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languages are from the same root) and were the most distinguished and warlike tribe in North-America. Select portions of the Old and New Testament, and the entire Gospel of St. Mark, had been translated for them by Captain Brant, who had previously directed the affairs of the colony; and the Gospel of St. Matthew also, and many chapters of the Old and New Testament, had been printed for their use, at the expense of the British government. The translator had prepared an affectionate and pious address to the Six Nations, as an accompaniment to his version; but the superintending subcommittee conceived it their duty to separate every thing extraneous from the Sacred Volume, as incompatible with a fundamental principle of the institution, which suffered no additional matter to be incorporated with the Bible.

About the commencement of the year 1805, the foundation was laid of that Biblical Library of the Society, which has since become so considerable and importtant. It was a very natural desire to possess such copies as could be procured of all the existing versions of the Scriptures, that the Society might not be at a loss for a standard edition, or the means of collation, whenever they might be induced to print on their own account. In consequence it was determined that of every edition printed under their auspices, six copies should be lodged in the Society's depository. As an appeal was, at the same time, made to the public munificenceGranville Sharpe, Esq. presented the new library with thirty-nine copies of the Holy Scriptures, or portions of them in various languages, together with the Irish and Italian versions of the English Liturgy. A very handsome acknowledgement was made for this valuable present by the President, in a letter to the truly estimable donor.

A transaction at this time occurred which, instead of involving the credit of either of the two distinguished Societies established in England, for advancing the cause of Divine Truth, as in the spirit of controversy it was supposed, evinces ra

ther their mutual utility in watching with a jealous eye over the purity of the Sa+ cred Text, and stimulating each others exertions in the common cause.

As it had been determined to print an edition of Welsh Bibles and Testaments, the Rev. Thomas Charles, of Bala, was employed as a person fully competent from his knowledge of the language, to prepare a copy for the press; but whilst the work was in progress at Cambridge, under the sanction of the University, to print from the Oxford copy of 1799, revised by Mr. Charles, a com plaint was made by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, upon the authority of Mr. Roberts, a respectable clergyman who had superintended the Oxford edition of 1792, that improper alterations had been made by Mr. Charles, in the orthography of the Welsh Version. The Society, and its President, listened with promptitude and candour to the complaint, and steps had been taken to obtain the impartial decision of a Welsh scholar of acknowledged reputation, the Rev. Walter Davies, of Myford; when intelligence was received, that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge had passed a resolution to print 20,000 Bibles from the edition of 1746, (by a subsequent resolution altered to that of 1752.) In consequence the Committee, desirous of preserving uniformity in the text, adopted the same standard.

An attack was at this period made by a writer styling himself a Country Clergyman, on the heterogenous union of members of the Society as hostile to the established church, and calculated to propagate schism; aware of the mischievous influence of such apprehensions, the Episcopal patrons of the Society, with the President, formally examined the conduct of the Committee, and found every reason to be perfectly satisfied with their proceedings; Mr. Owen, therefore, at the request of the Bishop of London, published a letter in answer to the attack, styling himself a Suburban Clergyman.

In the mean time, from several foreign and domestic communications, the affairs

est and most elevated affections of the heart. Persons of various communions, circumstances, and stations; the Prelate, and the Presbyterian, the Lutheran and the Calvinist, the Peer and the Quaker, here mingled in new and undissembling concord, and agreeing in the truth of God's Holy Word, mutually expressed their determination to live in unity and godly love.

of the Society assumed the most favoura an irresistible influence over the kindble aspect. Its friends at Basle announced a desire to form a similar Society for that town and its vicinity; but, from local difficulties at the moment, they determined to unite their exertions with their brethren at Nuremberg. An interesting letter from the Rev. Mr. Obelin, a clergyman in Alsace, who had been supplied with funds for the purchase of Bibles to be distributed in his parish, described circumtially, and with much pastoral simplicity, several of the amiable objects on whom he proposed to confer the sacred gift.

From Scotland also, about the same time, very favourable intelligence was received; the Committee of the Society, through the medium of Robert Steven, Esq. had enlisted the late pious and philanthropic David Dale, Esq. of Glasgow, in their cause; and, through his prompt and wise exertions, the Presbytery of Glasgow resolved on making a general collection in all the churches within their bounds. The successful example of the Presbytery was shortly afterwards followed by the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr. To the late Reverend Dr. Dalrymple, minister of Ayr, belongs the honour of having brought the proposition under the favorable consideration of the Synod. In a letter to his friend, Mr. Dale, written in the 82d. vear of his age, he congratulates him That they had lived to see the day of a British and Foreign Bible Society," and assures him of his devotion to so glorious

SECOND YEAR.

(From the 1st May, 1805, to the 1st May, 1806.)

The anniversary meeting, and the distribution of the report and documents explanatory of its principles, consolidated greatly the internal resources of the Society, and led to its acquiring a considerable ascendancy in the public estimation. In Wales, this was particularly evident from the liberality of the contributions; and in Ireland the public mind was favourably stimulated by the dispersion of the intelligence. Scotland, with its characteristic sagacity, at once perceived the extent and importance of the plan, and the Society incorporated in that country, by royal charter, for propagating Christian Knowledge, prefacing a resolution with the recital, that the Committee of Directors highly approved of the admirable institution of the British and Foreign Bible Society, as proposing one of the best conceivable means for the speedy and universal diffusion of the Gospel, resolved, at the instance of R. S. The first anniversary of the Society was Moncrief, Esq. to unite their efforts to celebrated on the 1st. of May, 1805, and attain so desirable an end, and appointed presented a most gratifying spectacle. a sub-committee of their Society to corThe President read the report, which he respond with the Bible Society in Lonhad prepared himself at the instance of don, and to adopt measures for obtaining the Committee; and the Bishop of Dur- local contributions; a foundation was ham, in a speech, in which the charac- thus laid in Scotland, for a deep and perters of the Prelate and the Christian were manent interest in favour of the Society; equally sustained, moved the thanks of and a collection on its behalf throughout the meeting to his lordship, for his faith- the bounds of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, ful, zealous, and persevering attention was one of the earliest and most beneficial to the business of the institution; the results. This solemn recognition of a scene presented on this interesting oc- Society, in which bishops presided, and casion (according to Mr. Owen) was sects co-operated, emanating from bodies distinguished by features, which gave it whose ecclesiastical constitution renders

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them almost equally opposed to prelacy and separation, evinced a spirit of Christian generosity which cannot be too highly commended. The memorial of it will form an honourable record in the religious history of Scotland.

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In England, the effect of those publications which announced the existence of the Society was not so immediate. The seed, which has since abundantly sprung up, remained for a considerable period buried under the soil, and manifested itself by slower degrees, and, for a considerable time, with inferior demonstrations of liberality and zeal.

An occurrence is next to be noticed, which proves that the enlightened views of the Roman Catholic clergyman in Suabia, were not peculiar to himself. His brethren at Ratisbon, having witnessed the proceedings of the Protestants at Nuremberg, set on foot a Catholic Bible Society, under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Wittman, Director of the Ecclesiastical Seminary at Ratisbon.His address to the German Catholics on the occasion is peculiarly simple, clear, and affecting. The following passage is singularly impressive: "Many excellent persons do not find, in the public religious instruction, that for which they hunger; they are also often in the confessional only judged for their outward deeds, without being led to an acknowledgment of their inward corruption, and to faith in the blood of Jesus their Redeemer: if these could read the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, in the quiet time of holidays, their faith in the simple doctrines from the mouth of Jesus Christ, would, by the mercy of their Saviour, be thereby enlivened," &c. A circumstance occurred at the formation of this Society, which evinces the scrupulous exactness with which the Committee of the parent Society always administered its funds. The copies of the Protestant New Testament, printed at Nuremberg, which, by the resolution before mentioned, had been destined for distribution in Suabia and Bavaria, had been commuted for an equal number of Catholic Testaments, from VOL. IV.No. xv.

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the proposed depository at Ratisbon. But as the sense of the parties from whom the original grant proceeded, had not been taken on the subject, the Committee felt themselves constrained, on principle, to refuse their sanction. Several members of the Committee, however, in their private capacity, to prevent the slightest imputation of illiberality, united to defray the charge of the Testaments ordered at Ratisbon; and the original grant continued in force. Another circumstance at the origin of this institution occurred, which affords a brilliant example to Christians of every description. In a printed address on the completion of the first impression of their Testaments on standing types, in which our brethren at Nuremberg solicit assistance from their German fellow-christians, to enable them to print the entire Bible in a similar manner, for which they had received a further grant of 2001. from the British Society:-" The printing of the New Testament," they state, "was delayed by several circumstances, one of which will afford pleasure to the friends of the Bible. The very same person who had to cast the types for our New Testament, received nearly at the same time, an order to cast the types for another New Testament, which is to be printed for the use of the Roman Catholic Christians, under the direction of some very worthy and truly enlightened clergymen of that persuasion." This may be referred to as the commencement of an era at which Catholics and Protestants have reciprocated expressions of kindness, and conspired to promote the distribution of the Scriptures amongst the people. The same address acknowledged the warm encouragement given to the Nuremberg Society, in different parts of Germany and Switzerland, and cited instances of individual liberality, which testified how truly the hearts of the people were alive to the interests of vital religion.

Dr. Knapp, at Halle, had given a friendly reception to the overture made by the Society, in 1804, and invited their attention to a depository of Bibles and

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Testaments, (ready for immediate distribution,) over which he presided, called the Caustein Bible Institution. It was founded at Halle, in 1710, by the Baron de Caustein, and the care of it had devolved on the Director (then Dr. Halle) of a charitable establishment in that city, called the Orphan House. From the period of its foundation, above three millions of the Bible or Testament had been printed in different languages, and many thousand copies had been dispensed gratuitously to the poor. In 1735, King Frederick William granted this Institution the privilege of establishing a separate printing-office, and in consequence a large building for this purpose was annexed to the Orphan House, in which Dr. Knapp represented there was always a large supply ready for sale, and offered to execute the orders of the Society. As Dr. Knapp appeared to possess the means and disposition to co-operate in its views, he was particularly requested to furnish information from what quarters a demand for the Scriptures on the Caustein Institution might be expected, and by what mode the Society might best assist the distribution.

At the commencement of this year, by the exertions of the Rev. John Janicke, the foundation had been laid of a Bible Society at Berlin, under the direction of some noblemen and persons of character and distinction, which received the sanction of the king. The British Society having previously promised a donation of 1001. redeemed its pledge, and added an equal sum, as an inducement to the newly established Society to extend the undertaking of printing a Bohemian Bible, to an impression also of a Polish Bible, which was urgently demanded.

To advert next to the home occurrences of the year;-a stereotype impression of an octavo English Testament having been prepared, it was circulated through the medium of individuals and Sunday schools, with the Society's imprint in the title page; (a mark of authenticity, since affixed also to their books, by the Society for Promoting Christian

Knowledge, and the Russian Bible Society.) Other religious institutions in Great Britain, were liberally permitted to share with the Society in the benefit of its arrangements with the University of Cambridge.

An important and interesting event to be recorded in the transactions also at home, is the establishment of a Bible Society at Dublin. An Association (which has been previously noticed) was formed in 1792, for discountenancing vice, and promoting the knowledge and practice of the Christian religion; and as it had experienced a considerable accession to its funds, by a donation from an unknown benefactor, for the sole purpose of distributing the Scriptures, it was determined to pursue that object with the utmost vigour. "We acknowledge,” say the managers, in a striking passage: of their address to the public, "with satisfaction and gratitude, the valuable labours of those who defend Christianity by the weapons of argument. But we venture to assert, that the most popular, as well as the most effectual defence of Christianity, must ever consist in the exhibition of its own native beauties, as seen in the clear mirror of God's word. It is obvious that, to the lower classes in particular, an elaborate detail of the evidence must, in most instances, be uninteresting and unsuitable. neither the time nor the habits necessary for receiving conviction in that way. But the man of narrowest capacity, who has only common sense and honesty, will scarcely fail, on perusing the Bible itself, to discover at once that the rules it lays down, tend directly to make him good and happy: he will recognize in it a language speaking directly to the heart, and conveying an intrinsic and almost irresistible evidence of sincerity and truth." According to a report made in 1796, through the Rev. Dr. Magee, the dissemination went on with rapidity: but the supply being inadequate, in 1801, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge,presented the Association with 1450 Bibles, and the demand continued to in

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vice, in which they were conveyed. On no occasion so striking, as in this commerce of pure benevolence, was the beautiful system of practical philanthropy, inculcated by our religion, more pleasingly illustrated, infusing itself into the darkest recesses of the human heart, and allaying its most malignant passions. In supplying the German aliens in England, the Society at Nuremberg contributed also, by an order for one thousand Testaments of their edition lately completed.

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crease. At the period of the formation receptacles of ignorance, misery, and of the British Society, many Catholics, as well as Protestants, evinced a desire to promote its object. Every thing which the most ardent zeal could dictate, had been attempted on the part of the Association; but it was very justly considered, that the requisite exertions could be more effectually concentrated by a society devoted to one object, than by an institution embracing several. On this ground the friends of the Bible cause at first proposed to incorporate themselves with the parent Society, but afterwards agreed, that an independent establishment in Dublin, directed to the supply of their own population, would excite more local interest and exertion in their favour. It was therefore judged most expedient to set on foot a distinct society in Dublin, for the service of Ireland, which was recognized by the Bible Society, and an intercourse established, which, after some obstruction, has ripened into the most satisfactory connexion. A great want of the Scriptures, from the representation of the Society's informants, was felt throughout the Highlands of Scotland: Sky, the most extensive of the Western Islands, being found almost destitute of a single copy: it was therefore determined to print a Gaelic edition, for the use of 350,000 persons, of which, according to an estimate in 1803, the Highland population consisted, and of whom 300,000 were ignorant of any other language. It was thought expedient to employ on this occasion, the text accredited and used by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge: when addressed on the subject, that respectable body, though occupied themselves in preparing an edition, afforded the most cordial assistance, and fully supported the professions of interest they had before made in favour of the Society. About the same time, measures were taken to relieve the deplorable want experienced by the prisoners of war at that time in England, amounting to nearly 30,000 persons. The spiritual bounty of the Society was conveyed to the many

These operations of the Society were accompanied by an extensive communication to the public of its reports, which were circulated through many respectable channels. Associations were in consequence formed by an active spirit of cooperation, excited at London and Birmingham, on a principle of combined individual assistance, after the example of the collections in the Scotch Presbyteries introduced at Glasgow. These associa tions led the way to the subsequent formation of auxiliary societies. The address of the London Society, which we regret that the limits of our abridgment will not allow us to transcribe, shows that the principle of an Institution, afterwards matured into that useful instrument, for promoting the general cause, had then been perfectly conceived. Actuated by the same spirit, the Rev. Edward Brown, the highly respected minister of St. Mary's, Birmingham, set on foot an association, with the ready cooperation of the different dissenting ministers in that town; and a meeting was held, at which George Simcox, Esq. a gentleman of the most estimable character, presided.

Such were the exhilarating prospects which opened in various quarters during the second year of the Society's existence. Its funds had now experienced an increase of 3001. in annual subscriptions; whilst 1000l. were, during the same time, contributed in Wales, and 40007. in Scotland.

We shall purposely leave unnoticed any thing further in vindication of the

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