in a frequent use of intoxicating spirits. The mere sight of one thus ruined, we might hope would have a salutary effect on every beholder. But when such instances are frequent in society, like other common events, they are little regarded. A habit, when once formed, is not easily overcone, and no vicious habit is perhaps less frequently conquered than that of intemperance. Let it be duly considered, how

many valuable men have ruined their health, wasted their property, reduced their families to poverty and woe, destroyed their characters, and shortened their days, by this one vice; and who that is not already in the habit, will not tremble at the thought of becoming a slave to his appetite! Let him that thinks he standeth take heed lest he fall. Presumption in this case often proves fatal.

"WITH gratitude to God and the British nation, the Committee presents itself for the fourth time before a liberal public. Its office on this occasion, though still painful, will not be unmixed with duties of a pleasing nature. It will have to record numerous authentic documents, selected from its correspondence of the appli. cation of the funds entrusted to its care. Germany, delivered from the horrors of war, is yet deeply involved in its oppressive consequences. The sums hitherto received, amount to £83,700-the grants to 83,100."

The Report next gives a particular account of the distributions of the funds, in Hamburgh, Hanover, Saxony, Silesia, Prussia, and Lusatia.

In this Report we have various extracts of letters from magistrates and clergymen on the continent; some of them expressing the deplorable state to which the inhabitants are reduced, and others acknowledging with the most grateful sentiments, the benefac tions which had been received from Great Britain. From a large number the following have been selected:

tween 3 and 4000 clergymen, who generally speaking, distinguish themselves by their literary attainments, their evangelical spirit and loyalty. The campaign of last year has almost entirely ruined two thirds of this class. They were first greatly exhausted by almost constant and oppressive quartering of troops; and when in September and October last, the theatre of the war was almost entirely confined to Saxony, the clergymen lost nearly every thing which had been left; their harvest was consumed, their stores destroyed, their habitations plundered, their books burnt, their fruit trees cut down, and their furniture spoiled. Some worthy old men, who dared to resist the ill treatment of their wives and daughters, were killed, and others obliged to make their escape to the forests, completely stripped. After the battle near Leipsic, a nervous fever rapidly spread through the villages, which proved so destructive, that in many church yards, no room was left for the great number of corpses; deep holes were dug for them in barns and gardens. In some villages scarcely an inhabitant was left; and in the district of Dresden alone, 500 orphans are counted, in whose behalf the parish ministers must make an appeal to

public charity. The peasant and the citizen may perhaps soon procure, in some degree, the means of subsistence: but the unfortunate clergymen are entirely impoverished, oppressed with debts, weighed down by grief and sorrow, and without prospect of income for several years to come. No class of the sufferers seems more deserving of a share in British generosity than the Saxon clergy.

Extract of an appeal to the benevolent in behalf of suffering humanity in the Principality of Fulda.

No imagination is sufficiently lively to conceive the misery spread every where by the flying French army, on their retreat. The nearer they approached the borders of Germany, the more furious their excesses, the more relaxed their discipline. There is no need for a guide to find the road from Leipsic to Frankfort. On both sides of this long road of blood, all lies wildly mixed; broken carriages, clothing of all kinds, feathers of ripped-up beds,broken utensils, fallen horses, and dead soldiers, deformed by the torments of death. Most of the houses in the villages and suburbs on this road, have not only been entirely plundered, but deprived of all timber and reduced to shells. Many have been burnt to the ground, and the beautiful village Buttlar, on the Ulster, is entirely in ashes.-Its inhabitants, brought to beggary in a few hours, stand there with grief imprinted on their faces, and raise in despair their hands to heaven. Already a whole month has elapsed since those days of terror; yet no human being, no domestic animal, no poultry, nay, not even a sparrow was to be met with; only ravens in abundance, feeding on the corpses, were seen. Since then some human beings with the remainder of the cattle have returned to their ruined dwellings; but both carrying with them the seeds of the most dread. ful maladies. Many places in Fulda have since lost the tenth, nay the sev enth part of their whole population, and likewise their remaining cattle, through those maladies; and yet no end is to be seen of this inexpressible

misery. Many villages are threatened with entire depopulation. Nothing remains but an appeal for assistance to the benevolent.

From the Prince of Anhault.

Dessau, March 31, 1814. You may easily imagine, gentlemen, how welcome this aid is, when I frankly confess to you that of late I have been deprived of all mears to relieve the unfortunate. This is the more painful to me, as during my 50 years' endeavour to see my people happy, I never had greater occasion to relieve them than at present, when I am rendered incapable of doing it. I therefore hasten to fulfil the duties of expressing my most cordial thanks for this proof of the noble sentiments that characterize the English nation. Be assured, gentlemen, that the distribution of your benevolent donation shall be made according to your intention, in the most conscientious manner.May God bless you all for your benev. olence! This is the most ardent wish of my thankful heart. With everlasting gratitude and profound esteem, I remain gentlemen, &c. &c.

The PRINCE OF.. ANHAULT.

From Mr. Hornby to R. H. Mar-
ten, Esq.

London, May 5, 1814. I arrived here last Tuesday, and during my tour through some parts of Germany and Holstein, I have inquired to what a degree your benevolent proceedings have alleviated the miseries of the late war. The instances are numberless and most gratifying. I have had at Lubeck particular intercourse with the Rev. Mr. Geibel, Mrs. Pauly and the Burgomaster Mr. Overbeck; and all give me the fullest assurances that your benevolent intervention has saved hundreds. These poor, unhappy objects, bereft of every thing, nay in many instances half naked, without discrimination of age or sex, turned out in the most inclement season; their house and yard pillaged and burning at their backs; have literally crawled into Lubeck, and thrown themselves at the doors of several inhabitants, exhausted and imploring immediate re

lief. Your benevolent provision met almost all exigences. With the means supplied through your Committee, hundreds have been put into comfortable beds, nursed with wholesome food, clothed warmly, and life preserv. ed, which a few hours, in many instances, would inevitably have extinguished. I have witnessed the most sincere testimonies to individual and public gratitude.

By accounts contained in the Report of the Committee it appears that Lubeck was appointed as a city of refuge for the exiles from Hamburgh; that 4390 persons, in distressing circumstances, were provided for by a committee in Lubeck, "who for the moment saved their lives." In the second report of the Lubeck committee, it is stated-"In the beginning of Feb. ruary we had more sick than healthy in the general receptacles, and the mortality became every day greater."

Who can read these accounts of distress, occasioned by war, and not adore the mercy by which this region has been preserved from similar scenes of woe! Or who can refuse to pray, that the days of vengeance may be shortened, and the time speedily commence, when wars shall cease to the ends of the earth?

"Religious Tract Society" in Great Britain.

WE have been favored with the fif teenth Report of the Committee of this Society. It gives a most animat. ing account of the prosperity and usefulness of the institution. It appears from the report that in May 1812, the Parent society was aided by 54 Auxil iary societies. The publications of the society had been sent as messengers of the gospel of peace into every quarter of the globe; where in many instan ces they had been not only thankfully received, but had evidently produced most important effects: especially by promoting a desire to obtain the holy scriptures.

The committee have caused a selection of tracts to be printed, with cuts on one side of the sheet, to be affixed

on the walls of cottages, manufactories, public houses, ships, and other suitable places.

The Evangelical society of Stock. holm continues with unabated zeal the distribution of religious tracts. About 142,000 tracts have been distributed in the Swedish language.

At the solicitation of pious friends in Russia and Holstein, the committee has forwarded a supply of tracts for distribution to the prisoners of war in the Russian empire. Fourteen of the tracts of this society have been translated into the Russian language by a pious and noble lady, who has had six of them printed and circulated chiefly at her own expense.

After taking a survey of the increasing circulation of tracts in the Russian empire, the committee observe to the society:"The names of Petersburg and Moscow will not be less known in a religious than in a political history. The spirit of the Bible Society shed its blessings over Russia, even when Moscow was in flames; and. the tracts which issued from your depository, have enlightened and consoled its inhabitants amidst the desolation of their city."

Several letters, lately received from Germany and Switzerland, contain the pleasing information, that the religious tracts have been extensively circulated among both Catholics and Protestants. The extraordinary distresses which many thousands in various parts of Germany and Switzerland expe rienced in the course of the last winter, have led numbers to serious reflections, which have been cherished, strengthened and increased by the religious tracts put into their hands. Sick and wounded soldiers have been particularly attended to.

The character of the tracts is thus described in the report:

"A genuine religious Tract, adapt. ed to the purposes of your society, is a composition which concentrates the whole practical spirit of the Bible into the compass of a few pages. It may address the reader in the form of precept, or narrative; of imaginary or authenticated facts. But it is ever clothed in the garb of holy sobriety.

It speaks in plain and simple language the word of God. It has a constant tendency to interest the heart of the reader, by humbling the sinner and exalting the Savior, and promoting active and universal obedience."

The Report, from which the foregoing particulars were taken, is thus introduced:

"The Committee of the religious Tract society, in presenting the fifteenth Annual Report of its proceed. ings, trust they will not be deemed altogether unworthy of the stewardship with which they have been honored. When they look back upon the years during which the labors of the society have been expended in the prosecution of its great object, both at home and abroad; years marked by the devastations of war and the apprehension of evils yet to come: in common with their countrymen and with Europe at large, they feel at the present moment, a grateful joy which they are unable adequately to express. The friends convened at this Anniversary, will therefore allow them to utter the language of holy and affectionate congratulation; saying "The Lord who sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord who sitteth King forever; the Lord hath given strength unto his people; the Lord hath blessed his people with peace." The committee request permission to add, in the spirit of apostolical benediction-"Peace be to the brethren-The God of peace be with you all."

The following paragraph in the Re. port is too important to be omitted in this sketch:

"Your Committee have had repeated occasion to speak with gratitude of that characteristic union among various denominations of christians, which forms the bond of the Religious Tract Society. It is now no longer problematical, whether all those who accord in the essentials of revealed truth, can or cannot co-operate in the great work of evangelizing the world. The differences of opinion in matters of less importance, which each may conseientiously and consistently maintain, form no barrier against the practicability of much united and effective exer

tion. It has been reserved for the happy discovery of the present day, that a large portion of common ground, which the Churchman, the Dissenter, and the Foreigner, may jointly occupy; and feel the stability of their cause to be abundantly increased by the very circumstance of their union. The harmony which has uniformly distinguished the meetings of this Society and of its Committee, as well as their general transactions at home and abroad, bears unequivocal testimonies to this important and interesting fact."

Hibernian Society, for establishing schools and circulating the Holy Scriptures in Ireland.

THE population of Ireland is estimated at about 5,400,000; of whom about 3,200,000 are supposed to be Roman Catholics. The Protestants have diminished within the last 25 years. The children of the poor in many parts of Ireland are little removed from a state of barbarism: and the catholic community are under the influence of a priesthood, which for the most part deprives them of any access to the Holy Scriptures.

But

Thousands of Bibles and Testaments have been circulated in Ireland. the principal object has been, the es tablishment of Schools in those parts where the catholics are most numer, ous, and the condition of the poor most necessitous. Into these Schools the Scriptures have been introduced, and also the New Testament in the Irish language. The Spelling Book, published by the Sunday School Union, which includes many Scripture lessons, is invariably taught by those masters who receive payment from this Society.

The Schools under the Society's care are 145 in number, and the Scholars upwards of 8000. These are increasing. They are visited by persons of acknowledged competency and piety; and seminaries have been provid. ed for qualifying young persons of good character and talents to become Schoolmasters.

From the success that has already attended the efforts of the Society in establishing Schools, it appears that their prospects of usefulness are very extensive, and that every part of Ireland might be greatly benefited, if the resources of the Society were equal to their opportunities. The plans of extensive usefulness in which they are engaged, though but in their in-, fancy, being sufficiently matured to ascertain their general practicability, it may be fairly inferred, that the benefits at present imparted to a few counties, might be extended throughout Ireland,did the funds permit. They therefore call with confidence upon the friends of religion and humanity, to aid them in this most important work and labor of love.

In our anxiety to promote the know. ledge of the Gospel among distant nntions, shall we disregard the mental and spiritual wants of the poor inhab. ants of Ireland? thousands of whom are as ignorant of the will of the true God, and of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, and the benign effects of the Gospel on the temper and conduct, as those who never heard of his name! Shall we ourselves be entrusted with religious knowledge, and not consider that the deposit is made, that we may diffuse it in the best ways we can devise? Shall we forget that we are members one of another? Shall we leave the Irish peasantry, as they have long been left by the Catholic Church, in the most deplorable ignorance; or shall we adorn the Protestant faith, by affording, with a liberal hand, the means of instruction, which leads to the knowledge of the Scriptures; which glorifies God, produces peace on earth, and goodwill among men?

ed in the year 1806. We have been favored with the seventh Annual Report. It gives a pleasing account of the success and the prospects of the Institution. In May 1813, the Society had expended in their benevolent exertions £1570 4 0. The balance then due to the Treasury, was £711 7 0.

"The number of scholars paid for by the Society is increased to upwards of 3000." The benefits of christian instruction are not confined to the number of children taught at their expense, but are extended to all the children who attend the same schools-this increases the number to 4500.

"It has," says the Report, "been calculated that to cover all Ireland with schools of christian instruction; that is, to place a school in each of its 2400 parishes, and by this means, to educate 200,000 poor children, would not cost £5000 sterling per annum. will British Christians hear and consider this statement, and yet remain indifferent whether Ireland is covered with schools or not?"

And

Some pious clergymen have deeply interested themselves in the success of the schools. One of these has established a school under his own superintendance, which contains no less than 640 children.

Some of the Roman Catholic priests have been in opposition to the schools -One of them "publickly accused the parents, and with violent and awful imprecations, threatened to make the ground open and swallow up them and their families, if they persisted in sending their children to school." In another place, "the priest has no objection to the children reading the scriptures, provided they do not commit them to memory. Some of the priests object to neither. Of these, one has even sanctioned the schools at the al

THE Board met according to appointment at Yale College, Sept. 15, 1814.

The following gentlemen were cho sen officers for the year ensuing.