(From the Report of the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews.) THE Society's simple object is the spiritual welfare of the Jews, and this it seeks to promote by the co-operation of all who, loving the Lord Jesus, also long for the salvation of Israel. Its primary field is England. Situated as we are, we feel that the command to preach the Gospel to the Jews, requires us to begin at London; and when, by the blessing of God, we have gone over the towns of England, we hope to extend our labours to the Continent and remoter regions.

In London, where there are resident probably about 20,000 Jews, four missionaries are constantly employed, and another is about to enter on the work. In addition to these, the Committee are now enabled to avail themselves of an eminently-qualified individual, whose office it is to receive and converse with serious Jewish inquirers, and to give instruction in Jewish literature and modes of argument to those employed as missionaries. Three of these fulfil their mission in districts almost entirely inhabited by Israelites; of which districts some idea may be formed from the following descriptions given by the mis

time to the house of God, and opened to him the Scriptures. After frequent intercourse with the missionary, his enmity to truth was subdued, and he came to London, where, under the faithful preaching of the Rev. Ridley Herschell and another minister, and by the prayerful instructions of private Christians, he was led to know the way of the Lord more perfectly--became a constant attendant on the services of the sanctuary; and having given satisfactory evidence of a work of grace on his heart, has been recently baptized. His connexions on the Continent are most respectable. The affection subsisting between him and the members of his family, is of the tenderest character. Severely has his spirit been tried by the most persuasive and powerful inducements to return home. He remains stedfast, preferring a very laborious occupation, with small wages, in the house of a Christian, loved and honoured by him for his piety and kindness, to all the comforts and endearments of home. Baptism severs the last tie that binds an inquiring Jew to his father's house; and now these two brethren, in their anguish as disowned of those they love, and in their faith as Christians, cast themselves on your sympathy and prayers, who love and follow their Saviour. The last-mentioned young man forms one of many converted Israelites in London, who sit beneath the faithful preaching of the Gospel, meet at the table of a crucified Saviour, and in teaching the young, and in other Christian efforts, testify of the grace they have received. Several of them attend the Society's prayer-meetings, and occasionally lead the devotions.

MADEIRA.

OUR readers must all have heard of the signal success which has attended the labours of Dr. Kalley, in Madeira, and of the persecution which he and his converts have in consequence undergone. We shall return to this subject in our next number, as the whole narrative is fitted to set in a very striking light both the intolerant spirit of the Church of Rome, and the very altered tone in regard to Protestantism which the Government of this country is disposed to assume. Meanwhile it will interest our readers to be made acquainted with some details in the history of Francisco Pirez Soarez, one of the first fruits of Dr. Kalley's labours. They have been furnished to us by a gentleman who has recently returned from Madeira; and under whose care the Portuguese convert in question, having escaped the fangs of his persecutors in Madeira, has come to this country.

Francisco was originally a most bigotted Roman Catholic. During the struggle in Portugal betwixt the Miguelites and Pedroites, he joined the former party, not from any political motive, but simply because it was the party supported by the priests, and was consequently connected in his mind with the cause of religion. It is extraordinary how such an individual should ever have come in contact with Dr. Kalley, but Providence prepared the way by afflicting him with some complaint in the region of his heart. He was induced to consult the Doctor, and derived such benefit from his advice, that he resolved to attend also to his spiritual instructions. If

after proceeding so violently against the other, would of course have cast some suspicion on the motives of the authorities. Accordingly, the old process was revived against him also; and no fewer that eighteen men were despatched with six mandates of imprisonment to apprehend him. They proceeded straight to his fazenda, or cultivated ground, but whilst they were entering it on one side, without being aware of their ap proach, he went out on the other for the purpose of seeing Dr. Kalley. Whilst in the Doctor's house, he was informed of his narrow escape; and so signal an interposition of Providence was at once received as an intimation, that he should return to his place of concealment. After continuing in hidings this second time for seven or eight months, his friends began to see that it was necessary to remove him from the island; and while they were consulting where they should send him, and how they could provide for him, a letter arrived from the Rev. Mr. Fraser, minister of the Free Church in Bombay, requesting that some Portuguese convert might be sent to that place to act as catechist among the Portuguese Roman Catholics residing in it. As Francisco was the fittest person for this purpose whom Dr. Kalley knew, it was regarded as a providential indication of what should be done with him. It was resolved, therefore, to send him to Bombay; and when the matter was proposed to him, his eye brightened immediately, and he expressed himself ready to go to the extremity of the world, should the Lord so appoint it. He was consequently conveyed with the utmost secrecy on board a vessel, which was on the point of leaving, and he arrived in England on the 3d of May,

he was not the very first, he was at least
among the first, in Madeira to embrace the
truth. On hearing some time after of the
celebration of the Lord's Supper in the Scotch
Church in that island, he expressed a wish,
together with another fellow convert, Nicolau
Tolentino Viegra, to be permitted to join in
that ordinance. As he had completely re-
nounced Romanism, not even making con-
fession to the priest, which is generally the
last act abandoned by the converts; and as
he had a clear and comprehensive knowledge
of Gospel truth, and his walk was most
orderly and consistent, Dr. Kalley thought
it advisable that his wish should be gratified,
and on his making application to the session
of the Scottish Presbyterian Church, the
names of Francisco and his companion were
added to the communion roll. The services
when these two converts first made their
public profession (in 1843), were felt to be
peculiarly refreshing, and doubtless they still
form a green spot in the minds of many
whose privilege it was on that occasion to sit
down at the table of the Lord. This act of
theirs was construed into a proof of heresy
and apostasy, and they were declared liable to
arrest by a judge, in order to being tried.
Mandates were issued for their apprehension,
and hence it was deemed advisable that they
should go into hidings, as in all probability
they would be subjected to very harsh treat-
ment in prison before their trial came on.
They continued in hidings for some
months, till the first proceedings against
Dr. Kalley, which had been commenced
in the meantime, were pronounced by the
Court of Relaçao, in Lisbon, to have been
altogether illegal. The enemy received at
this time a check, more especially as the
public prosecutor in Lisbon had declared, Had the officers succeeded in apprehending
when pleading against the Doctor, that heresy him, he would have been lying at this time
and apostasy were no longer civil crimes by in Funchal gaol, under a charge of heresy
the laws of Portugal, and the two converts and apostasy; and there can be no doubt that
ventured forth from their concealment. For death would have been the doom awarded
some months they met with no annoyance, him. For though the sentence of Maria
native place, the Lombo das Fayas, rendered
till Nicolau, having opened a school in his Joachina-the woman condemned to death
some time ago-has been commuted by the
himself once more obnoxious to the priests Court of Appeal in Lisbon into three months'
and the Portuguese authorities. The old imprisonment and a fine of six dollars and
charges of heresy and apostasy were revived costs, this has been done, not because heresy
against him, and last summer an attempt was and apostasy, of which she was accused, were
made to apprehend him. Certain officers, crimes not punishable with death in the eye
bearing an order for his imprisonment, en- of the Court, but because the charge of blas-
tered his premises after sunset, in direct phemy was the only one, in their opinion,
contravention of the law of Portugal, while substantiated against her. It is probable,
the order for his imprisonment did not con-
that had the sentence of death been passed on
tain the signature of any judge whatever. Francisco, they would not have proceeded to
As Nicolau refused to accompany the officers put it into execution; for they do not hang
that night to gaol, dreading some foul play by even murderers in Madeira who have been
the way in the dark; and as most of the neigh-capitally condemned. But it is unquestion-
bours had assembled round the school, and
were strong enough to have effected his rescue,
although they offered no violence to the po-
lice, it was thought proper by the authorities
to give this proceeding on their part the
name of treason, and make it the occasion of
letting loose a body of military among them,
perpetrating the most disgraceful barbarities
on their persons and property. We can-
not now enter into the details of this
shocking transaction: it is already ably,
minutely, and faithfully described in Dr.
Kalley's pamphlet, entitled, "An Account of
the recent Persecution in Madeira," published
by John F. Shaw, 27, Southampton-row, the
perusal of which we would earnestly recom-
mend. But it was necessary to allude to this
gross act of the Government, as rendering it
necessary for Francisco to secrete himself a
second time. He had already been connected
with Nicolau in the same charges of heresy
and apostasy, and to suffer him to go free

able that they would have subjected him to much harsher treatment in gaol than that which these murderers experience, as indeed has already happened in the case of Maria Joachina.

Of all his converts, Dr. Kalley appears to place the greatest confidence in Francisco, esteeming him very highly for his intelligence, spirituality, and stedfastness.

May the Lord carry him in safety and comfort to the place of his destination, and make him a blessing to his fellow-Portuguese in Bombay!

Nicolau, to whom allusion has been made above, our readers will be glad to learn, has also escaped from his persecutors, and is now in Demerara, usefully employed, and we trust, adorning the doctrine of the Gospel. Dr. Kalley, there is some reason to believe, may ere long be expected in this country.

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London: Thomas Nelson, Paternoster-row.

SOCIETY.

This SOCIETY was held on Tuesday, the
HEANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of

6th May, 1845, when,

Chair.

Graham Speirs, Esq., Sheriff of the County of Edinburgh, was unanimously called to the The following Report was then read :"REPORT by the Directors of the Scottish Equitable Life Assurance Society to the Annual General Meeting held on 6th of May. The directors are happy to announce the continued prosperity of the Society. During the year ending 1st March last, the number of Policies issued was 502, the amount of sums Assured 293,1807., and the Premiums and Entrymoney 11,1561. 8s. 4d. This exceeds the sum Assured last year by about 100,0007., and is a greater amount of business than in any former year, excepting the year 1835-6.

SCOTTISH EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE | Report which you have heard read, and the able |
manner in which it has been supported; but
looking back for a period of fourteen years,
when a very few individuals, originally five of
us, I believe, met for the purpose of instituting
this Society, certainly not even the most sanguine
among us could have anticipated the vast success
which has crowned its proceedings. And I
apprehend that the causes of this success are to
be found, in the first place, in the Society's having
been founded on principles which have been re-
cognised as sound by the country at large; and, in
the second place, by its having been conducted
by persons of energy and experience. A great deal
of attention has lately been directed to the prin-
ciples upon which such Societies are founded,
and I am quite certain that, with the knowledge
now abroad upon this subject, no Society is
likely to attain success unless its principles will
bear the strictest investigation and scrutiny.
But it is not enough that a Society like this be
founded upon right principles. There must be
the combination of these two; and it is to their
happy combination in our case that I think our
Society's vast prosperity is to be ascribed;
because it has not only struck its roots into the
place where it was planted, but, as you have
heard to-day, it has spread its branches over
the empire. There are two great principles,
I believe, which, if attended to in the management
of a Society of this kind, render its prosperity
certain. These principles are, great care in the
selection of lives, and great caution and discre-
tion in the investment of the accumulated
capital. This is a matter which is brought
under our attention in the Report. I believe
that in every stage of human existence there
may be peculiar trials and difficulties attending
our upward or downward progress, and so in the
history of every Society of this kind there will
be peculiar difficulties at particular stages of its
progress. At the commencement, of course, our
anxiety and exertions were directed to the
obtaining a sufficient number of members. We
have now passed that stage; and the very cir-

As was to be expected from the increased age and influx of Members, the claims on the Society arising from death have exceeded those of previous years; but notwithstanding the amount falls greatly short of the calculation by the Northampton Table. The Policies which have fallen by death are forty in number, and amount to 30,2007., besides 4,0661. of additions. After providing for these sums, the Surplus Fund which has arisen during last year amounts to 14,8877., which, added to 34,9327. reserved at last year's division, makes the Surplus Fund or Rest 49,8197. After deducting lapsed and surrendered Policies the amount remaining Assured at 1st March was 2,134,3817., and the Annual Revenue was upwards of 76,0007. The Accumulated Fund now amounts to 295,1977.

The Directors having considered it expedient to obtain an extension of their powers, they, in terms of the Deed of Constitution, submitted the proposed alterations to a Quarterly Court of Directors held on 12th September; and to a General Court of the Society held on the 17th October last, by all which Courts the alterations were unanimously approved, and if sanctioned by the present Court, they will become laws of the Society. They are the following

1st. To lay out and invest the Funds of the Society in the purchase of Government Funds, or on such real or personal securities in any part of the United Kingdom, or on such other security or purchases as the Directors may from time to time approve.

2d, To make sums assured payable in such part of the United Kingdom as the Applicant for Assurance may desire.

cumstance that the Directors have come to us

intending to effect assurance, when they are deliberating as to the Institution to which it is most expedient for them to resort.

The importance of this advantage is apparent from the fact, that at the 1st of March, 1841, the Society made vested additions varying from twelve to twenty per cent. on the sums assured, to all Policies of five years' endurance, and at the 1st of March, 1844, a similar vested addition of six per cent.; besides further prospective additions of two per cent. per annum, calculated on the accumulated amount, in the event of their becoming claims before the 1st of March, 1847, being the next period of allocation. For example; on a Policy for 1,000l., effected on the 1st of September, 1831, there will be, if it become a claim after the 31st of August, 1846, 1,3487. 6s. 3d. payable, viz. :

Sum originally assured......
Vested Addition at 1st of March, 1841,
20 per cent................

Vested Addition at 1st of March ......

Further additions, viz:-
On surviving 31st Aug., 1844, 2 per cent.
On surviving 31st Aug., 1845, 2 per cent.
On surviving 31st Aug., 1846, 2 per cent.

£1,000 0 0

200 0 0 £1,200 0 0 72 0 0 £1,272 0 0

25 8 9 25 8 9 25 8 9 £1,348 6 3

And if the party be alive on the 1st of March, 1847, another vested addition, with prospective additions, will accrue in manner above stated; and so on every three years thereafter.

By the Deed of Constitution the assured are permitted to visit or reside in any part of Europe. London Office, 61a, Moorgate-street. Wм. Cooк, Agent. (The Right Hon. Lord Gray. The Right Hon. Lord Abercromby.

Vice Presidents

EXTRAORDINARY DIRECTORS.

Archibald Alison, Esq., Sheriff of Lanarkshire.
William Johnston, Esq., merchant, Dundee.
John Thompson, Esq., of Gogarburn.
John Tennant, Esq., of St. Rollox.
William Winn, Esq., banker, Lincoln.
Thomas Horncastle Marshall, Esq., barrister at Law, Leeds.
Graham Spiers, Esq., Sheriff of the county of Edinburgh.
Archibald Anderson, Esq., merchant, Edinburgh.
Alexander Macfarlane, Esq., of Thornhill.
Hon. Alexander Leslie Melville, Lincoln.

this day asking us to concur in a law giving Rev. John Anderson, D.D., Newburgh.
them additional power in the investment of our
accumulated capital, shows that we have reached
another stage in our history-the stage where
we find our capital getting larger than we can
conveniently employ in the restricted way origi-
nally intended, and that we now require new
channels of investment. With regard to the
new rules that had been proposed, I concur
entirely in the observations made by my friend
Mr. Walker. I think it the duty of this Society
-and I think it will contribute largely to its
success to make the mode of cancelling its
obligations as easy as possible to the families of
parties assured. The same remark applies to
the third rule, which allows the Directors, upon
such conditions as they may think proper, to

R. Paul, Esq., Manager of the Commercial Bank of Scotland.
The Right Rev. Michael Russell, L.L.D., Bishop of Glasgow.
Robert Murray, Esq., Provincial Bank of Ireland, Dublin.
Sir David Brewster, K.H.

3d, To repone policies which may become
forfeited by departure of the Assured beyond
Europe without license, in cases where such
policies either were originally effected by one
party on the life of another, or were at the
date of forfeiture, and up to the date of ap-repone within a limited period, policies in the
plication to be reponed, held by an onerous
assignee, on evidence being produced of the
party assured being in good health at the time of
the application, and on such other conditions as
the Directors may in each case prescribe, pro-
Wided that such application be made within six
unonths from the date of forfeiture.'

Although from the growing difficulty of finding secure investments, the Directors have found it necessary to propose an extension of their powers, which at present are so restricted as to exclude various eligible modes of investment, the Society may rest assured that the Directors will continue to exercise the same caution they have hitherto done, by lending on such securities only as are absolutely safe. WILLIAM STUART WALKER, Esq., of Bowland, moved the adoption of the Report.

ARCHIBALD ANDERSON, Esq., seconded the Motion, which was carried unanimously.

The REV. JOHN MACFARLANE, of Dalkeith, moved a vote of thanks to the Directors of the

past year, which having been seconded by WILLIAM M'CANDLISH, Esq., Cashier of Stamps and Taxes, was unanimously carried.

Thanks having been afterwards voted to the Local Boards of the Society, and to the Manager, Secretary, and Medical Officers,

The CHAIRMAN said, I observe from the programme which has been laid before me, that the business of the Meeting is now concluded; but there is a small addition which says that the Chairman may make such observations as occur to him. I do not know that I have many observations to trouble you with after the excellent

hands of onerous assignees, which may have
lapsed from the negligence of the parties as-
sured to intimatetheir intention of going abroad.
I don't think it necessary to detain you by any
further observations, except to repeat my con-
gratulations on our prosperity, and to express a
hope that future years, if they do not equal the
success of the last-for we cannot always look
for the same success-will at least indicate
the continued prosperity of the Society.

On the motion of George M. Torrance, Esq.,
of Threave, the thanks of the Meeting were
tendered to Mr. Sheriff Speirs for his conduct in

the chair.

OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE SOCIETY. President.-His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, K.G.

The great leading and fundamental principle of the Society, that all the surplus contributions or profits are divisible amongst the policy holders, distinguishes this Society from, and gives it a decided superiority over, proprietary companies; because, in the latter, either the whole or a considerable portion of the profits go to the proprietors. The profits thus retained by the proprietary companies are, in this Society, divided amongst the policy holders, and will be, at the option of the assured, either applied in the reduction of the annual Premiums, or as additions to the policies, or they may be commuted into a single present payment. These are advantages which may be urged with great effect on the consideration of those

Edward Spence, Esq., merchant, Hull.
Andrew Buchanan, Esq., Mount Vernon.
John Shank More, Esq., Advocate, Professor of Scots Law
in the University of Edinburgh.
Colonel Duncan Macgregor, Inspector General of the
Irish Constabulary, Dublin.

ORDINARY DIRECTORS.

John Whitefoord Mackenzie, Esq., W.S.
Rt. Laurie, Esq., Master of the Merchant Company, Leith.
William H. Dunbar, Esq., Advocate.

John Watson, Esq., Manager of the Edinburgh Gas Light
Company.

William Stuart Walker, of Bowland, Esq., Advocate.
John Hutton, Esq., merchant, Leith.

David J. Thomson, Esq, merchant, Edinburgh.

James Ross, Esq., Solicitor Supreme Courts.
Thomas Scott Anderson, Esq., W.S.

Henry Maitland, Esq., wine merchant.
Robert Chambers, Esq., publisher.

Rt. Robertson Glasgow, of Mountgreenan, Esq., Advocate.
Manager-Robert Christie, Esq.
Secretary-Robert Gibson, Esq.

Medical Officers

S. A. Pagan, Esq., M.D.
Adam Warden, Esq., M.D.
J. S. Combe, Esq., M.D. for Leith.

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STATEMENT AND APPEAL BY THE difficulty, and there is much danger that

SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SYNOD.

THE School Committee beg to remind all the ministers and other office-bearers of the Church, that Sabbath, the 10th of August, is the day appointed by the Synod for a public collection to be made in all our churches in aid of the School

scheme.

unless a prompt and vigorous effort is
made to sustain them their number will
speedily become less than it is. This
remark applies more especially to the
schools existing in the county of Nor-
thumberland. Of the whole number of
schools returned, no fewer than twelve
belong to that part of the country,
within the bounds of the three Presby-

No. 4.

the education of poor children in such a way as to entice away the young of our flocks, giving them in fact the preference to the young of their own charge. And instances, too, are not wanting, in which recourse is had even to threats and intimidation in order to deter Presbyterian parents from sending their children to our schools, which all their principles and attachments would lead them to prefer. The objects of this scheme are two-teries of Northumberland, Newcastle, The Committee are in possession of dofold:-First, To grant pecuniary assist- and Berwick; and while a few of these cuments which abundantly justify all these ance to such day schools as already exist are returned as being in a flourishing statements, and they would readily proor may hereafter be erected, in connexion condition, all the rest are reported to duce extracts from them, if the limits to with the church, where such assistance is be labouring under great difficulties, which they are obliged to restrict themneeded, and would be beneficial; and, arising from the powerful and persevering selves would allow them. From these secondly, to aid in the erection of Day- opposition of the Established Church. causes our schools in the north of Engschools in localities which are as yet It would appear from the statements of land have already suffered severely, and unprovided with them. The former the brethren in that quarter, and also in will certainly suffer still more, unless somebranch of the business of this Committee the county of Cumberland, that the thing is done immediately to strengthen may be appropriately called "School- Established clergy in these districts, the hands of the brethren in that quarter, Sustentation;" the latter, "School- are actuated by a more than ordinary and to enable them to maintain so unBuilding." To accomplish the first of hostility to the Presbyterian Church. equal a struggle. The Committee rethese objects, a fund will be raised by This is no doubt owing to the fact that joice to testify that there is no lack of annual congregational collections, and Presbyterianism is there the most power-zeal and spirit among our Northumberalso by such subscriptions and donations ful, or rather, the only powerful form land ministers; they are all most anxious as may be offered for this purpose; and of Protestant Nonconformity-a fact to maintain the conflict, but they lack reto attain the second object, or the erec- which may well stimulate and encourage sources. If these were furnished to them, tion of schools where required, it is pro- the whole Synod to come to the help of there would be no fear for the issue. The posed to raise a distinct fund upon the plan our ministers and people, in a region remedy is a simple and efficacious one. of Mr. M'Donald, of Blairgowrie, and upon which is on this account invested with Let these schools be aided with a small such a scale of magnitude as will suffice peculiar interest. And one of the ways annual grant or endowment. This would to give material aid in the erection of in which this help can best be given is by enable their managers to reduce the fees 100 schools. It will therefore be dis- extending our aid to their sorely-be- to at least an equality with those of the tinctly understood that the collection leaguered schools, for it is against these that episcopal schools, without injury and even which is appointed to be made on the their opponents direct their most strenuous with positive benefit to the teachers; and second Sabbath of August is not to be and successful attempts, with the view of in cases where no such reduction might appropriated to the object of School- drawing off the children of our Presby- be necessary, it would enable them to add building, but is to be confined to that of terian families, and attaching them to their to the emoluments of the teachers, and School-sustentation. own schools and churches. The superior thus to secure the continuance of their wealth of the Established clergy enables services, and a superior order of qualifithem to practise this kind of proselytizing cations. From an arrangement of this warfare with too much success, among a kind many benefits would result. The population who are generally poor, and not young of our congregations would be so firm as could be wished in adhering preserved to us: those who are at preto their principles. Sometimes the plan sent enticed away would be recovered; which they adopt is to reduce the fees of schools now languishing would be retheir schools lower than our Presbyterian vived, and saved from extinction; pateachers can afford to do, if they are to rents, teachers, and ministers would all earn the barest subsistence. At other be greatly encouraged; and the attachtimes, they administer the endowments ment of the people generally to the Synod which have been entrusted to them for would be greatly enhanced by this sea

From Educational Returns lately obtained by the Committee, (and of which an abstract will be found in another part of this number,) it appears that there are at present upwards of twenty dayschools connected more or less exclusively with the congregations belonging to the Synod. This is a very small number, and proves how much need we have for a School-building scheme. But even of these few, the greater part are maintained and carried on with the greatest