pany's Chaplains, and a man of exalted piety and talents, was diligently preparing translations of the Holy Scriptures into the Arabic, Persian, and Hindoostanee, with the assistance of Sabat, an excellent Arabic scholar, and Mirza Fitrut, a Persian of industry and great ability. In the beginning of the year 1810, through the instrumentality of the Society's zealous agent, Dr. Brown, a subscription of 9000 rupees was entered into at Calcutta, for the purpose of distributing the Tamul Scriptures through the newly formed Committee in Tanjore, where a great want, on inquiry, was discovered to exist. At the instance also of Dr. Brown, the Indian Committee established a Bibliotheca Biblica, consisting of a Repository to contain Bibles in all languages, for sale at moderate prices, and such books as might facilitate the work of translation. These measures excited in India, an interest highly favourable to the views of the Society; and their grant of 1000l. annually, was immediately doubled. A fount of Tamul types was sent out, with other supplies, for the Missionaries at Tanjore, and for the Malayalim Scriptures printing at Bombay. In the North of Europe, at this time the friends of the Institution were not idle. The Berlin edition of the Polish Scriptures was completed, and a Committee was formed at Koningsberg, consisting of some highly respectable lay and ecclesiastical characters, who resolved to print a Lithuanian Bible. To this undertaking the British Society, satisfied of an earnest local disposition to activity, contributed 5007, of which 3001. was advanced on the first establishment of the Committee. The information from some of the Russian Provinces on the Baltic, increased an anxiety to be useful in that quarter. The peasants were represented as generally able to read, though amongst 400,000 families, not one Bible was to be found; and it was determined to encourage the formation of a Livonian Society, 6007. being voted for that purpose which, in the succeeding year, was increased to 1000l. In the South of Europe, Sicily and Malta began to experience the benefits of the Institution. The distribution of Italian Testaments in Sicily, was encouraged by persons of the greatest respectability at Messina, aud met with an extremely warm reception from the people; amongst whom they were widely disseminated. In Malta, also, by the exertions of the Rev. W. Terrott, Chaplain to the Governor, and the Rev. W. Laing, who afterwards, on Mr. T's. departure, supplied his place, a judicious and extensive circulation of the Italian Testament was promoted in Malta, as well as Sicily, and the Islands of the Archipelago. Dr. Nandi, a Physician and Professor of Chemistry, in the College of Lavalette, espoused the cause; and, from his religious connections as a Catholic, was eminently serviceable to it. Many fathers of families, testified the satisfaction which, with their wives and children, they had derived from their Testaments; and the country priests co-ope rated in its dissemination. The success of the first edition of the Italian Testament, induced the adoption of stereotype; and plates were cast, that copies might be furnished without delay, on new emer gencies. In America, now become one of the most extensive and animated scenes of the Society's operations, Institutions, after the example of the Northern States, were formed in South-Carolina and Georgia; and also in the East, in Maine. The parent Society, in testimony of its affection and respect, immediately transmitted 100l. to each of them, with a letter of congratulation. The official communication of the formation of a Society in Georgia, with much delicacy, professed to decline any extension of the Society's liberality, from a confidence in its local prospects. But the Committee could not fail to appreciate, and meet this generous sentiment as it deserved. Besides a disposition not to withhold their accustomed offering to transatlantic Societies in their infancy in this instance, they were par ticularly prompted to confer it from the pleasing intelligence, that an attention to Amongst the domestic transactions of the year is to be noticed, the completion of the Irish and Manks Testaments. The former, according to the opinion of Dr. Neilson, of Dundalk, an eminent Irish scholar, appeared extremely accurate. The latter was patronized by the Bishop of Soder and Man, who addressed a letter to his clergy on the subject, and 1326 copies were issued to be put in circulation in the Island, under the most favourable auspices. religion, had in many parts of Georgia, in their respective spheres, and in some within a few years, been excited, where instances at a distance from them. Thus, the utmost profligacy and immorality had important Societies in Cornwall and previously prevailed; and that in par- Glamorganshire, have been attributed to ticular, the same spirit had been directed the suggestions of the distinguished friends to the religious instruction of the exten- of the cause at Bristol; and Manchester sive black population of that state. was considerably influential in rendering the same office to the founders of the auxiliary at Liverpool; the value of which may be estimated from its immediate contribution of 1800l. to the parent Institution, under circumstances of great commercial distress. The progressive increase of distribution this year was so great, that 100,000 copies were issued from the Society's Depository. In various quarters its bounty was received with gratitude and joy. At the Cape of Good Hope, the Dutch Bibles were acknowledged to be a very seasonable and useful supply. And at the same settlement, as well as Plymouth, the satisfaction afforded many of the poor soldiers and sailors, their wives, families, and widows, by a gift of the sacred volume, was extremely gratifying and affecting. To the uneducated Esquimaux at Labrador, the present of St. John's Gospel was a subject of delight, no less pure and unexpected than the Bible amongst those Negroes in the West Indies, whose minds had been prepared for it, by the pious attention of the Moravian ministers. To Captains William Blake and Hopkins, stationed at Milford Haven, the Society was indebted for the first suggestion of supplying a want of Bibles amongst the crews of 20 Revenue Cutters under their inspection; and for directing the attention of the Committee, to the future relief of various persons occupied on the principal rivers, and at different stations on the coast. Such wants will now be effectually obviated by Marine Bible Associations. The prisoners in France also were not forgotten this year, amongst the British objects of relief; and a letter from the agent of the French Minister of the Marine, acknowledged the receipt of 100 Bibles and 500 Testaments for their use; to the proper distribution of which, a due attention was promised. Upon this, and on various other occasions, the views of the Society were readily promoted by the Transport Board, and every department of government service; and a similar tribute is due to the East India Company for the assistance it has afforded. The formation of auxiliaries in England, Scotland, and Wales, kept pace this year with the former. The Societies already in existence, felt every disposition to expand the benefits of the Institution, by using their local influence, to promote subordinate and kindred associations with The seventh anniversary, which was celebrated for the first time in the commodious hall at the Free Mason's Tavern, and at which the details were as usual brought forward in an excellent report prepared by the President, left a deep impression in favor of the Institution; and it would have added much to the interest of the day, had it been known at the time, that the Philadelphia Soc -ty was engaged in the same benevolent and delightful employment. Amongst other topics of deep and lasting impression, the President adverted to the moral and religious effects to individuals and society at large, from the influence of the Holy Scriptures; "It is now" said he, "about 270 years since the light of revelation shone with full lustre on this kingdom; for then it was, that the inhabitants first obtained the invaluable privilege of having the Bible in their own language. It was justly said of the divines who first translated the Scriptures into English, these, with Jacob, "roll'd away the stone from the well of life;" and the British Society, it might be affirmed, had opened the channel to convey it far and wide. The utility of the Society had been sufficiently demonstrated to occasion surprise, that it should have been so long deferred; "But," adds the reporter, with pious and unaffected humility, "times and seasons are in the power of God; those to whom this duty has been now assigned, considering themselves as his honoured instruments, will ascribe the praise to him alone to whom it is (or can be) due. With such sentiments in their hearts, instead of adverting to any national or individual pretensions, and the feeble exertions of the frail agents of the moment, the conductors of the Society cannot fail to render it a blessing to the human race; and found its claims to success, upon a rock as solid and eternal, as that kingdom which it seeks to establish." EIGHTH YEAR. (From May, 1811, to May, 1812.) The Berlin Society having completed this year the Polish Bible, many copies were sold in Warsaw, Upper Silesia and Austrian Gallicia; but from the scarcity of specie, and the inability of the lower classes to purchase, the British Society directed 1000 copies to be distributed gratuitously at their expense. And as the Koningsberg Committee had supplied the Poles in Prussia, and resolved to furni some copies to every Polish School in Lithuania, 500 Polish Bibles, and 1000 Testaments were confided to them for sale, and gratuitous disposal. The proceeds of the sales being destined for a second edition of the Lithuanian Bible. The impression of the Bohemian Bible being sold, and a further addition of 1500 copies each, being made from two quarters only, in Bohemia and Moravia, the sum of £300 was given to the Berlin Society to encourage a new impression of 5000 copies. In Sweden the exertions of the Stockholm Evangelical Society had been extremely spirited. They had printed four editions of the Testament of 16,600 copies, and an edition of the Bible of 5000, on standing types, a thing before unknown in that kingdom. All the impressions had been rapidly disposed of, and new editions anticipated; but their local means being represented as lamentably deficient, £200 were voted for carrying the design into immediate execution. While primarily intent on the supply of Sweden, the Stockholm Society manifested also a zeal in seconding the views of the parent Society, with respect to Lapland; and Bishop Norden having completed, at the Bible Society's expense, the edition of 5000 Laponese Testaments, one half the number was sent to Stockholm for Swedish Lapland, and the remainder for the Laponese possessions of Norway and Russia. But to the Stockholm Society, who seconded the exertions of the Rev. Mr. Paterson, the British Society's correspondent, the most important benefit is to be ascribed, and the commencement of those glorious proceedings, under the patronage of the Emperor of Russia, which originated in the formation of the Society at Abo. A memorial had been transmitted from Stockholm to London, representing the wants of Finland, comprehending a population of 1,300,000 souls, and requiring assistance. Mr. Paterson therefore being deputed, with the aid and countenance of the Stockholm Society, waited upon the Governor General (Count Steinhiel,) and also the Bishop of Finland, to call their attention to the subject, with an offer of £500 as an encouragement to print the Scriptures, and set on foot a Society for the province. The proposal being cordially received, on a communication of the same to the Emperor of Russia, his Imperial Majesty not only approved, but offered his patronage, and a grant of 5000 rubles to promote the distribution of the Scriptures. A Bible Society was in con sequence set on foot, with the concurrence of the clergy, and supported by the further countenance of the Imperial Monarch, who consented that a considerable corn rent, originally destined for such a purpose, should be appropriated for the benefit of the Institution. With this assistance, as well as private contributions, the Society was enabled immediately to commence its important operations. The expedient of standing types was employed, by which the price of the sacred volume became reduced to purchasers, and a periodical supply was furnished for many succeeding generations. Another very important and interesting transaction distinguished this year, the establishment of a Society at Presburg in Hungary. The Rev. F. Leo, a German Lutheran Clergyman, at whose disposal, on a projected visit to his own country, some German Bibles and Testaments had been placed, on visiting Hungary, found the greatest scarcity of Bibles in the Hungarian and Slavonian dialects, amongst a population consisting of more than 1,500,000 Protestants in that country. The British Society held out the prospect of a grant of £500; and the basis was soon laid by the prompt exertions of five Professors, under the patronage of an illustrious Protestant lady, (the Baroness Dezay,) of an Hungarian Bible Society. Having adopted such measures as there was reason to suppose would secure the support both of Protestants and Catholics, they commenced their operations with the purchase of 1800 copies of a Bohemo-Slavonic edition of the Bible, published by a zealous and indefatigable Professor of Slavonic literature, and remaining unsold from the distress and penury of the inhabitants. Happily at this time the disposition of the Austrian government favoured the accomplishment of the Society's object, as the Emperor and King had just given permission to the Protestants of Hungary, belonging to the Augsburg Profession, to erect a printing press of their own; a privilege which they had never enjoyed before." Our Huss," said the Directors in their communication to the parent Society, "was the follower of your Wickliffe. From you the first rays of the light of Holy Scripture penetrated to us. Now after the lapse of four centuries you are preparing again to confer on us this gift." At the same time the excitement of an extraordinary attention to the Holy Scriptures was perceived in certain parts of Catholic Germany, (more especially Bavaria) as appeared from some admirable letters, from Roman Catholic Priests to the Society, and the expressions of cordiality and affection from the members of that communion towards their brethren of the Protestant confession. The Italian and modern Greek Testaments continued also to circulate, and find thankful and diligent readers in Malta, Sicily, the Greek Isles, and other places on the Mediterranean. The impression made on many members of the Greek and Catholic Church, correspond with the liberal sentiment of Pope Pius VI. "That the sacred oracles should be open to every one." In India the Corresponding Committee at Calcutta was extremely active, and by their exertions, 73,499 Rupees were contributed to the funds of the Society; and 2,160 towards the establishment of the proposed library for the use of the Translators. The Tamul and Portuguese Scriptures were diffused and received with joy and gladness, through a wide region of Christians in Tanjore and Tranquebar. From the latter, the excellent Dr. John, communicated no less than 13 addresses from native Catechists and Schoolmasters, and 15 were sent by the Rev. Mr. Kohloff, from Tanjore, with grateful acknowledgments of the highly valued gift. This was shortly afterwards followed by the establishment of an important Society at Calcutta, supported by some of the most distinguished European residents, and the patronage of the Chief Secretary of the Governor General. An affecting appeal had been made in a dis * Brief of Martin, Bishop of Florence. course delivered by the Rev. H. Martyn, urging in the strongest manner the duty of supplying the wants of 900,000 Christians. One thousand pounds, on receipt of the intelligence, were granted to the Calcutta auxiliary, and the annual contribution of £2000 to the Corresponding Committee, doubled. The proceedings of the Societies established in the United States, were characterised by zeal, judgment, and ability; and a sentiment of genuine catholicism distinguished their intercourse with the parent Society. A much greater scarcity of Bibles was discovered amongst the poor in that enlightened country than could have been expected, and they were received with gratitude, and in not a few cases even with tears of joy. The spirit which had gone forth the preceding year, continued to display itself in the United Kingdom with prodigious effect. In Britain, fifty new Societies, with their several branches, were established; fourteen comprehended 12 entire counties; and they united in their patronage, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, the Dukes of Gloucester, Bedford, Buccleugh, Grafton, and Man chester; the Marquesses of Buckingham, Cornwallis, Hertford, and Huntly; fifteen Earls, nine Viscounts, nine Barons, and many gentlemen of the first distinction, property, and influence. The demand for copies of the English Scriptures became so great, that the means of the Society were wholly inadequate to the supply; and the two universities were induced to add to the number of their presses. The king's printers also entered into a liberal engagement in the exercise of the powers of their patent, which was expected to afford a considerably increased supply. So vast was the crowd at the anniver sary of this year, that many persons, and some of the first distinction, were prevented taking any share in the business, from the impracticability of obtaining admission. Two new Bishops from the Irish bench, severally addressed the meeting, and expressed their cordial satisfaction, together with the Bishop of Cloyne, and the Bishops of Norwich and Salisbury, with whom they took a share in the interesting ceremony of the day. (To be concluded in our next.) A ART. 5. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Civilization of the Indians. Ta yearly meeting of the Society of Friends, held at Philadelphia in April 1818, a Committee appointed for the gradual civilization of the Indian natives, made an interesting report. I have accidentally obtained a copy, from which I have selected the following extracts, which may prove acceptable to the readers of the Monthly Magazine. K. Q. The Committee state, "That soon after their last communication to the meeting, they proceeded to discharge a duty, that, on deliberate consideration, the situ ation of the Indians of the Seneca nation seemed to require; which was to address the President of the United States on their behalf. Accordingly three of their number were separated, to present to the President a memorial on the subject, which had been previously agreed to by the Committee. "In the sixth month, the Friends appointed to that service reported, that they all attended at the city of Washington, and readily obtaining an interview with the President of the United States, presented him with the memorial of the Committee, which he appeared to peruse with attention; and furnished a satisfactory opportunity for the communication of such |