that more than that sum will be realized from this gift at a future period. It has become necessary for the Board to mention, that a number of legacies have been lost to the Society, in consequence of material informali. ty in the wills of the testators. A proper form of bequest is inserted on the back of the title page of every copy of the annual report; and by observing that form, those who are willing to devote a portion of their earthly property to the work of disseminating the Holy Scriptures among their fellow-men, may be satisfied, that their purpose will be executed. Auxiliary Societies.

Forty-seven Auxiliary Societies were recognised during the last year, making the whole number recognised as Auxiliary to the National Institution,

four hundred and seven.

The number of the Auxiliaries has been increased from month to month during the past year; and the Managers have thus been animated and gladdened in their toils by tidings of new coadjutors, or of more fields ready to receive the good seed. Among the additions to the roll of Auxiliaries, there is one from the State of Illinois; and by this, the Board are enabled to say, that there is now at least one Auxiliary Institution in every State in the Union. The request is renewed, that in all cases where a Bible Society exists or may be organized, Auxiliary to the American Bible Society, official notice may be forthwith sent to the Secretary for Domestic Correspondence. And it is further requested, that such notice may in every instance be accompanied with a distinct statement, that the sole object of such Bible Society is to promote the circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment ;--and that its surplus revenue, after supplying its own district with the Scriptures, shall be placed at the disposal of the American Bible Society, so long as its connexion with it as an Auxiliary shall continue. The want of such notice as is here re

quested, prevents the recognition as Auxiliaries of several Institutions, which are known to have been established; and it is always painful to the Board, to delay to recognise à Society, which is in its infancy, and to which they are anxious to give a cordial welcome, and their prompt and affectionate attention and assistance.

The

During the eighth year, a large portion of the Auxiliaries have failed to transmit any annual report. Managers cannot but lament this neglect, as it leaves them in ignorance of the condition of many Auxiliaries, to which they would gladly impart such aid, advice, or grants as might be requisite. The careful attention of all the Societies is invited to this matter; and every one is earnestly requested to forward its annual report, at an early day after it is made, to the Secretary for Domestic Correspondence.

From their active and extensive correspondence, and from the reports which have been received, the Managers have learned much, which has afforded them pleasure, and calls for their warm commendations. In several cases, Societies, which had been long inactive and apparently in the slumber of death, have been happily revived; and some of these are manifesting even more vigour and ardour than in the first days of their being. In general the Auxiliaries are pursuing with steadfastness and diligence the duties incumbent on them. They are actively supplying the needy in their several spheres. They are carefully calling forth the means of their districts. They are annually contributing to the Treasury of the Parent Society. The Managers forbear to mention particular Institutions. They must, however, be allowed to declare their warm approbation of some of the Auxiliaries in the Colleges of our country; in which the young have brought to the Bible cause, their vigour, their fire, their

first powers, and given the strongest pledge of future usefulness. And with no less applause, do the Managers advert to the Bible Institutions, now more numerous than ever, composed of ladies. They have gone forth in their modesty and benevolence, and have been surpassed by none in patience and zeal, in activity and usefulness. They have obtained a portion of the abundance of the rich, and the mites of the poor, and poured the whole into the treasury of the LORD. They have not shrunk from the abodes of the ignorant, the sick, the wretched, the helpless, they have penetrated into the recesses of want,-to furnish to the needy that holy Book, which makes known "the bread of life."

The Board hope that these efforts will not be relaxed, but redoubled ; and they hold up the example of these their faithful associates, to all those who are not yet actively engaged in circulating the Bible, and thus advancing God's glory and doing good to the souls of men.

Sales at reduced prices, recommended.

Circumstances are known to the Managers, which convince them, that it is expedient to renew the recommendation to the Auxiliaries, to endeavour to sell Bibles and Testaments, rather than to bestow them on individuals without cost. Experience has more and more confirmed the Board in this recommendation; and they are confident that all the Societies, who exert themselves to dispose of the Scriptures at cost or at reduced prices, will be far more efficient Institutions, and will be the instruments of far greater and more permanent benefits, than those who freely give them to every applicant. Those who are really unable to pay any thing, should be supplied gratuitously without hesitation: but this is by no means the condition of all who are not possessors of the Scriptures. And as to such as can pay, and will

not pay any part of a price of a Bible or a Testament, there certainly is very little reason even to hope that they would use and improve the sa'cred Book, were it placed in their hands. The Managers particularly urge this recommendation on the Marine Bible Societies. Their exertions are regarded with more than ordinary interest; and it must be practicable for them in almost every case, to obtain some payment for the Scriptures, from the seamen to whom they are furnished, as a pledge that they will be perused with attention, and not utterly disregarded.

Agents.

The continued exertions of the Rev. RICHARD D. HALL, who was mentioned in the last report, as having entered on the second year of an Agency for the Society, resulted, through the blessing of GOD, in the formation of a considerable number of Auxiliaries, and in the revival The and encouragement of others. agency of Dr. SAMUEL ROBINSON, in South Carolina, though of short duration, was very successful. It was a matter of regret that these Agencies were so soon terminated by circumstances beyond the control of the Managers; Dr. Robinson being constrained to proceed to a Northern State on account of his health, before the middle of the summer; and the Rev. Mr. Hall deeming it his duty to close his labours as an Agent, in the Autumn. These gentlemen have merited and received the sincere gratitude of the Board, for their warm attachment to the Society, for their zeal, their prudence, their sound judgment, their great exertions, and the important good which they have done.

Concerning the Agency in the State of Mississippi, your Managers are with very imperfect information. They know that the Agent visited a large portion of that State; that a considerable amount of Bibles and Testaments has been circulated and

considerable moneys have been collected, in consequence of his labours; and that some Auxiliaries have been established and others are organizing. The prospect in that State is encouraging, and there appears to be more reason for favourable expectations than at any former period.

The Board have recently appointed an Agent to visit the States of Illinois and Missouri, and the adjacent parts. It was by his instrumentality, that the first Auxiliary to the American Bible Society was established in the State of Illinois; and the hope

is that he will be rendered extensive

ly successful, in forming Auxiliary Institutions in that section of our country. They are known to be greatly needed; and the Managers are anticipating with pleasure new opportunities to circulate among a large portion

of the inhabitants of the new settlements that blessed Volume of which they are at present deplorably destitute. The Board are anxious to engage other Agents in other fields of labour; and while some inquiries are prosecuting, they rely on the Divine guidance and influence, that suitable persons may be induced to engage in the work. It is indeed arduous and fatiguing; but, like other part every of this labour for the glory of GoD and for the good of souls, it fails not to be accompanied and followed by many pleasing emotions, by many consoling and joyful reflections: and they who succeed in it, may be sure of receiving the blessing of multitudes.

Rev. Dr. Morrison, who, with the late Rev. Dr. Milne, has been occupied in it for several years.

Foreign Bible Societies.

Thirteen pages of the Report are occupied with a summary view of the progress of the Bible cause in other countries. The principal facts are selected from the nineteenth report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, an interesting document, of which we gave a copious abstract in our number for December and January last.

Conclusion.

The statements, which have been made, call for our warmest thankgivings to that God, who has crowned

our labours and the' labours of our

coadjutors with his signal blessing; and may well excite us to renewed resolutions and to redoubled efforts in our undertaking. When we review what has been accomplished by the American Bible Society during the eight years of its existence, and by the many other Bible Societies which have been organized in the twenty years that have now elapsed since the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed ;-when we recollect that these Institutions have been countenanced and aided by Emperors, and Kings, and Rulers, by Noblemen, and Statesmen, and prelates, by those who are venerable for their age and their piety, by those who are eminent for their talents and their learn

denominations

ing, by all ranks and conditions and reflect ;-when we that, in these Institutions, Christians have learned to meet Christians without controversy or suspicion, and laying aside the panoply of the polemic for a time, they have united in testifying their love to GoD and their love to men ;-when we call to mind that every year has witnessed new multitudes joining the holy brotherhood, revenues to a vast amount raised and expended, and many, very many thousands, and hundreds of thousands of copies of the Scriptures sent forth to the needy,-who can forbear to cry out, in holy astonishment and with fervent gratitude, "WHAT HATH

There is yet much to be done. In deed what remains to be accomplished is so vast in its extent and amount, that the work may be said to have only begun. There is room for the continued and increased efforts of all those hosts, whom love to GOD and love to men have united in the toil: and for the utmost activity and generosity of all those who, until now, have been observing but not participating in the benevolent undertaking. It is indeed true, that, through the instrumentality of Bible Societies, there probably have been put into circulation between seven and eight millions of Bibles or portions of the Bible. But when we consider the number of those who were destitute of the Scriptures at the time the first Bible Society was instituted ;-when we attend to the fact that the distribution which has taken place, has been principally to such as were professedly Christians;-when we remember that hundreds of millions of our fellow-men are even now Mahometans or Heathen,--we may well ask, in

Yet there is no reason for discouragement, and no cause for retiring from the sacred undertaking. They who are engaged in it, will feel much comfort and joy, resulting from the union of many hearts and many hands in this service of the LORD, tending to make earth like heaven. They will be made to know, from year to year, that this mighty river of Christian benevolence has gladdened more and more of the waste and dreary places in our world. They may look for rapture, in life, in death, in eternity, from the consciousness that they were made the humble means of accelerating the progress of the SAVIOUR's triumphal car. And their compassion for men, and their zeal for the glory of JEHOVAH, may be exercised in union with faith, and hope, and assurance in the promise, "THE LORD HATH MADE BARE HIS

HOLY ARM IN THE EYES OF ALL NATIONS, AND ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF OUR GOD."

UNION MISSION.

EXTRACTS OF LETTERS.

Mr. Chapman to the Domestic Secretary. Hopefield, March 29th, 1824.

VERY DEAR SIR,

In our first communication from this place, it appears suitable that we should give a sketch of the most important events of Divine Providence, which have resulted in the formation of this settlement.

After having previously, in several instances, conversed favourably on this subject, several Indians came forward, early in the Autumn of 1822, and proposed to build them cabins at Union, and plant in the neighbourhood; but from the extent of this establishment, and the peculiar circumstances of the Indians, this scheme could not be encouraged. Although they made this proposition at that time, yet as they had been unaccustomed to labour, and as it was regarded as disgraceful for warriors, it was thought expedient to try their constancy by inviting them to labour with us previously for wages. By this means we became convinced, that it would be necessary to lead them on, in the accomplishment of their important undertaking. Example and encouragement have a much greater effect to change long established habits, than the most urgent reasonings exclusively applied. The labouring of the Indians, in the months of April, May, and June following, for wages, was mentioned in the Journal. In the Summer, they left us for a hunt, and promised to commence the building of houses and clearing of fields, in August or September. But they did not return; and the ill health of Mr. Donny, our Interpreter, who from his having an Indian family, is regarded as an Osage, delayed the

commencement of the settlement, until the first day of December. Br. Wm. C. Requa, Mr. Donny, and myself then began our operations, in conformity to the resolutions of the family, in the September previous.

Our beloved Br. Montgomery also joined in these labours, and in attention to their language, as far as his feeble health would admit. Between this date and the nineteenth of February, we built a log cabin for the Interpreter, and one for ourselves. During this period, our progress was retarded by two of our number being laid aside by lameness for a season. Much time was also occupied in visiting the Indians at their encampment, counselling them concerning their late difficulties, and going with them to Fort Smith. On the 19th of February, Br. Requa and his wife, Br. Montgomery, and Mr. Donny commenced their permanent residence at this place; they were accompanied by Pau-hunk-sha, a respectable Indian and his family, who had declared that he would settle here when he saw us settled. With our assistance, he immediately commenced the building of a cabin. On the 5th of March, Mr. Donny was joined in marriage to a native whom we named Mary. She appears to be a very respectable wo

man.

The ceremony was witnessed by our heathen neighbours with apparent interest, and was well interpreted. On the 8th inst. Mrs. Chapman was removed to this place. Her sickness had prevented her previous removal. She appears to be regaining her health, which we have reason to hope will be confirmed as the warm weather approaches. Sister Requa, who was able to perform most of the domestic business on her arrival, has been afflicted with sickness about three weeks. The feebleness of the sisters