BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Thirty-fifth Anniversary.-May 1st.

VERY seldom has a more gratifying meeting of this institution, exalted alike in its character and usefulness, been held than the one we have now the happiness briefly to report. The attendance, as usual, was crowded, and the spirit which animated the speakers was in perfect accordance with the volume the society has so extensively circulated. Lord Bexley, the noble president, congratulated the meeting on the continued attachment of Christians to the society, by which its funds and operations had been fully sustained; and mentioned as one among other proofs of its gratifying opportunities for usefulness, that during the past year 16,000 copies of the Scriptures had been demanded for Calcutta alone. The Rev. A. Brandram then read the Report. It noticed the general activity of Popery, the spread of infidelity, the power of superstition, and the pertinacity of heathenism and false systems of religion; but stated that, notwithstanding all this, there was a growing and almost universal desire among the people of all climes for the possession of the Scriptures. It noticed the death of many of the friends of the institution during the past year; among others the decease of the Archbishop of Tuam, who had been one of the vice presidents; also, Zachary Macaulay, Esq.; Lancelot Haslope, Esq.; Lord Farnham, a vice-president. It noticed the election of the new Bishop of Sodor and Man, as one of the vice-presidents of the society. In reference to the domestic matters of the last year, it stated that a ladies' association had been formed at Windsor, of which her Majesty had consented to become the Patroness; 125 new societies had been formed; making the number of affiliated institutions, 352 Auxiliary Societies, 327 Branch Societies, and 1,730 Bible Associations-a total of 2,409. The issue of Bibles and Testaments 648,068, being an increase of 63,670. The receipts of the society during the past year were 105,2257. 28. 11d., being an increase of 8,0187. 18. The payments were 106,5097. 68. 4d., being an increase of 15,3297. 118. 5d. Of that sum, 15,7881. 38. occurred under the head of legacies. At the head of the list stood the name of George Hammond, Esq., who bequeathed to the society a legacy of 10,0007., duty free: in addition to which, he had also left a fourth

part of the residue of his property, which would, it was believed, amount to something very considerable. There was reason to believe that he was an anonymous donor of one, if not two sums of one thousand pounds during his lifetime.

The conclusion of the Report triumphantly refuted a pamphlet in very general circulation, attacking the versions of the Scriptures, in the French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese languages, circulated under the auspices of the Society in Catholic countries. It stated that the committee were not insensible to the objections which might be critically sustained against those versions, which bore many marks of the infirmities of the translators. They had adopted the principle of using authorized versions, and had to do, for the most part, with versions long known, and made long before the days of the Bible Society. In a few other cases, when allowing any new version to be placed in the rank of authorised versions, they had always endeavoured to obtain the best information practicable with respect to its general merits; at the same time they had thought it advisable not to encourage needlessly the multiplication of versions. In giving such versions to the people in their respective countries it had been regarded as a duty to give them as they are, and not to attempt to alter and improve them. They had been given, with all their faults, for what they are, with the name of the translator on the title-page; and the committee had ever deemed it of importance to be able to say, through their distributors, to the people"This is the book known and recognised by your own church." In this course they had had, and still had, the sanction of some of the most pious, and at the same time the most active Christians, both at home and abroad. These friends had felt with the committee, that the real question wasShall these imperfect versions, or none, be circulated among the mass of the people?

With reference to these versions, on which an attack had been made, the committee say, "The Pope and the whole Roman Catholic hierarchy know and feel that these versions are the word of God; they know and they feel that they do bring light among the people;-they feel that these versions cut like a two-edged sword.' A greater joy could not be caused at Rome, than that which will be occasioned by this fresh attack upon the labours of the society. The walls of the Vatican will resound with

triumphant joy, when it shall be heard that friends of the Bible in England declare, that the Society's labours in Roman Catholic countries are all a delusion.' The Society scarcely uses the Vulgate at all, it being in a dead language. The credit of that version will be comparatively safe; and the Pope will cheerfully unite in condemning versions made from it. The bull pub. lished in 1824 cannot be forgotten; nor yet the official ecclesiastical documents published in France and Belgium for Lent, 1838. Why were these documents issued? Why has this hostility,-so officially proclaimed, and therefore the fair subject of remark,-ever raged in that quarter against the Bible Society? Why, but because the versions of Rome are equal, in the hand of God, with or without the instrumentality of his servants, to the task of leading men to see the errors in which they have been entangled, and to acknowledge the duty of renouncing them."

The meeting was addressed by the Bishops of Winchester and Vermont; by the Marquis of Cholmondeley, Lord Mountsandford, and Lord Glenelg; by the Chevalier Bunsen, late Prussian Ambassador at Rome; by the Rev. Dr. Patten, of New York; and the Rev. Messrs. Phillips, Vicar of Hathern; Jackson, President of the Wesleyan Conference; Martin, of Bourdeaux; Ely, of Leeds; Grimshawe, of Bedford; Nicholson, of Plymouth; and Browne, one of the secretaries. If the speeches generally were less brilliant than on some former occasions, they all eminently breathed the spirit of devotion, and every heart seemed animated and resolved to persevere in the holy cause advanced by the society. The publication issued by the Trinitarian Bible Society was adverted to by most of the speakers, and its statements met by important and interesting facts. Our friend, Mr. Ely, admirably put the subject in a light which excited strong feeling, and elicited the warmest approbation. Alluding to the published pamphlet, he said that he felt deeply indignant when he saw in it such statements, as that it was the "fact that in proportion to its resources this society is notoriously the most inefficient that ever existed;" that "there was much talk but little business; great show and parade, with really scarcely any thing effected; accounts from their foreign emissaries in too many instances, to say the least, grossly exaggerated; accounts of books in large quantities circulated, when, as in the case of those sent to Lisbon, not one was suffered to remain; translations of the Scriptures undertaken, which, on account of the Unitarian and other leaven incorporated with them, are worse than useless, and which, in some instances, are from very shame bought up.

When one considers the enormous wealth and resources of this society, the piety of many of its members, their zeal, their talents, their exertions, their influence, one is at a loss to conceive how, after all, its operations should be so nugatory." Need he for a moment point to the disingenuousness of such statements? Need he ask if, when among the many hundred versions issued by this society, some were found with some alloy in them, it was to their reproach or to their honour that they were withdrawn? And the exertions of the So. ciety had been "nugatory." What! after it has issued as many millions, twice told, and twice again, as ever issued from the printing press of the world! "Nugatory!" when in the space of two years this Society was wont to circulate as many copies of the Scriptures as had been circulated previously during a century! Nugatory!" then

what had become of the Testaments Mr. Stowell recommended them to send across the waters to the slaves? Ask the islanders of the South Seas who had welcomed the missionary Williams. "Nugatory!" when translations had been offered in the languages of Hindoostan and China? Oh! who could refrain from expressing his indignation on seeing such statements sent forth to the world i

THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Thirty-ninth Annual Meeting.—April 30th.

The Earl of Chichester occupied the chair, and congratulated the crowded meeting on the hold which the Established Church had on the affections of the people, and its consequent obligations to extend its benefits to distant lands. After regretting the diminution of its funds, he called on the Rev. W. Jowett, the secretary, to read the Report. After detailing the condition of the different missions of the society, it stated that the expenditure of the last year had very far exceeded its income. Income, 71,3067. 198. 8d.; Expenditure 91,4534. 98. 1d. Therefore the expenditure of the past year had exceeded its income by no less a sum than 20,1467. 98. 5d. The income of the past year was 71,3061. 198. 8d. That of the preceding year 82,7017. 11. 8d. The missions' expenditure exceeded its estimated amount by 9,4657. 198. The difference, 18,7567. 10s. 4d., allowing for the expenditure of some of the missions falling short of the estimate, had been provided for by sales of stock. A very serious amount of expenditure in the West Indies had been occasioned by the solicitude of the committee to render the agency of the Society as effective as possible in the great

crisis of the transition from a state of slavery to a state of freedom. No fewer than forty individuals, including females, went out from the Society to the West Indies within the last five years. The cost, too, of buildings, as well as the schoolhouses, aided by Parliamentary grants, as those for other purposes had exceeded the estimated amount. The amount received from the Parliamentary grant this year was 1,000. more than in 1837-38. The deficiency arises from incidental circumstances. Several large remittances, and others of a smaller amount, which in the regular course belonged to the year 1838-39, did not reach the committee until after the 31st of March, when the year's accounts were closed. These, in fact, amount to more than the sum deficient.

The various resolutions were moved and seconded by the Bishop of Winchester; the Rev. F. Close, of Cheltenham; the Rev. H. Raikes, Chancellor of the Diocese of Chester, the Rev. R. Burgess, of Chelsea; Lord Teignmouth; J. P. Plumptre, Esq., M.P.; Lord Mountsandford; and the Rev. E. Bickersteth. The last named clergy-" man, referring to the deficiency in the funds, and the means by which they might be replenished, said :---

"When we look at the apprehensions from deficiencies, let us look to the actual state of things. In 1815, a loan of thirtysix millions was filled in two hours. In 1824, a loan of thirty-six millions was made to the American States. In 1828 to 1838, thirty-six millions of money have been raised for railroads. In that year, let us look at another thing. Our export of cotton goods was to the value of twentyfour millions of money, and that was but the lesser half of our exported goods. Let us look at other facts. The duty on silk alone is 192,000; the duty on wine, 1,734,0007.; the duty on snuff and tobacco, 3,460,0007. Now, do think of these things, and compare them with our 20,0001. deficiency; and see, Christian friends, if we shall not have reason to take a more humble situation in every just estimate of our country as a missionary nation. Contrast it with the Missionary Societies of the whole world. Do they raise a million of money together? Then contrast them with the Jews with the exertions of the Jewish nation. The Jewish nation paid their tithes, to the full equal to one-fifth of their substance. But when the temple came to be built, David gave eighteen millions of money, and the princes and the people gave thirty millions more, for the building of the temple. Now I want you to see that we have not arrived at a missionary standard and feeling. I know that it is only a few in our nation

that feel yet an interest in Christian missionaries. Here is our mark, to raise every where the standard of faith, and hope, and love. And when I saw my dear brother coming forward for the first time to act as a missionary secretary, and compared it with the time when I first came forward, oh, I could not but rejoice, and thank God, and take courage, in seeing the progress of this work. When I first appeared as a secretary and collector, our income was about 10,0007.; now, notwithstanding our defalcation, we are raised to 71,0007. Oh, let us thank God, and take courage, that there shall yet be a far larger elevation and extension of missionary contributions, and that we shall see our nation brought to the state of a missionary nation, and Britain become the cherisher of the earth !"

In the evening another meeting was held, with an especial view to bring the present state of funds before those who had not an opportunity of attending the morning meeting. The chair was filled by the Marquis of Cholmondeley. After a part of the Report had been read by the Rev. Thomas Vores, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. C. Hodgson, J. Johnson, C. F. Childe, and the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel.

THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY

Forty-seventh Anniversary.—May 2.

The attendance on this occasion was larger than we ever remember to have witnessed, and the whole proceedings were of the most deeply interesting character.

After the Chairman, W. B. Gurney, Esq., had referred to the faith of the founders of the society, and congratulated the meeting on the altered state of things in the West Indies, the Rev. J. Dyer read the Report. It stated that the dispensations of Divine Providence had continued to retard that increase of agency at Calcutta which the varied and extending operations in progress in and around that city so much required. The translation of the Scriptures into various languages was steadily advancing. The labours of the missionaries in other parts of the East Indies had been greatly blessed. The schools were well attended. The committee had the satisfaction of reporting continued progress in the Ceylon' mission. From the West Indies, the usual annual return from the respective churches, made to the recent Association, showed that, amidst all the scenes of secular excitement which had recently occurred, the work of God continued to advance in a very encouraging degree. A net increase of 2,617 had taken place in the number of members, which is now 21,337. The inquirers were

scarcely less numerous, amounting to 20,919. A large increase was also reported in the number of pupils receiving instruction in the schools in connexion with the mission. The day schools contained 5,413, the evening schools 577, and 10,127 were taught on the Sabbath, making a total of 16,117, being 5,214 beyond the number last reported. As a further proof of the rapid growth of those habits and feelings which, under God, were the best security for the social welfare of a community, it might be added that the missionaries had solemnised 1,942 marriages during the last year. Since the last annual meeting, four missionaries had embarked for the East. It was hoped that reinforcements would be speedily furnished to Jamaica, New Providence, and Honduras. The appeal by Mr. W. H. Pearce for the means of engaging and sending out ten additional missionaries had been favoured with complete success. The receipts applicable to the general purposes of the mission, which formed the actual criterion of its financial progress, had been 16,2237. 10s. 11d., being an advance of about 4,0007. on the amount reported at the last anniversary. If to this sum were added what has been received for translations, schools, and other minor objects, including contributions for sending new missionaries to India, and towards the removal of the debt, it would form an aggregate of 22,4117. 4s. 6d., an amount considerably beyond the income of any previous year.

At the commencement

of the year the Society was burdened with a debt of nearly 4,0007.; that amount was subsequently lessened by donations for that especial purpose, to 2,6731.

The meeting was addressed in impressive and interesting speeches, by the Revs. C. Anderson, T. Roberts, W. Brock, C. J. Middleditch, T. Swan, S. Nicholson, Dr. Cox, and D. R. Stephen.

THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this extensive Society was held April 29th, J. P. Plumptre, Esq., M.P., in the chair. The Rev. John Beecham read an Abstract of the Committee's Report, presenting a view of the Society's operations in every part of the globe. In Ireland there are 23 missionaries and 34 schools. The committee expressed their thankfulness for the prospect of additional funds from the Centenary Committee, "to be appropriated to the extension of Scriptural education in Ireland;" there being only four Scripture readers employed under the auspices of the society. In the capital of Sweden the labours of the Rev. Mr. Scott continue to be crowned with success. The royal sanction had at length been obtained for the proposed cha

pel now in course of erection. The suc cessful operations of the society in Ceylon and Continental India, were next adverted to; and the committee expressed their gratitude to the friends of the society, for their efforts to effect the withdrawal of the government sanction to East Indian idolatry. A new mission, under favourable auspices, had been established among the aborigines of Australia. The committee adverted, with thankfulness, to the failure of the attempts made in parliament to reduce New Zealand, "to the condition of a British colony, on the plans and principles of the New Zealand Association." In the Friendly Islands there are 7,716 members in society, 7,555 children in schools, and upwards of 1,200 converted natives, teachers in schools, chiefly gratuitous. In Fejee there are already 213 converted natives, members in society, besides 84 on trial. The committee adverted with satisfaction to the appointment of the Rev. John Waterhouse, as the General Superintendent of the Society's Missions in Australia and Polynesia. The Abstract of the report then gave, in succession, interesting accounts of the Missions in Southern Africa, including Cape Town District, Little Namacqualand, and Great Namacqualand; the Albany and Kafferland District where the missionaries are prosecuting their labours with great encouragement; the Bechuana District, where the operations have assumed an encouraging aspect, in Western Africa, where the state of the work is very gratify ing; in the West Indies, to which the committee referred with more than ordinary satisfaction. The general conduct of the negroes connected with the society afforded additional cause for gratitude, and the faithful and successful services in this country of the Rev. Edward Fraser, who has returned to his labours in the West Indies, were spoken of with feelings of affection and esteem. The following is a general summary:

The principal or central stations occupied by the society, in the various parts of the world are about 215. The missionaries are 341, besides catechists, local preachers, assistants, superintendents of schools, school-masters and mistresses, artizans,&c., of whom about 300 are employed at a moderate salary, and 3,336 afford their services gratuitously. The total number of communicants on the Mission stations, according to the last return, is 66,808, being an increase of 801 on the number reported last year. This total does not include the number under the care of the Missionaries in Ireland. The number of the scho lars in the Mission schools is upwards of 50,000. Forty-three persons have been sent out since the last anniversary, and 12

have returned. Six Missionaries have died, and 11 wives. The total income of the year, including that which was casual and occasional, may be stated at 84,218., and the total expenditure 100,0771.

The meeting was addressed by W. Evans, Esq., M.P.; Colonel Conolly, M.P.; Drs. Patten and Beman, from America; E. Lytton, Esq., M.P.; Rev. S. Shipley, Vicar of Ashton; Mr. Sergeant Jackson, M.P.; Rev. T. Jackson, President of the Conference; the Rev. Dr. Bunting; the Revs. P. Latrobe, T. Lessey, R. Newton, and J. Dixon; and by the Rev. Dr. Duff; and Messrs. Walker, Farmer, and Thorneycroft.

THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

Fortieth Annual Meeting.-May 3rd.

The Rev. Dr. Henderson having offered prayer, the Chairman, Samuel Hoare, Esq., introduced the business of the evening, in doing which he stated that the society had already been the means of circulating 288,000,000 publications. Mr. W. Jones, travelling secretary of the Society, read an abstract of the Report. It referred to the operations of the Institution in Japan, China, Penang, Singapore, Java, Burmah, India, Australia, Africa, America, the West Indies, and various countries in Europe. In the West Indies, as education increases among the negroes, the publications of the Society are eagerly purchased and attentively read: "The Pilgrim's Progress" is an especial favourite. The grants made during the year to missionaries of all Protestant denominations, to clergymen and others in the islands, amounted to upwards of 120,000 tracts and children's books, and several libraries. Consignments of books have also been made to the extent of 519. In the North American Colonies there is every prospect of many of the children of once happy professors of religion in England becoming a species of white Indians, from the want of religious advantages. It is the opinion of a minister in Upper Canada, that "nothing else that he can conceive of seems half so suitable to the circumstances of the population as the society's publications." In Russia more than one Russian prince has called at the tract depôt, and selected tracts for circulation among their peasants. The reduction of one-sixth in the price of the Society's tracts has been an acceptable measure to its numerous friends, and has led to an increase in the sales during the past year of 1,343,787. Thirty-two circulating libraries, and 367,347 tracts had been granted to Ireland. Grants of tracts to the extent of upwards of 1,800,000 had been made for British emigrants, sol

diers, sailors, foreigners in England, prisons, hospitals, railwaymen, Sabbath-day circulation, fairs, races, &c. The publi cations circulated during the year amount to 18,042,539, being an increase on the preceding year of 2,102,972. The total benevolent income of the year is 5,4827. 6s. 2d.; the grants of publications, paper, and money, amount to 7,7401. 48. 3d., being 2,2577. 188. 1d. beyond such benevolent income. The sales had been 50,4471. 1s. 4d., and the total income of the institution 62,2191. 78. 3d., being an increase of 1641. 18s. 1d.

Highly appropriate addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Bickersteth, Latrobe, Monro, Freeman, Orr, Brock, and Martin; by the Rev. Drs. Patten and Stuart; by Sir C. E. Smith; and by H. Pownall, J. M. Strachan, and T. Bignold, Esqrs.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

The Thirty-sixth Annual Meeting of this important Institution was held, May 2nd, Mr. Sheriff Wood in the chair. After prayer, by the Rev. J. N. Goulty, of Brighton, and an able address from the chairman, Mr. W. H. Watson read the report. From the West Indies the most gratifying accounts had been received. The coming of freedom had been welcomed with holy joy by the negro population. Their conduct, notwithstanding the provocations they had received, was beyond all praise. The negro desired and was striving to attain to the full height of man-morally, intellectually, and spiritually. The demand for books, for schools, for religious instruction, was beyond all precedent. The domestic proceedings of the committee during the past year had been numerous and varied in their character. Sixteen grants had been made in aid of the expense of erecting school-rooms, making the total number of grants up to the present time 152, amounting to 3,3897. Mr. Wilson, the travelling agent, had from domestic circumstances, been compelled to resign his office. The number of Sundayschoollending libraries granted this year, had been 106, making a total of 471. The loss which the society had sustained by those grants amounted to 8907. The sales at the depository during the past year amounted to 8,9147. 128. 74d. The donations had fallen short of the preceding year. The report then referred to the efforts of the committee in preventing the desecration of the Lord's-day by petitioning Parliament against the Hippodrome and the opening of the Post-office on the Sabbath. It stated the committee were aware that much difference of opinion existed as to the propriety of enforcing the outward observance of the Lord's-day, by any legislative enact