RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. (Continued from p. 598.) THE next point, in the Appendix to the last Report of this Society, to which we shall turn, is India. Much of what is inserted in the Appendix, relative to this part of the world, has already appeared in our pages. The Rev. Dr. Corrie, one of the Company's chaplains, informs Dr. Brown, in a letter dated Chunar, 1st May 1810: "I have lent the Report for 1809 to some of my neighbours here: among others, to a gentleman who has exchanged several letters with a native in Benares, who applied to him lately for information respecting the Christian religion. This native has acquired a considerable fortune in some employment under our government; in which it was necessary for him to read and write English. On being pressed by the arguments urged for the supreme importance of Christianity, be excused himself by saying, he thought if it were so, the British government would have made the Christian religion known to their subjects in this land. This objection he urged in a variety of ways, and here the discussion ended. On receiving the Report for 1809, the above gentleman sent it to his native friend, with an intimation that, if he chose to subscribe, any money sent to me would be duly remitted. In answer to this he sent an address to the Bible Society, written by himself, and now in my possession, requesting it might be corrected, which was done, retaining his own expressions as much as possible. A fair copy of this he signed, and sent in a cover to the Bible Committee, London, which I enclose." The enclosure is dated from Benares, April 26, 1810, and is signed Jounarain Ghoshaull. He states his having formerly given five hundred rupees towards building the new church at Calcutta ; and that he now sends one hundred rupees for the Bible Society; and he hopes that all governments will give permission to promote the cause of the real God and of his own word." Yet this man thus writes, "I am no Christian, nor wish to be onc, as my own pure religion, which we call Reestobe, or the worship of one eternal God through a Saviour, whom we call Guroo, or Krishnoo, is enough or us, if we could do the duty incumbent upon us well; and I think a good and real Christian and a Hindoo Reestobe is the same; also I think Christ and our Krishnoo are one person." Messrs. Kolhoff and Horst write to the Corresponding Committee, from Tanjore, April 21, 1810—(see supra, p. 650): "With the most fervent gratitude we, and those among our Christians that have been apprised of it, acknowledge and revere the pious solicitude of your worthy Committee for the spiritual welfare of our flocks, and for the conversion of the Gentiles on this coast, which hath prompted you so liberally to dispense unto these poor natives the invalua ble treasure of the word of God, Rest as sured, worthy sir, that this generous coutribution for the relief of the spiritual wants of the Tamulers, hitherto unparalleled among the European gentlemen in India, will be amply repaid by the acquisition of many souls to the kingdom of Christ; and by the heavenly joy which the pious and liberal contributors will feel, when so many saints, brought to Jesus by the divine word of salva tion distributed unto them by your Commit tee, shall hail them and you as the authors of their everlasting bliss!" Anunderayer, the converted Brahmin, who has been engaged at Vizagapatam in translating the Scriptures into the Telinga, thas addresses Dr. Brown of Calcutta, June 20, 1810. "I always thank the Lord Jesus Christ for shewing me his salvation, and blessing me with his Gospel, even when I was in the ways of the people of this country. To him be the glory for the little that I know of this way of life. Ardently do I wish that my relations also might be favoured with this knowledge of the way of life, and be constrained by grace to enter into it. For this I will not cease to pray. While I am be noured to explain this way to those who are ignorant of it, may Jesus enlighten their darkened hearts. This must be done by his favour alone. Men are but servants or instruments. He is the Lord. His is the power. All other necessary information my preceptor will communicate. They and their wives are as parents; I and mine as children." We have before had occasion to record the testimony of Lord Minto, the governor general of India, in favour of the missionaries at Serampore. The present Appendix contains an extract from his discourse at the college of Fort William, on Sept. 15, 1810. Speaking of a Chinese work by Mr. Marsh man, one of the missionaries, he observes, "I cannot willingly omit the opportunity which this singular publication presents of offering the homage which appears to me to be due to this laudable effort of modest genius and labour, which has pushed forward the apparently hopeless project of forming a Chinese school, under circumstances so little propitious to such an undertaking, to a point of success and efficiency which larger means and more powerful encouragement could hardly have justified a hope of obaining "This commendable design has advanced, however, silently, without aid or notice, by the innate powers of strenuous, though humble and unassuming energy of mind, directed by liberal and virtuous views What Mr. Marshman has already accomplished, both in the tuition of his young but distinguished pupils, and in works, the produce of self-instruction, would have done honour to institutions fostered by all the aid of munifi. cence and power: to bave risen in the shade, isis suis polens opibus, renders his successful labours only the more worthy of admiration. "It was mentioned in my last discourse, that, as an extension of the design just alluded to, it was in the contemplation of GoTernment to print and circulate vocabularies in the Birmau and Malay languages, for the purpose of acquiring specimens of the numerous and almost unknown languages spoken on the continent between India and China, and in the Eastern Isles. In pursuance of this intention, the proposed vocabulary has been prepared in the Birman and Malay, to which has been added the Siamese language, And measures are in progress for its circulation to the eastward. Dr. Leyden † had already pushed his comprehensive and powerfal researches in that direction; and has been enabled to supply materials and We shall expect that a certain writer in the Eclectic Review will not fail to castigate his lordship for the use of this ob noxious epithet, as applied to the Baptist Missionaries, for which Dr. Buchanan was lately made to smart so severely. Dr. Leyden, it will be recollected, has most laudably made all these researches sub servient to the views of the Bible Society, by engaging to prepare versions of the Scrip tures in them all. carry the work into complete execution. from the abundant and various stores of his own knowledge, which embraces these hi therto neglected languages, availing himself, at the same time, of such aid as could be obtained in this place." Our next set of extracts shall be from communications received from different parts of Europe. A letter from Messina, dated June 9, 1810, states as follows: 66 The distribution of the Italian Testaments has exceeded my expectations, from the pressing and anxious desires of all ranks of people to obtain them. I have had at my house, from the prince to the poor labourer, soliciting them, and have also received letters and messages from people of the first respectability in this place, begging to be favoured with this inestimable volume; in short, they have met with a most extensive circulation. "In consequence of an objection taken by some of the clergy to the translation of the Italian Testament, which was opposed by others, who atfirmed that it was a good translation, it was resolved, at a meeting where the bishop presided, to refer it for examination to several of the most learned among the clergy; the result of which proved so favourable, that the bishop was pleased to permit the Testaments to be retained by the persons who possessed them, and to allow them to be further distributed." A letter from Malta, dated Nov. 1809, states, that "The New Testaments have done remarkable good in this island;" and in a subsequent letter the writer observes, "I had at first many difficulties to encounter, in providing for the distribution of the New Testaments; but, by the Divine assistance, I have succeeded in surmounting them all. "The advantage derived from reading this holy book, has manifested itself in different ways: and I hope I have been the instru ment thereby of conferring a benefit, which will be regarded by the Lord as an acceptable service. Many of my dear friends, who are fathers of families, inform me, that since they have received the Italian New Testament, they have not ceased to read it; and to relate, with the greatest satisfaction, to their wives and children, the truths and remarkable facts which it contains. A pious mistress of a family acquaints me, that on having received the Holy Bible she finds that she has lost her relish for her other books, denominated books of devotion, which contain prayers to the saints, mystical thoughts, &c. A country priest, not much versed in the Latin language, and who loves to preach often to the people, told me, with a simplicity corresponding with his condition, that he finds much greater eloquence in his sermons, and much more attention in his - auditors, upon having previously read a chapter of the New Testament, than if he had studied books of the holy fathers and commentaries which he possesses. Some months ago he read to me some reflections which he had made upon the 15th chapter of Luke, with respect to the Prodigal Son. These reflections, though without art or rhetoric, contain much that is excellent. This priest sends me frequent thanks for the holy book which I have given him, and has applied to me for many New Testaments on behalf of his parishioners." A letter from Lisbon, dated December 15, 1810, contains the following information, "I beg to acquaint you of my having dis tributed the society's Bibles and Testaments, which were placed in my hands, throughout the several hospitals here, for the sole use of the British soldiers. The supply of these books has tended to gratify the wishes of many who were disposed to read the Holy Scriptures; and, in order that the object of their distribution might be attained as completely as possible, I have given directions to the several wardmasters not to allow the books to be taken out of the hospitals by any of the men. I have no doubt, but if more were given to the different reginents at large, as well as the sick, it would prove of much utility. "With respect to the Portuguese Testaments, it gives me great satisfaction to report the very quick circulation they have met with. All ranks of people in Lisbon have expressed the greatest regard and estimation for them; and so exceedingly solicitous have they been in their application to me for books, that I have much regretted witnessing their disappointment. May I hope, through your interference, that it will, in a short time, be in my power to comply with their earnest desire of becom ing better acquainted with the Gospel." zealous friends to the Gospel of Christ, who notwithstanding their diversity of views upon the minor objects of religion, have found in the Bible a sure and harmonious centre whence they are agreed conjointly to labour in spreading far and near that light which shines more and more unto the perfect day. It is from principles like these, and a love to the doctrine of Jesus, that a liberality arose, which unsolicited stretched forth a helping hand. A society in London, called the British and Foreign Bible Society, made us a present of three hundred pounds sterling, that our poor might know more of Christ; and finding that this went but a small way in a great work, trebled it; yes, trebled it, to their everlasting praise and honour. From the Report of the Evangelical Society in Sweden, it appears, that among its managers are several of the first names in that kingdon. Speaking of the plan of printing the Swedish Scriptures they observe, that they could not have ventured upon so extensive an undertaking, had it not been for British benevolence. «England," they add, “exhibits to the world a delightful assembly of sincere and "This gave life to our hopes of obtaining what was so much required, cheap editious of the word of God in Swedish. We could now by advertisements call on every lover of God in Sweden to come and do likewise. The call has been answered, and, as far as could be expected in these times of tribulation, the Swedish public have manifested an ardent desire to throw their mite into this heavenly treasury. "The list of Swedish subscribers to this glorious book contains persons of all ranks, from the first noblemen and dignitaries in the land, down to the poorest servants-per sons who agree with us in thinking that the highest act of benevolence which man can shew to his fellow, is to open to him an opportunity of reading the Bible: a book, which is a sure guide to endless happiness, an inexhaustible fountain of divine wisdom, an unerring touchstone whereby to deter mine-What is truth." The church of the United Brethren have made various interesting communications to the Bible Society, respecting the circulation of the Scripures. From these we will make a few extracts. The missionaries among the Esquimaar thus write: "Will you present our united thanks to the worthy members of the excellent Bible Society, for the precious gift of the Gospel of St. John, which they printed for us? When our Esquimaux were first informed of it they were most deeply affected, and exclaimed with tears: Jesus is worthy of thanks, and our friends are worthy of thanks, who love us so much, though they have never seen us, and have printed for us the comfortable words of God, that we might read them in our own language to our joy and edification. Next winter, when i they are all returned from their different excursions, we shall distribute them, and are certain we shall hear many similar expressions of joy and gratitude; yes, we anticipate a new period of blessings among our flock. May God abundantly bless you all; and, by distributing his word among all nastions, render you a blessing to many thousands of the heathen. I have advanced with the translation of the Gospel of St. Lake to the 18th chapter, and hope to finish it in the course of this winter." From the Cape of Good Hope. Gnadenthal, April 30, 1810.-"The chest of Bibles and Testaments, which we have been so long and so eagerly looking for, has at length arrived safely at the Cape. We are so greatly delighted with this most inestimable present from the noble British and Foreign Bible Society, that we cannot find words sufficiently to express our gratitude. But we are sure that the Lord will also hear our poor prayers in behalf of this excellent institution; and crown all the exertions made in diffusing the knowledge of God's Word, by that book of books in which He, as it were, speaks with his creature man. As soon as the chest arrives, we shall make it known to our Hottentot congregation; and we anticipate the joy and gratitude with which this news will be received. But we beg you, even now, to give our most cordial thanks to the venerable society, which we are sure, that all our people, young and old, most fervently join." St. John's, Antigua.“ We have had the pleasure to receive a large quantity of Biblės and Testaments, through the goodness of the British and Foreign Bible Society, for distribution among those negroes who can read. We cordially thank the venerable society for this proof of their love to the negroes; that, by reading the word of God, they may instruct and edify each other during those few hours of liberty they enjoy. They spend, even now, many an hour in the night, to exercise themselves in reading the most blessed of all books." St. Kitt's, Basseterre, Sept. 24, 1810.With great joy we received, among the stores sent us, a chest containing Bibles and Testaments. We beg to tender to the generous donors our best thanks. We distributed them liberally among all those of our negro converts who can use them; and were desired by them all, to send their thanks, in the best manner, to the worthy British and Foreign Bible Society. They added, that they did not in the least deserve such humane attention from such good CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 118. men in England, living at so great a distance from them; but that they would not cease to pray the Lord to bless them, and be their eternal reward." (To be continued.) EDINBURGH BIBLE SOCIETY. The Second Report of this Society was made at a general meeting, held at Edinburgh on the 14th May, 1811. The following is the substance of it. The Committee present an account of their transactions during the past year with the greater pleasure, that they have received so many tokens of the public confidence. The society has become more generally known, and its constitution and operations have been sanctioned by a considerable humber of additional subscribers, The prisoners of war have continued to receive supplies of Scripture, in the Danish, Dutch, and French languages, which were accepted with respect, and followed by expressions of gratitude. The Destitute Sick Societies of Edinburgh and Leith, the Lejth Female Society, the foreign seamen at that port, the African and Asiatic Society of this city, our countrymen in the Highlands, poor soldiers, and children of the military, as well as poor widows, have shared the society's bounty. An application from Dumfries, for a small supply of Bibles to the prison, was granted with additional pleasure, owing to its being made by the keeper on behalf of his prisoners. By a communication from Sunderland, it appeared that there were to be found there twenty-five thousand people, who are not in the habit of attending any place of worship, and that among the five hundred vessels trading from that port, but a few were furnished with a single Bible! The Committee sent one hundred copies to Sunderland, with an assurance that any number would be cheerfully afforded at the reduced prices. The parent Society also voted a supply of Bibles and Testaments to the value of 50l. sterling. Your Committee have, from the beginning, paid particular attention to Ireland. This important part of the United Kingdom atfords the animating hope of an extensive and rapid diffusion of Scripture. The Hibernian Bible Society, and its branches, have circu lated by sale, at low prices, since their com mencement, more than thirty-three thousand Bibles and Testaments; of which number nearly fifteen thousand were sold in the course of one year, ending in November last. Since the last anniversary, the Com mittee have contributed 300%. in addition to 4 R 2001. stated in the first Report, in aid of the Hibernian Bible Society. One hundred pounds was voted last year towards printing the Scriptures in the Icelandic. The early period at which this people received the volume of revelation in their own language, connected with the affecting intelligence, that the remaining copies of their last edition were daily wasting away by frequent use, gave a peculiar interest to this translation. An edition of the leelandic New Testament was printed some time ago, by the parent society (which was most singularly preserved from the frames during the bombardment of Copenhagen), and the whole Bible in that language is now in the press. The Evangelical Society of Stockholm, having spent their funds in printing and publishing the Swedish Scriptures, were anxious to distribute copies among the poor gratis. The Committee had received information of thousands in Sweden, who are never in possession of a shilling to pay for a copy, so that, without such a measure, they must have remained destitute of the word of God. The Committee voted 100l. to be spent in circulating the Swedish Scriptures among the poor of that nation: and they have had much reason to be satisfied with the faithful application of this money. To the Oriental translations of the Holy Scriptures now carrying on at Serampore, the Committee have voted the sum of 2001. The Committee express their obligation to a member of the society for a cominunication respecting the present state of Abyssinia, and the importance of examining into the possibility of sending the inhabitants of that empire a version of the holy Scriptures in the Ethiopie language. Considering the subject to be of no small moment, they resolved to Jay it before the parent society, which has concluded to print au Ethiopic version of the Book of Psalms, for the use of the Abyssinians, and is also endeavouring to procure a version of one of the Gospels in that language. During the year, the sum of 7001. has been remitted to the parent institution, making a total of 1500 sterling since the commencement of the society. The following Auxiliary Associations have been constituted within the last six months, with the intention of aiding the funds of the Edinburgh Society, viz. those of Dunfermline, Biggar, St. Andrew's, Elgin. The Committee have also witnessed, with pleasure, the commencement of other Bible Societies at Montrose, at Aberdeen, and Dumfries. The Committee have resolved to afford all such associations every degree of accommodation in circulating the holy Scriptates. In addition to this, any minister who makes a collection in aid of the society, may re ceive Bibles, for the supply of his own neigh bourhood, at subscribers' prices. The military had last year been furnishei with the Scriptures at reduced prices, and, in some instances, gratis; but no idea was 6tertained that this would prove the occasin of benefit to the society's funds. It is only a few days, however, since the sum of 29!. sterling was paid by the Major of the Res shire Militia, stationed at Leith, as a dotstion of gratitude, being one day's pay f the non-commissioned officers and private belonging to that regiment*, From a society of female servants & Aberdeen, the Committee received the stu of 201. sterling, collected by the week The following letter accompanied th donation. "We, the non-commissioned officers an private men of the Rosshire regiment Militia, having taken into consideration the great necessity for spreading abroad the knowledge of the Gospel of salvation by sus Christ throughout the world; we humbly, therefore, cast in our mite towards the cause (through the hands of our worthy commanding officer, Major R.), with an eye, we hope, to the glory of God, and the su vation of immortal souls. For in the degres that we are convinced of our perishing stat by nature, we cannot but feel for those whe are in the same state, and yet who may not have the means administered to them: use in the degree that we have believed in Christ, and salvation through him, wt would have the same declared and recommended to others. "We cannot forbear to make mention ber, of the change that took place in our regi ment since this time two years, by means of some Gaelic Bibles, received through the worthy Mrs G., Portsmouth, at which time a reformation took place in the regiment, which, we know, still continues: Chough we know not who shall bring forth fruit to perfection-the harvest day will declare that. "We wish to return sincere thanks for Bibles, &c. received, at reduced prices, singe our landing at Leith, and conclude with et pressing our most grateful thanks. May that God, whose word you honour, and whe has put it into your hearts to send it furth into all lands, bless and prosper your society, and make it the joy of the whole earth.” |