THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

VOL. III.]

Saturday, June 14, 1817.

[No. 12.

The FIRST ANNUAL REPORT of the BOARD OF MANAGERS of the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, presented May 8th, 1817.

THE Managers of the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY desire with thankfulness to recognize the hand of their God, which has been good upon the Institution throughout the first year of its existence. The harmony, cordiality, and forbearance, displayed in the proceedings of the Convention who formed it, afforded satisfactory evidence of the Divine approbation, and a sure pledge of the Divine blessing upon its future fate. Many who had doubted of the practicability of the plan, yielded to the pleasing conviction that they were mistaken, and joined with those who had never doubted on the subject, in cherishing the hope, that the National Institution would realize the most sanguine expectations of its ultimate prosperity. Its formation was hailed as a great and glorious era in the history of our country, and its means of accomplishing the all-important end of its formation have been increased with more than ordinary rapidity.

The Managers feel it their duty to state, that the plan of such an institution was first suggested by the British and Foreign Bible Society, to the Philadelphia Bible Society. No measures, however, were adopted to attempt its execution, until the New-Jersey Bible Society undertook the experiment. Although baffled in their first effort, their worthy President, acting in conformity to their wishes, persevered in the good work, and finally succeeded. Called by the unanimous voice of the Managers to the Presidency of the National Institution, he is, in the decline of life, enjoying that pleasure which springs from his work of faith and labour of love, thus far owned of God, and promising the highest and most lasting blessings to this Western Continent.

The Managers, in entering on the duties of their responsible office, felt that their first exertions ought to be directed towards the procurement of well executed stereotype plates, for the accommodation of large districts of the American Continent. They, accordingly, at an early period, contracted for three sets of stereotype plates in octavo, and three in duodecimo. The octavo sets have all been delivered at the Depository; and measures have been adopted to make them as correct as possible before they are used. The duodecimos will be finished in the month of June ensuing one of which they have resolved to locate in Lexington, (Kentucky,) under the direction of the Kentucky Bible Society. As they were not in a capacity to print Bibles, having no plates of their own, they declined answering the various applications for Bibles which they received from Auxiliary Societies. They thought that it would be inexpedient to become the purchasers of

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Bibles for these Auxiliaries; and, therefore, in those cases where monies were sent with the express stipulation that Bibles to the amount should be returned, they resolved, if required, to pay over the same to the Societies which sent them; or to pay over the whole, or any part of them, to the New-York Bible Society, who would furnish the Auxiliaries with the required number of Bibles. They were, however, soon enabled, by the munificent liberality of the New-York, and the New-York Auxiliary, Bible Societies, to supply their Auxiliaries. Those Societies presented them with a set of stereotype plates of the duodecimo size, and brevier type; in consequence of which donation, 10,000 copies, according to their direction, have been printed; of which about 6000 have been sold and distributed. They have lately ordered 2,500 copies to be printed from the octavo plates, and 7,500 from the duodecimo plates.

In establishing the prices at which Bibles were to be sold, the Board of Managers considered it a duty to make a difference between such Societies and individuals as are Auxiliary to, and Members of, the National Institution, and such as are not; and therefore adopted the following Rule:

"That to the cost of the paper, press-work, and binding of the Bibles printed for the Society from the stereotype plates, five per cent. be added for interest, insurance, and wear of said plates; which aggregate amount shall be considered the cost of the Bibles; and that these Bibles shall be sold at said cost price to all Bible Societies who do not contribute to the funds of this Institution; and that the said amount of five per cent. shall be deducted from said cost price, on all Bibles sold to Auxiliaries, and such other Societies as contribute to the funds of this Institution."

Applications having been made at an early period, from different parts of the United States, for New Testaments, the Managers took the subject of printing and circulating the New, apart from the Old, Testament, into their consideration. After mature deliberation, they resolved, that for the present it was inexpedient for them to do this in the English language.

As the necessary expenses of carrying into effect the vast design of the National Institution were great, the Managers felt it their duty to adopt such measures as promised a supply of their wants. They appointed a Committee in each ward of the city of NewYork, to collect subscriptions; and directed a Circular Letter to be sent to every Minister of the various denominations of Christians in the United States, requesting a congregational collection in their aid-as also a Circular to the different Bible Societies who had not united with the National Institution, soliciting aid; and one to influential men in different parts of the United States, calling upon them to come forward in the good work, and enclosing a plan for an Auxiliary Society, and Branch Associations. They cannot, at present, state the degree of success which has attended their applications. There is no doubt but many Ministers have been omitted, not intentionally, but from want of information. So soon as they are known, application will be made to them.

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The Managers are happy to state, that the following Societies, in existence previous to the formation of the American Bible Society, have become Auxiliary, viz.

The New-York Bible Society, May 15; Newark do. May 21; New-York Auxiliary, do. May 24; West Chester County, do. May 27; Albany do. May 27; Rensselaer County do. (N. Y.) May 29; Orange County, do. (N. Y.) June 11; Otsego County, do. (N. Y.) June 13; Female, do. of Carlisle, (Penn.) June—; Norfolk, do. (Vir.) June 18; Delaware County, do. (New-York,) July 10; Saratoga County, do. (New-York,) July 10; Bible Society of Delaware, (State of Delaware,) July 25: Union College Bible Society, (N. Y.) July 29; Georgia, do. August 3; Virginia, do. August 6; Petersburgh, do. (Vir.) August 16; Burlington Female, do. (NewJersey,) August 19; Beaufort, do. (South Carolina,) August 21; Female do. of Mill Creek, (Ohio,) August 25; New-Jersey, do. August 28; Hampden, do. (Massachusetts,) August 29; Bible Society of Greene County, (New-York,) September 10; Fairfield County Bible Society, (Connecticut,) September 17; Cincinnati Miami do. (Ohio,) ; New-Hamp

shire, do. September 18; Bible Society of Massachusetts, September 26; Bible Society of Nassau Hall, (N. J.) September -; Scioto Bible Society, (Ohio,) October 17; Female do. of Poughkeepsie, (New-York,) October 21; Female do. of Boston and its vicinity, October 24; Bible Society of Salem and vicinity, (Mass.) November 6; Female do. of Newark, (NewJersey,) November 7; Bible Society of Maine, November 24; do. of District of Columbia, November 25; Oneida Bible Society, (New-York,) January 15; Essex, do. do. -; Merrimack, do. (Massachusetts,)

; Bible Society of Frederick, (Virginia,) February Washington Bible Society, (New-York,) February ; Fauquier do. (Virginia,) February-; Pittsburgh do. (Pennsylvania,) Society of Lynchburg, (Virginia,) March 28.

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The following Societies have been formed as Auxiliaries to the National Institution. viz:

New-York Female Auxiliary Bible Society, May 11; Albany do. June 3; Rockland Auxiliary do. (New-York,) June 4; American Bible Society of Young Men, New-Brunswick, (New-Jersey,) June 4; Juvenile Female Bible Society of Elizabeth-Town, (New-Jersey,) June 6; Female Auxiliary do. of Elizabeth-Town, (New-Jersey,) June 8; Elizabeth-Town Auxiliary do. (New-Jersey,) June 8; Hampshire Bible Society, (Massachusetts,) June 10; Gloucester do. (New-Jersey,) June ; Fayetteville do. (North Carolina,) August 9; Female Auxiliary do. of Courtland County, (New-York,) August 13; Bible Society of Westfield, (New-Jersey,) August 22; Cortland Auxiliary do. (New-York,) August 27; Amity Female do. (Orange County, New-York,) September 2; Bardstown Bible Society, (Kentucky,) September 20; Kentucky do. September 27; Albemarle and Orange do. (Virginia,) October 2; Auxiliary Bible Society of RedHook and Rhinebeck, (New-York,) October 21; Fishkill Auxiliary do (New-York,) October 23; Green's Farms Auxiliary Female do. (Connecticut,) October 30; Female Bible Society of Cincinnati, (Ohio,) October 31; Female do. of Kingston, (New-York,) -; Delaware County do. (Pennsylvania,) October 24; Benson Young Ladies' Bible Society, November 15; Ulster County Bible Society, (New-York,) November 30; Seneca do. (New-York,) November -; Female do. of New-Haven, (Connecticut,) -; Bible Society of the Town of Bergen, (New-Jersey,) Detroit do. (Michigan Ter.) November 26; Rahway Female do. (NewJersey,) -; Lexington do. (Virginia,) -; Madison County do. (New-York,) November; Auxiliary do. of Montgomery County, (NewYork,) November 31; Bloomfield do. (New-Jersey) January 1, 1817;

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Broome County do. (New-York,) January; Steuben County do. (NewYork,) January-; Roxborough do. (Pennsylvania,) February -; Branch Society of the Town of New-Bedford, (Mass.) February -; Ontario County do. (New-York,) -; Marine do. of New-York, berland County do. (Pennsylvania,) April 2.

-; Cum

There is reason to believe that there are more societies Auxiliary to the National Institution; but the Managers have received no official account of them. They requested, in the statement published December 17, 1816, every Society becoming Auxiliary, so soon as convenient, to give official information of the same to one of the officers of the Board, particularly noting the time when the connexion was formed." They now repeat the request, with the distinct information, that the organ of communication in this matter, is the Secretary for Domestic Correspondence.

The Long-Island Bible and Common Prayer-Book Society has so altered its Constitution, as to aid the Managers in translating and publishing the Scriptures, without note or comment, in foreign languages.

The following Societies, without becoming Auxiliary to the National Institution, have expressed their approbation of the same by the following donations, viz.

Philadelphia Female Bible Society, 500 dollars; Long Island do. 200 dolls.; Stanton do. (Virginia) 200 dolls.; Middlebury Female do. 90 dolls. Charleston, (S. C.) do. 500 dolls.; Cumberland County do. (New Jersey,)

50 dolls.

Other Societies, not Bible Societies, have made donations, of which an account will be found in the Report of the Treasurer.

From this account of the Societies, who either have become Auxiliaries, or cordially approve of the National Institution, it appears evident, that a very large proportion of the talent, respectability of character, and influence in political society, is engaged in befriending its design, and securing its permanency. From letters received by the Board, there is no doubt other Societies already in existence will accede, and new ones be formed: and the time cannot be far distant, when in every part of these United States, the American Bible Society will have Auxiliaries. This event is most devoutly desired, to secure the circulation of the Scriptures throughout our country, with the best prospect of

success.

The Managers feel it not merely a duty, but a gratification, to state, that the following congregations, or individuals of congrega. tions, have made their Pastors Members for life of the "AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY."

The Presbyterian Congregation in Princeton, New-Jersey, for the Rev. W. Schenck.

Several members of the Rev. Edward Payson's Society, Portland, Maine. Several young persons of the Rev. Isaac Knapp's Parish, Westfield, Massachusetts.

Female Bible Society of Colchester, Connecticut, for their Pastor, the Rev. S. Cone.

Mrs. Sally Daggett, for the Rev. William Bonney, New Canaan, Connecticut.

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Several ladies of Middletown, Connecticut, for the Rev. Chauncey A. Goodrich.

Presbyterian Congregation of Bethlehem, County of Orange, for the Rev. Artemas Dean.

Female Bible and Tract Society, Buffaloe, for the Rev. Miles P. Squier. The Third Presbyterian Church and Society in Hartford, (Con.) for Dr. Perkins.

The Congregational Church in Hadley, (Con.) for the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge.

Female Beneficent Society, Windham, (Con.) for the Rev. Cornelius B. Everett.

Several ladies of New-London, (Con.) for the Rev. Abel M'Euen. Several ladies of Westborough, (Mass.) for the Rev. Elisha Rockwood. A friend (of Wethersfield, Con.) for the Rev. Caleb I. Tenney.

Ladies of the First Congregational Society, New-Haven, (Con.) for the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor.

Ladies of the Congregational United Society, New-Haven, (Con.) for the Rev. Samuel Mervin.

Female Charitable Society of Great Barrington, (Mass.) for the Rev. Elijah Wheeler.

A friend in Salem, (Mass.) for the Rev. Thomas Carlile.

A number of ladies of the First Congregational Society in Charlestown, (Mass. (for the Rev. Dr. Morse.

A number of his parishioners in Pelham, (New-Hampshire) for the Rev. John H. Church.

The Branch Bible Society of Milford, (Con.) for the Rev. Messrs. Bezaleel Pinneo, Pastor of the First Church, and Erastus Scranton, Pastor of the Church in North Milford.

A number of ladies belonging to the United Congregations of Zanesville and Putnam, (Ohio) for the Rev. James Culbertson.

A number of ladies of Salem, (Mass.) for the Rev. B. Emmerson. Several gentlemen and ladies of Greenwich, (Con.) for the Rev. Dr. Isaac Lewis.

Several ladies in Stonington, (Con.) for the Rev. Ira Hart.

Several ladies of the Congregational Society of Middle Spring, of Franklin and Cumberland Counties, Penn. for the Rev. John Moody. Several members of the Presbyterian Congregation at Catskill, for the Rev. Dr. David Porter.

A number of females of the Presbyterian Church in Cedar-Street, NewYork, have made the Rev. Dr. Romeyn Director for life.

The Managers hope that the good examples which have thus been set, will be followed by all the Christian Societies in our land. They will thus add, not only to the funds of the National Institution, but to the satisfaction and respectability of their Pastors.

It would be an act of injustice to that sex who contribute so essentially to the relief of our cares, whilst they heighten our purest pleasures, not to notice, in a prominent manner, their active benevolence in aid of the Society, not only in forming Auxiliaries, but also in constituting, in so many places, their Pastors Members for life. They thus manifest the sense which they cherish of their obligations to that holy volume, whose truths have elevated them in Christian lands to their just and all-important station in society, and qualified them to perform the duties of that station with honour and success.

The Managers have directed their attention, also, to the translation of the Scriptures into the Indian languages of our country,