwise to be despised, are but too well calculated, by bold fallacies and blasphemous assertions, to shake the faith of the ignorant and uninformed, and by an unceasing repetition of attacks in daily and weekly numbers finally to overthrow it; and to these the attention of the Committee has been more particularly directed. "With respect to the first the Committee are of opinion, that great good may be effected, by an increased circulation of many valuable Tracts, now on the list of the Society's books, and that such increased circulation may reasonably be expected from the Christian zeal of members in every part of the country; but they also submit that it is desirable to promote a still wider dispersion of these and similar pieces,-by a reduction of the present prices,-by an immediate notice to District Committees of such reduction,-and by a call upon them to further, by Special Meetings or otherwise, the most extended distribution in their power. "Your Committee, however, apprehend, that when all this has been done, and and all these means have been most actively and usefully applied, much will still remain to be done; and the most effectual means of counteraction will still be found wanting; as, in the opinion of your Committee, the alarming evils of this frightful crisis can only be successfully met, in many cases, by the prompt application of remedies, perhaps as novel as the mischief, which calls for them; adapting themselves to the varying aspects, under which it may from time to time appear; and especially so far accommodated to the parties, for whose benefit they are designed, as to insure their acceptance, and give the most reasonable promise of relief. "With remedies of this description the Society's stores, as might naturally be expected, are at present unprovided; and it is feared, must, from its character and constitution, in a great degree ever remain so; inasmuch as the poison is circulated, in a form and manner, in which, according to its usual course of proceeding, or by any of its accustomed organs, the Society cannot offer the antidote. "Your Committee feel, however, the magnitude of the mischief to be so appal ling, and the peril to the sonis of thousands so imminent, as to demand from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge every practicable exertion, and to justify almost any departure from its ordinary habits, which shall not actually compromise its character, or endanger its constitution. With this feeling, therefore, they call upon the General Board, to do all in its power, under these reservations, to stay the moral plague, which, though like its antitype in the natural world, of rare occurrence, and they humbly trust, by the divine mercy, of short continuance too, would like it, if unchecked by proper antidotes, sweep millions to destruction in its course. The Committee, therefore, finally submit to the General Board their earnest hope, that a Special Committee may be appointed, with the fullest discretionary powers suited to meet the exigence of this extraordinary crisis, with a recommendation that they immediately engage in the most active distribution of the above-mentioned works, on the list of the Society, and of such small single sheet Tracts, and other temporary pieces, not having a claim to a permanent place on the Society's catalogue, as may in their judgment be fitted for the purpose; that they have authority to add to their number; and to call upon the public for contributions, in aid of their designs; and that the Society do encourage the formation of a fund, for these important objects, by placing 1000l. at the disposal of such Committee.'" Whereupon the Society, taking into consideration the interesting and important particulars contained in the Report of their Committee, Unanimously agreed to adopt and do what is therein contained, concurring with them in ail particulars. T "Also, that the Special Committee, for the purposes stated in the Report, do consist of the present Committee for Correspondence, with the addition of the Secretary (the Rev. Dr. Gaskin,) the Reverend Preachers of the three Inns of Court,—the Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and Gray's Inn,— the Rev. Incumbents of St. James's, St. George's, and St. Martin's, Westminster, the Dean of Westminster, and the Christiau Advocate of Cambridge. "That there be a Committee of Superintendence, consisting of his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, President of the Society, the Bishops of London and Lincoln, and the Bishop of Peterborough, Margaret Professor of Divinity, Cambridge, and the Bishop of Landaff, Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford. "That the powers of the Special Com mittee do last for a twelve-month, and "That the Thanks of this Board be returned to the Lord Bishop of London, for his attention to the business of the Meeting. "The Special Committee hold their Meetings at the Society's House, No. 5, Bartlett's Raidings, Holborn, to whom all Communiestions are to be addressed, and by whom Contributions are received, as well as at Messrs, Goslings' and Co. Fleet-Street, on account of the Treasurer. "ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. "At a time when the enemies of Christianity are employed in disseminating the poison of Blasphemy and Infidelity to an unparalleled extent, THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE Consider it their peculiar duty to call into action all the means within their power to arrest the progress of the evil. Upon the magnitude of that evil they deem it unnecessary to dwell. The signs of the times are, in themselves sufficiently alarming. But the success, which, under the blessing of Providence, has for more than a century attended the labours of the Society in the sacred cause, gives them the assurance that, now in the hour of peril, their appeal to the attention of the Public will not be made in vain. "Without a general co-operation, however, of the friends of Christianity, the exertions of the Society, as a collective body will be productive of a comparatively confined and partial benefit. Upon their own part, the Society have not been inactive. Directing their attention in the first instance to the religious works already on their list, they have published in the most popular form, and at very reduced prices, such as appeared to them best calcalated to check the growth of irreligion. The extraordinary demand for these Tracts which may be anticipated, joined to the reduction of prices which has taken place will, of necessity, be attended with much additional expence. This expence, however, the Society (although their revenue has not, in general, exceeded the calls which have been made upon them) are anxious to meet out of their ordinary funds. "But as the forms which Infidelity has now assumed are novel, and peculiar, the Society have also thought it necessary to vary in some degree, their ordinary modes of operation. A Committee has therefore been appointed for the special purpose of searching for other Tracts, not at present on the Society's List, of opening new channels for distribution, and of circulating, at the lowest prices, such other Tracts and Papers, as may be called forth by the occasion, and may appear to them best suited to the exigency of the moment. And it is proposed by the means of this Committee, to extend to the Public at large, those advantages of purchase and distribution which have hitherto been confined to the Members of the Society, and every facility will be afforded by the Committee in London, and by the Diocesan and District Committees in the country, to al those pious and well-disposed persons, whe ther Members of the Society or not, who may be desirous of giving to these Tracts that effective circulation,which it is the especial object of the Society to obtain. In order to carry into effect these extended operations, the Society have already appropriated the sum of £1000 from their general fund to this specific object. And they look confidently to the friends of Christianity for such cordial and zealous aid, as may enable them to give the fullest effect to their endeavours. They trust, that they shall be assisted by the powerful and the active in the diffusion of these salutary publications, through all parts of the country; and that, in every place where the Word of God shall be assailed, the weapons also of defence may be at hand, to repel the attacks of the Blasphemer trust that, from the pious and the wealthy, they shall find that liberal assistance, which such extensive measures will require; and that, while they are engaged in the anxious defence of all that is sacred, and dear to Christians, their exertions will not be allowed to languish, for the want of due cooperation and support. They The undermentioned Tracts which are al- Leslie's Truth of Christianity de- Bishop Porteus's Evidences of the 0 3 Truth of Christianity, bound.... 0 6 Bishop Horne's Letter to Adam Bishop Watson's Apology for the 0 14 0 6 0 6. Bishop Gibson's three Pastoral Let- They have also entered into correspondence with their Diocesan and District Committees, soliciting the co-operation of all, and of those, more especially, in districts which have been most infected with the poison of infidelity; and we have the pleasure to state, that the greatest zeal and promptitude has been manifested on the part of these valuable auxiliaries to give the Society all the assistance in their power. The District Committees of Birmingham, Lewes, Tunbridge, Hertford, Louth, Cowbridge, Chester, Kidderminster, Holsworthy, and Cleveland have al ready held public meetings, and called the attention of their respective neighbourhoods to the claims of the present crisis upon their exertions and their liberality; and so general an attention has been awakened, that we are confident that in our next number we shall have to give a favoura ble account of the progress of the undertaking. Society for the Propagation of the AT the last meeting of this Society, The Committee appointed to consider in what manner the Society could extend its assistance to the new colony in the neighbourhood of the Cape, have expressed a decided opinion in favour of the appointment of regular ministers, with proper ecclesiastical superintendance and controul, and with a decent provision for their maintenance. They observe that these objects may easily be obtained while the colony is yet in its infancy. By dividing the territory after the manner of our parishes, and allotting a certain proportion of land in each to the support of the clergy, and the erection of churches, a provision may be made for the future support of the clergy, which will grow with the growth of population. The Committee have, therefore, recommended an application to government on the subject, with an offer of any assistance that the Society may be able to afford. It was agreed to adopt the suggestion of the Committee, and his Grace the President has been requested to make the necessary communication to the Secretary for the Colonial Department. We understand that a District Committee of this Society is about to be established at Bath, |