Domestic..

Latin Bible.

1,000

150

10,000

7,000 3,000

1,000

nian Bible Society, 70 Auxiliaries, 267 Branches, and 254 Associations-in the Colonies and other Dependencies, 34 Auxiliaries, 37 Branches, and 19 Associations—in America, 600. These form a Total of 3496: to which may be added 557 on the Continent of Europe289 connected with the Russian Society, previous to its partial suspension; and still probably in existence, though in languid operation and others, both in Europe and America, the number of which is not stated, but carrying the entire Total as high, perhaps, as 4400.

Grants of Money and Books.

£• s. d.

.11,055 10 8 ..16,202 19 6

2716 9 6

New Auxiliaries and Associations. The Auxiliaries, Branches, and Associations, in connection with the Society, have proceeded, throughout the kingdom, in a spirit of delightful unity and efficiency-all, or nearly all, maintaining their wonted quota of subscriptions, and feeling the necessity of increased exertions. To the former list there have been added no fewer than 121 New Societies; viz. 14 Auxiliaries, 20 Branches, and 87 Associations.

Bible Societies throughout the World. In Great Britain, connected with the Society, there are 266 Auxiliaries, 384 Branches, and 1565 Associations of which above 600 are conducted by Ladies-in Ireland, connected with the Hiber

Australasia...
Africa.....

America and West-Indies..

Total......£33,547 11 11

Of the Domestic Grants, the amount of those made to Ireland was 85651. 8s. 2d.

Exertions for the Increase of Home Circulation and Contributions.

At the formation of forty-six of the New Societies, your Agent, Mr. Dudley, has attended, being accompanied by Mr. Brackenbury at seven: besides these seven, Mr. Brackenbury has aided at the formation of nineteen new Institutions. It is far from an easy task to calculate the increased amount, either in the circulation of the Scriptures or in contribution, which results from such exertions; but, while your Committee content themselves in general with saying that it is considerable, they may mention one or two facts. In the vicinity of Blackheath, where a Ladies' Branch Society has been established, with four Associations, 210 families were found destitute of the Sacred Volume; and, in the first two months of the active exertions of these Associations, the sum of 2477. was collected. In the city of Norwich, 456 families have been discovered without the Bible; and in Aberdare, in Glamorganshire, out of 1082 families, 215 were similarly circumstanced. Facts of the same kind have

crowded upon your Committee from various quarters; and, while their attention has been particularly directed to the situation of the London Auxiliaries, with the Committees of which a Sub-Committee has been appointed to hold friendly conferences, the extension of the Society's operations through the villages and hamlets of the country has engaged much of the attention of the same SubCommittee and it is hoped, that, shortly after the Anniversary, a plan will be in readiness for adapting the Association System, as it may be called, to the circumstances of smaller populations than those where it has usually been hitherto applied. The interest which has been excited when your Agents have been called upon to open New Ground, has been exceedingly gratifying, the Meetings being generally crowded to excess: in Wales particularly, Mr. Dudley writes -"The principal, if not the only difficulty experienced, has been in obtaining places sufficiently capacious to contain the crowds of people desirous of attending the Meetings."

But it is not only in forming New Societies that the Agents have been occupied, but in the no less necessary work of reviving, and, when necessary, re. organizing, those of earlier date. Mr. Dudley has attended 254 Public Meetings and Meetings of Committees, and Mr. Brackenbury about 240.

Conclusion.

On what, in concluding their Report, shall your Committee attempt to fix your attention, for the purpose of exciting your gratitude, and encouraging your further exertions? Shall they bring before you the places which have been explored? Shall they lead you through the lanes, the streets, the alleys, the garrets, the cellars, of this vast metropolis, and of other crowded cities and towns? Shall they take you to the villages and sequestered hamlets? Shall they ascend the mountain-tops of Wales, of Scotland, of various parts of Europe, and the other quarters of the world? Shall they cross to the Sister Island; and visit the cabins of the poor, but warm-hearted, peasantry? Shall they enter the Schools at home, both the Daily and the Sunday; those in France, in Prussia, in Greece, in Smyrna, in India, in Burmah, in South America, in Mexico, in the West Indies, and in North America? Shall they board the vessel returning from, or proceeding on, its distant voyage? Shall

they ask admission to the Barrack of the Soldier, the Prison-house of the Transgressor of his country's laws, the Asylums of Want and Misery? In short, to what Abode of Man can they direct your eye, but the Volume which you circulate has been granted an entrance? Doors of every kind have been opened before you a welcome has been given to your messengers; and every thing invites a zealous continued exertion. But, how many are the places still unexplored! and how imperfect have been the inquiries in others, whether the Scriptures are wanted! The things which are behind must only be remembered to awaken gratitude; and then be forgotten, in the vast prospects of labour which are yet before you.

The Varieties of Character and Condition, in those whose wants have been discovered, are not unworthy of notice. The fool, who saith in his heart there is no God, has become "the Infidel Reclaimed" -the ignorant has been enlightened— the vicious rendered virtuous-the sorrowful has been comforted-the poor have been made rich in faith-the sick and dying have been directed to Him who is our health and our life-the Nominal Christian has been shaken in his security- the self-righteous become humble: the Jew has at least begun to inquire; and the Greek to reflect on the wisdom and power of God: the bondsman has been made free, and the barbarian civilized: the savage has shewn himself capable of love both to God and to man: the Christian has been strengthened and edified. The Committee do trust that the Eternal Spirit has vouchsafed to bless the labours of the Society, and to His grace they desire to give all glory. Your Committee speak not, indeed, of these cases as though they were any thing more than solitary and few; but still they are such as to encourage your hopes, that in a patient continuance in well-doing yet greater things shall be seen

and they will add, that had there been no such encouragement at all, their duty to give the Sacred Volume would have remained unaltered. That there should have been found, in all these various classes, not an unwillingness to receive the sacred boon, or an unwillingness not invincible, but a ready, a desiring, yea an anxious mind-calls for devoutest gratitude.

That many should have been the Prayers offered up for the Society, and

many the Praises addressed to God on its behalf, is a matter full of encouragement. That when there is such an evident work of preparation throughout the world, the Society should be in existence and active operation; that it should stand girt, as it were, for service in all the maturity of strength, instead of having its formation to be adjusted, and its infancy to be passed, is another-is an equally striking-topic of praise to the Head of the Church.

The Receipts, the augmented Receipts of the Society, must surely remind you of Him, whose is the silver and the gold; and well may all the various contributors be made to pass in hasty review for a moment before you. The Child in the Sunday School, the Labourer in his deep poverty, the Widow with her mite, the Servant in the family, the humble Tradesman, the wealthier Merchant, the Soldier and those of every Profession, the Princes and the Kings of the earth, have all united to form one large fund, to supply, in various ways of aid, the means of preparing and distributing the Sacred Volume; and, as they thus present themselves casting their gifts into the treasury, your Committee would remind you of the source of all liberality: they would say with humble rejoicing"We do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed, not on the Church of Macedonia only, but on all the Churches of Christ."

Have other works of charity been neglected or overlooked, in attending to this? The answer is easy: the answer is seen in the occurrences of each succeeding day. Other good works have often preceded the work of distributing the Scriptures; but rare is the case, indeed, where the labours of the Bible Society have not been supported and followed by a general enlargement of Christian Philanthropy.

Let it not be forgotten, that the basis of the Society is as ample as ever. There, the various communions of Christians have enjoyed communion with each other. There, within the range of the United Kingdom, the Episcopalian has delighted to meet and encourage, and to be met and encouraged by, his Brethren of other Names. There, they have mutually learned that Brethren they are; and there, they indulge the hope that Brethren they shall remain, and dwell together in unity. There, they have mingled their sympathies with the Brethren of the Lutheran and Reformed

Churches of the Continent. There, they have witnessed with delight the breathings of the pious Roman Catholic; and have hailed the approach of the Greek and Armenian, the Syrian, the Copt, and the Chaldee Christian. All, of every name, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, have gladly extended to one another the right-hand of fellowship.

But are there no barriers raised? Have no hindrances occurred? Has the bright scene never changed? Your Committee have not dissembled the painful fact; but, instead of suffering their hands to hang down, instead of growing weary in well-doing, they have put the question to themselves, and they would put it to others. Who shall be wearied first-they who would resist the circulation of the Sacred Volume, or they whose desire it is to promote it? The answer which they anticipate is one expression of determined perseverance.

But are there no other barriers but such as men, in their impotent wrath against the Divine Volume, attempt to raise? Are there no circumstances where Providence forbids a further advance at present? For Siam has it been said that nothing can be done, because in the Siamese Tongue the Scriptures exist not as yet? Of the inquiring Greek has it been said, that, at present, he can obtain no Bible? Your Committee would remember who gave wisdom and skill to a Morrison and a Marshman, to surmount the difficulties of the Language of China, once deemed insurmountable; and they would wait and pray that He would send forth Labourers into this department also: and they would charge all, as well as themselves, still to recollect, that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Who art thou, O great mountain ?-thou shalt become a plain.

Last of all, let the VOLUME itself, in its many forms, if it be possible, be presented before you. Let the truths which it contains be considered. Let its universal adaptation to the wants and the miseries, the joys and the happiness of man, be remembered. Let the question which it contains be revolved-Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?—and then say, should not joy and thankfulness possess your inmost souls, when you remember to how many of the Family of Man you have been the honoured instruments of conveying it? And when you further recollect the multitudes who yet want this Holy

Book, say, Is it a time to fold your hands? Is it a time to relax? Is not the commandment rather-Go forward? Should you not say, In the Name of our God we will set up our banners: through God will we do great things?

RELIGIOUS-TRACT SOCIETY.
THIRTIETH REPORT.

Increase of the Income and Issues. THE total of benevolent Income last year, not including Sales, amounted to 33297, 19s. 11d. for the present year it is 34517. 3s. 10d.; being an increase of 1217. 3s. 11d.

The sums received for Sales of the Society's Publications during the past year, including the Gratuitous Issues, amounted to 14,441. 14s. 6d. -for the present year they have risen to 17,2447. 58.7 d.; being an increase of 2802.11s.1d. The total amount of the Society's Receipts last year was 18,4177. 3s. 1d.-for the present year it is 22,7317. 7s. 1d.; being an increase of 43147, 4s.

The total of Publications issued during the year amounts to Ten Millions, One Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-three; being an increase of Four Hundred and Sixty-three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty-six, without including any of the Tracts published at the expense of the Society in Foreign Countries. It is a fact which the Committee refer to with much pleasure, that the issues of the First and Second Series Tracts, during the past year, exceeded, by Six Hundred Thousand, those of any preceding year.

The total circulation of the Society, at home and abroad, from its commencement, exceeds HUNDRED THIRTY MILLIONS of Publications.

ONE

AND

at the Pleasure Fairs in and near London, where much iniquity is generally practised: about 36,700 of the above Publications were distributed to SundaySchool Children, on the Lord's Day previous to Bartholomew Fair; and it is hoped that many were prevented from attending it. Nearly 26,000 Tracts and Hand Bills have been circulated among the spectators at the Executions of Criminals: the same number were distributed at different Horse Races. The Committee for providing for the Houseless Poor were also furnished with 4500 Tracts, for the use of the objects of their kind care. The Soldiers and Sailors of London have also been supplied with 23,000 Publications; and the Committee are happy to find that there are many pious persons among these important classes of society. The Committee, in common with all the friends of religion, cannot but deeply deplore the violation of the Sabbath Day, as one of our national sins: they have devoted, during the year, 50,000 Tracts and 100,000 Hand Bills, for the purpose of distribution to persons found violating the laws of God and of the country; and they hope that the readiness with which they were generally received may encourage the expectation of some future good. Nor have the Committee been unmindful of the Stranger who has sojourned in the country for a season: nearly 6000 Portuguese Tracts were distributed among the Emigrants at Plymouth; and 700 Tracts to a number of shipwrecked German Emigrants, besides others delivered to Foreign Sailors.

Ireland has not been forgotten; and the Committee feel increasingly the importance of a wide circulation of the pure truths of the Gospel in the Sister Country. The various Societies, which have been formed for the sale and circulation of Religious Works, continue in active operation; and the Letters of their Correspondents convince the Committee, that Divine Truth is advancing, and that darkness is receding before the light of knowledge and religion. During the year, upward of 68,000 Publications have been voted to Ministers and other Friends residing in Cork, Watergrasshill, Donegal, Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Colerain, Newton, Londonderry, and other places: the Irish Evangelical Society has received a further grant of 40,000 Tracts and 8000 Hand Bills, for the use of its various agents: the

Baptist Irish Society has also been supplied with 10,200 Publications, for the same important object. The total number of Publications circulated in Ireland during the year, at the expense of the Society, amounts to One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand. The Committee, anxious to comply with the earnest solicitations of numerous applicants, have also made an additional grant of One Hundred Thousand Publications, for general circulation in Ireland, during the ensuing year.

Notices respecting different Works.

The History of the Church of Christ has been completed to the close of the Fifth Volume: it will be remembered that the last Volume of the Original Work ends abruptly at the year 1530, just before the Diet of Augsburg: the subsequent years to "the Peace of Religion," in 1555, embrace the most instructive and eventful period of the Reformation: another Volume is now in the course of publication, bringing the work down to that period. For the preparation of this additional Volume and the expense of stereotyping it, the Committee are indebted to one of their own body, who has so liberally discharged the expense of stereotyping the former Volumes. The Committee are happy to state, that the work has sold beyond their first expectations; and much important information has, therefore, been diffused through its medium.

Select Writings of the British Reformers, from Wickliff to Jewel-The Works of Bradford, Latimer, Philpot, Ridley, and Hooper, forming Four Volumes, have already issued from the press; and the sales have been most encouraging. The Committee concur, with one of their correspondents, in hoping "that Ministers, of every Denomination, will avail themselves of this opportunity to obtain the writings of their predecessors; as it is of the utmost importance that those who now preach the Doctrines of the Reformation should be acquainted with the form in which they were first deli vered." The scarcity and high price of these Publications, in their original form, prevented their being generally read.

The different Works, which were referred to in the last Report, have had a considerable sale; particularly the Chris tian Biography, the Select and Cottage Sermons, and The Domestic Visitor: the latter Work has been received into nu«

merous families, and has been found generally acceptable. The small pub. lication in 64mo, called Daily Food for Christians, has been extensively circulated; more than Thirty Thousand copies having already been sold from the Depository: the rapid and extensive sale of this Work, and the numerous testimonies received of its usefulness, induced the Committee to publish, in the same form, Daily Texts for 1829; Gems of Sacred Poetry; and Prayers for every Day in the Week. The Gems contain Two Hundred and Fifty Poems, among which will be found some of the best pieces of Sacred Poetry in the English Language: its size renders it a suitable companion for constant use.

The Libraries, containing the Society's Publications, have sold to a considerable extent. The Committee have added Twenty-three Volumes, for 1828, at an increased price of 21. 16s. With these Volumes, the number of books now in the Library is One Hundred and Eight. These Publications are adapted for Families of all ranks, Cottages, Kitchens, and School and General Circulating Libraries: they will also be found exceedingly useful for Barracks, Merchant Ships, Prisons, and other places where many persons assemble together, and have much time, which might be devoted to a profitable pursuit.

The publication of the Rev. A. Judson's Scripture Questions, which have been exceedingly useful in America, is a very important addition to the Works for the benefit of the Young: it will be peculiarly useful in thoroughly grounding the mind in the knowledge of Scripture; and the Committee strongly recommend it to parents, and teachers of the rising generation. The First Volume relates to "the Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and contains lessons sufficient for one year. Some additional Volumes will be published.

The Catechisms of Scripture Knowledge will also be found highly useful: they will give a general view of Scripture Science, adapted to the Young, in about Twelve Numbers. No. I, Scripture Biography," has been published.

66

The Sermons to the Aged have been written and presented to the Society, by the Venerable Author of the well-known and useful "Village Sermons": they are printed in a large type, and may be purchased either separately, or together