mote the circulation of the Holy Scriptures. Cannot some more effectual way be devised, than has been devised hitherto, in which the poor may unite and help forward this great and good work? There are numbers among the poorer class, in almost every town, who are as desirous of doing good, as their more wealthy neighbors. Why should not their benevolent feelings be gratified, and an opportunity be given them to bring their offering, even if it were no more than one mite.

The Savior noticed with approbation the poor widow who cast but a single farthing into the treasury of the Lord; and an inspired Apostle hath informed us, If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Let every one give, then, according to his ability. He that giveth let him do with simplicity; he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bounti fully shall reap also bountifully. Every man as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth the cheerful groer. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you; that ye, at ways having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth forever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed scwn, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: Being enriched in eve

ry thing, to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanks. giving to God."*

I beg leave to introduce a quotation from Scott's commentary upon these words. "The Apos tle would not prescribe the proportion, (says he) which every one ought to give; nor would he write as one that aimed to extort money from them; but this he said, that God would measure to them, according to the meas ure which they used towards their poor brethren. Money given in charity, seems to unbe. lief and selfishness to be finally thrown away; but in fact, when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, and the only part of a man's substance from which a valuable increase can be expected. The Lord would without fail in one way or other make up to the givers what they expended in this good work; for he was able to make every gift of his free favor to abound to them; and so having a sufficiency of all things desirable for themselves and families, and being enlarged in faith and love, they might have both a willing mind, and ability for every good work. Thus the character and blessed. ness mentioned by the Psalmist would be verified in them; and their acts of kindness to the poor, from love to Christ, would be accepted works of righteous. ness for which the benefit would remain with them forever.

"Many an intended good work has been neglected or rendered useless by delay: it is therefore proper to exhort men to be prompt in doing what they have shown a willingness to engage

Rom. xii, 8; 2 Cor. viii, 12, and ix, 6—11.

in. Works of piety and charity should flow spontaneously from the gratitude and benevolence of a believing heart, and not require extorting by importunity. This savors of covetousness, and it even puts those, who forward useful designs, to the painful necessity of laboring to draw money from those, who ought to give, but are reluctant to part with it. Yet the main benefit of every act of charity for the Lord's sake will redound to the giver. He sows his good seed in a fruitful soil, and his bountifulness to man will assure him of the Lord's bountifulness to him. Whatever expenses therefore are retrenched, or from whatever fund it is deducted, we should not grudge, or be sparing in this seed. It is spiritual policy for us to spend less on every kind of indulgence, and to lay by less for our families, that we may give more to the needy for Christ's sake: for this will be best secured and most productive. Even persons in moderate circumstances may sow much of this seed; if by various little sav ings and self-denials, they will but study to spare something to relieve their distressed brethren; and this they will do if their faith and love abound.

"There are a few who scatter and yet increase, but there are far more, even among those who are zealous for evangelical doctrines, who withhold more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty. God can easily give us enough to use; and enough to disperse; that we may have more, sow more, and reap more, and so in crease the fruits of our righteousness, that, being enriched in every thing unto all bountiful

ness, we may be happy in ourselves, blessings to others, and instruments of promoting his glory.*"

The plan which I would propose, that all persons of every denomination may unite together in doing good, is to have Bible Societies formed in every town throughout the United States, and subscription papers circulated among all classes of people. Such societies might be under the direction of committees, whose duty it should be to collect, and pay over to a common treasurer, such sums of money as might be subscribed, and likewise to make inquiries concerning those who were in need of assistance from the society. Should such societies bo formed, would not the poorer classes feel more interested to procure Bibles for themselves, and make inquiries among their neighbors to ascertain who were destitute.

If there were any,

who should wish to join such societies, who could pay but a small part of what a Bible would cost, let it be accepted, and if on inquiry it should be found that these persons were destitute of the Bible, let them be supplied

*It is earnestly recommended, to every one who can have access to Dr. Scott's Notes, and Practical Observations, upon the 8th and 9th chapters of the 2 Cor. to read them with careful attention, and also consult his marginal references. There, indeed, is a feast of fat things. If other readers gain half the pleasure from the perusal, which the writer of this paper has experienced, they will be abundantly rewarded for their trouble. Would not these two chapters with the marginal references, and Scott's commentary upon them, make a very useful tract, to be printed by Religious Tract Societies, for distribution? The subject is submitted to the consideration of the committees of such societies.

from the funds of the society. In this way a number of poor families might have the word of life put into their hands, who will otherwise remain without it. Another important benefit resulting from this method, would be, that persons in indigent circumstances would more highly prize the Bible which should cost them something, than if they could possess it gratis.

It may perhaps be said, that the sums of money collected in this way would generally be very small; and it would not be best to subject a committee to the trouble of collecting such trifling sums, as would be frequently contributed by the poor. To this it may be answered, that all great sums are made up of small items, and a large part of the expenses of government are ultimately paid by the poor in small sums. Let us turn our attention for a moment to the subject, and inquire what would be the result should each individual contribute only one cent in a year. According to the last census, the number of inhabitants in the United States, and their territorial governments, was 7,230,514. A tax of one cent upon each individual would produce a sum of 72,305 dollars and 14 cents. This sum, according to the cost of Bibles to Bible Societies, would procure 115,680 Bibles, which might be distributed to the poor. Surely this would make no contemptible figure in the reports of these general Bible Societies. But where is the individual who can.

not give one cent or even six cents in a year. These minor contributions need not prevent a single dollar being given by the opu lent. Indeed, I believe, should such societies become general, probably many times more would be given by the rich, than is given at present. Let an annual Report be published, stating the sums contributed and the number of Bibles distributed in each town; and, in a few years, there would no doubt be an astonishing change in the moral state of society for the better; and almost all classes of people would be so interested to promote the common cause, that there would not be a single cottage where human beings could be found without a Bible. This may seem a chimera; but it will surely take place in its time. It is a great and good work, to be engaged in spreading the Holy Scriptures, and let none who have entered the field retreat or be dismayed at enemies

which appear: To those, who have done little or nothing, a door is now opened, and they are invited, to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. I shall close the present number in the words of Moses to the children of Israel. This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying, take ye from among you, an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple, and scarlet and fine linen.

Φίλος.

BAPTIST MISSION IN INDIA,

From the Christian Okserver.

THE 25th Number of the Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Missionary Society, which brings down the history of the Missien to the close of the year 1812, has just reached us. It is prefaced by some observations of the Committee which serve to give a comprehensive view of its progress since the close of the year 1809. At that period there were six stations, containing 191 members; at the close of 1812 there were twelve stations, and about 500 members. The main part of what has been done in Calcutta, has been done in these three years. By circulating the Scriptures in the native languages, by preaching, and by the establishment of a large school, on Lancaster's model, a strong impression has been made on that eity. During this period, not less than 160 persons have been baptised at Calcutta and Serampore:

a mission has been planted in Orissa, the seat of Juggernauth, where not only have the Scriptures, in the language of the country, been. liberally distributed, even within the precincts of the temple, but the Gospel has been diligently preached, and a church formed of between thirty and forty members: the church in Jessore has increased from thirty to eighty members:—the Gospel has been preached and churches formed at Bheerboom, Agra, Dijah, Patna, and Dacca-the word of God has been introduced into the Mahrat ta country, where many are reading it with apparent effect--and three new stations Have been occupied, viz. Columbo, Chittagong, and Bombay.

The state of the translations at the end of 1812, was as follows: 1. In Bengalee, the New Testament had gone through shree editions, and was ready for a fourth; the second edition of the Old Testament was printed to the fourth chapter of Leviticus. 2. la Sungskrit, New Testament printed; Old Test ment printed to 2d Sammel, and translated to 2d Chronicles. 5. In Orissa, New Testament printed, and tried and approved by Orissa Pundits; Old Testament, the Hagiographa and the Prophets, and the Historical Books to Ist Kings, printed. 4. In Telinga, New Tes tament translated, Matthew in the press. 5. In Karnata, New Testament translated, Matthew revised. 6. In Mahratta, New Testament printed, and in circulaon Old Testament printed to Numbers VOL. X.

7. In Hindoost'hance, New Testament, second edition in the press; Oid Testament printed to Exodus. 8. Shikh, New Testament, translated and printed to Luke vii. 9. In Burman, types east, a volume of Scripture extracts printed, and the translation prepared to Luke xviii, 10. In Chinese, New Testament translated; Old Testament translated to 1st Samuel v, and Gospel of St. John printing, 11. In Cashmire, New Testament, translated to Rom. ii. 12. Assam, New Testament, translated to John vi. Besides which the translation of the Scriptures into the Pushtoo or Affghan, the Nepala, the Brij Basha, the Bilochee, and the Maldivian were commencing, important improvements had been made in easting types and manufacturing paper, and the younger branches of the family were so educated, as to be able to carry on the translations.

"The feeling excited by the disaster at Serampore, not only produced a prompt and very liberal contribution for the reparation of the loss, but probably increased the interest which the Christian part of the nation felt in the question, Shal Christianity have free course in India? That interest certainly was great, and of great impor tance. The temperate but decided way in which the sense of the country was expressed, as well as the respectful manner in which it was treated by the Government and the Legislature, call for our grateful acknowledgments both to them, and to Him who disposes the hearts of all for the accomplishment of his purposes.”—“Finally the Committee observe, and we are anxious to second their pious admonition, "while solicitous for the success of Christ's kingdom in other lands, let us not forget our native country, and while the souls of our fellow-sinners are dear to us, let us not be unmindful of our own. It is too possible that a zeal may be kindled for a pubfic object, while at the same time things of a personal nature are neglected. Surely it would be a grievous thing, if while basy here and there about couverting the heathen, we lose our own souls!"

We proceed to make some extracts from the Periodical Accounts themselves, "Serampore and Calcutta-Fifty-nine have been added to this church, the greater part of whom are natives of India of various religions." "The Scriptures and Scripture tracts in various languages have been largely distributed by the members of the church among their neighbors, their servants, and the strangers from various

54

parts of India." "Several of the younger members of the church have applied to the study of the Bengalee, Nagree, and Persian characters, to enable them to read the New Testament to their servants and neighbors." "The Benevolent Institution for the instruction of poor children, has been this year extended to girls, who, with the boys in a distinct apartment, amount to upwards of 300," "A building, during this year, has been erected near the chapel, which will contain 800 children."

The impression made on the neighbor bood by the conduct of the Missiouaries, and the quiet manner in which they are heard by the natives, will appear by the following account of one of their excur sions: "On January 23, in the evening, the brethren Marshman and Ward went to Ishra. The people in the bazar kindly ac commodated them with seats; and nearly fitty sat down around them, to whom they read and expounded the Ten Commandments, asking the people which of them they thought evil or unjust. They answered, None; they were all good.' The tree then, said they, must be good from whence the e branches come; and proceeded to shew them how every man by nature was averse from these righteous.commandments, and of course from the God who gave them; which state of mind must be a state of wickedness, and of the utmost danger. They then shewed them how Jesus Christ came into the world to deliv er men both from the guilt and the dominion of sia; and that their errand into this country was wholly to bring a message of love, to make known these glad tidings to them, and beg them to come to Christ and share the blessings which they themselves enjoyed, appealing to them whether, in the twelve years that they had resided near them, any thing had appeared in their conduct which could lead them to deem them enemies instead of friends! They answered, 'No,' and seemed extremely attentive to the discourse."

Feb. 23, 1812. "In the afternoon," observes one of the Missionaries, "I renewed my visit to the once hardened prisoners in the house of correction. The women here are but little interested; but the men, both old and young, Hindoos and Mussulmans, then I compared their conduct towards God to that of the prodigal, and set forth his long-suffering and mercy through the Son of his love, were so affected that both they and myself found it a painful task to part. They followed me as far as they could, and when we parted it was with tears. One of the seapoys on the guard, a Hindoost'hanee man, told me with tears, leo, that though I had spoken in Bengalee the words had pierced his neart. During

my address an inquisitive Hindoo interrupted me by asking where our Lord Jesus Christ, the new Savior that I declar ed unto them, had been for so long time, that he had only now heard of him? I told him that the Savior 1 preached was no new Savior, but the only one appointed of God, even that God against whom we had sinned; and that to him alone all the ends of the earth are exhorted to look and be saved. If be then said be be a Savior for all the world, how is it that the Euro peans who appear to have had him revealed to them, did not all this time make him known to us? I told him, this did not lessen the truth of my assertion; for that all the Europeans whom he saw in India were not Christians."

March 11. The Missionaries having heard that at Chagda, about 24 miles fron Serampore, a large concourse of people would be assembled, sent thither Jonathan Carey, with the native converts Deepchund and Vikoontha. They arriv ed there the next morning at seven "Here," the itinerants observed, “a spee tacle was exhibited which we seldom witness. The river, which at this place is about three quarters of a mile wide, was covered with men, women, and children, nearly to the middle of the stream. In one place was a Brahmun and his train of followers, dipping themselves with the greatest devotion in the sacred stream; in another, a mother was seen dragging her shivering child into the river; in another, a Gooroo instructing his disciples in the rites and ceremonies practised on these occasions; in short ev ery one, from the grey head to the youth scarcely versed in idolatrous ceremonies, rich and poor, Brahmuns and Shoedrus all seemed intent on the same object. The immense crowds which thronged the shore seemed like a forest of heads. Some had travelled journeys of several days; some had come from Chittagong, others from Orissa, and from other parts of the country not less than a hundred miles distant. About seven in the morning we went out, and Deepchund began to speak to the people; but so great was the press that we were obliged to climb a boat which lay on the shore with its bottom upwards; from which place we declared to them the inefficacy of the set they were then performing to remove their sins, and pointed them to the Lamb of God. The people listened with the greatest attention. After preaching for more than an hour, we brought from our own boat a number of Scripture-trsets, but we were again obliged to ascend the boat, where the people followed us clum being up the sides till the boat itself was covered with the crowd, all eager to ob