MOY WOd Daniel Miall?

Master of the first Baptist Church.

Portsea,

Painted & Engraved by Penny, for the Baptist Magazine,

Published by Whittonere, Paternoster Rowe, Jan? 11820.

Baptist Magazine

FOR

1820.

THE PROFITS

ARISING FROM THE SALE OF THIS WORK,

ARE GIVEN

TO THE WIDOWS OF BAPTIST MINISTERS,

AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE

CONTRIBUTORS.

VOL. XII.

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE.

EPH. IV. 15.

London:

PRINTER BY J. BARFIELD, WARDOUR-STREET, SOHO ;

AND SOLD BY

B. J. HOLDSWORTH, ST. PAUL'S-CHURCH-YARD.

1820,

UPON a review of the state of religion during the present year, our attention has been particularly excited by the following things.

1. The continued exertions and prosperity of the Bible Society. The Bibles issued by Societies in foreign parts, aided by the Parent Society, have risen this year from 426,820 to 547,320; and the Testaments from 393,000 to 588,200. The total number of the copies issued 'by the Society itself has increased from 2,617,268 to 2,857,291; of which 1,152,434 were Bibles, and 1,704,857 Testaments. So that 3,992,811 copies of the Scriptures have been issued, either by the Society, or in consequence of its institution. The different languages or dialects in which the Scriptures are circulated are increased from 127 to 130.

2. The great good now doing on the Continent by some of the more enlightened Clergy of the Church of Rome. Whilst the Roman Catholic Clergy in general, both on the Continent and in Ireland, are opposing with all their might the circulation of the Scriptures, Professor Van Ess, countenanced by many Catholic Dignitaries, is circulating his version of the New Testament. Since his last published account, he has issued 106,234 copies of the Catholic Scriptures, besides 10,639 copics of Luther's version among Protestants. This single individual, partly by his own exertion, and partly by means of his Catholic Correspondents in Germany and Switzerland, has, in less than four years, distributed 350,414 copies of the Scriptures. The British and Foreign Bible Society are granting him the most liberal assistance.

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3. The increasing regard paid to the Scriptures in France. During the present year more than 16,000 Bibles and 11,000 Testaments have been issued in that kingdom. "There is not," says M. Boissard, a pastoral visit that I pay among people of the middle rank, where I do not discover some happy results. I see tradesmen making it their duty to read every evening to their families and their apprentices, assembled around them, a Chapter of the Bible. The women, particularly, are acquiring a most happy taste for these domestic lectures. Some, who could not read, endeavour to learn, in order to be able to read this Holy Volume for themselves. You behold the Bible regarded in these

humble habitations as holy; and it is not without great respect that it is taken out of the neat case in which it is carefully deposited after reading. The distribution of the Holy Scriptures in the hospitals, poorhouses, and prisons, has there likewise excited the liveliest gratitude; and I am in possession of most affecting letters, which poor prisoners have written to me, to thank me for having procured for them this source of edification and comfort."

4. The attempts which are now making by a Society of British ladies to introduce Female Education into India.

5. The Societies established during the present year for promoting the Gospel among Seamen.

6. The Spread of the Gospel in the South Sea Islands, through the instrumentality of the London Missionary Society.

7. Although we were not to mention them, our readers would not forget the successful exertions of the Baptist Missionary Society, the Baptist Irish Society, and the Baptist Itinerant and British Missionary Society, details of which are given in this Volume.

We have not room here to mention other new Institutions, and the increased exertions of the old ones.

Upon the whole, we congratulate Christians of all denominations on the gradual advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom. Though he has still many enemies, he "shall overcome them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

We return thanks, in the name of the Baptist Ministers' Widows who are relieved by means of this Magazine, and whose cause has been so ably pleaded by our friend Mr. Morgan of Birmingham. (See Magazine for September, page 363,) to our Readers and Correspondents; and, assuring the former that we will do all in our power to merit their continued support, we earnestly solicit our Ministers and other friends to encourage this Work, both by their recommendations and their communications.

London, December, 1820.