including a small number of the Gospels in the Mohawk and the Epistles in the Delaware language, making a total of 193,818 Bibles and Testaments, and parts of the New Testament, issued by the Society since its establishment. Of the Bibles issued from the Depository during the year, there were-French 551, German 393, Gaelic 21, Welch 5-making 970, and of Spanish Testaments 1576. During the past year, there have been added 62 Auxiliary Societies--making the whole number of Auxiliaries 301.

After the report was read the following resolution was offered: Resolved, That the Report of the Managers be accepted, and printed under their direction.

The Rev. JOSHUA BATES, D. D, President of Middlebury College, Vermont, in proposing this resolution, remarked, that little need be said to justify this motion; nor should he say much. The public, sir, said the Rev. Dr. are entitled to this Report, because it constitutes an important chapter in the history of benevolence; because it records what should never be forgotten, and animates to future exertion: because it is calculated to warm the benevolent heart, and open the benevolent hand.

Sir when I contemplate the rapid progress, the diversified operations and the extensive influence of Bible Societies; when I remember, that twenty years have not elapsed since the first Association of this character was formed-and consider the number, which now exist and their united influence on the character and happiness of the human . race, my heart is made glad, and my soul doth rejoice-I observe in these Societies the gradual, or rather I should say, the rapid accomplishment of prophecy, &c.

I seem to behold the Angel of the beloved Apostle, flying through the midst of heaven; I seem to behold the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, rolling forward, and increasing as it rolls-the heathens casting their idols to the bats and moles-the descendants of Abraham, returning and coming to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads-the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord, and every knee bowing to Jesus!

Sir, the influence of Bible Societies cannot be estimated, till examined in the light of eternity. Some of the direct effects are indeed obvious; such as supplying the destitute in christian lands, and diffusing this light through the region of pagan darkness; such as uniting the hearts of Christians of different denominations, and bringing all who have received" the truth in the love of it," to stand on common ground, and act together. But there are incidental effects of these institutions, beginning to show themselves of immense importance to the world; I mean the union, which they are producing among Christians of different nations. We have heard of a Republic of Letters, which disregarding the barriers of civil institutions, extends its dominions with the progress of science and literature. But, sir, the Empire of the Bible is more extensive, and infinitely more salutary. The united exertions of these national institutions, are evidently uniting the Christians of different nations; restraining the spirit of ambition; subduing that narrow, selfish, misnamed patriotism, which has hitherto counteracted the spirit of the gospel, and thus promoting that peace and good will, which the Bible

itself inculcates. Bible Societies, to use a borrowed figure, are like majestic rivers, uniting the waters of a thousand streams, imparting comfort to every cottage by which they pass, and ultimately enriching kingdoms, and spreading through the world the expansive tide of their beneficence!

The Rev. F. C. SCHAEFFER, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church in this city, seconded the motion of the Reverend President; and in pointing out the importance of the Report, remarked, that this document should be widely circulated, and that it would certainly be subservient to the cause which had convened the audience. He adverted to the pleasure which the contemplation of the march of true religion furnishes, as exhibited in the effects of well regulated Bible Societies. It is encouraging, said Mr. S. to behold the evidences of individual zeal, which the organization of these societies has elicited. He observed, that though merit is not to be measured according to pecuniary means, still, every one would agree with him, that the two distinguished benefactors whose names had been celebrated in the report, were actuated by the purest motives, when they added thousands, and tens of thousands to the funds of the National Institution. Such legacies are intended to profit the human family, as well as to benefit destitute individuals. In such instances as those to which he alluded in respectful terms, the scriptural saying was applicable: "The memory of the just is blessed.” But he went on to show, that by the Christian all should be gratefully regarded, who had given according to their means, though these were not more in nominal amount than the widow's mite. He rejoiced in the evangelical labours and gifts, and prayers of all, whether a BOUDINOT or a WITHINGTON, whether the indefatigable manager of a Parent Society, or the humblest contributor to the gatherings of the obscurest Bible Association. For every pleasing fact stated in the report, he gave thanks unto him to whom belonged the glory.

Mr. S. said that when he listened to the annals of Bible Societies, and heard the glad tidings of those excellent institutions, whose object is, by the aid of the Omnipotent Arm, to dispel gloom, and to send an exhilarating ray into the darkest abodes, he was forcibly reminded of a man whose name he was justly taught, from his earliest youth, to pronounce with veneration. He stated that Carl Hildebrand Baron Von CANSTEIN, was the founder of the celebrated Bible Institution (Cansteinische Bibel Anstult) at Halle, in Germany, whence more than three millions of Bibles and Testaments have been issued!

Mr. S. then proceeded to give some interesting particulars concerning the history of this Institution, which commenced its operation in the year 1710, and has ever since been faithful to the grand object: to supply every class of persons with the Bible, at the lowest rate. Every Bible, whether large or small, had the same number of chapters and verses on the same page. The different forms of the types were kept standing, so as to be used as stereotype plates. In a land, continued Mr. S. where the Bible was brought into general notice by the man of God, LUTHER, and by the results of the blessed reformation, this Institution met with a congenial spirit, and as the supply was facilitated, so the demand for the word of God increased at an astonishing rate, &c. The greatest number of the German Bibles which are distributed by

Societies of the present day, (who, in fact, may be considered as branches and fruits of the Canstein Institution,) have been issued by this venerable establishment at Halle. Mention was also made of the superior style in which these books appeared. Many copies of the earliest editions are still extant in Europe and America. They have been handed down as the richest legacy, from father to son; and our first religious impressions have an inseparable connexion with the ancient family volume. We feel, as if it reads better---and all your modern German editions printed in Germany, or stereotyped and published in London city, have a strangeness about them, and, there is a kind of sweet relief in turning from them, to a good Canstein edition. Mr. S. further remarked, that the emigration from Germany, the cradle of the refor mation, the land of religion and biblical literature, was considerable for many years. Germans and their descendants in this country have all, more or less, experienced the blessings of the Canstein Institution; and whatever religious benefit our own happy country has derived from Germans and Lutherans, must, in some degree, be ascribed, under God, to the meritorious German, on whose name I delight to dwell. So long as the glorious cause of Bible Societies shall be respected and supported, the name of Canstein shall be celebrated--and his memory shall ever be revered by the friends of the sacred volume which teaches the penitent sinner that his Redeemer liveth.

The second resolution was then proposed as follows:

Resolved, That the Society highly appreciate the services and exertions of the Board of Managers during the past year, and request them to accept their thanks for the laborious attention which they have paid to the business of the Institution.

The Rev. Mr. Howe, of New-Brunswick, N. J. rose to propose this resolution, at the same time requesting to be permitted to express the lively pleasure which he received from the interesting accounts detailed in the report of the operations and success of this society. I cannot, said Mr. H. but regard the establishment of the American Bible Society, as one of the most interesting events in the history of our country, and the institution itself, as one of its greatest ornaments and blessings: assembled together, not on the narrow principles of a selfish and worldly policy, but to aid in evangelizing the world, and on the principles of that christian charity which originates from God, and embraces in its affections the whole human family, surely we may indulge in congratulations on the past success which has attended the operations of this society, and in pleasing anticipations of the future. That great and blessed God who rules among the nations, and whose eyes run to and fro upon the earth, we question not, beholds this society with special approbation.

The Bible is a gift to man; and how precious is the gift. It is a token of his mercy and his love to our apostate race. It has guided through life and lighted up to the third heaven myriads of holy men of God, who are now walking in the light of the heavenly city. We too rejoice in it as a lamp to our feet-as affording us our sweetest consolations in adversity, our firmest supports against the fears of death, and all our hopes of a glorious immortality.

Great as are the blessings which the world has received from the sacred word, we look for still greater. Prophecy assures us, that the VOL. IX.

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knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth. And what is to produce this glorious event? Faithful Missionaries will be raised up, and they shall take the written word and give it to the nations, and the work will be done.

The movements of the providence of God, which have taken place in our own days, announce that this time is near at hand. Desolating judgments have been inflicted on the anti-christian world, and amidst these distractions and tumults of the nations, christians have been filled with an unusual zeal to spread the gospel. These exertions, we confidently believe are closely connected with the bringing in of the millenium.

The fron

We have our part to bear in this most important work. tiers of our own country, and the rising empires of Mexico and South America, have demands upon us peculiarly strong. Our country too, is probably destined to take the lead in evangelizing the world.

While we feel the animating influence of these considerations, it is delightful to reflect that we are engaged in the best of causes, and with the best of men. Had we time to recite the blessed effects which have been already produced by the word of God, how would every tender sensibility of our souls be awakened, and our devout praises ascend to God, that he ever put it into the hearts of his people to distribute his word.

The Rev. ROBERT B. E. M'LEOD, of New-York, on seconding this motion, commenced with some observations respecting the importance of the Bible; and in the course of his introductory remarks, animadverted upon the opposition of infidels to the Bible, and ascribed the source of this opposition "to pride of intellect."

He then proceeded to state some facts in connexion with the Bible, and from these he inferred, that patriotism with piety were solemnly called upon to aid in promoting the interests of Bible associations. The facts adverted to were the following:-First, That the study of the Bible had a most powerful tendency to promote the intellectual powers of man. This he undertook to prove from the fact, that men the most celebrated for genius in modern days, were the most strenuous and studious adherents of the Bible. He likewise stated that Christianity was ever productive of civilization and science in those countries in which it was divulged, while on the. contrary, the doctrines of "Brahma, Confucius, and Mahomet, were invariably attended with intellectual debility." The reason of this difference, he ascribed to the different genius of these respective religions; that the one enlightened and encouraged the efforts of mind, and consequently liberty; the others ignorance, and consequently slavery. From this view of the tendency of the Bible to promote the intellectual power, and consequently the natural rights of man, he inferred the importance of a general diffusion of the Scriptures.

Mr. M'Leod then proceeded to the morality of the gospel-here he made some remarks with respect to the purity, simplicity and grandeur of the morality of the Bible; that here it was radically distinguished from all other religions. On this subject he observed that there was a variety of crimes, both of a public and private nature, which no human legislation could possibly control; that they were to

be prevented alone by that which awes the conscience; by the principles contained in the word of God. He took a view of the moral and good effects of the Bible on society, and from this took occasion to advert to the millenium, and described the happiness and purity which would exist when the idolater, the Mahometan, the Jew, and the barbarian would read the Bible and imbibe its spirit.

The Rev. Speaker next observed that the principles contained in the Bible constituted the firmest basis of national glory; that the ruin and utter annihilation of ancient kingdoms were to be ascribed to their ungodly principles; that the revolution of France, was in a great measure owing to infidelity; and, that the glory and safety of our own government was deeply connected with the circulation of the Bible, and the practical influence of its doctrines upon the inhabitants of the country. He concluded by observing that the doctrines of the Bible, were the only doctrines that could yield to man any substantial enjoyment in affliction, any thing like triumph in death, any thing like glory beyond the grave.

The following was the next resolution :

Resolved. That the Society are very much gratified at the choice, made by the Managers of the venerable John Jay, as the successor of their late lamented President, Dr. Boudinot, and at his kindly consenting to accept the appointment; and that the thanks of the Society be conveyed to their said President, for the excellent address, which, in his unavoidable absence, he has been good enough to transmit to the present meeting.

Rev. ELIJAH WATERMAN, of Bridgeport, Conn. observed, that in the few remarks which he should offer, he should admit the end for which God hath established his church, and notice the means and motives which he has provided to assist and animate us in our exertions for its promotion. In that Holy Book which we receive as our inflexible guide, we are told that the leader of those apostate angels, who left their own habitation, succeeded in seducing the man of Paradise from his allegiance to his Creator, into a state of rebellion, enmity and death. A world was lost. The dominion which God intrusted to the first man, for himself and his posterity, he wilfully surrendered to the Prince of Darkness. The mighty movement which this rebellion excited about the throne of the Eternal-the coming forth of the Son, the Lord of Hosts, in the form of a servant, to establish his kingdom in the midst of his enemies-all had for their end to destroy the works of the Devil-to recover the lost dominion-and in all this mighty labour to glorify the riches of the Grace of God. This is the eternal and devoted purpose that attracts every eye, and affects with awful impulse, the remotest habitation of the universe. For this JEHOVAH keeps his sleepless eye on his everlasting covenant-for this the Almighty Mediator stands touched with our infirmities, and clothed in a garment dipped in his own blood, at the right hand of God. For this the Spirit moves his divine influence over the moral chaos of this apostate world. For this the Hosts of God descend from their lofty standing, and enter the warfare with Satan and his Angels. For this eternal purpose-to magnify the glory of his grace-God hath established Zion, and set her king upon his holy Hill-holding forth a sceptre of mercy over a dry sepulchral heap-saying to his prophets, "can these dry bones live!"