While it must be confessed that a few of these societies are rendering but little aid in the work, very many are exceedingly efficient co-operators, and, in fact, without them we do not see how our peculiar work could be carried on. No method of casual and adventitious operation could distribute the Holy Scriptures as largely, much less as generally, as these societies in their regular, systematic way. In some localities, more possibly might be done by individual efforts in selling Bibles; but we are well persuaded no method could so well reach the most needy and neglected. No other agency would so ramify itself into all parts, even the most obscure in the land, and supply those who would be otherwise overlooked and neglected.

We rejoice, on these accounts, that the efforts used to awaken the auxiliaries to more diligence and activity have not been without effect. Many have been quickened into new life and energy; others, always good and reliable, have increased their exertions and usefulness; and many, in different States, have spread their influence and power very extensively by the organization of branch societies. In the State of Illinois, particularly, we believe every county society has its branch in each town, with its local depository and its own collector. These branch societies draw books from the county society, and pay their funds to the treasurer of the county society, which again remits to the Parent Society, as well as obtains its books from your Depository. The same system prevails in other States, as New York and Ohio, and is now being introduced into Indiana and elsewhere. There is some danger, however, lest in the complication of machinery in the above system the wheels should become deranged. It requires great care, and strict and constant oversight, to keep every thing

moving harmoniously and continuously. There is no little danger lest the branch societies, originated perhaps under a warm and strong impulse, after receiving a supply of books from the county depository, should become dormant, and, for want of interest and proper care, the books be damaged and lost. It is the desire of the Board that the friends of the Cause every where would give good heed to this, and see that the societies are kept in good working order, and due attention be given to the books ordered.

It has been the effort of the Board to induce ministers and churches every where to co-operate with the Auxiliary Society in whose field they labour. It is the aim to render the auxiliary system as perfect as possible, and for this end to strengthen and encourage them; to throw, as much as possible, the work to be done in their fields upon them, thus increasing their responsibility and their means together, and holding out the strongest inducement to vigorous effort. For this reason the Board prefer not to make grants of books within the domain of an auxiliary; but, when applications from such places are made, they refer the applicant to the auxiliary-at least when it is known that it has the books required, and the means to make the grant. But it is manifest that, in order to secure this end, it is necessary for the auxiliary to follow the same policy as the Parent Society. If the auxiliary be not equally liberal in grants to destitute Sabbath Schools, or in supplying the wants of poor congregations, or to ministers to supply the poor and destitute in their flocks, pastors and churches will prefer to send their contributions where they find more liberality in return. In this way the auxiliary will be weakened and crippled without any corresponding benefit to the Parent Society. In fact, all

parties will be benefited by pursuing a liberal policy, and much more good will be done.

To secure the ends here proposed, the Board issued during the year a circular, in which they expressed their views on this subject. In this circular the following question occurs:

II. What is the best mode of procuring Bibles for our Families, Churches, Sunday Schools, and the destitute?

The best of all modes, as proved by long experience here and in England, is to have a good local Bible society, with active officers, to procure and keep in a convenient place such books as are likely to be wanted for six or twelve months to come. Collections should be taken up in all the churches to begin such depository. If needful, a part of the books wanted can then be furnished on a few months' credit, and to feeble auxiliaries some can be granted as a donation. This is the first step, and it should be taken wisely, and then carried on with system and energy.

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And again, following out the same system, the circuproposes and answers the following query:

IV. How are books for Sunday Schools and Bible classes to be obtained? By application to the local Bible society. When a church takes up its annual collection for said society, it should be stated what amount is to be returned in books for the objects named, and for destitute families. If a congregation is new and poor, and more books are wanted than can be purchased, let them, in part, be sought as a donation. If the local society cannot give them, let its committee call on the Parent Society; but let all be done, if possible, through the local society.

Where there is no local Bible society to furnish books, application should be made to the Sunday School Union with which the school is connected. Grants are and will be made to Sunday School Unions to meet such cases.

The same system, in effect, should be pursued in regard to supplying local institutions of benevolence, whether under church organizations or not. Every where the Parent Society desires that the auxiliary should do the work of its own neighbourhood and its appropriate field. Where it is unable, the Parent Society will give its aid as far as may be in its power.

In the course of the year, the Board passed the fol

lowing resolution in regard to a feature in our work of no trifling importance:

Resolved, That auxiliary Bible societies throughout the country be requested to see that the rooms of hotels, and the cabins of steamboats (where objection is not made), be furnished with Bibles, and usually at half the cost price; and when unable thus to furnish all the copies which are wanted, that they be authorized to apply to the Parent Society for additional aid.

This resolution was adopted from a deep conviction of the importance of the object contemplated, and is one of such a public rather than private nature, as to justify, in many cases at least, the partial sacrifice proposed.

Requests have been received from different parts of the country, that a certificate suited to life members of auxiliary societies might be prepared at the Bible House. The Board, appreciating the importance of the suggestion, have paid considerable attention to the subject, but have not yet been able to obtain a device that fully meets their views. They hope, however, to succeed before long. Due notice will be given when such certificate is ready.

Depositories.

The importance of a good depository to each auxiliary can hardly be too much appreciated. A suitable room in a public situation should be obtained; a good supply of books, of proper quantity and variety, should be kept on hand; and due measures should be taken to give it necessary publicity. To aid in this, we continue to send handbills and large placards in all the boxes of our books, with the request that they may be properly exposed to view, and otherwise made known to the public as opportunity may be found.

Though we are not to be regarded as an ordinary bookselling establishment, where books are sold under copyright protection at remunerating prices, and there

fore cannot afford to be at large expense for the support of depositories, yet, as our object is to supply all, as far as practicable, and especially the neglected and the needy, with the Holy Scriptures, we must use such measures as are indispensable to the accomplishment of this end. We not only print the Bible at cost, as nearly as we can ascertain it, but we are also at some expense in conveying our books to those who otherwise would not possess them. A moderate expenditure for this end is not only justifiable, but commendable. It is, in fact, part of the benevolent operation of our Society. Nor is it all loss. Perhaps it may be a gain even pecuniarily. For the more the Holy Scriptures are spread, the larger number of copies are circulated, the greater good will be done; the stronger hold the Society will have on the public mind, and the larger contributions it will draw. Where a society does nothing, the public will not sympathize with it; they will sustain a society that is active and useful.

Receipts.

The total receipts for the past year, omitting what pertains to the building fund, amount to $393,167 25. This exceeds the amount of the year before by $46,35568, and would have exceeded the amount of the year before but for the delay of the mails. The past year may therefore, without doubt, be considered, so far as its receipts are concerned, the best year that the Society has known.

The receipts were from the following sources: