ROME-I had an opportunity, the following day, to attend a solemn mass in the Papal Chapel “Sixtina de Vaticano," in memory of the late Pope Pius VII. Cardinal Weld, created by the late Pope, officiated, and his Holiness the present Pope assisted him. About a hundred persons were present; of whom, not a few, it seemed, were Protestants; for they did not unite in crossing, prostrating, and the like. The Latin hymn, "Dies iræ, dies illa," was sung by a chorus of about twenty young priests, so beautifully, that I do not recollect having ever heard any thing equal to it. After Mass, his Holiness, as usual, gave the benediction.

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Toward the evening a small number of pious Christians met at the Chaplain's house. Our conversation was entirely upon religious subjects. The party seemed interested, when I related to them something of the openings in Greece for the propagation of True Light. I rejoiced to find in Rome a little flock who, it appeared, served the Lord in sincerity and truth. Scripture was read, and also the beautiful hymn Dies iræ, in Latin as well as German; and we did not depart without joining in prayer. The Russian Ambassador, who was present, has composed an excellent Liturgy to be used in the Chapel, and the King of Prussia has favoured it with an autograph preface: the Ambassador has also issued a Hymn Book, in which he has very judiciously collected a good number of the best German Hymns, likewise for the use of his Chapel. He gave me a copy of each; and I consider them a very valuable present.

NAPLES-From Rome I had Letters of recommendation to the Chaplain of the Prussian Embassy, and another German Clergyman: the first preaches in French and the other in German, every Sunday. From them I learned, that about 300

French and German Protestants attend Divine Worship. Their Congregation differs from that in Rome; having the advantage, that it consists mostly of families who reside at Naples, and whose children they instruct; whereas in Rome it consists chiefly of single persons and visitors.

Education, as is well known, is in a very low state in the whole of Italy—Tuscany perhaps, affording some exception; and of Schools I have heard and seen but very little in that country. Here, in Naples, I visited the Royal Orphan Asylum, Albergo Reale de Poveri ;" an immense building, in which about 550 persons of both sexes are maintained and instructed. I could only see the Male Department. It was divided into five Classes or Schools; one of which was on the Lancasterian plan, and contained 250 boys, who, as well as the others, are instructed in reading, writing, and a little arithmetic; the more aged ones are instructed also in music, drawing, and different trades. I was told that the females likewise were instructed in reading, though principally in spinning, weaving, kniting, sewing, embroidery, and cooking. This Institution has its own Church and Priests, and a theatre, where, especially in the time of Carnival, the inmates of the house amuse themselves.

I saw many interesting things in and near Naples; among which its Museum, and the destroyed cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, are not the least. There were still many interesting things to be seen; but I was glad, after five days' stay, to leave Naples for Otranto on the 7th of December. I arrived safely in that city on the 10th. The following day I sailed for Corfu in the Government Vessel; and, having a favourable wind, reached it on the 12th, at six o'clock in the evening.

THIRTY-FOURTH ANNIVERSARY.

THE Annual Sermon was preached before the Society, at St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, on Monday Evening, the 5th of May, by the Rev. James Scholefield, Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge, from Zechariah vi. 12, 13. Collection, including the usual Donation of 507., 1947. 12s. 2d.

The Annual Meeting was held at 11

o'clock on Tuesday the 6th of May, in Exeter Hall; the Most Hon. the Marquess Cholmondeley in the Chair. The usual Prayer was offered up by the Clerical Secretary. Collection 1837. 78. 10d.

Movers and Seconders.

Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Winchester; and Lieut. Col. Phipps-Right Hon. the Earl of Chichester; and Rev. J. W. Cunningham-John P. Plumptre, Esq. M.P.; and Rev. Hugh Stowell

Rev. Professor Scholefield; and Rev. James Haldane Stewart-Sir Oswald Moseley Bart. M.P.; and Rev. Edward Bickersteth.

Resolutions.

-That the Report, an Abstract of which has been read, be received and printed under the direction of the Committee; and that, while this Meeting, with mingled feelings of gratitude and humility, records its thanks to Almighty God for the success which has marked the Foreign Operations of the Society, and for the large increase of its Pecuniary Resources, it recognises, in these circumstances, powerful obligations to persevering exertions and believing prayer.

-That this Meeting, viewing the rapid increase of knowledge in British India, together with the prospect of enlarged intercourse between this Country and her Eastern Posşessions, and even with remoter nations, deeply feels the duty of prosecuting, with augmented activity, the plans long established and acted upon by the Society, for making known throughout that vast population the unsearchable riches of Christ.

-That while this Meeting contemplates, with unfeigned gratitude to God, the noble act of the British Legislature for the extinction of Slavery, it feels that the duty of this Society is more imperative than ever, promptly to employ its agency, to impart to the emancipated population of our Colonies the richer blessings of the Gospel.

-That while this Meeting learns with lively satisfaction the favourable state of the Society's Institution at Islington, and the cheering progress of the Society's Missions, it remarks, with much concern, the small number of the Students under preparation in the Institution; and earnestly calls upon the members of the Society to make it a subject of special prayer, that He, with whom is the residue of the Spirit, may prepare and send forth Labourers in largely-increased numbers, to bear the name of Christ before the Heathen throughout the Society's different Missions.

That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Rev. Professor Scholefield for his Sermon preached before the Society last evening; to the Vice-Patrons, and VicePresidents; and to all those friends who, during the past year, have exerted themselves in its behalf; and that the following Gentlemen be appointed the Committee for the year ensuing, with power to fill up Vacancies. Messrs

Messrs-
David Martin.
Lieut-Col. Phipps.
Henry Pownall.

Edward V. Sidebottom.
Benjamin Smith.

David Stanger.

James Stephen.

James M. Strachan. Edward N. Thornton. Hon. Capt. Waldegrave. Rich. Townshend Webb. John Whiting, M D. closed by singing the

income, under all heads, was 52,9227. 1s. 9d. This sum exceeds the income of the preceding year, by 35721. Os. 4d. The Receipts, however, under the head of Legacies, much exceeded the average amount, being no less than 37301.4s. 8d. The Committee have the satisfaction to state, that Contributions through Home Associations, whence the resources of the Society are principally drawn, are in a flourishing state, amounting to 40,86 21. 0s. 6d.; though from the incidental circumstance of the usual remittances from the Hibernian Auxiliary not having been paid till after the 31st of March, the actual amount under this head falls a trifle below that of last year.

On this brief review of the financial situation of the Society, the Committee desire, with deep humility, to render to God all the glory of His signal providential bounty. At the same time, they entreat the prayers of the Members at large, that the appropriation of this large supply may, through His blessing, be rendered subservient to the great spiritual end of the furtherance of the Gospel among the Heathen.

The expenditure of the year amounted to 48,6227. 12s. Id.

Under the favourable financial circumstances of the year, the Committee considered it to be their duty to sanction a limited enlargement of the Society's operations in the Mediterranean, North-India, South-India, Ceylon, and New-Zealand Missions. These operations might be much further extended, under the most encouraging prospects, should the pecuniary resources of the Society be proportionably augmented. The increased expenditure above referred to was limited in its extent; as the Reduction of the establishment of a Mission, if rendered necessary by a decrease of income, is unavoidably attended with very serious distress and inconvenience.

At the close of the year, a considerable surplus, including the balance of 49337.168. at the Bankers', on the first of April 1833, remained at the disposal of the Committee. They therefore availed themselves of the opportunity to make an extraordinary grant of 2000l. to the Disabled Missionary Fund, which is still very inadequate to meet a head of charge of a peculiarly affecting nature in Missionary Operations. They also vested the sum of 40007. in Exchequer Bills, with an especial view, promptly to enlarge the operations of the Society in the RECORD, May, 1834.]

West Indies, when due facilities shall be afforded them for doing so with advantage.

We further extract from the Report the concluding passages, which may serve to convey to our Readers a view of the actual position, feelings, and desires of the Committee, in reference to the claims of a world that lieth in wickedness.

Conclusion.

The Committee, on reviewing, in conclusion, the proceedings of the past year, perceive that there are abundant grounds for renewed gratitude to God; and while they would rejoice with trembling, they would remember, also, that the Christian's Missionary Hopes are such as will never suffer disappointment in the end.

But if the present be a season of praise and holy gratulation, it is a time also in which every Christian is called to give himself much to meditation and prayer.

It is evident to every reflecting mind, that, in many parts of the world, these three powers, Knowledge, Liberty, and Intercourse, have far out-grown their first rudiments, and are rapidly advancing in strength, extent, and activity. The Christian beholds this speed of Human Minds with awe. Happily, when he combines with this view the prospects of the great Missionary Cause, he discovers grounds for hope. Knowledge, indeed, puffeth up; but the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, who is now preached in so many nations, will tend to humble, as well as to exalt, both Individuals and Nations.. Liberty, if men set up an idol of their own invention, will leave its votaries yet more than ever the slaves of Sin and Satan; but genuine Evangelical Liberty will tend to restrain unreasonable and wicked men, and will cause the Word of the Lord to have free course and be glorified. Intercourse between man and man, or between nation and nation, if it be not sanctified, will only give rapidity to human follies and human crimes; but if Christian Bodies avail themselves of the increasing facilities of intercourse throughout the earth, then every modern invention of art will, through God's blessing, be made instrumental in enlarging the family of God: it will give to the members of that family the means of oftener seeing and better understanding one another it will multiply the brotherly affections, as well as the numbers, of true O

West-Africa Mission-By despatches recently received, we learn that Mr. B. Y. Ashwell (p. 279, Vol. for 1833) arrived safely at Sierra Leone on Feb. 26. We regret to state that Mrs. Kissling, wife of the Rev. G. A. Kissling, departed this life on the 25th of February, after having been delivered of a still-born child.

In a Letter, dated March 11, the Rev. J. F. Schön states, that the Rev. J. G. Wilhelm was laid up with fever, and greatly reduced in strength. He also states, that Mrs. Weeks's health was quite restored.

Mr. J.Warburton, writing from Fourah Bay, March 8th, informs us, that, on the 9th of February, Mrs. Warburton gave birth to a son: both mother and child were doing very well.

Mediterranean Mission-A Letter from the Rev. F. Hildner, dated the 25th of January, 1834, announces his arrival, in good health, at Syra. Notice has also been received of the arrival, at Malta, of the Rev. J. F. Müller, on the 16th of April.

The Rev. J. A. Jetter, in a Letter, dated Smyrna, the 8th of April, states, that both Mrs. Jetter and himself had been unwell, and that their children have been suffering from the measles.

North-India Mission-The Rev. W. Morse (p. 51) left Calcutta on the 5th of

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December, 1833, by the "Fergusson," Captain Young, and arrived at Blackwall on the 5th instant. Mr. Morse still continues seriously indisposed.

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The Rev. M. Wilkinson (p. 51) having left Calcutta on the 15th of January, by the London," Captain Wimble, landed at Gravesend on the 8th instant, and reached London the same day, much improved in health.

South India Mission-Henry Snashall (p. 81, Vol. for 1833) having suffered from the effects of the climate, left Madras on the 2d of January, by the "Asia," Capt. Stead, and landed at Portsmouth on the 4th instant: he arrived in London on the same day.

Mrs. Ridsdale, widow of the Rev. J. Ridsdale, of Madras, left that place, with her four children, on the 18th of January, on board the "Wellington," Capt. Liddell, and arrived at Blackwall on the 16th instant.

In a Letter from the Rev. J. Tucker, we are informed, that the Misionaries, by the last accounts, were all in good health; and that the Rev. P. Fjellstedt and Mrs. Fjellstedt had arrived in safety at Palamcottah. Mr. Tucker had been indisposed; but, by a Letter of the 24th of January, he reported his health to be as good as when he was in England.