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BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE

SOCIETY.

Extracts from Correspondence of the Bible Society.

1. From the Rev. Dr. Carey.

"Calcutta, Aug. 26, 1814. "In all parts of India, the call for the holy Scriptures is so great, that every exertion to print them sufficiently fast to answer the demands, has hitherto been inadequate. The dominions of the Bible are extending daily; and new tribes hear, in their own tongues, the wonderful works of God. Beside the Tamul, Cingalese, Persian, Malayala, and Malay (which we have not translated, but only printed), the Word of God is now translated, or under translation, into twenty-five languages by us; twenty-one of which are actually in the press, and nothing hinders the remaining four from going to press, but some trifling work to complete the founts for them. This is a work, upon the accomplishment of which my heart has been long set; whether I shall live to see its completion, I know not: but I trust a foundation is laid, upon which the building will be carried forward, till the edifice is completed. There are, however,in the East, many languages still remaining, in which no translation of the Scriptures exists, and no attempt to translate into them has yet been made. I trust the Lord will smile on the work, till the whole of these also be added to the list of the languages in which the Word of God is given to men."

2. From the Rev. J. C. Supper, Pastor of the Reformed Congregation at Batavia, and Foreign Secretary of the Java Auxiliary Bible Society.

"Batavia, Sept. 3, 1814. "My letter of May last will have informed you, that an Auxiliary Bible Society was to be established here on the 4th of June. This has now actually taken place in the house and under the Presidency of his Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Raffles. The designation of this Society is, The Java Auxiliary Bible Society, the object of which shall be to encourage the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, throughout Eastern Asia, and especially among the native Christians of that part of the globe.'

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Foreign Department. I was charged to communicate to you, in the name of our Society, the following Resolutions, which were unanimously agreed upon at this Meeting.

"1. The Java Auxiliary Bible Society wishes to co-operate with the British and Foreign Bible Society.

"2. The New Testament shall be translated into the Low Malay dialect, and be printed as soon as possible.'

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"There is between the high and low Malay a still greater difference, than between high and low German, or even the German and the Dutch language. The high Malay is spoken in the upper parts of the island of Java, and the other in the lower; as for instance, in Batavia and the whole neighbourhood. The holy Scriptures have long since been printed in the high Malay dialect, but not in the low; although many sands of people speak the latter, with out being able to understand the former. On this account it appeared a primary duty, incumbent upon our Society, to provide the native inhabitants of our city, and its nearest neighbourhood, with the bread of life; and afterwards, by the blessing of God, to extend its sphere of activity farther, when per haps the inhabitants of Japan will next But the Jadeserve our attention. panese language is said to be so diffi cult for Europeans to acquire, that we are not a little concerned how to pro a translation into that tongue, which we are so desirous of having. "But He, with whom alone is wis dom, who has already removed so many obstacles to make way for his Word, and who never is at a loss for means or instruments, will certainly know how to overcome these difficulties. We have already raised here, in Batavia alone, a fund of about seven or eight thousand rupees, in subscriptions and donations; and we trust our resources will increase in proportion as the Bible cause be comes more generally known.”.

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1. English Bible Society in Holland,
March, 1814.
Netherland Bible Society:

2. Amsterdam

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nations of the earth, in the four quarters of the globe, are blessed; succeeding this remarkable circulation of the Sacred Scriptures, I trust, will be, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; so that by the word and the Spirit, there will be a great and glorious ingathering of precious souls to the Church of Christ. In the United States it is truly a calamitous time, and of sore rebuke; but the exertions of Christians appear not to be ditto, ditto. lessened, in endeavouring to forward Nov. ditto. the good work of the Lord."

June, 1814. July, ditto. Aug. ditto. ditto, ditto. Sept. ditto. Oct. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto, ditto.

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ditto, ditto. Jan. 1815. ditto, ditto. ditto, ditto. ditto, ditto. Feb. ditto.

A plan has been adopted for instituting Bible Associations in Amsterdam and its environs; according to which, Amsterdam and its suburbs, comprising nearly 200,000 inhabitants, will be divided into 32 districts, in each of which a Bible Association will be formed. The smallest sum will be received, and the annual contribution of one guilder, payable quarterly, monthly, or weekly, will entitle any person to be a member of these Associations. The plan is accompanied with an Address, setting forth the nature, progress, and moral good effects of the Bible system, &c.; and from ten to twenty thousand copies of it will be immediately printed, and in due time circulated.

4. From Robert Ralston, Esq. Treasurer to the Bible Society. Philadelphia, Nov. 7, 1814.

The Bible Societies in the United States have increased to the number of sixty-fire, and one other was expected to be established at Cincinnati in the State of Ohio, on the 5th of last month. An impulse is given to this blessed work, which leaves no room to doubt, that the hand of the Lord is in it; and that by the still small voice of his holy word, the

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 160.

We have received, and have great satisfaction in inserting, the following communication :

A special General Meeting of this Societywas held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, on Monday March 6th; Wm. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. VicePresident, in the chair; When the following Resolution was unanimously adopted, viz.

"The British and Foreign Bible Society, participating in the general sorrow occasioned by the death of the late Henry Thornton, Esq. M. P. discharge a mournful duty in expressing their veneration for his memory, and their gratitude for the eminent services which, as Treasurer, he rendered to the interests of this Institution, from its commencement in the year 1814, to the period of his lamented decease.

"Sensible of the importance of those duties which attach to the office thus painfully vacated, and convinced, from their knowledge of his character and their experience of his attachment to their object, that he will discharge them with fidelity and zeal, unanimously resolve that John Thornton, Esq. be appointed to succeed his late revered Uncle as Treasurer to their Institution, for the remainder of the current year of the Society,

"While the British and Foreign Bible Society bow with due submission to that dispensation which has inflicted upon them so severe a loss, they desire to acknowledge at the same time the goodness of Providence in directing them to the means of repairing it with such unanimity, promptitude, and real satisfaction.

"The British and Foreign Bible Society cannot but regard it as a circumstance peculiarly favourable to their Institution that the office of Treasurer should be permitted to remain in a connection from which it has derived so much 2 M

credit and advantage; and devolve up on an individual, whose past conduct has afforded a pledge, that he will emulate the virtues associated with his name, and reflect that integrity, candour, and persevering philanthrophy, of which his revered predecessor and relative furnished so illustrious an example."

The Annual Meeting of the BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY will be held at Free Masons' Hall, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, on Wednesday the 3d of May. The President will take the chair at twelve o'clock precisely. No ladies can be admitted.. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY

The Annual Meeting of the Religious Tract Society will be held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopgate Street, opposite to Threadneedle Street, on Thursday the 11th of May, at half-past six in the morning. The chair will be taken at half seven precisely.

HAYTI.

The following state paper has lately been received in England, and if it has not suffered by translation will convey to our readers a strong impression of the dignity and eloquence of the writer.

PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF
HAYTI ;

"To the People and the Army.
"Never, throughout the annals of the
Republic, did a more interesting epoch
present itself, than that which you are
now called to witness: never was there
one which demanded that the national
character should assert itself with great
er magnanimity. - Haytians! during
four and twenty years, we have fought
for our rights, for our liberty. Our in-
dependence is the fruit of our labours.
Without this, there can be no warrant,
no security for the continuance of our
present constitution. Already cele-
brated for our military character, and
our honourable qualities, every eye is
fixed upon us: the result of our conduct
is expected. It will be an example to
posterity. I will not revert to any of
the glorious traits by which those men
were distinguished who immortalized
themselves in former contests for free-
dom. History has not forgotten them.
By her will their remembrance be per.
petuated.

"I address myself to those men whose hearts glow with the purest patriotism,

to a people free in fact and in right, and who will not fail to demonstrate to the universe that they are worthy of being so. Generosity and greatness of soul constitute the very elements of the patriot's. character. In you I have ever observed these noble qualities, and recently I have received an additional proof of them, for which I must do my. self the honour of offering to you the liveliest expressions of my heartfelt gratitude.

"France, having concluded a treaty of peace, renews her claim to St. Domingo. Though she has for ever forfeited all her pretensions to Hayti, and thongh to the French themselves this loss is owing, she determines nevertheless to revive them, and for this purpose has chosen rather to make use of methods of conciliation than to employ those arms which will always prove impotent. The French general, Dauxion Lavaysse, was sent hither as her agent. You received and welcomed him, performed the sacred rights of hospitality, and admitted him amongst you, with confidence. He spoke to you in the language of his mission, and, at the distance of 2000 leagues from his country, was not deterred by any consideration, from urging with vehemence the pretensions of his Government. Your chiefs and magistrates were assembled in consultation. They listened calmly to the proposals of France. A government firmly established on the solid bases of reason and justice, is capable not only of hearing every thing with calmness, but of judging of every thing with discrimination. The propositions of the French Government, being incompatible with your principles and your institutions, were unanimously rejected. This will ever be the fate of all such as shall tend to lead your steps backward, in the career you have run so gloriously. Without shrinking from war, you were, however, willing to evince your desire of peace, and to avert from your family and your children the calamities which follow in its train, by offering to submit to pecuniary sacrifices, in order to silence your persecutors whose cries and complaints importune the French throne for the restitution of possessions which they would be afraid to attack, if they knew that at their approach they would be burnt to ashes. Your chiefs, the depositaries of the intentions you had publicly expressed, especially subsequently to the continental peace, were,

commissioned in your name, to make this generous proposal. It is an honour to you, and will convey as high an opinion of your wisdom, as it will awaken dread of your resentment.→→→ Haytians! You have done what you ought to have done. The right of arms has given you possession of the country. It is your unalienable property, and, as its masters, you are free to make what use yon please of that which belongs to you. By mutual agreement, and a compact from which they never deviate, nations respect the rights of individuals. The character of an envoy is always held sacred even though his intentions be ever so criminal. The French gene ral, Dauxion Lavaysse, is gone, having executed the mission with which he was entrusted. You have not to reproach yourselves with having been wanting in what you owe to yourselves; you have not violated this fundamental principle, which establishes between governments those necessary communications which are required by their political relations-you have done that which renders you estimable in your own eyes: you deserve to appear so in the eyes of other nations. Victory ever accompanies the cause of justice. Is not this telling you that it is yours, if the French venture to molest you?

Should this be the event, you shall see me at your head, proud to lead you on to victory or to perish with you.Whatever may be the fate which Heaven has reserved for us, it is our duty to prepare ourselves for it. Let it be the care of those chiefs whose paternal authority directs you, in the districts of which the command is confided to them, to establish secure retreats for the inhabitants in the interior of our mountains. For this purpose, let them employ the workmen under their orders. Let them also multiply the plantations of every sort of provisions. It is the duty of the magistrates and justices of the peace to promote unanimity, concord, the love of labour, and mutual confidence amongst their fellow citizens. The Republic

relies on every man's doing his duty. I hope to set you an example. I have given orders that the documents shall be printed which relate to our communications with the French Government. They will be submitted to your inspection, at the close of this address. You will see what it is that they propose to you, and what answer it becomes you to return.

"Given at Port au Prince, Dec. 3d, 1814, 11th year of independence. (Signed)

"PETION."

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

CONTINENTAL INTELLIGENCE. THE political arena is at this moment occupied by two great parties, on whose movements the attention of millions is fixed, and the fate of nations is suspended. No sooner was the entrance of Bonaparte into France known at Vienna, than the ministers of the eight powers who formed the Congress; namely, Austria, France, Great Britain, Portugal, Russia, Prussia, Spain, and Sweden, united in a declaration (dated the 13th March), expressive of their firm determination to maintain entire the dispositions sanctioned by the Trea ty of Paris; to employ all their means, and unite all their efforts to consolidate the general peace of Europe, and to guarantee it against every attempt to renew the disorders and miseries of revolutions; and particularly to make common cause with the king and peo

ple of France, against all who may wish to compromise the public tranquillity. Bonaparte, they declare, having broken the convention which established him in the Isle of Elba, has destroyed the only legal title on which his existence depended, and, by appearing agair in France with projects of confusion and disorder, has deprived himself of the protection of law, and has proved, that there can be neither peace nor truce with him. He is, therefore, placed without the pale of civil and social relations; and as an enemy and disturber of the tranquillity of the world, has rendered himself liable to public venge ance. This declaration, which would probably have been differently framed, could the allies have foreseen the recep tion which Bonaparte has met with from the people, as well as from the armies,, of France, and that he would so soon wield the undivided power of the French

Empire, appears to have been followed by the most vigorous preparations for .hostilites. From England, and from all parts of Germany, troops have been flowing in large masses towards the frontiers of France; and it is expected, that in the course of a few weeks half a million of men will be ready to pour the tide of war over the face of that country. On the 25th of March, a treaty appears to have been entered into between Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain, by which, proceeding on the basis of the treaty of Chaumont, they solemnly engage to unite their resources for maintaining the treaties formed both at Paris and Vienna, against every attack, and especially against the projects of Napoleon Bonaparte, till they shall have compelled him to relinquish those projects, and rendered him incapable of disturbing in future the tranquillity of Europe. With this view they engage to have each in the field, in a complete state of equipment, independently of garrisons, at least 150,000 men, of which one tenth shall be cavalry, with a proportionate artillery, and to employ them in active and united service against the common enemy; and they solemnly pledge themselves not to lay down their arms, but by mutual agreement; or until the object of the war shall have been attained, and Bonaparte completely deprived of the power of exciting disturbances, or of renewing his attempts to obtain the chief power in France.

In conformity with the spirit of this treaty, the king of Prussia has issued a proclamation, calling on his subjects, whose banners have already floated over Paris, to march again to the combat, and to save the world from the unutterable miseries which Bonaparte will bring upon it. A general arming is ordered throughout his dominions--and all the male population, from 17 years of age, or upwards, is invited to join one or other species of force, either the regular army, the volunteer yagers, or the landwehr. "Thus, united with all Europe in arms, we again enter the lists against Napoleon Bonaparte, and his adherents. Arise then, with God for your support, for the repose of the world, for order, for morality, for your king and country!"

But these hostile movements are not confined to the North of Europe. Declarations have appeared on the part of Austria and Naples, respectively, which

leave no room to doubt, that the flame of war will extend from one extremity of Europe to the other. The Emperor has proclaimed himself the king of Lom bardy and Venice; and has signified to the Neapolitan Government by an official note, that he considered the advance of the Neapolitan Army into the Ecclesiastical states, as placing the two countries in a state of war.-No doubt can be entertained, that the measures of Murat have been adopted in concert with Bonaparte. He no sooner learnt that the latter had reached Lyons, than he demanded a passage for his troops through the territories of the pope, and, notwithstanding the protest of his holiness, forced his way through them, and on the 30th of March attacked the Austrian pests at Cesena. On the succeeding day he issued a proclamation, calling upon the Italians to fulfil their great destinies, and to become an independent people. "One cry," he says, "echoes from the Alps to the Straits of Scylla; the independence of Italy." "Eighty thousand Italians of Naples hasten to you. They swear never to rest until Italy be free." "The enlightened of all countries will rejoice in your enterprize, and applaud your triumphs. England! can she refuse you her suffrages; that nation which holds out to others the model of a national and constitutional Government, that free people, whose finest title to glory is to have shed its blood and treasures for the independence and liberty of nations?" "Your courage shall assert your external independence: let a government worthy of your choice, worthy of you and the age, a true national representation guarantee your internal liberty, and protect your property," &c.

These various transactions and declarations leave no longer any doubt as to the renewal of hostilities. Indeed, the treaty of the 25th of March, to which we ourselves are parties, it is obvious, can be regarded only in the light of a declaration of war (a war which can know no termination but in the complete subjugation and prostration of one of the parties-a war, not merely for empire, but for life) against Bonaparte, and all who shall adhere to him; and these at present appear to comprehend the universal French Nation. There were, indeed, some indications of a movement in favour of the Bourbons at Bourdeaux, Thoulouse, Marseilles, and in Dauphiné; but they

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