THE Twentieth Annual General Meeting of this Society was held in the Rotunda, Dublin, on Thursday the 13th of April, 1826. The Right Hon. the Earl of Roden, President of the Society,

in the Chair.

The room was so much crowded at an early period of the day, that several friends of the Society could not obtain admittance.

The Resolutions were moved and seconded by John M'Clintock, Esq., and Rev. Dr. Singer, F. T. C. D.; the Venerable Archdeacon Pakenham, and Rev. John Burnett; Rev. Denis Brown, and Rev. Walter Hoare; the Very Rev. Dean of Dromore, and Rev. Henry Irwin; Rev. Mr. Hepenstal, and Rev. Dr. Hamilton; Rev. David Stewart, and Rev. W. Bushe; Rev. Mr. M Clintock, and Rev. Henry Crofton.

The Rev. B. W. Mathias acknowledged the vote of thanks to the Officers of the Society, and paid a justly deserved tribute of affectionate regard to the memory of his late brother Secretary, the Hon. and Rev. Edward Wingfield.

The Report, froin which the following extracts are made, was one of the most interesting and encouraging ever presented to the Society.

"Your Committee, in presenting themselves before you at the completion of their stewardship, again enjoy the high satisfaction, through the peculiar favour of Him in whose service you are engaged, of announcing to you the continued and increasing prosperity of your Society. During a year of great tranquillity, witliout any unusual exertion, or any unusual excitement on the public mind, the issues of the Scriptures from your Depository have exceeded those of the former year by 2,480 Bibles, and 5,777 Testaments, making a total increase of 8,257 copies of Sacred Writ introduced into circulation during one year. This is a result which your Committee, sanguine as they might be respecting the ultimate success of the Society, did not anticipate. On the contrary, two years ago they endeavoured to prepare your minds for hearing of a diminution of your sales; but the Lord has been pleased to surpass all their expectations, and to make the power of his word to triumph over all their calculations and apprehensions.”

After giving a summary of the proceedings of the various Auxiliary and Branch Societies, and Bible Associations, in different parts of the kingdom, the Report states that the year which then terminated, had seen sixty-two new Bible Institutions formed in connexion with the Society,-eleven Auxiliary Societies,—

three Branch Societies,-and forty-eight Bible Associations,-the latter chiefly conducted by ladies; thus, making the total number of such Institutions, in conin, to amount to two hundred and ninetynexion with the Parent Society in Dubthree, viz.

In Leinster
In Ulster

In Connaught
In Munster

Total

Tot.

Aux. Bran. Asso. 16 2 56

74

Alluding to the solemn visitation of Providence, in the removal of their late revered and beloved Secretary, the Hon. and Rev. Edward Wingfield, the Report proceeds thus:-"Every thing connected with the accession of that lamented indivilated to endear him to your Committee, dual to the list of your Officers, was calcuand to every friend of the Bible Society; and the time at which it pleased the Lord to remove him, almost immediately after he had returned from a long and arduous mission on behalf of the Society; during which, his decaying health more than once arrested his progress,—all tended to add force and sharpness to the stroke which was inflicted on you, but, the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away,'-blessed be the name of the Lord!"

The pocket edition of the Irish Bible, in the vernacular character, is reported to be making as rapid a progress as the nature and difficulties of the work will admit. This edition is to be printed from the large octavo edition, now in course of publication, under the direction, and at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society; and it is proposed and expected that the former will be concluded nearly at the same time with the latter. In the meanwhile, the Society has printed an edition of 4000. copies of the Book of Psalms, in Irish.

In aid of this important work, of giving to the native Irish, the Holy Scriptures in their own language, the Edinburgh Bible Society have recently voted the sum of 2001.; for which act of beneficence, the Committee express their heartfelt thanks.

The receipts of the Society during the past year, exclusive of the sum of 3001 voted by the British and Foreign Bible Society, in 1824, in aid of the printing of the Irish Scriptures, has been as follows, viz.

From Donations, Aunual Subscriptions, Legacies, Congregational Collections, and free Contributions of Auxiliaries, 16687. 9s. 11d. From sales of the Scriptures, 40327. 3s. 9d. British.

Upon this, the Report remarks as follows:-"It is a somewhat remarkable feature in these receipts, that while your income, that is, the contributions made

of gambling will soon be for ever at an end in England; and hope that the day will arrive, when Lotteries shall cease in France also.

M. Pache, of Lyons, proposed the printing and circulation of the Report. He could bear witness to the good effects of distributing Tracts, in his church and neighbourhood. He had known many instances of good among children, as well as adult people; and lately it had been the practice of workmen, going out in the country on Sabbath-days, to distribute among their friends à quantity of Religious Tracts.

M. le Baron de Staël, Treasurer to the Society, gave a statement of the funds. It appears that the receipts of the last year amounted to 4,683 francs, and the expenditure to 7,635 francs. The Society has now a debt of 2,952 francs, with increasing demands. M. de Staël addressed the Meeting on the necessity of increased exertions. The funds were not only exhausted, but there was a debt accumulated; and the Society stood in need of more money to extend its operations. There was a difference between temporal and spiritual charity. The former was sometimes uncertain with regard to its benefits; but not so the latter. The object of spiritual charity was, to regenerate the human mind, and to produce eternal advantages. There was an evident progress among the religious Institutions in France, and it behoves the friends of those institutions to perse

vere.

M. Coquerel moved the thanks of the Meeting to Foreign Societies with whom the Paris Tract Society held correspond ence. He took a view of many circumstances now occurring in the religious world, and dwelt on the exertions of many individuals to spread religion and morality among mankind; and as the Tract Society took its part in these exertions, it was necessary that the Tracts should contain the genuine doctrines of the Gospel, the great truths of God's word. In concluding his address, Mr. C. referred to Greece; and besought the assembly to interest themselves in the fate of so many of their fellow-creatures, professing the Christian faith, likely to fall, unless protected, by the hands of their cruel enemies.

Mr. Cook, from the South of France, expressed the pleasure he felt in hearing what was doing for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Where the faith of the Gospel is proclaimed, where truth is disseminated, it frees men from the slavery of sin; and means, however feeble in themselves, when sanctioned by the divine blessing, prove efficacious. And is it not evident that God is with us, by prospering his work in the world? He who caused, by means so simple, the walls of Jericho to fall, can produce like effects in demolishing the banners which

are raised against the extension of his work. The different Institutions help each other. We should ever consider the word of God as seed sown, and pray for its increase.

M. Soulier, of Paris, formerly Pastor of a church in the South of France, but now unable, through indisposition and age, to pursue his work, gave an account of his late journey through a part of France, where are the greatest number of Protestant churches. His mind was particularly cheered, in viewing the progress of truth. He referred to the days when none of these Institutions were found; but now young people, as well as others, were occupied in the Protestant churches, in extending the kingdom of Christ. He rejoiced also, in the protection afforded to the Institutions under the reign of Charles the Tenth. Mr. S. felt that his place would soon be occupied by another; age and affliction reminded him of the eternal world; but he felt, in viewing the progress of the Gospel, something like Simeon; and could say, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.”

Mr. Mark Wilks felt desirous to relieve the mind of their excellent and worthy Treasurer, M. de Staël, by presenting him with a donation. However small, he trusted it would turn to good account, and be the means of increasing consider ably the funds of the Society. It was sent by a child, who derived benefit from one of the Tracts. "I will not tell you which," said Mr. Wilks, " for I do not like to lead people to prefer one Tract to another: they are all good. The child sends five sous. Now if the reading of one Tract produces this sum, may we not hope for abundance from the reading of so many?" Mr. W. contended, that, considering the small number yet published, by the Paris Tract Society, they contain as good a selection as any Tract Society in the world possesses, and this was a ground of encouragement.

M. Soulier, Pastor of Anduze, South of France, bore testimony to the good he had witnessed in his church, by the distribution of Tracts.

M. Pastor Juillerat concluded with prayer, imploring the Divine Being to continue to bless the labours of this Institution.

BIBLE SOCIETY. On Wednesday, April 12th, at Rue de Clery, was held the Seventh Anniversary of the Paris Protestant Bible Society. The President, the Marquis de Jaucourt, took the Chair, at twelve o'clock. M. Pastor Boissard, of the Lutheran Church, one of the Secretaries of the Society, offered up prayer for the divine blessing. Some letters of apology were read. The Presi dent then addressed the assembly:-We have additional motives of gratitude to God, for his protection of this Society. another year. Charity towards man is

its object; and we have new proofs this year, of the blessing of God resting upon us, in the success granted to this Institution. It needs only to be known, to be loved, embracing all sects and parties. In its extension we see the advancement of the universal church of Christ. The President took a view of past days, when our forefathers were so attached to the word of God, which they have bequeathed to us, and which it is our duty to give to our children. He referred to the benefit which schools derive from the Bible Society; and to the liberty which the present monarch, Charles the Tenth, afforded the Institution, for which it was their duty to be thankful. In the last year, the Society has sustained a great loss in the death of M. Vincent de Laurent, who was present at the last annual meeting, but is now called to reap the fruit of his labours. His last moments were those of activity in behalf of this Society. But Providence will pursue its object, and raise up others, we trust, equally active in this cause.

M. le Baron Pelet de la Lozere, one of the Secretaries, read the Report; which took a view of the labours of the Committee for the past year. It referred to the continued circulation of the Monthly Bulletin, to the number of about 9,000; and to the visit of M. Monod, senior, to London, last year, as the Representative of the Paris Bible Society. This journey was very satisfactory to M. M. himself, from the kind reception he met with at the Anniversary of the British and Foreign Bible Society; and satisfactory to the Committee, from the able manner in which M. M. fulfilled his mission. The Report paid a tribute of remembrance to M. Vincent de Laurent, who was a great advocate for the Protestants of France, employing his powerful talents in their cause, and an ardent friend and defender of the Protestant Bible Society. The Committee has supplied every new Society with gifts, according to their wants; thirty-nine Auxiliary Societies had been added; making the whole number about eighty in the different departments. Many Ladies' Associations had been formed in the past year; the Secretaries have made journeys in different parts of France, visiting the Auxiliary Societies, and witnessing in many places great zeal towards the support of the cause. The Report stated, that the Committee had engaged, as a joint Secretary, M. Pastor Villaret, from the south, a young man of piety and talents; and, in concluding, it referred to the progress of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and spoke of the death of the Emperor Alexander, a great friend to Bible Societies established In his empire.

M. Coulmann, one of the auditors, stated that the receipts for the last year amounted to 63,301 francs; that the expenses of the year amounted to 52,800

francs; and that the number of Bibles and Testaments distributed amounted to 5,735 Bibles, and 6,106 Testaments.

M. de Turckheim, of Strasbourg, Member of the Chamber of Deputies, stated that he was charged by the Strasbourg Auxiliary Bible Society to state the progress making in that part of France, and to assure the Paris Bible Society of their readiness to continue to co-operate with them.

M. Pastor Sabonadiere then addressed the assembly, and spoke of the zeal of the Strasbourg Committee, and acknowledged the kindness of M. de Turckheim in favouring them with his presence, and conveying the message.

M. Pastor Monod, jun., read the Report of the Ladies' Association of Paris, which had collected more than 6,000 francs during the last year, by weekly sous. The Committee thanked the Tract Society for their kindness in giving them a number of the Tract called, "Le Sou bien employé," (The Penny Well Spent,) by the distribution of which many were induced to contribute to their funds. The collectors had been particularly active, and the work of collecting for the Bible Association had produced instances of good; many distressed families had been visited and relieved; many instances of good among children were mentioned, of their being taught to read the word of God. In one case, a Bible was lent by a lady to a poor woman, who had four children, and who wrote a letter acknowledging the good she had received from the perusal of the word of God; and a child of ten years of age bore testimony to the change wrought in him by the same means. The Report referred to the Associations in different parts of France. Thirteen Ladies' Auxiliary Societies had been formed, and good effects produced.

M. Buhrel read the Report of the Association of the Artisans at Paris; more than 3,000 francs had been collected during the last year. The Bulletins have had a wide circulation by this Association and many families have been supplied with the word of God.

M. Pastor Pache, of Lyons, moved the printing and publishing of these Reports, and addressed the meeting in a very im pressive manner concerning the good resulting from the propagation of the word oflife, and the necessity of acknowledging the word of God as the means of communicating divine knowledge. He felt peculiar delight in beholding the progress of truth. He could bear witness to the advancement of religion in his own church, and especially by the Bible Associations, having at Lyons twenty-three collectors, and twenty districts. The Institution produced increasing good among men, women, and children; and another institution, which has for its object to relieve the temporal wants of the people, was increased by means of the Bible As