with the Word of God, will be very satisfactory to the committee." These issues have been in fourteen different languages. A demand has been awakened for the Hebrew Scriptures in particular. Mr. Leeves writes, "The 1000 Hebrew Psalters are already almost all sold; and I beg the committee to send me as many thousands as they can spare." In the same letter, he observes, "I am sorry to say I have little prospect of disposing of those copies of the Bible which have the New Testament attached to them." But, in the next intelligence sent, he mentions that an unexpected inquiry had been made for them also; and that he had reason to know that a considerable spirit of inquiry was excited among many of the Jewish nation in that quarter. There have been sent during the year 3000 Hebrew Psalters, 100 Bibles, and 550 Old Testaments. Mr. Leeves has sent home the entire copy of the modern Greek Testament, prepared by Hilarion; and it is now printing in this country, under the superintendance of the Society's librarian. Hilarion has finished the revisal of the Book of Psalms, in modern Greek, which will shortly be put to press ; and he is proceeding with the remainder of the Old Testament. The Testament in Turkish, with Armenian characters, will shortly be commenced. The president has received a letter from Archbishop Karapiet, near Ispahan, stating that a large school was about to be erected, and that a considerable quantity of Bibles and Testaments would be wanted. The archbishop also mentions that several of his clergy are in want of the Scriptures; 500 Armenian Testaments have been forwarded to this applicant. During the past year there had been issued from the depository at Calcutta 16,064 copies of Bibles, Testaments, the Pentateuch, Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles, separately. The New Testament in the Persian has advanced as far as the Gospel of St. John. The issues above mentioned have been made in no less than twenty-eight different languages and dialects. Many European Christians have, through the medium of this auxiliary, been supplied with the sacred volume. A demand has been made at Calcutta for copies of the Scriptures in the Armenian language.-The Rev. Mr. Wolff, a missionary from the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, has earnestly solicited and obtained a supply of copies of the New Testament in the Persian language, which have been dispatched to Bushire. The branch so cieties connected with Calcutta appear to be in a vigorous condition. At Bombay the entire number of copies distributed, during the last two years, is 11,248; and these have been issued in between twenty and thirty different languages and dialects. From Madras the committee have received an application for 1,200 English Bibles and Testaments. It has been one main object of the Madras committee to supply the native schools with portions of the sacred volume. The number of copies distributed during the past year have been 1,282 in ten different European languages, and 3,219 in ten native. The translators at Serampore are prosecuting their labours with unabated ardour. They state their willingness to submit their versions, previous to their being printed, to the committee of the Calcutta Auxiliary. In Ceylon the demand for the Tamul Scriptures is very great, and far exceeds the means of supply. The printing of the Indo-Portuguese New Testament in this country is completed. From Africa the committee have little to report. They have aided the London Missionary Society with a grant of 150 reams of paper, for printing the Scriptures in the Madagasse language. From the South-African Bible Society no report had been received: but 250 Dutch Testaments had been placed at the disposal of its committee. To the missionaries of the Moravian Brethren, 200 Dutch Bibles and 400 Testaments have been given, to supply the schools at their settlements near the Cape; and the Rev. Mr. Latrobe writes, "that all the schools are, by God's blessing, in a prosperous state; and that several hundred Hottentot children are educated in them, in the fear of the Lord, and instructed in every useful branch of learning." In the last Report, the appointment of the Rev. John Armstrong, as the Society's agent for South America was announced. It was judged advisable that he should repair to Buenos Ayres, and from thence visit Chili, Peru, and return by Colombia to this country. The engagement undertaken was one of discovery, with a view to the establishment, at a future time, of a permanent agency in some commanding spot in South America. Shortly after his arrival, Mr. Armstrong received an invitation to officiate as chaplain to the British residents in the city of Buenos Ayres ; an invitation to which, after mature delibération, he acceded, though still keeping in view his primary design. He writes: "I am most happy to inform you, that a fine prospect is opening of an extensive circulation of the New Testament in the National Schools of this province." He has distributed upwards of 1,200 Bibles and Testaments. Copies have been sent to Monte Video, Rio de Janeiro, Chili, Mendoza, and Cordova. Procuring translations of the Scriptures into the vernacular languages of South America forms a part of the duties of a person connected officially with the Bible Society; and the committee have heard with pleasure, from Mr. Armstrong, of the prospect of obtaining a version in the Guarani, a language extensively spoken in, Paraguay. From Rio de Janeiro a request had been received, and complied with, for 500 Portuguese Bibles; and 687. have been received for payment, in part, of previous supplies. A desire seems awakened in this country to possess this hitherto almost unknown book. In passing to the opposite coast of South America, the committee mention, that a captain of a vessel had distributed more than 1000 copies of the Spanish Scriptures, during the preceding twelve months. At Arequipa, another captain, to whom, last year, 200 copies were intrusted, found a great desire to possess the Scriptures. From Valparaiso, a correspondent writes: "Wide fields are opening on this continent for the exercise of the benevolence of the British and Foreign Bible Society." The following is an outline of Mr. Thomson's interesting journey and operations between Lima and Bogotá.-He quitted Lima with a stock of 800 Testaments, which was augmented at Guayaquil, by several packages sent to meet him. He stopped at Truxillo, where he found an individual promoting the distribution of the New Testament in a prudent manner, and who had, before his arrival, disposed of 100 copies. In his way from Truxillo to Guayaquil, he stopped for a short time at a place called Paita, where he had the happiness of distributing, by sale, 27 copies of the New Testament; and having touched at a small island, where three more were eagerly bought, he reached Guayaquil, Hither he had, a short time previously, sent 20 copies, which had all been dispersed, and prepared the way for a speedy circulation of 168 others; and these were followed in four days by 570 more and nearly the whole of them were sold; and the proceeds remitted to Lima, for the purpose of printing the Peruvian version of the New Testament. His next advance was to Babahoya, where he dis posed of 51 copies in the few hours that he stopped. In his way to Riobamba he met with a proof of the utility of the Quichua version, discovering, in conversation with the peasantry, that the popula tion who, speak this language was far greater than had been at first supposed; and in the governor of Riobamba he found another zealous supporter, and during his short stay disposed of 35 copies, and left behind 50 others. The clergy likewise expressed their readiness to assist. At Ambato, the governor offered his own house as the place of sale, and 47 copies were disposed of in two days. Several persons of influence have offered their services to receive and dispose of consignments of the sacred Scriptures which may be forwarded to them. At Quito, 360 Testaments were presently bought. His distributions were brought to a close before he reached Bogotá, because he had no more copies of the Scriptures with him, having disposed of 1473... At Bogota, he had the satisfaction of witnessing the formation of a National Bible Society, which was almost unanimously resolved upon, after considerable and interesting discussions had taken place. Colonel Hamilton, and Mr. Henderson, his Britannic Majesty's Consul, were present, and assisted on the occasion. Individuals, high in civil and ecclesiastical appointments, have accepted various offices in this new institution. Its second rule specifies, that "its sole object is to print the text of the Holy Scriptures, and to promote their circulation, in the first place, in Colombia; in the second place, in South America; and in the third place, throughout the world, as far as its means will reach." On the receipt of this intelligence, the committee voted 10,000 Testaments in aid of these purposes, together with copies of different versions, for the use of the library which the Society purposes to form. Reviewing the whole of Mr. Thomson's operations, and the evident openings thus created, the committee thought it proper to direct that 5000 Testaments should be sent to Lima, to be dispatched to the various stations pointed out by him. The committee had been advised of the formation of a Bible Society in La Guayra. The Report does not contain much cheering intelligence from the West Indies. The Bermuda Auxiliary, however, flourishes; and Ladies' Bible Associations have been formed in most of the parishes of the island. A renewed opportunity has been afforded of aiding the translators in the South-Sea Islands. The whole population of these islands may be regarded as under school instruction, having the Scriptures as their great class-book. The Epistles of St. Paul are now completed, and several books of the Old Testament. The issues of Bibles and Testaments from the depository of the American Bible Society, and the receipts into their treasury, exceeded those of any former year; but it is stated, in the Report, "if the Society had tenfold the amount of its present income, its operations could be proportionably increased." The issues have been 63,851 copies, making the total since the commencement 372,913. lings for a Bible, and ninepence for a Testament. The books are not intended to be given or lent to the children, but are school stock. The receipts of the year have amounted to 82,768/.; and its expenditure has reached 96,014.-The following works are now carrying on: Indo-Portuguese New Testament; Syriac New Testament; Modern Greek Testament; Irish Bible, vernacular character; Gaelic Bible; Hebrew Old Testament; Mandjur New Testament; Persian Old Testament; Persian New Testament; Jewish Spanish Testament; Turkish Bible; Carshun New Testament; Carshun and Syriac Testament; Albanian and Modern Greek Testament; Breton New Testament; Aimarà New Testament. From British North-America much pleasing intelligence has been received, and CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY'S many calls for assistance have been made. A journey has been undertaken by two members of the Montreal Society, in some of the townships and villages of Upper Canada; and they have most unexpectedly found that the Iroquois Indians read the Mohawk, and that they received copies of the Gospel of St. John most thankfully. Several declined it as a gift, and were much gratified by having an opportunity to procure it for money. Education has been found to prevail to a much greater extent than had been imagined; and it has also been discovered that the Indians earnestly desire both education and the Scriptures. From the Moravian missionaries, at Hopedale, in Labrador, information has been received, that every family, nay, every individual that can read, is now in possession of the whole of the New Testament, the Book of the Revelations excepted. The happy fruits of this circulation of a portion of the Scriptures already appear in the conduct of the people. The Book of the Revelations is since printed. The Book of Psalms is also translated. Returning homewards, we find, that the issues of the Scriptures have exceeded those of last year by 5,747 copies; the number having been 110,963 Bibles, and 175,439 Testaments; making a total of 4,009,389 copies issued in this country in twenty-two years. The system of Ladies' Bible Associations continues to be found most efficacious. Where Bible Associations have not been brought into operation, generally speaking, a considerable dearth of the Scriptures prevails.-One very important measure has been adopted during the past year; that of supplying Sunday schools with Nonpareil Bibles and Brevier Testaments, at the low prices of two shil SEMINARY. On the 31st of July, the first annual examination of the Society's students in classical and general knowledge and theology, took place before the president, the committee of visitors, and other members of the Society. The principal reported, that twenty-six individuals were pursuing their studies at the institution; of whom, six were missionaries, having been admitted to holy orders-eleven were received students-seven were probationary students--one was preparing to offer himself to the committee-and one was a printer. Five classes were examined in Latin, three in Greek, one in divinity, one in the critical interpretation of the Greek Testament, and one in logic. Papers, written during the sitting of the committee, were delivered in on the following subjects:—on the Hindoo System, by one student-on Divinity, by four-on Mathematical Questions, by six. The president expressed to the students the gratification with which the committee had witnessed the proficiency made by them generally, in the different branches in which they had been examined. It having been determined by the committee, that the interests of the Society require the enlargement of the buildings to such an extent as might provide accommodation for fifty students and the officers of the institution, the day of the annual examination, the 31st of July, was appointed for laying the foundation stone. Appropriate addresses were delivered, on the occasion, by the Rev. D. Wilson and the senior Secretary. Mr. Wilson remarked ;-" I cannot too strongly express my persuasion, that the great ends of the Church Missionary So ciety will be most materially promoted by this enlargement of the buildings for the accommodation of our students. The union of sound learning with Scriptural piety is of the last importance. If the cause of missions is to flourish in this great and enlightened country, in connexion with our Apostolical National Church, there must be a character of solid judgment and competent knowledge in the missionaries whom we employ, The advantages resulting from the alliance of knowledge and learning with spiritual religion in the missionary, are sufficiently obvious to the reflecting mind." After dilating on some of the advantages which an educated missionary has over the uneducated, Mr. Wilson remarked;-"I will only add, that the translation of the Scriptures into the various languages of the earth entirely depends on sound scholarship, and the capacity of acquiring languages and of adapting the general principles of grammar to each varying idiom. How were those hundred and forty-three versions of the Scriptures, to the distribution, printing, or translation of which the noble British and Foreign Bible Society has lent its effectual aid, produced in their different languages and dialects? Was it not by the diligent and consecrated labours of men who first acquired learning, and then devoted it to the cause of Christianity?" Mr. Wilson next adverted to the dangers which may accompany the acquisition of human learning, "such as elation of mind—pride-self-confidence—a secular, ambitious, literary spirit-forgetfulness of our entire dependence on the grace of Christ-the putting knowledge and talent in the place of the Holy Spirit and of the life-giving doctrines of the Gospel-in short, a decline from the interior life of grace and holiness." He concluded his address with suggesting some animating topics of encouragement to the students. Mr. Bickersteth remarked;-" Experience has abundantly shewn us the inefficiency of our past plans, for ascertaining the character of our labourers, or for duly preparing them for their work. Scattered in different places, they were under no consistent system of instruction, and we obtained very imperfect knowledge of their capacity or their character: they could make, comparatively, but little progress; and could be but inadequately prepared for the most arduous of all offices, requiring every gift and endow ment and attainment which God bestows, either directly or in the use of appointed CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 297. means. The same experience has already shewn us the superior advantages of the present system.' He added, "Amidst all our infirmities, we go forth in the Name, and we rely on the strength, of Him who ever magnifies His grace and love and power, in using feeble instruments to accomplish His work." A solemn dedicatory prayer being offered up, the solemnity was closed by singing the 117th Psalm. AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. The progress of the Society's African colony, Liberia, is very favourable. The Society has now jurisdiction along more than 100 miles of coast, and this obtained at a trifling expense. The just and benevolent policy pursued by the colonists in all their intercourse with the native tribes, has given a great and increasing influence over them. Mr. Ashmun says; "We have practically taught them, in the spirit of the parent institution, that one end of our settlement in their country, is to do them good. We have adopted sixty of their children, and are bringing them up as the other children; and have shewn a tender concern for their happiness, and a sacred regard to their rights; and have thus given them a new and surprising view of the character of civilized man. Our influence over them is unbounded: thieves and other malefactors have, in too many instances to be recited, been voluntarily given up to the colony for punishment. One of the most obvious effects of the colony has been to check the Slave Trade. We have, I think I may confidently say, banished it from this district of the coast.' One hundred and twenty sections of plantation lands have been surveyed, and allotted to as many different families. Mr. Ashmun says; "Nothing but disasters of the most extraordinary nature can prevent the settlement of our sturdy farmers from making their way directly to respectability and abundance. The colonists generally live in a style of neatness and comfort, unknown before their arrival in Africa. Every family has the means of employing from four to six native labourers. Except for military offences, not a single individual of the colonists has suffered imprisonment, for a period of twenty-two months: profane swearing is held in abhorrence. The Sabbath is observed with strictness." The Sunday schools, both for the settlers and natives, are well sustained and attended, and productive of 4 D the happiest fruits: and several charitable societies, particularly for the tuition and bringing up of the native children, appear to have been undertaken in a truly Christian spirit. More than fifty persons have, in the fifteen months past, embracing nearly the whole young adult population, become serious and devout professors of Christianity. Mr. Ashmun writes: “Two beautiful chapels, each sufficient to contain several hundred worshippers, stand on the confines of a once-gloomy forest consecrated to the demon worship of the natives. The colony is, in reality, a Christian community. A newspaper has been established, entitled the 'Liberia Herald."" SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. The late revered Bishop of Calcutta, in his truly zealous and enlightened cooperation with the friends of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the Church Missionary Society, had suggested various measures for the religious benefit of India, which, we doubt not, by the blessing of God will prove of great utility to the natives of that vast empire. Had our limits permitted, we should have copied various extracts from some of his lordship's recent official letters on this most important subject. For the present, we must content ourselves with the following passages in his letters to the Secretary of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. "I have subjoined an account of the sums which I have expended as almoner of the Society. The first was a donation to the Syro-Malayalim Churches in Southern India, to be applied, at the metropolitan's discretion, to the support of poor students in theology in the college of Cotym. It was forwarded through the Rev. Messrs. Fenn and Bailey, missionaries in the employ of the Church-Mission Society. I have abundant reason to know that the members of the Syrian Church, both clergy and laity, look up to the Church of England as their surest patron and friend on earth. "The last item of 100. is in aid of a chapel designed to be erected in one of the most populous parts of Calcutta, to be served by the different missionaries of the Church of England who may be within reach. Service is to be performed in the Bengalee and Hindoostanee languages, according to the Liturgy of our church. From this measure, which is as yet untried in Calcutta, though it has succeeded admirably at Benares, Chunar, Meerut, and Agra, I anticipate a very powerful and advantageous effect on the native mind. "Should the Society disapprove of any of these applications of their bounty, I shall most cheerfully replace the sum objected to." The Bishop suggests to the Society other important measures. We notice only the following. "In Ceylon, I found the Archidiaconal Committee of Colombo with an income which just enabled them to answer the demands made on their exertions; but altogether unequal to print new tracts, or to maintain a circle of schools. Something of the sort will, I trust, be done by the committee of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, which I have succeeded in establishing. I had just laid before his Excellency the Governor, a plan for restoring and connecting more closely with the Church of England the system of parochial schools and parochial religious instruction, which the Dutch Government had established, and which, at a very moderate annual expense, may be expected to diffuse, not merely a nominal, but a genuine Christianity through the greater part of that beautiful and extensive island. My propositions, I have some reason to hope, have not been unfavourably received. Should they be adopted, however, in their full extent, there will still be abundant scope for the liberality of the Society in an enlarged distribution of tracts and school-books, in English, Tamul, and Cingalese in the distribution of prizes to the best boysand, above all, in the establishment of central schools, for the board and education of native Christian youths, in order to qualify them to act as schoolmasters, and, in case of promising talents, of sending recruits to Bishop's college. "The native proponents or catechists -whom I am most anxious to raise in character and acquirements, and by degrees to admit into Holy Orders, and make the ground-work of a regular parochial clergy-though good men, and willing to do their best for the instruction and improvement of their flocks, are themselves, very many of them, extremely ill-informed, and destitute of the means of acquiring information. They greatly need some plain sermons to read to their people; and I have already, in consequence, encouraged some of the colonial clergy to undertake translations into Tamul and Cingalese, of the Book of Homilies; which I purpose to follow up with similar translations of Berens' Village Sermons, Bishop Wilson's Sermons, and some other of the more popular works in the Society's supplementary catalogue. These objects I would beg leave most earnestly to recommend to the Society's munificence, as perhaps affording a more promising field than any other in India for the dissemination and growth of Christianity." |