pily, however, the contrary is the fact. This influence has been exerted with great success in Bavaria, Switzerland, and other places. Previous to this restraint, however, nearly 80,000 copies of Gossner's New Testament, printed at Munich, had been brought into circulation.

On the other hand, the Committee remark, that the distribu tions effected by Professor Van Ess, have been considerably in creased. Furnished with the approbation and sanction of many Catholic dignitaries, his version of the Testament, in various sizes, has circulated very freely, and with the most grateful acceptance, among the Catholics in Germany. Since his last published account, he has issued 106,234 copies of the Catholic Scriptures, besides 10,639 of Luther's version among protestants. If these be added to those previously issued, it will appear that this single individual, partly by his own exertions, and partly by means of his Catholic correspondents in Germany and Switzerland, has, in less than four years, distributed 350,414 copies of the Scriptures. Prospects of a further distribution are continually opening, and his powers of doing good in this department of service seem only to be limited by his means.

An increasing demand has also been manifested in France for the Catholic Scriptures; and so strongly is this felt, that various printers are now speculating in editions of that book, for which but a short time ago very few purchasers could be found. The society for elementary education has introduced the New Testament into the schools of mutual instruction; and several pious Catholics have evinced much industry in recommending it, and that with considerable success, to the poorer members of their communion. Even Spanish New Testaments have been solicited from the Committee.

Mediterranean. In this quarter, and more especially in Greece and Turkey, a very extensive tour of the Rev. Dr. Pinkerton has led to the commencement of very important Biblical undertakings, the establishment of several Bible societies, and to prospects of increasing usefulness.*

The Malta Bible Society, profiting by the useful suggestions of Dr. Pinkerton, has adopted measures, which will be likely to render that society a still more effective instrument in promoting the circulation of the Scriptures.

The formation of the lonian Bible Society was followed by the establishment of auxiliary Bible societies in Cephalonia and Zante, to which succeeded the Athens Bible Society!

At Constantinople arrangements have been completed by the active and judicious exertions of Dr. Pinkerton, for a version of the whole Bible into modern Greek, a translation of the New

* See Dr. Pinkerton's letters dated at Corfu, July 24th, 1819, at Argostoli, July 24th, pp. 627 and 685 of our last volumé. See also "Remarks by the Rev. W. Jowett &c." p. 174 of this volume

Testament into the Albanian language; and other undertakings which, it is hoped, may eminently conduce to the dissemination of the word of God among the Christian inhabitants of the Turkish empire.

In relation to Abyssinia, Mr. Jowett has been authorised to purchase Mr. Asselin's version of the whole Bible for the use of its inhabitants, many of whom, as well as the Copts, are in a very distressing condition as it respects religious knowledge.

India. The Eighth Report of the Calcutta Bible Society contains abundant proofs of the vigorous tone of that society's ope

rations.

Of a revised version of the Malay Bible, in Arabic characters, the largest proportion has been printed; the Hindoostanee Testament of the Rev. H. Martyn is far advanced in printing; and measures are taking to add to it the Old Testament in the same language and style. Of Mr. Ellerton's Bengalee version, 5000 copies of St. Matthew and St. John were printed, with the English in opposite columns. The revision of the Tamul version, by the Rev. Mr. Rhenius and Dr. Rottler of Madras, is considerably advanced arrangements have been made for printing the Malayalam version, at Cotyam; and the Canara version at Madras, that each may have the benefit of the translator's revision. The Rev. Mr. Pritchett's Telinga (or Telingoo) version is printing by the Madras Bible Association.

At the first anniversary of the Tamul Bible Association, not fewer than eight native converts delivered their simple addresses. The association at Bellary has been very active, and witnessed the good effects of its exertion.

By grants of 8000 rupees from the Calcutta Bible Society, 500 Spanish dollars from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and 1200 copies of the English Scriptures (value $444 44) from the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, the Columbo Bible Society have been enabled to do much good.

The auxiliary society at Point de Galle has been very productive, having remitted to the parent society at Columbo 370 rixdollars, as the first fruits of its exertions. The sum of 350 rixdollars has also been presented to that society by the Wesleyan missionaries.

A supply of Portuguese Bibles has been dispatched to Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, for the benefit of the inhabitants who speak that language.

From Bombay little intelligence has been received, but the Committee have taken measures to transmit a supply of the Holy Scriptures to the Bible society there.

Under the united superintendence of the Rev. Dr. Morrison and Mr. Milne, the translation of the entire Bible into the Chinese language is now completed, and will soon be put to press the

4,444 dollars voted for that purpose by the Committee have been drawn for.

At Amboyna and its vicinity, the Bible cause is in a prosperous state. [See C. Herald, p. 20 of this volume.]

Respecting the same work in New South Wales, we refer the reader to another part of the present number: and the accounts lately given of the spread of the Bible, and its wonderful effects in the Islands of the South Seas, will preclude the necessity of a recapitulation in this place. [See C. Herald Vol. VI. pp. 11, 401, 487, 492, also Review of the South Sea Islander, p. 681, and pp. 343, 346, and 376, of this volume.]

Of Africa it is further said, that the connexion of the society is still very usefully maintained with Sierra Leone and the Cape. To the auxiliary society at the former place 500 English Bibles and 200 Testaments have been granted, and also a supply to "The Christian Institution" recently established at that place. Liberal supplies have also been made to the destitute at the Cape.

In Labrador the Moravian missionaries continue to disseminate the Scriptures, translated by themselves, and printed by the society, among the native Christians at Okkak, Hopedale, and Nain; and their reports afford a satisfactory testimony of the good effects with which the reading of them is attended.

Although to Upper and Lower Canada the attention of the society has been directed, and some copies of the Scriptures sent them, still many of the inhabitants have the greatest need of their

assistance.

After taking respectful notice of the American Bible Society, the Committee mention, in terms of commendation, the liberal conduct of the managers of this society, in declining the grant of 500/., which, on the presumption of the inadequacy of its means to its objects, the Committee had offered to its acceptance. The letter conveying this resolution on the part of that body will be read with much satisfaction; and the circumstance itself will "tend to strengthen the mutual confidence and attachment of the two societies." The Committee conclude this part of the report with a notice of some of the other Bible societies in the United States, and an extract from the Third Report of the American Bible Society.

The Committee next advert to what has been done in the West India Islands, and remark, that they have had occasion to observe many circumstances which announce that the word of God is obtaining an increased circulation in that quarter.

In reporting the domestic proceedings, the Committee have to observe, in general, that, notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances of the times, both as they respect the moral and commercial state of the country, and the efforts and returns of auxiliary societies, branch societies, and Bible associations, have been such as to inspire confidence and minister encouragement.

The Committee have often expressed their high opinion of the various advantages derivable from Bible associations; and in that opinion they find themselves, by progressive experience, continually more confirmed. Whether they look to the increase of the funds of the society, or the improving tendency of its local operations, they find ample ground for regarding Bible associa tions as deserving the warmest commendation, and the most decided encouragement and support. These remarks, which com. prehend Bible associations in general, are particularly applicable to those which are constituted and conducted by the female portion of the community. In every part of the country where the trial has been correctly made, Ladies' Bible Associations have justified the strong language in which your Committee have recommended, and in which they think it their duty again to recommend, their establishment in connexion with the auxiliary societies of the district.

Scotland has upheld the interest of the institution with her accustomed energy and liberality, and Ireland proceeds on her system of improved organization: and the Hibernian Bible Society has doubled its circulation of the Scriptures, formed new auxiliary societies, revived old ones, and witnessed, generally, the manifest indications of great and increasing prosperity.

The total net receipts of the British and Foreign Bible Society for the last year, amounted to four hundred and twelve thousand one hundred and forty-eight dollars and thirteen cents. The total net payments, during the same period, amounted to five hundred and forty-nine thousand one hundred dollars and forty-seven cents.

The number of copies of the Scriptures issued by the society from March 31, 1819, to March 31, 1820, is, 115,775 Bibles, 141,108 New Testaments, total, 256,883 copies; making a total, from the commencement of the society's issues, of more than TWO MILLIONS FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND Bibles and Testaments.

The Committee, having reported the transactions of the past year, offer, in conclusion, such reflections as the facts thus detailed may naturally suggest.

And they would lose sight of an important duty, if they did not begin by inviting the members of the society to concur with them in acknowledging their renewed obligations to that God whose word it is their professed and exclusive object to circulate, for the visible blessing with which He has been pleased to crown the labours of the institution. In almost every part of the world with which the society is in correspondence, or to which its agents have extended their enterprising journies, a favourable acceptance has been given to its overtures for imparting the Holy Scriptures to those who need them; and prospects are opening in every direction for such a dissemination of them as to authorise the hope that the time is approaching, when, in answer to the VOL. VIF. 3 N

apostolical prayer," The word of the Lord shall have free course and be glorified."

At home the prospect is equally encouraging. Notwithstanding the extraordinary pressure of commercial difficulties, and the industrious propagation of irreligious, and even antichristian opinions, the resources of the society, so far from suffering any serious diminution, have been very liberally maintained, and its operations, viewed on the great scale, have kept pace with the activity and efficiency of the most prosperous eras of the institution. Never was the demand for the Scriptures so great and neral; and at no period were means provided in such abundance for printing editions of them, or channels opened in so great a variety of places for their free and general circulation. These assertions are so completely sustained by the facts which your Committee have reported, that they appeal to them with confidence, as affording matter for the most devout gratitude and the most cordial satisfaction.

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Nor will it fail to have struck the members of the society, while attending to the transactions of the year, how greatly the institution has strengthened its claims to the veneration and support of the Christian public, by the increased evidence of its usefulness in cherishing the growth of vital religion, and thereby promoting the happiness of individuals and the best interests of the community. The craving desires which have been expressed for the word of God, and the thankfulness which has been uttered when this desire has been gratified, have been uniformly associated with those principles and feelings, on which are founded loyalty and contentment, subjection to principalities and powers for conscience sake, and a quiet and peaceable demeanour in all godliness and honesty. Nor would your Committee stand excused to themselves, if they were to omit to remark how strikingly the truth of this observation has been illustrated in the conduct of the society's domestic auxiliaries, during the trial through which they have recently passed. While infidelity has been lifting up her audacious front, and uttering her many blasphemies; while her adherents have been labouring with infatuated zeal to detach the labouring classes of the community from their allegiance to the Bible, the societies and associations in connexion with your institution remained steady to their engagements; and bore, at their anniversaries, an unshrinking testimony to the truth and excellence of that word which no calumnies will be able to depreciate, and no violence to destroy.

In the further prosecution of the work in which we are engaged, it will be important to bear in mind the duty of perseverance, both as it regards the augmentation of funds, and the full accomplishment of the society's object.

The desire which has been excited for the word of God, has already created such heavy demands upon the funds of your in