when this Society had not long existed, and when it had yet to struggle through domestic controversies, the report of which never reached, and, I trust, never will reach the feudal Chieftains and hardy Mountaineers of Abyssinia, that this work was commenced in Cairo, by a learned native. At the moment when I first entered on negotiation with the proprietor of the work, he had just received an interdict from Rome which virtually restrained the printing of it. Had it taken its course to the Vatican, it might have slumbered there for centuries, instead of its reaching as it now has done, our literary friends in the Universities, by whom it will be prepared for the service of this Society. How honourable is this event for our country! Twenty years have elapsed since the British name was made known at the mouth of the Nile, by the thunder of our cannon. I have twice passed over that scene by day and by night; all was still and calm: excepting the name of "Nelson's Island," there remains no memorial of the havoc and destruction, the groans and misery which that scence once witnessed. There was silence still as death! Far different is the character in which you will now make our country appear. Your's it is to visit the coy sources of the Nile, with the Abyssinian Scriptures, to bring peace to the afflicted natives, and teach them a song of praise which they will prolong for ever in the realms of bliss above. Nor can I believe that the blessing of this work will be confined to Abyssinia. Sure I am, that Christianity once re-animated in that country, whether she look to the right, to that land now falsely called "Araby the blest," or to the left, over those dense and barbarous regions of Africa, which no man ever yet called blest--yet she will certainly impart her benign character, and scatter blessings on every side. I feel reluctant to say any thing which might seem personal; yet perhaps I might claim the congratulatious of this assembly, when I state that this is to me the anniversary of the day, when for the last time I trod the shores of Alexandria, ready to embark on the morrow with this invaluable treasure. Never did I feel so overwhelmed in the prospect of a voyage: Abyssinia seemed to me to say, Omnia mea tecum portas. Now these anxieties are exchanged for gratitude and joy. Rev. JABEZ BUNTING: The Resolution which I have to propose alludes to those who are labourers in the Society's domestic vineyard. I have in many parts of the kingdom witnessed their steady zeal in promoting the interests of this Society; and I bless GOD that he has inclined so many, not only to unite in spreading the Scriptures with so much success at home; and to do this in the catholic spirit of the Parent Society,---in the spirit of that holy religion which the Bible enjoins upon us; but to render such effectual aid in disseminating the Scriptures through the world at large. Having, on a former occasion, had the honour of addressing this Society, I did not expect I should again be called to stand before you; but I was told by those who brought me forward, that I was to appear as the representative of that particular body of Christians with whom I am connected. It seems to be the opinion of the Committee, that this Society ought to be a sort of visible representative of the universal family and brotherhood of all who in different countries, and under different denominations, are looking for the mercy of our LORD JESUS CHRIST unto eternal life; and this I think I may say, that so much of an approach to the holy Catholic Church, the church universal, "earth saw never," and I trust that "Heaven stoops down to see." As the representative of that particular denomination to which I belong, I take the liberty of offering to your Lordship and this Society, our most grateful thanks for the assistance derived from it by persons labouring for us in Foreign countries, and particularly in the Island of Ceylon; where they have received Bibles and Testaments, and paper and money, through the Colombo Auxiliary Bible Society, to enable them to carry on their work. In short, it is to your generous Society that we are indebted for the efficiency of our efforts in that island, where we have eighty-four schools, in which 4,900 children are daily taught to read the Word of God, in the English, the Cingalese, and the Tamul languages. It is pleasing to consider, that 500 of these children are females, who are now educating in a country where, as your Lordship knows, till very lately, the idea of educating them would have been thought altogether absurd. In these schools too, many of the children of Mahomedans are learning to read that book which alone can teach them the character and precepts of the true Prophet. In that populous Island, before the commencement of your operations, there were few copies of the Cingalese Scriptures; but now the case is greatly altered. It may now be said to those who are worshipping idols and devils, “ The word is not far from thee; it is not far off beyond the sea; it is not above, (and, my Lord, it might as well have been in Heaven if we had kept it here in England,) that thou shouldst say, 'Who shall go, and bring RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE,' it hither, that we may hear it, and do it?" But it is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart." I have taken the liberty of mentioning these circumstances, partly as an expression of gratitude, and partly because I think the subject itself is not unseasonable; for it leads to the animating reflection, that while the Bible Society confines its own operations within its prescribed limits, it is at the same moment promoting the good designs of every benevolent Institution. It is the enemy of none: it is the rival of none: it is, on the contrary, the friend of all who bear the Christian The Word of GOD, by whomsoever it is circuname, and love the Christian cause. lated, can do harm no where; it is good for every thing that is good, and good against every thing that is evil; so that no one can object to this Society, on the ground that it is not confined to any one particular denomination of real Christians, because it promotes the designs of all. I have heard of an old sailor, who had lost a limb, and was reduced to the necessity of applying for parochial assistance; but whose application was refused, on the ground of his not belonging to that particular know not whether I belong to this parish or not, but this I parish his reply was, know, that I lost my limb in fighting for all parishes. Upon a similar ground, my Lord, I am bold to advance for the Bible Society a claim to the support of each individual; for it is maintaining the cause of ail---of all Societies, and of all Churches; and therefore it is entitled to universal assistance. Such universal assistance it deserves; and such universal assistance I have no doubt it will continue to receive. Some forty or fifty years ago, two men, who were put in charge of the Eddystone Light-house, happened to quarrel; and such was their animosity, that, rather than lend each other the requisite assistance, they let the fire, so necessary to the safety of mariners, go out and thus, to gratify their own spite, they ran the risk of seeing the Navy of England dashed in pieces. But I trust we have not so learned our duty to GOD, to our SAVIOUR, to ourselves, and to the world, as to permit the flame, which is now enlightened, to be extingnished. I consider the British and Foreign Bible Society, in a very important sense, as the Light-house of the moral world; and I trust we are all prepared, in the strength of our GOD, to pledge ourselves afresh to every effort which may be required to maintain it. J. J. GURNEY, ESQ. of Norwich, on moving a Resolution of Congratulation to Foreign Societies, &c. said,---My Lord, My principal inducement for rising on the present occasion was, to state a few plain observations which have occurred to my own mind upon this subject; and I would take the liberty, in the first place, as one of the Secretaries of an Auxiliary Society, to return ny thanks to the Parent Society, to whom we owe all that support which has enabled us to do what we have done. Our Institution began in November, 1811, and since that period we have remitted to the Parent Society 19007., and have issued thirty-three thousand copies of the Sacred Scriptures. When our Society was first formed, it was the opinion of some of its most ardent supporters that its institution was indispensably called for, as there were found to be about ten thousand families in want of Bibles. But now, after we have issued thirty-three thousand copies of the Scriptures, the demand for them is not in the least diminished. This fact I thought not uninteresting, as shewing the great progress of this work, and the increased desire which has been produced for the Holy Scriptures. And if I might suggest any hints for the more effectual promotion of this great cause, I would propose, first, the institution of Branch Societies in all the minor towns of the country; and secondly, the general formation of Bible Associations. Nothing can be of more importance, in my view, in promoting the objects of this Institution, than localizing it to the greatest possible extent. Let me therefore urge it upon every gentleman here to consider whether he has exerted himself to the utmost of his power to form such Branch Societies; for I am persuaded that without these hands to the body, we never shall effectually attain our object. But I feel still more deeply the importance of Bible Associations. I am convinced, from long experience, that the work of the distribution of the Scriptures cannot be fully accomplished in this kingdom upon any other plan. In the county of Norfolk we began, at first, upon the plan of gratuitous distribution. We knew not then what Bible Associations meant, except that we felt that we ourselves were an associated people full of love to the Scriptures. By means then of funds derived from the donations given in the first instance, we circulated the first year about six hundred copies of the Scriptures. The next year, however, we began to form Bible Associations; and by their means we were enabled to circulate seven thousand copies of the Scriptures, and to contribute 4007, to the British and Foreign Bible Society. The importance of these Associations is now, I trust, generally known. Such however is my sense of it, that I hope I shall * 4 B 2* not be thought to trespass on the time of the Meeting, if I point out a few particu lars of their great utility. They lead to a most extensive circulation of the Scriptures at home; a circulation to such an extent as could not possibly be effected by gratuitous distribution. They are accompanied with the most important benefits to the Parent Institution, by the aid they furnish to the general and foreign objects of this Society. According to the plan of the Bible Society, it returns to its Auxiliaries in books half the money it receives from them. But if you succeed in establishing Bible Associations, the Auxiliaries will have it in their power to leave the whole of their finds in the hands of the Bible Society, for its general and foreign objects. But besides this, such is the interest which these Associations excite in the mind, that their members do not rest contented with supplying themselves with copies of the Scriptures; but, having done this, they come forward with their contributions year by year, with their hundred, Lay with their four hundred pounds, for the general purposes of the Institution. I would remark, as another benefit arising from these Associations, the general interest which they create in favour of the Bible Society in the great mass of the people. While you confine yourselves to the Institution of Auxiliary or even Branch Bible Societies, who are they that are chiefly engaged in them? Some thirty or forty persons in the higher walks of life, who have united for this purpose, and perhaps very few others. But by means of Associations you interest the great mass, the whole population. Those find their place here, not only who want the Scriptures themselves, but who are willing to assist this Society to the utmost extent of their means, but who cannot afford to subscribe their guinea to the Parent Society, or to one of its Auxiliaries; and who, nevertheless, delight to unite with those above them and with those below them, in contributing to this great and glorious cause. We may also regard these Associations as a great moral engine, calculated not only to benefit Britain, and to do good to the souls of her population, but to benefit the world at large. The present times have assumed an aspect which is appalling to every Christian. There never was a period when the efforts of every Christian were more loudly called for to destroy those seeds of blasphemy and irreligion which have of late been so widely spread, I have no doubt through the malice of our greatest enemy. And certainly there is not a more powerful moral engine which we can employ for this purpose, than the general promotion of Bible Associations. I have but one more hint to give on this subject. It is not enough to effect the establishment of Associations. They require to be watched over and renewed. The Association at Norwich is renewed every two years; and after that interval, a new census is always taken, which operates most beneficially by bringing forward many young men and many young women in the middling classes of life, into active co-operation with the Society. Now I would implore every one who is pressnt, to inquire, on his return home, whether the Bible Societies or Associations around him are flourishing or declining; for decline they will, from the mere effect of the population being themselves supplied with the Scriptures, unless exertions are made to keep alive and renew a right spirit. Besides this, changes are continually occurring; many families leave our towns, and new families arrive; many persons likewise can now read, who could not read two years ago; and these circumstances require the constant renewal of Bible Associations. There is only one thing more I wish to add, and that is, on the manner of conducting the general meetings of the Bible Society. I long to see the day when they shall be conducted with perfect simplicity, and when we shall studiously avoid every thing of panegyric or eulogy. This line of conduct we have adopted at Norwich, and it appears to me to have greatly increased the success of the Bible Society there. My heart went along with my friend from North Britain, when he was speaking of the evils of panegyric. We do not come here to panegyrize, but to acknowledge the unmerited mercies of our GoD and SAVIOUR. I am fully sensible how much benefit this Society has derived from its President, from its Secretaries, and from its Committee; and one reason why I wish to promote the distribution of the Scriptures is, because while they teach us to fear GOD, they teach us also to give honour where honour is due---tribute to whom tribute is due---respect where respect is due. But when I remember that our object is a religious object, that we come together as the unworthy subjects and servants of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, I feel that we should not take that opportunity of bestowing praise on each other. I must acknowledge, however, shat the present Meeting has been comparatively clear of this fault. At Norwich we have derived great advantage from prohibiting all votes of thanks, with one exception. We have never been able to except our beloved Friend, the Bishop of Norwich; than whom I believe there is not in England a more firm, a more steady' a more unshakeable friend, (if I may make a word for the purpose,) to this cause. While the state of his health permitted him, he rendered us his best assistance; and now that he is too old to attend our meetings, he still feels attached to the cause, and not long since he observed, that there is not one Institution more calculated to promote the glory of GoD and the good of mankind, than the Bible Society. I am not aware that I have any other practical hint to give this Meeting; but those hints which I have given, I have given with very great deference, and with a sincere desire to promote this noble, this celestial cause. Sir THOMAS DYKE ACLAND, Bart. M.P. on moving Thanks to the President, for his Lordship's conduct in the Chair, said,---My Lord, I certainly shall take upon myself to move the last Resolution with very great pleasure; and, if I am fortunate enough not to incur your Lordship's displeasure by the substance of it, and not to incur the displeasure of our excellent friend, (MR. GURNEY,) by my manner of moving it, I am sure I shall not incur the displeasure of any other. Those who would repress the flattery of the lips, cannot extinguish the feelings of the heart; but your Lordship will observe, that by my manner of wording my motion I have steered clear of the difficulties into which, from the very nature of it, and from the warmth of the feeling we mean to express by it, there might be some danger of falling. Your Lordship will observe, that in wording it I have left out the usual expressions of praise,---" your Lordship's able and impartial conduct in the chair." ----But shall I be pressing this plain dealing too far, when I say that the omission of these terms is not to be ascribed altogether to the valuable admonitions of my friend? they are not, in my opinion, applicable to your Lordship's conduct; for where all are unanimously agreed, there is no opportunity for the Chairman to manifest his impartiality. Where different opinions prevail in a meeting, it is doubtless the duty of the Chairman to be impartial; but there is no room for the exercise of that valuable quality where all are of one mind, as is the case here. But, besides this consideration, there would be something in the expression that might not be consistent with strict truth; for it cannot be denied that the conduct of your Lordship for seventeen years demonstrates how very partial you are to the cause of this Society.--And when a motion, proposed by such an humble individual as myself, is received in the manner in which this Motion has been received, it proves that the Meeting is likewise by no means exempt from some feelings of partiality. Neither have I attached to your Lordship's conduct in the chair, though no one would have disputed the propriety of it, the expression of ability; for to what purpose is the ability of a Chairman required, but to preserve good order, good manners, and, if possible, harmony in the meeting over which he presides? My Lord, there are public assemblies, there are honourable assemblies, and among them even the first assembly in this country, where it is not of equally little moment to the good order of the meeting, whether the President should or should not possess abilities of a very high order indeed. In this world of strife, and on questions of dubious policy, it requires talents of no common order to reconcile jarring opinions, and to regulate opposition, when persons are strongly excited in favour of what they conceive to be for the general, good. But here our President has no such feelings to repress we meet to carry on our work in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. I hope, therefore, I shall find my apology with your Lordship and with this assembly for the manner in which I have performed the task I had undertaken. I hope also to meet with the concurrence of my excellent friend: but I beg his pardon; I feel that I cannot even allude to him without running the risk of falling into the error which he has so impressively censured. But the name of that Gentleman will never, I believe, be alluded to in this assembly without a testimony of the sincerest regard. Yet, before he attributes any very great degree of blame to the laudatory expressions which are sometimes employed on occasions like these, let him reflect that we meet here for a common and cherished object; we meet to promote the glory of the GOD of peace and love; and it is natural for us to unite in feelings of grateful affection towards those persons by whom that object has been eminently promoted. Our friend has indeed admitted, in his general inculpation of the practice, one exception, and that of a Bishop of the Church of England. The moment this Bishop presented himself to the mind of our friend, he seemed to lose sight at once of all his monitory cautions. I rejoice in this. The day has been when we could not have hoped to witness such an exhibition; when such a sentiment had never been so uttered, or reciprocally felt, in any part of his Majesty's dominions. Indeed, in the great regard we express to those who are eininently instrumental in promoting the success of the Bible Society, we only give a specimen of the spirit of the Institution itself; and, if 2 a little excess of kindness is to be charged upon us as a defect, let us admit it to be a defect, and be thankful if our enemies have nothing else to allege against us. I have but little else to say; but, my Lord, there is one observation which was suggested to me by what fell from my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He observed, that we had here Representatives of Foreign Potentates. My Rev. Friend also said, that we had here persons of every opinion in religion and politics. But, my Lord, we may perhaps view this as a representative assembly of a still higher description. Were I personally acquainted with the members of it, I should probably find here representatives of every charitable Institution that exists in the British empire; thus exhibiting the charity and benevolence of this happy land, combined with the respect of other nations: and though all these classes will now separate and be drawn back, as it were, to their proper sphere of action, yet they will again return, after another year, to enjoy the same delightful union, and to present here their common peace-offerings at the shrine of Religion. I conclude by expressing my ardent wish that your Lordship may enjoy, during the interval, all that health of body and tranquillity of mind which are so necesaary to the comfortable discharge of your important duties, and that next year we may again meet to rejoice together on the increasing prosperity of the Institution! The Rev. JOHN OWEN, after reading a brief Statement of Receipts and Payments, in the absence of the Treasurer from indisposition, seconded the Motion in a few appropriate remarks; when his Lordship, the President, adjourned the Meeting. OBITUARY. (1.) Died, on Christmas-day last, at Cape Negro, Nova Scotia, the REV. JAMES MAN.-It is remarkable that, since the year 1781, although several Methodist Missionaries have been stationed in Nova Scotia, yet none of them have died in that province, the late MR. JOHN MAN excepted, until December, 1820, (a period of nearly forty years); when his brother, MR. JAMES MAN, departed this life. MR. JOHN MAN finished his ministerial and Christian labours in a good old age; nor was his brother taken to his reward til he had seen the vicissitudes of more than three score years and ten; about half of which he had spent in the labours of the Christian ministry. MR. JOHN MAN came with the Royalists from New York to Shelburne, in the year 1784. At that time there were about 400 members in the Methodist Societies in Nova Scotia. MR. JAMES MAN, who accompanied him to Shelburne, had been previously awakened to a sense of his sinful and unregenerate state, and had united himself to the Methodist Society in New York; but it was not until after his arrival in Nova Scotia that he experienced a sense of the favour of God, by "the remission of sins that are past." He was now too happy to enjoy his comforts alone, and soon after began to call sinners to repentance. Many a weary step has he taken, in almost every part of that difficult station; preaching, exhorting, and praying, by day and by night, from house to house, from harbour to harbour, from shore to shore; travelling through swamps, and snows, and dreary woods; joyfully and thankfully partaking of the meanest fare, and glad to declare to the poor people the tidings of the REDEEMER'S grace. Many were the dangers to which |