On Tuesday evening last, a numerous and highly respectable meeting of the Parramatta Bible, Tract, and Religious Book Society was held in Mrs. Walker's long room, H. H. Macarthur, Esq., M.C., in the chair.

The Chairman, in opening the business, adverted to the labours of the Bible and Tract Societies of England, through whose disinterested exertions the Gospel has been proclaimed in so many different parts of the world; by printing important books and tracts in about eighty-six languages, and in circulating annually from the Depository in London, and from various foreign societies, twenty millions of publications.

Mr. Macarthur then proceeded to notice the last report of the Auxiliary Society in Sydney, and passed a deserved eulogium on the Rev. Dr. Cowper, who, it appears, was Secretary to that Society until he was compelled by severe affliction to retire from the office. He said that he felt the greatest pleasure in presiding on such occasions as the present, and he hoped that the public would give their warmest support to an institution which had such benevolent and Christian-like objects in view as those contemplated by the Parramatta Bible, Tract, and Religious Book Society.

The Secretary, Mr. Woolls, was then called upon to read the report, which commenced with observing, that although the Parramatta Book Society is not immediately connected with the Religious Tract Society in England, nor the Auxiliary in Sydney, yet its chief object is to circulate the works of those Societies.

After giving an outline of the Parent Society during the past year, the report enters into an exposition of the principles which are inculcated in the Religious Tract Society's publications, and then proceeds: -

"Your Committee are enabled to state, that during the past year, books to the amount of £100 have been sold at the repository, and that 4000 tracts, 45 Bibles, and 67 Testaments, have been circulated gratuitously in the town and neighbourhood. These facts are calculated to show that a taste for religious reading is increasing amongst us, and that your Committee, though quietly and unostentatiously pursuing the objects of the society, have not been unmindful of the important duties entrusted to them. The subscriptions during the same period have not amounted to so much as on former occasions; but your Committee earnestly hope, that, as soon as the temporary difficulties under which the colony is now suffering have passed away, the public will again favour the interests of the society by renewing their subscriptions."

"Your Committee would remark, that notwithstanding the sale of religious books during the last twelve months, by which alone a considerable profit has arisen to the society, their expenses have increased in a similar ratio: for the rent of the repository, which in former years was charged only £30, has been raised to £40; and all repairs, improvements, &c., have been duly transferred to the Committee. Under these circumstances your Committee, anxious for the stability and future welfare of the society, do not hesitate to call upon the public, in every legitimate way, to render them pecuniary assistance; for when they consider that all their labours are intended for the general benefit of the community, they conceive that it is the duty, as well as the interest of their fellow countrymen, to aid them by contributions. Your Committee, therefore, have directed Mr. Breathour, the collector, to call upon the inhabitants generally; and it is proposed to make a further collection at the conclusion of this meeting."

"There are two important objects which your Committee have always had in view: the one, to keep open in Parramatta a shop for the sale of religious books; and the other, to associate a body of respectable and well-disposed persons to circulate religious tracts. Without due reflection it might appear that the Committee attach too much importance to the first object; inasmuch as religious books might be exposed for sale in other shops, without occasioning any expense, or, at all events, only a trifling expense to the society. To meet this objection - an objection which might naturally arise in the minds of some persons - your Committee need only remark, that at the present time there is no respectable stationer's shop in Parramatta; and even if there were such an establishment, it might be a matter of great difficulty to make any suitable arrangement for the sale of your society's publications.

"Your Committee, from mature reflection and from continued observation, are emboldened to state that several pleasing instances of spiritual benefit to the condition of individuals have resulted from the institution. There are places in the neighbourhood of the town, where, from the scattered nature of the population or other causes, divine service is seldom performed by ministers of any denomination whatever. Amongst these, therefore, a wide field is open for the labours of the society, and your Committee have had the pleasure to learn that considerable good has been effected through the medium of religious books. Parties residing in the neighbourhood have frequently purchased books at the repository, and thus, in the absence of any direct instruction from clergymen, they have been supplied with the means of gaining information in the most important doctrines of Christianity."

"Your Committee would humbly direct the attention of pious and enlightened persons to the duty of circulating religious books whenever an opportunity presents itself; for, through the Divine blessing upon their labours, they know not how much good they may be the instruments of effecting. It is not too much to say that they are, perhaps, laying the foundation of some little Church in the wilderness, which shall hereafter receive within its walls the messenger of Divine truth."

"One object remains for consideration, and that is the gratuitous distribution of religious tracts. Although much has been done during the past year in the circulation of tracts, your Committee feels that much remains to be done. Persons of both sexes, whose devotion and general habits qualify them for such an arduous office, have kindly become distributors of religious tracts, and from house to house in this humble and unobtrusive manner, have published the tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. It is hoped that those who have commenced so good a work will not be weary in well doing, but, by their piety and benevolence, will induce others to co-operate with them in their labour of love."

"In referring to this subject, your Committee have the gratification to state that tracts have been circulated, not merely in Parramatta, but in many of the surrounding districts, and whenever it has been deemed practicable, amongst the various gangs of the neighbourhood. Men, how hardened soever they may be, are nevertheless the objects of Christian sympathy. "Charity hopeth all things;" and though "clouds and darkness" obscure the prospect before him, the faithful minister is encouraged to pursue his Christian course, being fully assured that although human agency be ineffectual, his "sufficiency is of God." (II Corinthians iii, 5)

"And your Committee, whilst humbly striving to assist the ministers of the gospel by the gratuitous distribution of religions works, would affectionately call upon all present, 'as friends, fellow-subjects, and fellow Protestants, heartily to concur with them.' To use the words of the Bishop of Louth, "For our brethren, and companions sake, let us wish them prosperity; yes, because of the House of the Lord our God, let us seek to do them good."

The Rev. Thomas Hassall, said, he was gratified in meeting so many individuals he had known from his youth, and some of whom he might call his children; but at the same time he was painfully reminded of the [?] of some who had been removed to another world.

There was one individual (the Rev. S. Marsden) who had been always zealously the advocacy of the Bible and Tract Society [?] whose absence left to him a painful [?] and it was therefore the more important to him to further these excellent institutions [?] also devolved a greater responsibility [?] others.

The sacred scriptures were the [?] of the distressed, they were at times the [?] comfort to afflicted man. Sir John Franklin when reduced with his companions to the [?] necessity of gnawing the refuse bones of [?] meals of a previous season, and when [?] exhausted that they could not bury their [?] were yet sustained in faith and hope [?] comfort of mind, by the sacred volume [?]

Captain Gray, too, when cast away on the North West coast of New Holland, and obliged to pursue a perilous journey under the most discouraging circumstances, found peace [?] perusal of the New Testament. These were but two examples out of the many thousands of cases in which the word of God became a balm to the sorrowful heart of man.

To [?] this word, therefore, was not merely a benevolent act but as it shewed the way [?] eternal life, became a religious duty. Tracts also afforded a good means of imparting religious truth, they contained striking [?] briefly stated arguments, and a constant reference to the Bible. They were mess [?] of mercy, and might often, from their brevity and portability, gain access into the remote parts of the territory. He had heard of a tract distributed in the neighbourhood of Sydney, by a gentleman, who afterwards[?] with it again two hundred miles up the country.

And having some time since visited the morally dark, but romantic vale, at Burra [?] rang, he was agreeably surprised on entering a lonely cottage, to find a Prayer Book and one of these tracts, which led to an interesting conversation with an aged woman, the owner of the hut.

So well satisfied was he [?] the duty of forwarding the interests of the Society, that he thought the excellent rep [?] should not be lost to the public at large, and he therefore not only moved its adoption, but that it should also be printed.

The Rev. Edward Sweetman seconded the adoption of the Report, and expressed considerable gratification in seeing so large and respectable an assemblage; but, at the same time, he felt great uneasiness in considering that whilst multitudes were associated for the purpose of promoting horse-racing and theatrical amusements, so few, generally speaking, combined together to promulgate the Word of God.

The reverend gentleman dwelt at much length upon the evangelical character of the works circulated by the Tract Society, alluding particularly to the excellent commentary published by it, and the numerous books which are intended to illustrate and confirm the sacred Scriptures. In former times, he continued, it was customary for aristocratical families to have their chaplains, and he doubted not but that they received much instruction from them; whereas now through the instrumentality of the Tract Society, religious knowledge was within the reach of the poorest individual, and in the absence of any direct instruction from ministers, religious publications might be considered as domestic chaplains to all. In this colony, he believed that there were many persons in different parts destitute of copies of the Holy Scriptures, but he hoped that the day was not far distant when the benevolent wish of George the Third might be realized, viz.: that every British subject should possess a copy of the Bible.

The Rev. Mr. Draper moved the second resolution: "That this meeting rejoices to find that during the past year the labours of the Religious Tract Society in England have been eminently blessed, and that it continues to receive the cordial support of Christians of all denominations." Mr. Draper said, that he was happy to move the resolution, inasmuch as he, in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Bobart and Captain Benson, had been amongst the first to establish the Society in Parramatta. He rejoiced to think that it was supported so cordially by all Protestant denominations, and that its usefulness had become daily more apparent. It was an important institution, and he regarded the present numerous meeting as a pleasing indication of the good which it had effected.

Whilst stationed at Bathurst, he had witnessed many beneficial results from the distribution of tracts, and he felt assured that these 'little messengers of mercy," as they had been aptly denominated, were the means of disseminating much Christian truth.

Dr. Hill (in the absence of the Rev. Mr. Tait, M.A., who was seriously indisposed) seconded the resolution, and expressed his willingness to support the objects of the Society.

The Rev. John Saunders, in an able and eloquent speech, moved the third resolution: "That this meeting, being fully sensible of the importance of carrying into effect the objects of the Parramatta Bible, Tract, and Religious Book Society, entreat the co-operation of the pious and well disposed of all denominations, that through their united influence, their earnest prayers for divine assistance, and their pecuniary contributions in aid of the Society's funds, much good may be effected in this town and district."

After alluding to the benevolent and unexampled endeavours of the Tract Society in England, he dwelt with much force and elegance on the necessity of union. Individuals, by their own desultory and unassisted energies, could accomplish little; but when these individuals were associated together for the promotion of good and laudable objects, it was truly astonishing to perceive how much they could effect. And whilst engaged in works of so pious a character as the one under discussion, it should be remembered that earnest prayer for divine assistance is the duty of all, for God alone can give the increase of our labours. He then adverted to the pecuniary assistance which the Society required, and observed that although the times are bad, our present difficulties are in a great measure the result of our own extravagance.

The above is but a feeble outline of Mr. Saunders' speech.

Dr. Harris briefly seconded the resolution, and apologized for the absence of the Rev. James Allan, who had intimated his intention of being present.

The Rev. Mr. Walker moved the fourth resolution: "That this meeting regrets to observe that during the past year, the subscriptions have not amounted to so much as on former occasions; but it sincerely hopes that as soon as the temporary difficulties under which the colony is now suffering have passed away, the public will support the interests of the Society with their accustomed liberality."

Mr. Walker, after briefly referring to the subject of the resolution, made particular allusion to the town of Parramatta and stated that, though comparatively small and unimportant, it had sent forth into the Lord's vineyard no less than thirteen labourers, two of whom are now respected ministers of the Church of England, and the others missionaries or missionaries' wives. He regarded it as a remarkable circumstance in the history of the colony, and one perhaps unparalleled, that in the space of half a century, such a village as Parramatta should have been so highly favoured. Several very affecting allusions had been made by previous speakers, and regret had been expressed on account of the absence of one venerable minister now no more. He, for his part, could not participate in such feelings, as, relying upon the promises of the Holy Scripture, he firmly believed that those who "died in the Lord" were now enjoying a state of felicity in another and better world.

Mr. James Byrnes, in seconding the resolution, said, that although much credit was due to the Committee, he felt assured that increased diligence on their part would be a sure means of raising sufficient subscriptions for the objects of the Society.

The fifth resolution, appointing the officers for the ensuing year, was moved by G. Langley, Esq., and seconded by G. Oakes, Esq.

Mr. Macarthur having left the chair, which was then taken by G. W. Eliott, Esq., Police Magistrate, it was proposed by Francis Fisher, Esq., J.P., "That the sincere acknowledgments of the meeting be presented to H. H. Macarthur, Esq., M. C, for his kindness in presiding on the present occasion." Mr. Fisher remarked, that he had known Mr. Macarthur for many years, and be believed that no one could be more diligent and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, whether private or public. He, therefore, felt much pleasure in proposing the resolution which had been entrusted to him; and although, in the course of events, it was highly probable that he might not have another opportunity of attending an annual meeting in this colony, he hoped that Mr. Macarthur might be spared many years in the Presidency of the society.

Mr. Andrew Murray seconded the resolution, remarking that he had also some knowledge of Mr. Macarthur, having been acquainted with him for more than twenty-five years, and he could bear testimony to the truth of Mr. Fisher's observations.

Mr. Macarthur, in a very feeling manner, returned thanks, and stated that he considered himself highly honoured by the flattering way in which his name had been mentioned: he should on all occasions feel it his duty and privilege to come forward in support of such institutions as the one over which he had then presided, and should always be happy to promote the wishes of the the inhabitants of Parramatta as far as he possibly could.

At the close of the meeting nearly £10 were collected, and several parties expressed their willingness to become annual subscribers. The business of the evening passed off with much gratification to all present, and the meeting was considered to be one of the best that was ever held in Parramatta.

Several clergymen and other gentlemen were unavoidably absent, among whom were - the Rev. Mr . McKenny, the Rev. Mr. Mansfield, Dr. Ross, Mr. Alderman Allen, &c., &c., &.c.