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to Alsace; to Germany, for the Roman Catholics; to Lisbon; to Messina and Pafermo, in Sicily; to Malta; to Guernsey and Alderney; to the Morea; to the island of Ceylon; and to Port Jackson, in New South Wales. At home: to the Female Penitentiary at Plymouth; to the London Female Penitentiary; to the prisoners of war at the several depôts, and particularly to those who have returned to France in the cartels; to poor Danes; to Falmouth, for the crews of the post-office packets; to the poor miners in Cornwall; to the poor in hospitals at Bath; to various workhouses, gaols, and parishes; to the Hibernian Societies in London and Dublin; to poor Germans at Hull; to various military and naval stations, for sale at reduced prices to the soldiers and sailors.

The total distributed under these heads, may be estimated at not less than 4,000 Bibles and 20,000 Testaments; and an order has been sent to Stockholm for the purchase of 1,000 Swedish and Finnish Testaments for the use of the Swedish seamen in the British service.

The prisoners of war have expressed the liveliest gratitude for the Bibles and Testaments distributed to them. The warmest acknowledgments have been received from various ministers among the Hottentots, for the Dutch Scriptures, which could not other wise have been procured; accompanied by information, that several of the Hottentots can read very well, and are sensible of the obligations thus conferred upon them. The Portuguese Testaments, sent to Lisbon, have been circulated with great rapidity there, and are represented as held in high estimation by persons of all ranks. The same success has attended the distribution of Italian Testaments at Malta and Messina, and different other places in the Mediterranean. At Messina, it was at first opposed, on the ground of some objections to the translation. These objections were referred by a meeting, at which the bishop presided, to the examination of several of the most learned among the clergy; and the result was so favourable, that the bishop not only permitted the Italian Testaments to be retained by those who had received them, but allowed the further distribution of them. Some copies have been sent from Malta to Trepolezza, a town in the Morea, and have been cordially accepted. Of the disposition of the Roman Catholics to receive the Scriptures, other instances might be quoted. They have been gratefully received by the priests of that persuasion in South America, and by many Roman Catholics in Germany,

Switzerland, and France. The Gospel of St. John, published in the Esquimaux language, for the inhabitants of Labrador, has reached its destination, and has proved a most acceptable present. The Committee have also received the most gratifying testimonies of the beneficial effects among the negroes in Barbadoes, Antigua, and St. Kitt's, from the copies of the Scriptures furnished by the Society. Their correspondent states, that many of the negroes steal time from their rest to learn to read, that they may be able to read the Scriptures; while others, who have acquired this talent, spend many an hour in the night, in exercising themselves in reading (to use the simple language of the relater) "the most blessed of all books." The grants made to Ireland have also been gratefully acknowledged. And it appears that the demand for the Scriptures throughout that part of the United Kingdom keeps an almost equal pace with the increasing circulation of them.

The next topic for report, is the augmen. tation which the funds of the Society have received from donations, congregational collections, and legacies, since the last general meeting; the enumeration of which, in the Appendix, will shew the continuance of that zeal and liberality from which the institution derives its efficacy and support.

The donations from the auxiliary Bible Societies, since the last Report, amount to upwards of 9,000l.; of which Bristol has given 1,814.; Liverpool, 1,8007.; Cornwall, 915.; Uxbridge, 400/.; Leicester, 400l.; Edinburgh, 800/, ; &c. &c. &c.

Since the close of the former accounts, the sum of 1,3824 has been remitted from the presbyteries and dissenting congregations in the synod of Glasgow and Ayr, of which 800l. 12s. 4d, is the second annual collection from the Presbytery of Glasgow.

In consequence of a recommendation from the Synod of Aberdeen to make collections in the churches within its bounds, the sum of 3054 has been collected and remitted. From the Presbytery of Stirling, and from that of Annan, contributions have also been received.

The funds of the Society have also been augmented by other congregational collections in England, Wales, and Scotland, and by various miscellaneous contributions. The legacies, during the year, have amounted to near 1,000l.

On a general review of the Society's transactions during the last year, the Committee congratulate its members on the increase of its influence and efficacy. "This

prosperity is, under God, to be attributed to the simplicity of its object, and the fidelity with which that object has been pursued, both at home and abroad." "As the sphere of the Society's operations has expanded, its resources have been proportionably ang. mented: numerous societies, animated with the same spirit, have annually arisen, the ornament and the support of the parent stock: and hence the British and Foreign Bible Society has been enabled to advance so largely towards the attainment of its object-the diffusion of the records of eternal life over the habitable globe." "In opposition to infidelity, it proclaims the public belief of thousands in the truth of revelation; implying, at the same time, a sense of obligation, on the part of its members, to a practical observance of those holy precepts which revelation inculcates." "It exhibits an example of Christian concord, honourable to the character and auspicious to the interests of religion. It shews, how the unity of the Spirit may be held in the bond of peace.' It is also a medium of intercourse among Christians dispersed all over the world; concentrating their affections, and combining their exertions to promote the glory of God, and the salvation of their fellow-creatures. Nor is it a consideration of small importance, that it has a tendency to conciliate the esteem and respect of foreign nations, for the religious principles and benevolent disposition of the British character. It has awakened the public attention, at home and abroad, in a degree hitherto unknown, to the spiritual wants of their Christian brethren; and has excited an equally ardent

zeal to relieve them."

"It was justly said of the divines who first translated the Scriptures into English, These, with Jacob, rolled away the stone from the Well of Life; and of the British and Foreign Bible Society it may truly be affirmed, that it has opened channels, by which the waters of this living spring have not only flowed to numbers who thirsted for them within the United Kingdom, but have been conveyed to the barren and parched soils of the remotest regions." "The members of the British and Foreign Bible Society may contemplate, with heartfelt satisfaction, what it has already accomplished, and look forward with cheering hope to its future and more enlarged employment. The field of operation which lies before us is vast; and when considered as including the never-ceasing wants of Christians both at home and abroad, and extending to countries where idolatry and superstition prevail--may justly be deemed unlimited. This con

sideration should suggest the daty of ac companying our strenuous exertions with our earnest prayers that the disposition and means to satisfy the increasing claims on the Society may never fail; that the light of Divine Truth, which we are conveying to the eyes of our fellow-creatures, may shine into their hearts; and that both those who dispense and those who receive the Holy Scriptures through the medium of this institution, may find them the power of God unto their salvation.'"

Bibles and Testaments issued by the British and Foreign Bible Society, from the 17th of February, 1810, to the 25th of March, 1811, inclusive:

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(To be continued.)

SUSSEX AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

A meeting was held at Lewes on the 8th inst. for the purpose of establishing an Auxiliary Bible Society for Sussex, T. R. Kemp, Esq. M. P. in the chair, at which it was resolved unanimously that such a society should

be instituted. Rules were at the same time adopted, in almost all respects conformable to those of the parent society. Mr. Kemp was chosen president, Mr. Dicken treasur er, and the Rev. John Sargent, the Rer. James Capper, the Rev. Henry Palmer, Mr. W. Martin, and Mr. John Glaisyer, joint secretaries. The following distinguished persons, with many others, have signified to the president their approbation of this institution, and their intention of supporting it; viz. the Duke of Dorset, the Duchess of Dorset, the Earl of Abergavenny, the Earl of Ashburnham, the Earl of Arran, Dowager Countess of Chichester, Lady G. Cavendish, Viscount St. Asaph, Viscount Hampden; Lord Whitworth; the Rev. Lord Aston; The Speaker of the House of Com mons; Sir Cecil Bishop, Bart.; and the Rev, Sir H. Poole, Bart.

ABERDEEN AUXILIARY BIELE SOCIETY. At a numerous and respectable meeting at the town-hall of Aberdeen, on the 21st of

June last, the Lord Provost in the chair, a Bible Society was formed on rules similar to those of the British and Foreign Bible Society; the Marquis of Huntley president; the Rev. Dr. Ross, the Rev. L. Glass, and Professor Bentley, secretaries. Among the vice-presidents, we noticed the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, James Ferguson, Esq, M. P. and the Rev. Principal Browa.

MISSION SOCIETY TO AFRICA AND THE EAST.

THE following is an Abstract of the Report of the Committee of this Society read on the 4th of June last, and since printed.

The Committee are happy to congratulate the Society on the flourishing state of the schools at Bashia in the Rio Pongas, on the western coast of Africa, and on the prospects of ultimate good which these schools open.

In a letter dated Dec. 24, 1810, Mr. Renner, one of the missionaries, thus writes.

"At this time brother Butscher has thirty boys in his house, who of course of cupy his time. In the old house we live, with twenty female children. By these children my wife finds her full employment they go neatly dressed, wearing frocks and gowns, which they have to make in their sewing bours, and also the boys' shirts. But whatever trouble she has with these rough and raw children-for such they are when they come to us-it gives her pleasure to do them some good: and good is done to them. She is much respected and beloved by the children."

The applications to the missionaries for the institution of schools in other places have been numerous and urgent, and it is hoped, when an accession of missionaries arrive, that much may be done in this way. "From a variety of causes little success can be expected with the adults, particularly on the coast, where the slave trade has ruined the morals and debased all the feelings of men. It is with the children, that we must expect to do good; and when we see tribes of these little ones waiting for instruction, we cannot but trust that God will accept and crown our work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ." The Committee have determined, therefore, to support, these schools to the utmost of their ower, "Labourers are wanting for this harvest, and money is wanting to support those labourers. May the Holy Spirit shed a larger measure of his influence on the Church, and excite more universal and unwearied endeavours to hasten Christ's kingdom!".

In addition to the schools established at Freetown, which were mentioned in the last Report, Mr. Nylander and his wife had opened one in the evenings, which was at tended by twenty-five young women, from sixteen to twenty years of age; but the death of his wife has obliged him to relinquish this undertaking. There seems scarce. ly a suitable person in the colony to supply Mrs. N.'s place as school-mistress; nor does the salary allowed by government seem adequate to the support of such a person; but if a well-qualified young woman would offer herself to this important work, the Commit tee would gladly contribute toward her es tablishment and support in the colony.

Mr. Nylander acknowledges with grati. tude a donation of Bibles and Testaments

from the Bible Society. The 500/, granted by this society in favour of the translations of the Scriptures carrying on in the East, the Corresponding Committee at Calcutta have undertaken to appropriate in such manner as shall, in their judgment, best promote the objects of the society. The Arabic language being the medium through which Africa has received some of the benefits of civilization, and it has ing been proposed to print at Calcutta a large and cheap edition of the Holy Scriptures in Arabic, the Corresponding Com mittee conceive the bounty of the Society may be most beneficially applied in aid of this object.

The Committee have received from the Corresponding Committee a proposal respect. ing the most probable means of giving cir culation to the Holy Scriptures, when translated into the oriental languages.

They propose to print an edition of the Shanscrit New Testament on large and fine paper, for the purpose of being presented to the Rajahs and Zemeendars throughout Hindoostan; and to prefix a notification of the versions undertaken in the various dia. lects of India dependent on the Shanscrit.

In like manner, they propose that an edition of the New Testament in Arabic be printed and presented to the Mahometan Princes and Sirdars throughout the East, with a notification of the versions made into the vernacular languages dependent on the Arabic. This will be a means of making the translations well known, and of excit ing attention to the Christian Scriptures.

The Mahometans, they state, have every where appointed readers of the Korau, who read aloud the book from beginning to end. The Hindoos have Poranees, who perform the same office in reading their Shartere; and no offence has been given or

taken by either. In the same manner, the Christian Scriptures might be read publicly without incurring the smallest opposition. The Mahometans rank our Scriptures among the "Heavenly Books," and the Hindoos are disposed to tolerate every religion. It will be easy for the chaplains, and others, to employ and superintend several public readers at each station; and the expense will be inconsiderable. Eight or ten rupees per month will be a sufficient salary for the reader; and a small open shed, erected in the neighbourhood of the public market-places, raised about one cubit from the ground, and costing not more than twenty or thirty rupees, will be all the equipment necessary for the accommodation of the reader. The reader may be furnished with copies of the Scriptures for sale, or for distribution gratis, according to the discretion of the Superintendent, who will receive regular supplies from the Bible Depository at Calcutta.

This proposal having been laid before the Corresponding Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society at Calcutta, on the 9th of June, 1810, five hundred copies of the Shanscrit New Testament, and five hundred copies of the Arabic, were ordered for the purposes therein mentioned.

The Committee, after maturely considering the subject, recommend that a sum of 2504. per annum be applied, under the direction of the Corresponding Committee at Calcutta, for the purpose of establishing readers of the Scriptures in the East according to the proposal. A larger sum might have been granted to this object, had the state of the Society's funds admitted of it.

(To be continued.)

AFRICAN AND ASIATIC SOCIETY.

Substance of the last Annual Report. With respect to the religious instruction of the Africans, the Committee have to state, that the public lecture to the Africans, &c. supplied by various ministers, is still carried on. Considering them, however, as partakers of the same depravity of nature with others, and reflecting on the peculiarity of their circumstances, though the Committee cannot speak of crouded auditories, their attendance, on the whole, has been respectable and encouraging. What is of infinitely greater moment, they have every reason to believe that it has, in some cases, been followed with the happiest effects. This has been manifest, with respect to many of them, not only in the general circumspection of their conduct, but in the support Religion has afforded them in seasons of deep affliction, aud in the exemplary patience and resignation

they have discovered under it. Through the influence of the Gospel, some of them have not only gloried in tribulation, but triumphed in death.

The Committee feel particularly anxious to increase and extend the means of reli gious knowledge, and by every consistent method to arrest the attention of this sable race to the things which belong to their peace. With this view, they wish to establish a public lecture to the Africans at the east end of the town, to be conducted by ministers of the Established Church; and some steps have been taken towards the attainment of this object.

The Committee have employed their at most exertions, with a view to the education of the rising race of Africans and Asiatics; and these exertions, though their success has not equalled their wishes, have not been in vain. Not a few, who would have otherwise, in all probability, remained in the grossest ignorance, have, at different times, received an education, which has tended to qualify them for useful stations in society, and enabled them to read that sacred book, which is able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Attached to the institution is a benefit fund. Its object is to induce, on the part of the Africans and Asiatics, a habit of economy and foresight. Out of this fund a considerable number have already received as sistance; and thus in the hour of affliction, which would otherwise have been aggra vated by pecuniary embarrassment, and painful anxiety about the means of subsist ence, they have enjoyed, as a matter of right, regular support, and friendly attention. Funeral expenses too have been defrayed, to a considerable amount.

Of these advantages, the Committee are happy to observe, the Africans become more and more sensible. Of this there needs no other proof than the constant increase of subscribing members. Upwards of fifty have joined the society since the last annual meeting; making in all, from its institution, three hundred and sixteen.

The Committee, affected with the forlorn condition of persons of colour out of employ. ment, have opened two houses as Regis ters, in hopes that some persons might be induced, from motives of humanity, to apply to them for servants. Few such applications, however, have been made. To whatever cause it is to be attributed, the fact is indisputable, that these strangers, helpless as

No. 421, Oxford Street, and No. 99, St. James's Street.

1811.] Isle of Man.-Public Affairs... Continental Intelligence.

they are, find much greater difficulty in obtaining situations than most others And there is too much ground to believe, that mere prejudice against their colour operates in at least increasing the difficulty. The Committee, therefore, recommend it to gentlemen, to use their exertions to procure situ ations for them, and to encourage their friends to apply for servants to the Society's registers, where applications may be lodged free of expense.

The calls for pecuniary relief have greatly multiplied. Last year, the cases of distress relieved amounted to 160; but since the last annual meeting, no fewer than 236 cases of extreme wretchedness have been relieved. The misery of many of the ap. plicants it is impossible for those who have not witnessed it to imagine. The Commit. tee only wish that the members of the Society had occasionally the opportunity of seeing the miserable objects that come before them, and the hovels of wretchedness in which others are found. The sight alone would be sufficient to inflame their benevolence, and animate their exertions.

What the Committee have done, however, is not by any means all they wish to do, They are anxious to extend the sphere of their benevolence, and, did their finances permit, to give stability to the institution, by some plan commensurate with the wants and miseries of the natives of Africa and Asia in this metropolis. In former Reports, the erection or purchase of a house, as an asylum for the aged pensioners of the Society, was suggested. And should this continue to appear an object desirable and important, the Committee flatter themselves

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that the liberality of a British public will not be wanting to the attainment of it.

ham; the treasurer, Mr. Niven, 15, KingThe president of this society is Lord Barstreet, Soho; and the secretary, the Rev. G. Greig, 25, North Street, Red-Lion Square. ISLE OF MAN.

been instituted in the town of Douglas in this A daily and Sunday charity school has island, the design of which is to afford inpoverty from the advantages of education in struction to children who are excluded by any other channel; to rescue them from igtheir minds early principles of morality and norance, vice, and infamy; to instil into religion, and thus to promote the best inimproved plan, of which the discoveries of terests of society. It is conducted on that Dr. Bell and Mr. Lancaster form the basis; accommodating five hundred children. The and a building is in forwardness, capable of scholars are instructed in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and their proficiency is said to be almost incredible; and the greater part have their memories stored with large portions of Scripture. The improvement in their morals and manners is said to be very many of the boys were exceedingly profliapparent. Before the institution of the school, gate; but in this respect a great change has taken place. A female school has also lately girls are instructed in reading, writing, sewbeen opened on the same plan, in which the ing, and knitting. Those who may be disral design, may apply to the Rev. T. Howposed to aid either the building or the geneard, Douglas; the Rev. T. Hill, Liverpool; Christian, Wigmore Street, London. F. and H. C. Christian, 10, Strand; or J.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

CONTINENTAL INTELLIGENCE. THE fall of Tarragona, and the dreadful excesses committed by the French on carrying that fortress, appear to have produced great depression among the Spaniards; which has of course been increased by the failure of an expedition, for the purpose of surprising Seville, on which General Blake was detached by Lord Wellington; and by the appearance of Soult before Cadiz, with reinforcements for the besieging army. Strong suspicions were entertained, that an understanding existed between the French and a party within the walls of that city, on whose co-operation they relied in the event of attempting an assault. The pecuniary distresses of the government,

which are supposed to have greatly cramped their military exertions, are stated to have Vera Cruz. But we fear that nothing will been relieved by a large supply of specie from be efficacious for retrieving their affairs, and recovering their country from French spoliation, unless they will consent to place the military resources of the state, as was done in Portugal, at the absolute disposal of the British General.

command, retired from Badajoz, the British
When Soult, and the army under his
escape the effects of the violent heats of
army went into cantonments, in order to
July. The main part of the French army
is said to have adopted the same measure of
precaution. The latest accounts intimate

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