learned and pious Professor of Divinity at Marburg, with other Catholic Clergymen, viz. Regens Withmann, President of the Catholic Bible Society at Ratisbon, and the Rev. John Gossner, of Munich, have been indefatigably employed in editing, printing, and circulating the Scriptures amongst the Catholics in Germany, to an immense extent. The good effects are so visible, that they have produced conviction in the minds of some Catholic Clergymen, who, in the first instance, opposed the intention. Dr. Steinkopff had the satisfaction to assist at the formation of the Societies at Cleve, Osnaburg, Nassau-Homburg, Frankfort, Niece Wied, Wied Runkel, and Koningsfield, supported by the Ruling Authorities and Sovereigns of the Countries. At Osnaburg, many of the Catholic Clergy subscribed to the Institutions. To thousands of the Catholics in Germany, according to Profesor Van Ness, the Bible is only known by name, and "Old men," it is said, "who had never learnt to read, are now desirous to do so, that they may read the scriptures." In various other parts of Germany, such as at Altona, uniting also Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck, Mecklenburg, Swerin, Pomerania, &c. Societies have been formed, liberally assisted by the British Society; and various others are in contemplation. It is hardly necessary to state, that Switzerland takes an active and distinguished part in this glorious labour of love. Societies are formed at Basle, Schaffhaaüsan, Zurich, St. Goll, Geneva, Lausanne, Chur, Neufschatel, and at Berne, patronised by the Ruling Authorities. Protestants and Catholics indiscriminately receive the Scriptures,in the German, French, Italian, and Romanese Languages; and many Roman Catholic Clergymen have been active in the distribution of them. A Bible Society has been formed in Piedmont.

From this imperfect glance at the operations of the Institution in Europe, on turning to its progress on the other side of the Atlantic, we find it equally gratifying. In the United States, where a National Society was last year announced, the cause is placed on the most permanent basis; and throughout the territory of the Republic, the whole field is nearly occupied by the most vigor. ous and systematic exertions. We cannot fail to observe the wonderful connexion of simple and unlookedfor events, which conspire to aid this powerful machine. In Louisiana it. has been set into motion by the most ardent zeal, and operates with a highly promising influence on the heterogeneous population of that district. The Spanish Inhabitants have been remarkably pleased with obtaining the New Testament in their own language, and the strictest Catholics are willing to receive it. Louisiana is on the limits of an immense moral wild, which, with the same facility that its plains are irrigated by the overflowings of its majestic river, may be easily and abundantly refreshed by the streams of American piety and benevolence. In the British North American Colonies, Societies have been established at the principal towns,and particularly at Halifax, under the patronage of Sir J. Sherbrook, which has fourteen branches connected with it. In. the West Indies,in Jamaica, Antigua, and Berbice, Societies have been. formed, and liberal contributions raised even at a moment of great public distress. Recent communications have also, in this quarter of the globe, been made to the respective Sovereigns of St. Domingo, and favourably received. In Africa, at Sierra Leone, Goree, St. Helena, the Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, Bourbon, and its dependen cies, Societies have been set on foot for the most part under the patronage of the Ruling Powers. While

in the northern divisions of the Continent, the Arabic Bible has been received by the Natives, in a manner which promises the most favourable influence; the new converts in the South have shown a disposition which cannot fail to fix our attention, with increased interest, on the spirits of that region of darkness, which have now become irradiated by the light of the Gospel. In India, the operations of the Society, which are of incalculable importance, have been conducted with peculiar activity and intelligence. The work of distribution and translation, printing and publishing the Scriptures, has been extensively and unremittedly prosecuted by the Corresponding Committee, with the co-operation of the Missionaries, and different auxiliaries lately established at Calcutta, Bombay, Columbo, Java, and Amboyna. His Excellency Sir Evan Nepean, the Governor General at Bombay, and the Hon. Sir Alex. Johnstone, Chief Justice at Ceylon, particularly promoted the interest of the cause. Branch Bible Societies have been also formed at Malacca, and the Prince of Wales's Island, in connexion with the Calcutta Auxiliary. The general result of the intelligence from the East, shows a progressive activity in promoting the circulation of the Scriptures, both among Christians and Heathens; and the success which has attended these exertions, affords an encouraging hope, that they will, in time, produce the most beneficial effects. The Calcutta Auxiliary Society has printed and published Versions of the New Testament, in Tamul and Cingalese, for the benefit of the Natives on the coast of India and Ceylon; Malay Testaments in the Roman Character, for the use of the Amboynese; and it is now engaged in printing the Bible in the Malay, Armenian, and Tamul languages; an edition of the Malay

Version of the Bible and Testament in the Arabic character, and one of the New Testament in the Malayalim, or Malabar language and character, besides the Hindoostanee Testament, translated by the joint labours of the late Mr. Martyn and Mirza Fitret, in the Nagree, its proper character.

The whole Scriptures have been published in the Bengalic and Orissa dialects. The Pentateuch, Historical Books of the Old Testament, and the New Testament, have been also published in Sanscrit. The Hagiographa is in the press, and the translation of the Prophetic Books nearly completed. The Pentateuch and the Historical Books in the Mahratta language, have been in circulation, also the Persian Version of the New Testament, and the New Testamenf in Vernacular Arabic. The intelligence from Java respecting the acceptance of the Chinese New Testament, by the Chinese settled in that Island, is deeply interesting. It appears that many of them not only read the New Testament, but are anxious to obtain explanations of passages which they do not understand.

Some of them, according to Mr. Supper, have already turned their Idols out of their houses, and are desirous of becoming Christians.

This

In Great Britain, it has been remarked, of Bible Societies, that, in some districts, they excite no interest, and obtain no support. has occasioned some surprise, when, in connexion with the character of the nation, and the facility and frequency of its internal intercourse, we consider the means for some years employed, to awaken a general attention to their nature and importance. But, it has been said, to what is this owing? is it owing to the people themselves-to their want of Christian sensibility, or liberality, or zeal? Have they ever testified, in one way or in another, an hostility to

the cause? Have they ever refused their aid when it has been requested of them? Have they ever been called upon to associate for the purpose, and rejected the call? To this it has been answered, never.The people of Britain have been always liberal and open-hearted, ready to embark in any cause, in which the happiness of others, even of their enemies, is concerned; and in all matters, which involve an appeal to their religious zeal, they are forward, sometimes to a degree of enthusiasm. To what then can it be owing? It is to be attributed to those whom they are accustomed to regard with deference in all public questions, which require plan and management, and whose rank or office, give them both influence and opportunity to take the lead in such as that now under our consideration. It is owing to their not giving the people that countenance, that encouragemeat, and those facilities, which in matters of a mere civil nature, almost never fail to bring their ener-gies into action. It certainly would be very unjust to throw out a general allegation of this kind; for in many parts of Christendom persons of extensive influence, as well as Ministers of the Gospel, have eminently distinguished themselves, not only by giving the patronage of their names, but by personally and publicly advocating the cause. But this is not the case every where, and in those districts, where Bible Societies are least known, and excite least interest, it will be found that the allegation is not without considerable foundation. When those persons, therefore, who are pointed out by their rank, consequence, or official situation, to act a prominent part, stand aloof, apparently indifferent whether these Societies prosper or perish; what is to he expected from the population around them, what but either total ignorance of VOL. IV.-No. vi.

their nature, or what is equally mischievous, a spirit of indifference about them?

Far be it from us to stigmatize the conduct of such persons, which may originate in the want of satisfactory information, or misconceptions which not unfrequently warp the most amiable and excellent minds. Wherefore, if there be no open act of hostility, charity requires that we refrain from every criminating imputation. The rapid increase of Bible Societies, which has taken place within these few years, encourages us to entertain the most flattering expectations, that their nature and practical importance will be better understood, and their adoption more generally prevail.

The object of the Bible Society is not, as some of its opponents have justly perceived, to promote the exclusive interest of any Church or sect as Partisans in the Christian warfare: but thus we may feel the most cordial respect and attachment to any national or particular establishment, and render our exertions subservient to such interests,if within our power; yet we may be allowed also to direct our views in a sphere of charity, into which no particular preference of sex can enter, and unite with our fellow Christians throughout the world, in a system which operates with equal energy, both at home and abroad. No Society, it is affirmed, has ever existed so perfectly calculated to effect its great purpose, which is thus admirably described in one of its last reports: "Having but one object in view, and that not only simple and intelligible, but also involving a duty, which Christians of all denominations must admit to be of paramount obligation; this Catholic union requires no compromise of its members, and exacts no sacrifice of principles: and hence it is less liable to be disturbed by the collision of human passions and

prejudices. Consolidated and enlivened by a constant re ciprocation of Christian Hopes and Feelings, it exhibits and encourages those endearing sympathies, which mark the source whence they spring, and which, if universally cultivated and improved, would render the Nations of the Earth, what the Gospel was designed to make them, a Holy Brotherhood, a community of Love and Peace."

In an historical survey of much respectability, published on this subject, it has been asserted, on the testimony ofexperience derived from modern history, that a Scriptural knowledge has increased the improvement of Society, and the blessings of civilization have become promoted" where it most abounds, the greatest degree of these blessings is enjoyed, and where it scarcely exists, the inhabitants are debased by superstition, and become slaves of despotic government." For an illustration of these facts, we need only refer to the History of Great Britain, compared with that of the Catholic States of Europe. The philosopher and politician no doubt ascribe this superiority to other causes, but the enlightened Christian will never hesitate to trace such moral and political improvement to the influence of that Word, which teaches Kings and Rulers how to govern; citizens and subjects how to obey. We have no hesitation in affirming, that the reign of vice, superstition, and slavery, is utterly incompatible with the general diffusion of the sacred volume. The enlightened Statesman, Philanthropist, and Patriot, ught therefore to feel deeply interested in the circulation of the Scriptures. They alone can produce an enlightened and virtuous

*Historical Sketch of the Translation and Circulation of the Scriptures, by the Rev.

W. A. Thomson, and the Rev. W. Orme.

population. In such a population, the true glory and security of a country consists, and in it the best and most effectual support of legitimate government will ever be found.

Such, it is affirmed, upon an intelligent and candid survey, is the result of the historical evidence; and testimony so convincing cannot fail to predispose us in favour of a Society, which holds out the greatest practicable means of diffusing religious knowledge, the world has ever yet known. It might be conceived, that some of the great ends which the Society has in contemplation, might be attained through the exclusive agency of the Ministers of the Gospel. But the Bible Society proposes only such a cooperation as will best facilitate the exercise of their pastoral functions. It cannot be denied, that experience has abundantly proved the incompetency of any individual exertions, to the Herculean task of our complete reformation. But in the present state of Society, every true lover of his country and mankind, must at least feel an anxious hope for the success of any scheme which can raise the great mass of the community from their present apathy to a higher tone of moral and Christian feeling, or put a stop to the indulgence of all the most malignant propensities of our sinful nature, amongst the professors of the sublime morality of the Gospel. Bible Societies, wherever they have been established, by first uniting and bringing together the professed friends of the Institution, have excited the curiosity and feeling of others, by a view of the successful progress of a cause, in which all are invited to participate; an interest, wherever they have been established, has been generated with many, who from mere spectators have become its animated friends; and never was any institution more calculated to inspire the

hopes, or gratify the heart of every sincere Christian, than the Parent of those assemblies, where we so often witness a multitude of the sincere friends of religious truth listening with devoted attention to the wonderful intelligence the progress of this Society affords from every quarter of the globe, of the successful efforts of piety in accomplishing its magnificent designs. From the contemplation of such extraordinary

events, they are naturally led to a more intimate acquaintance with that book, to which so much efficacy is ascribed; and from being readers, become inspired with its sentiments, feeling their paths in life, in whatever direction they may lead, illuminated by the rays of divine wisdom, and a balm infused into their hearts for the evils of the present life, with a sublime anticipation of the future.

GENTLEMEN : THE THE by-laws of this society require every member to present all proper information, respecting the geology and diseases of their respective counties. As far as may be consistent with the brevity of this address, I shall suggest a few general reflections upon the subjects recommended to your attention by this law.

Geology is a modern science. Among the distinguished philosophers of antiquity, we look in vain for any correct theory of the earth. Unconscious of the necessity of investigating all its component materials, to render their theory perfect, they directed their attention exclusively to the study of mineralogy. From this partial view, therefore, necessarily resulted opinions, which their respective authors would have blushed to own, had they possessed the knowledge which subsequent researches developed. Theirs may be emphatically denominated the age of speculative theory.

It is from this consideration alone, that we can ascribe to such men as Burnet, Woodward, Whiston, Leibnitz, Descartes, Demaillet, Kepler, and Buffon, the hypotheses which

they respectively supported and promulgated to the world.

1st. That the earth was created from the atmosphere of one comet, and deluged by the tail of another.

2d. That the world was an extinguished sun, on which the vapours, condensing, formed seas.

3d. That man and all terrestrial animals, were originally fish, and gradually emerged from the sea as they assumed their present form.

4th. That the earth, and all the planetary system, were struck from the sun, by a violent blow from a comet.

5th. That the globe possessed living faculties; the mountains were its respiratory organs, the veins of minerals, its abscesses, and the metals its diseases.

It is a subject of surprise, that opinions so absurd should have been embraced by men who had devoted much time to the study of geology, and had traversed a great part of the globe in pursuit of a correct knowledge of its structure. But although they did not apply this knowledge to the most useful purpose, they accumulated a treasure of facts, from which posterity drew im