me only add, that if your Society conclude upon the publication of the Old Testament, less than 6000 copies should not be printed, if there is any prospect of success. In fact, that can only be a beginning in the great work of supplying with the sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament up to 50 or 60,000 families."'

'A letter dated at Constantinople, in September last, from the Rev. Mr. Dwight, missionary, informs your board that a translation of the book of Psalms into modern Armenian had been made under his direction, and would soon be ready for the press. He contemplates printing first an edition of 1,500 copies. When your board have suitable evidence that the work is correctly translated, they will have great satisfaction in furnishing the means requisite to publish such editions as may be required. The following extract from Mr. Dwight's letter will be read

with interest:

"Many of the people around us are not able to read, and of course not prepared to receive the Bible into their houses. Many, nevertheless, do read, and it is astonishing to see the power of Scripture truth upon the conscience, when it comes to them from the pure fountain itself, without note or comment, and without the aid of a living teacher. I could point to two young men of the Armenian nation, for whom we have the hope that they have become true disciples of Christ, whose minds were first opened by the simple reading of the Scriptures, before they knew even that there was a missionary in the whole world. Nay, I could point you to many more of the samne nation here, upon whom the word of God has had prodigious power-a few passages sweeping away at once a whole catalogue of errors which they had never, before reading the Bible, supposed to be any thing else but precious truths. Nor, among the Armenians of this vicinity, is there the least opposition to the circulation and reading of the Scriptures. There was indeed a case lately-the first I have heard of the kind-and spoken of by the Armenians themselves as new and strange. A young man, the son of a priest, began to read the New Testament, and became so interested, that whenever he was at home that book was never out of his hands. He is engaged in the mercantile business, and being occupied through the day, devoted his evenings at home to his favorite reading. The old priest, his father, became alarmed-so strange was it that a young man should have such a relish for reading the Scriptures-and tried to prevail on him to devote his time to something else. Being unsuccessful, he at length took the Testament by force and locked it up. The matter, however, had taken too deep hold of the young man, and he soon purchased another one; and the priest finding him incorrigible, has at length yielded the point, and gives him no farther molestation. The son calls at my house every day, and is an interesting and hopeful inquirer after the truth."'

To the Western Foreign Missionary Society at Pittsburg, Pa., there has been made a grant of $500, to be expended by their missionaries, Messrs. Lowrie, Reed, Wilson, and Newton, in circulating the Scriptures in Northern India.— This mission is to be established among the Seik nation, in the province of Lahore, in the northwestern part of Hindostan. These missionaries pass through Calcutta, where, it is said, they can obtain the Scriptures used by the Seik nation, and by other people to be met on the way thither. Your board are happy in making this appropriation; not only because the object aimed at is important, but because the friends of the Bible in Pittsburg have contributed liberally to your funds for this specific object. Every new channel opened for the diffusion of the Bible should call forth fervent gratitude from every heart which appreciates that blessed book, and sees the universal wretchedness of those who are without its instructions.

'Two letters have been received, in the course of the year, from the American missionaries at Ceylon, asking for printing paper, or for means to procure it, for the purpose of publishing the Tamul Scriptures. One of these letters was accompanied by the last report of the Jaffna Bible Society, Ceylon, from which we make the following extract :

"There are probably between four and five thousand children under Christian instruction in the schools of the different missionary establishments in the district, a good proportion of whom are able to read. It is evidently of the first importance that these schools should be furnished with a supply of Gospels, not only for the purpose of training the children to read the printed character, but more especially to imbue their tender minds with Scriptural truth, with the hope that, by the Divine blessing, they may thus be preserved from the pernicious and contami. nating influence of heathenism, under which most of the adult population is so

powerfully held. To supply each school with ten books, which cannot be considered a large number, would probably require more than a thousand copies; and these, if constantly in use, as it is desirable they should be, generally require to be renewed at least once a year; the habits of native children, even with the most vigilant superintendence, being such as to injure books much faster than in common English schools.

The committee are also anxious to furnish each youth, en leaving school, with a Gospel, or some other part of holy writ, so that they may possess a book for which, from the instruction they have received, they may be supposed to have some regard, and which they may, it is hoped, read at their leisure, and thus maintain and increase the knowledge they may have acquired of Scripture truth. "The attention of the committee has frequently been directed to the numbers who, within the past fifteen years have received Christian instruction in these little seminaries, the mission schools. They are now coming forward to act their part on the stage of life, have more or less knowledge of Divine truth, and are prepared, to some extent, to understand the Scriptures. To many of them, it may be hoped, a copy of the whole, or even a part of the sacred volume, would prove an acceptable and valuable present." A quotation is also made from another communication of the committee, expressive of their earnest wish to obtain more books for general circulation. "It has," they state, been a subject

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of regret, that they had not at their disposal copies of the Bible, to make a more liberal distribution, especially among such persons as, by means of the various Missionary and Tract Society operations carrying forward in the district, are more or less acquainted with Divine truth, and with their obligations to embrace it."

"The committee regret that in a field where the demand for Scripture is so great, the resources for obtaining funds in aid of the cause are so disproportion. ate. The annual amount realized by the society is altogether inadequate to meet the expense that must be incurred, if the wants of the district are to be satisfied." "

'In view of the above letters and statements, together with a request from the American board of missions, a grant of $6000 has this year been furnished toward printing and circulating the Scriptures in Ceylon,

For the circulation of the Scriptures among the Baptist missions in the Burman empire a grant of $7000 has this year been made. The following extract from a letter by the Secretary of the Baptist board of missions, will show the propriety of this grant :

We are urging forward the publication of the Scriptures in Burmah with all the means in our power. In the ship Cashmere, which left this port the 2d inst. for Amh rst and Maulmein, a fourth printer took passage, with nearly two thousand reams of paper and a great amount of other materials for the press and bindery, under his charge. At the last intelligence, beside an edition of the New Testament entire, which was mostly put in circulation, ten thousand copies of Luke and John stitched together, and ten thousand copies of a Digest of Scripture, by the late Mr. Boardman, had issued from the press. The Old Testament is now doubtless in a course of publication. The 6th of September last the Psalms were commenced, and as far as the 24th printed off.

"We have it in contemplation to send out a fifth press, which may, in fact, be considered as already engaged. The heavy expenditures which these transactions necessarily involve exhaust our treasury fast, and will render highly acceptable whatever remittances it may be convenient for your Society to make. The decision and enterprise manifested by them, and accompanied by the noble resolution in contemplation, to give the Bible to the whole world, have encouraged us to look to their co-operation for most of the means by which the sacred Scriptures shall be given to the perishing millions of Burmah; and the more they authorize us to expect, the more facilities shall we employ to hasten on the accomplishment of the vast and benevolent design."

The following extract from the journal of the Rev. Mr. Bennett, at Rangoon, October 14, shows that a spirit of inquiry is awake, in relation to Divine truth, although the fear of persecution restrains many from disclosing their feelings and wishes. Opposition, it seems, is made by the jealous Budhists, who see that their system is in danger. Says Mr. Bennett,

“The Pahgan inquirer, Ko Long, has been here most of the day, desiring to know more of the truth. I gave him a New Testament, which I pray he may VOL. VI.-October, 1835.

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be enabled to peruse with profit. The man from Ava, (mentioned April 30,) has come down again, and called to-day. He says he gave to one of the king's brothers a book he obtained here; who said, he had one much like it, which he had had for two yea:s, which he had read, and liked, and wished this man to procure him a Testament when he came down to Rangoon. I shall with much pleasure furnish him with not only a Testament, but our other books. He enjoined on this man, however, strict secrecy, and that he must not let any one know he had our books. Several of the followers of this man wished books, which I gave them. This man, and several of his followers, seem very favorable to the truth, but the fear of persecution prevents them from openly avowing it." 'From China your Board have been favored with several communications in the course of the year, parts of which will be subjoined. Soon after your last anniversary a letter was received from the Rev. E. C. Bridgman, missionary at Canton, in which he writes:

"I made some general statements in a former letter in regard to the extent of the field which is here to be supplied with the Holy Scriptures. Since that time changes have taken place, new openings have been made for the circulation of books, and a better feeling is rising up with respect to this great work, among Christians. Your own inquiries, and those of Mr. Anderson and others, make it my duty to write to you again.

"It is impossible for those who have not given particular attention to the situation and character of these eastern nations, to believe that the Chinese empire alone contains 360,000,000 of human beings; or that those who can read the Scriptures in the Chinese language constitute more than one third part of

our race.

“For the present the principal part of your grant to this mission will be em. ployed in procuring printing of the Chinese Bible at Malacca. In the meantime, it will probably be best to have some of the separate books published in Canton. The work can be done here with great facility and cheapness.

"In regard to the circulation of the Scriptures I cannot speak definitely.Many copies will be needed for immediate circulation; and should a missionary ship be sent out to visit the coast and the Chinese settlements, (and it is very de. sirable that there should be,) many thousand copies will at once be required, and eventually, perhaps very soon, many millions.

"In my best moments, at those times, I mean when I have the clearest views of eternal things, it seems to me that the time has come when the Gospel of our Lord shall be published through all the length and breadth of this land, and triumph over and destroy all its vain superstitions. The same opinion is cherished by others, as you will see by the accompanying epistle from our brother beloved, the evangelist Leang Afa."

The individual above referred to has for many years given evidence of having embraced the Christian faith with sincerity. Soon after his conversion he prepared blocks, and printed from them small books from the Scriptures, for the benefit of his countrymen. By so doing he incurred the displeasure of the government, was arrested, severely punished with the greater bamboo, and then set at liberty. "I dared not," says he, "on account of this suffering, to forget the mercy of our Savior in becoming our ransom. But regarding it a glory to suf. fer shame for our Lord, I examined more closely the sins of my life, and strove with greater perseverance to live according to the rules of the Gospel." He went to the Anglo-Chinese college at Malacca, where he had the instructions of Dr. Milne until the death of that excellent missionary.

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“Having then,” he adds, “no one on whom to depend, I returned to Macao, and resided in the house of Dr. Morrison, and for some years studied the Gospel; and by his kind instruction I gradually increased in learning and in the knowledge of the plan of redemption. Then taking the principles of the Gospel, I admonished and instructed my fellow-countrymen. But for a time none believed and obeyed the doctrines of our Lord; recently however, He has gra ciously touched the hearts of some; and now there are among my kindred and friends more than ten persons who believe in and adore the Savior, and live according to the precepts of the Gospel. On every Sabbath day these believers assemble at my house to worship the Supreme Lord; they listen to my preach. ing, and most joyfully obey and do the will of God. Wherever I preach or exhort, I take these books and distribute them. And this year at the literary exam. inations in Canton, I distributed them among the literati, who received them with

great joy and gladness. Of both these kinds of books I have distributed all I have. And now the seed of the Gospel has fallen into the hearts of great num. bers, and it becomes our chief duty to pray to our heavenly Father that He will send down the Holy Spirit to cause it to spring up and grow, and bring forth the fruits of faith and righteousness unto eternal life.

"For several years I have been engaged either in preaching the Gospel or in distributing tracts; and our Lord and Savior has graciously vouchsafed His grace to protect and to cause me to enjoy peace and tranquillity of mind. I think this is the time when our heavenly Father will allow us to circulatè His holy word in order that the souls of the Chinese may be saved. Therefore I write this epistle and send it to your honorable country, to request the Bible Society, which is composed of warm-hearted and faithful believers, that they will extend wide their benevolence, love their neighbors as themselves, and devise means to aid in printing complete copies of the Bible, and thereby enable me to circulate them among my countrymen, and cause them to know the special grace of our heavenly Father."

From the Rev. Charles Gutzlaff, the indefatigable missionary in China, two letters have been received in the course of the year. In the first he writes,

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"I was greatly rejoiced in hearing that you had taken so active a part in the work of God in China; the sphere for your operations is surely immense. As much as it is in my little power, I shall endeavor to spread the precious word of life, and to make known the saving doctrines of the Gospel.

"You will have heard what resolutions have been taken in regard of bestowing your funds from Mr. Bridgman.

"I should take the liberty of suggesting to you several measures for forward. ing the great work in China, but I wish first to act and then to talk. However, you may rest assured that we will drain your funds, for we have a large nation before us, and if only the hundredth Chinaman was to get a Bible from you, a ten years' income would not be sufficient to defray the expenses.

"I am now again proceeding to Fokien or Chekeong; you will have in me a faithful correspondent as long as you answer my letters, and I shall endeavor to give you as distinct a statement about the sphere into which you are about to enter, and the language, as far as it regards Scripture translation, in which you wish to glorify the Redeemer, as my feeble capacities will admit.

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Pray that the Lord may open a great and effectual door. I desire ardently that not only the maritime provinces, but also Gan-hwuy, Hoo-pih, Ize-chuen, and Yun-nan, yea, the whole empire, might see the glory of the Lord."

In a more recent letter, dated on the 20th of Dec. last, at Macao, he writes :"I inform you with the greatest pleasure, that all the parts of Scripture which were sent to my care were distributed to eager readers at Formosa and in Fokien. A total revision of the whole Chinese Scripture is a matter of urgent necessity, and we have therefore set to work to furnish a new edition, in order to answer the wants of the people. Every care and attention will be bestowed uponthis important undertaking. Lest, however, a delay in disposing of the whole number might occur, we are anxious to arrange an expedition along the whole coast, from Haenan to Kiren, an enterprise which ought no longer to be postponed.

"If you are willing to supply the demands of China, you will enter upon an immense work. If our missionaries push on boldly, in the strength of the Lord, and constantly travel from one province to the other, the widest circulation of the sacred writ may be anticipated. Only let us not be satisfied with partial success, not slumber as soon as the word of God is printed. The day of small things is past, and it behoves us now to venture all upon the Lord. You can form no idea of the grand sphere upon which you are going to enter; and if our missionaries only keep pace with the zeal and prayers of the people at home, a great and effectual work will be done, under the Divine blessing.

"You have said nothing about the Indo-Chinese translation, viz. the Siamese, Cambodian, and Laos, for the printing of which the Dutch Bible Society has advanced $800. I have, in the neanwhile, given the whole up to Mr. Robinson, and trust he will expedite the work with care.

"I am very desirous to see at least a few chapters ready for the press ere I leave this, and some parts engraved. As there are more laborers forthcoming, and all are anxious to co-operate in the great work, you must be prepared for heavy demands. Yet we trust to our God, that while doors are opened, the means will also be supplied for carrying on the blessed work."

In another communication to one of the managers of the society, Mr. Gutz. laff expresses his desire that distribution of books may be undertaken on a much more extensive scale than has yet been attempted.

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As long," says he, "as our relations remain the same as at present, a vessel laden with a great number of books, say one million of volumes, ought to perform an annual voyage from Haenan to Kiseri. As Dr. Parker has come out for the express purpose of settling in one of the provinces, he might serve his apprenticeship in the expedition."

It must be strikingly evident to all who have noticed the finger of Providence, in relation to China, the last few years, that great changes are about to take place in that populous empire. The eyes of the civilized statesman, of the merchant, and of the Christian, are all turned toward her, and the voice of the whole united world cries for the deliverance of her millions from oppression and ignorance.It can hardly be presumed that another ten years can pass before wide alterations are made in her diplomatic and commercial intercourse with other nations. Nor can this period pass before the soldiers of the cross, now gathering on her borders, and mastering her complicated tongue, will penetrate the interior of her cities and provinces, and proclaim the news of the Gospel in the ears of thou. sands.

'It is a circumstance of peculiar interest to this society, in looking at the anticipated changes referred to, that the Chinese are so extensively a reading people, and are eager to obtain books. How much more hopeless their condition, were they as untaught as the scattered tribes of Africa and America. How much more difficult the task of enlightening so many millions, were they strangers to the mechanical process of preparing paper, and to the art of printing. But such are the arrangements of Providence, that, in almost every. part of that empire, books can be manufactured at a moderate expense and to an unlimited extent. Let the door but open to admit the merchant, an event which cannot be long de layed, and how rapidly would the knowledge of Christianity be diffused by the press, even should the living missionary be for a time excluded. How rapidly might copies of the Scriptures be multiplied by native hands, and furnished to such as would at once peruse them; and thus many be led, like the awakened Ethiopian, to desire some Philip to come and teach them to understand what they read. The utility of the Bible to China is ingeniously as well as truly represented by the Rev. Mr. Abeel, before the British and Foreign Bible Society at its last anniversary. Mr. Abeel observed, that

"He knew but one missionary in whom he could place complete confidence That missionary he had met in China; he was instructed in languages, and diligent in exertion; he had made voyages from island to island; he had gone forth unaided and alone; he had entered villages and hamlets; he had dared to enter the palace of him who was called 'the Son of Heaven,' and had ventured to tell him of the true way to heaven. That missionary had done the speaker the honor to be his companion, and such another companion he never expected to find.— Where he could not go, that missionary went; what he could not do, that missionary did. He had never left him. In entering regions which had no teacher, he was still his companion. He went among all classes-he abode with him for weeks at a time, he animated all his exertions; and what was most remarkable, with all his powers, with all his elevation of soul, he became his servant. He entered even the junks, and taught the mariners. He went on, and entered China itself. Surely the audience would all desire to know who he was. He would tell them who he was not; he was not a Churchman, nor a Dissenter-he was not a Calvinist, nor an Arminian-he was not an American, nor an Englishman, nor a Scotchman, nor a Hollander. He appeared to hate all sects, and many of those who were the most prominent he had never even mentioned. That missionary was THE BIBLE."'

Through the agency of this and the British and Foreign Bible Society, the holy Scriptures, either in whole or in part, have been translated into one hundred and fifty-eight languages and dialects.

It is known to most of our readers, that in the year 1828 the Bible Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed by the advice of our General Con. ference. We were led to this measure chiefly to supply our numerous Sunday schools with the holy Scriptures on the cheapest terms, and the poorer classes of