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Bell's Weekly Messenger, No.1781, Sunday, May 16, 1830.

Society for Promoting the Building and Enlargement of Churches.

On Wednesday the annual meeting of the Subscribers to the Society for the Promotion of the Building and Enlarging of Churches and Chapels was held at No. 2, Parliament Street, which was fully attended. There were present the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of London, Bath and Wells, St. Asaph, Chester, Carlisle, Lichfield, &c. The Archbishop of Canterbury in the Chair.

The Secretary read the annual report. It stated that as the objects of the society were definite, there was nothing beyond the ordinary matter to communicate. The society had been incorporated by Act of parliament, and had the privilege of royal letters to raise subscriptions. It was gratifying to observe that the benefits of the society were becoming more extended. In the last year 147 applications had been received, and grants had been made to 95 churches and chapels, the amount of which was 16,200l. By this expenditure, 20,967 additional sittings had been obtained, of which 13,546 were free. There had been an increase of expenditure last year, arising from the assistance rendered to the repairing of churches, but such assistance was only given with the understanding that the parishes were to exert all means to pay for such repairs. Since the society had commenced its operations 1[?]3,711 appropriated seats had been obtained, as well as 14,222 unappropriated sittings, at an expense of 133,990l. By the increase of expenditure last year, the disposable balance of the society had been reduced from 33,736l. to 26,992l 18s. 8d. The amount of subscriptions were neither numerous or large, and a sum not exceeding 400l. was raised last year by the King's letter in addition to the 40,650l. previously paid in. It was not expected that the applications for aid would be diminished. The churches and chapels built by the society .were well attended, and there was every prospect of an improvement in the morals and religion of the people. The report concluded by soliciting subscriptions, and expressed a hope that as religion exalted a nation, and whilst sin is a reproach to any people, such subscriptions would be given.

The Bishop of Exeter moved that the report be adopted, and said it was gratifying to know that, through the means of this society, the free sittings in churches had been materially increased. The society had gone on doing good silently, though successfully. He thought the committee had acted wisely in rendering aid to repair our ancient and decaying fabric. He moved the adoption of the report.

The report was adopted.

The Bishop of London moved the thanks of the meeting to the Archbishop of Canterbury for his zeal in promoting the interests of the society, which ho felt assured was not the result of a sense of official duty, but from a heartfelt wish to advance the interest of the country

Sir Thomas Acland, Bart. cordially seconded the motion; and while he considered this society as a most important one, thought it was a disgrace to the country that, till the reign of Queen Anne, so regular provision should have been made to construct edifices for the promotion of the national religion. It was the bounden duty of every nation w support the interests of its church.

The vote of thanks was passed unanimously; and

The Archbishop returned his acknowledgements.

General Thornton proposed thanks to the Vice-presidents. He was anxious to make the system complete, that service should be performed in every church twice on each Sunday.

The Bishops of St. Asaph and Bath and Wells concurred in this omission, and said every thing had been done to carry each object into effect.

Thanks to the Presidents and other officers were carried, and the meeting proceeded to a ballot, alter which it adjourned.