Westminster Ladies' Auxiliary Society.-Rules.

A coincidence of no common kind will be traced in this event. It is the first legacy bequeathed by an European foreigner. She resided in that city wherein the first Continental Bible Society was formed; and she belonged to that humble but important class of the community, among the members of which the first female institution for promoting the circulation of the Scriptures was established.

3. The first Ladies' Bible Society, in direct and exclusive connexion with the Parent Institution, appears to have been that of Westminster, established in August 1811, under the following regulations :

"I. That this society for raising subscriptions in aid of the British and Foreign Bible Society, be denominated 'The Westminster Ladies' Auxiliary Bible Society.'

II. That the Committee consist of forty-eight ladies, with a Treasurer and Secretaries, who shall be requested to raise subscriptions, and transact the business of the society.

III. That subscriptions of one penny or more per week, and all donations, be received by the Committee, and paid into the hands of the Secretaries, who will rest the same in the hands of the Treasurer.

IV. That any member of the Committee be allowed to propose a new member, till the number be completed. Notice of these elections shall be given to the Secretary, by the proposing member, with the name and place of abode of the person proposed, at least fourteen days before she be elected. V. That this and all other questions be determined by a majority of votes. VI. That the Committee meet in the vestry of the Adelphi Chapel, the second Monday in every month, at eleven o'clock in the morning.-Five of the members constituting a quorum.

VII. That an annual general meeting of the society be held the second Monday in March, to review the business of the preceding year, and for the election of officers and new members of the Committee, if necessary.At such meeting, any subscriber of a penny per week may give a vote in any business then discussed.

VIII. That the moneys collected be remitted to the British and Foreign Bible Society annually."

This society commenced its operations by circulating a judicious and forcible Address to the Public, which tended in no inconsiderable degree to prepare the way for the subsequent establishment (in December 1812) of the Westminster Auxiliary Bible Society. But it will readily be perceived, that the regulations adopted were inadequate to the end designed. Of this the Committee soon became sensible; and in the winter of 1815, the author was invited to assist in the organization of the society, which appeared to be in a very declining state. He accordingly prepared a code of Rules and By-laws, which provided for the division of Westminster and its immediate vicinity into thirteen suitable districts, and the establishment of a Ladies' Association in each. This was

Paisley Female Bible Association.

the first approach towards that system which will be more fully developed in the succeeding sections: and in order to illustrate its advantages, it is only necessary to state, that the total amount collected by the Westminster Ladies' Auxiliary Society, in the four preceding years, was about 150l., and the number of Bibles and Testaments distributed, 223; whereas the aggregate amount collected by the same institution and its connected associations, in the five following years, exceeded 2650/; and more than 2400 Bibles and Testaments were distributed.

In reference to this early and important institution, it would be improper to omit the following record of the sentiments, with which the Committee of the Westminster Auxiliary Society contemplated the organization, on more systematic principles, of the pre-existing establishment. In their Third Annual Report, they observe,

"Your Committee unfeignedly rejoice in announcing to you an event which will shed, they are persuaded, a lustre over the proceedings of the past year, and form an era in the history of the society, to which memory shall never recur but with feelings of animated and lively gratitude. They refer to an union which has been effected between this society and a society instituted in the year 1811, under the denomination of 'The Westminster Ladies' Auxiliary Bible Society.' On the circumstances connected with this union, your Committee will not enlarge; but they congratulate you on the advantages which may be anticipated from the combined exertions of the two societies in the promotion of the one great cause, whose interests are interwoven with the best affections of your hearts. They who have often visited the poor man's dwelling, to wipe away the tear of human misery, and assuage the bitterness of temporal distress, are now become fellow-labourers with you in circulating that sacred volume, which not only affords the sweetest consolation amidst the calamities of life, but directs the weeping eye to a world where there is no more curse, neither sorrow nor pain, but where the poor in spirit and the pure in heart shall see God."

4. In the year 1811, a society was formed at PAISLEY, under the title of "The Paisley Female Bible Association," for the purpose of affording to the Ladies of that town" an opportunity of contributing to the promotion of the best interests of mankind, by encouraging the translation and distribution of the Bible." The regulations of this society exhibit a nearer approach to that system which has been subsequently adopted throughout the nation, than those which have been already considered. The business was conducted by "a Treasurer and Secretary, seven Directors, and thirtytwo Collectors. The town being divided into sixteen wards, two collectors were appointed for each, who collected the subscriptions quarterly." This appears to have been the first association of adult females which contemplated the

Instituted on a different plan-Results.-Lochwinnock.-Johnstone.

supply of local wants as a primary object. Bibles sand Testaments were ordered and received from the Parent Institution, and several poor females were furnished with them on the recommendation of the members. The collectors were instructed to inquire into the wants of their districts, that they might be supplied; and prudential measures were devised to prevent mistake or imposition. At the close of the first year, the number of subscribers was about two hundred; and the amount collected, 45l. 13s. 3d.: but at the second annual meeting, the contributors had increased to above six hundred, and the year's income amounted to 160/. 10s.

At this meeting, it was resolved, that a connexion should be formed with the "Paisley and East Renfrewshire Bible Society," instituted in May 1813; from whose First Annual Report the following appropriate observation is extracted:

"It is becoming in women as well as in men to aid so valuable a purpose. It is equally the duty of females to believe and obey the Gospel: and if Mary chose that better part which shall not be taken away, even the doctrine of Jesus as the one thing needful; if Lydia attended to the things spoken of by Paul; and if Priscilla assisted in teaching Apollos the way of GoD more perfectly; surely it is the duty of female Christians now to follow these examples; and not only to be religious in private, but in public also, encouraging by secret prayer and public exertion every pious undertaking."

The funds of this association, like those of its more humble but not less efficient precursor at Aberdeen, were apportioned to various, though kindred benevolent institutions, at the discretion of the Committee. This mode of proceeding is peculiar to Scotland: and it well deserves the serious consideration of the acute and enlightened philanthropists of that country, whether the streams of Christian charity be not limited rather than increased by its adoption,-whether the refreshing waters would not flow in richer abundance, if a separate fountain were unlocked for each particular object, In reference to the Paisley Association, it appears that the plan did not altogether succeed, as a Ladies' Bible Society on the improved system has superseded that establishment. *

5. In the year 1812, a society was established in DUBLIN,

It would be unjust to pass over two other Female Associations, in connexion with the Paisley and East Renfrewshire Auxiliary Society;-that of LOCHWINNOCK, established in March, and that of JOHNSTONE in April, 1813. Both these institutions were formed on the model of that of Paisley, with some slight modifications, and appear to have contributed liberally to the funds of the Auxiliary Society, which acknowledges a remittance of 381. 16s. 2d. by the former, and of 761. by the latter, in the first year of their existence.

There is reason to believe that a similar association, on a more limited scale, was instituted in February 1814, at BALFRON, in connexion with the Glasgow Bible Society.

Dublin Ladies' Auxiliary Society.—Limerick.-Sligo.-Colchester. under the designation of "The Ladies' Auxiliary Bible Society, for the purpose of contributing to the Hibernian Bible Society." This institution was countenanced by personages of great distinction; and its regulations appear to have been similar to those originally adopted in Westminster, and already detailed. As it has gradually merged into the less prominent, but more efficient "Associations," subsequently formed in that city, it is only necessary to allude to it, as an additional motive for the formation of a "Ladies' Branch Society," which experience has satisfactorily proved to be expedient in extensive districts, where more than one association is found necessary. In reference to this society, and to similar institutions in the sister island, the Committee of the Hibernian Bible Society, in their Eighth Annual Report, observe:

"One, instituted by the Ladies in Limerick, though formed only three months, has produced the sum of 421.; and another, set on foot by the Ladies in Sligo, has in the same time raised 451. From the first of these societies which was formed, that established by the Ladies of Dublin, your Committee have received, during the last year, the sum of 240%."

In November 1812, an Association on a limited scale was formed at LYMINGTON, in Hampshire, principally by means of a pious and benevolent lady, whose unremitting exertions led to its organization on more regular and systematic principles at a subsequent period.

6. In tracing the progress of female interest and exertion in the cause, the next society which claims attention is that of COLCHESTER. It is not improbable that the example of Westminster first suggested the idea of a similar institution to the Committee of the Colchester and East-Essex Auxiliary Society; and the design appears to have been encouraged by the difficulties which those gentlemen found in their way, in the course of their endeavours to ascertain and supply the wants of the poor, and by their inability to devote the requisite time for collecting the contributions of the labouring classes. A SubCommittee was accordingly appointed, "to prepare a plan for the formation of a Bible Association, particularly among the Ladies;" and the active and zealous individuals to whom this duty was assigned, immediately proceeded to select, from the Rules recommended by the Parent Institution for Bible Associations (See Chap. III. Section II.), such regulations as appeared suitable for an association of females. When the plan was sufficiently matured, it was submitted to a meeting of Ladies, convened at the Vicarage of St. Peter's by a circular invitation; and on the 1st of March, 1813, the society

Colchester Ladies' Association-Defective provisions of the Rules adopted.

was regularly established, under the patronage of the Countess of Chatham. A President, Treasurer, three Secretaries, and thirty-one Collectors, were appointed: and within little more than six months from its establishment, this association distributed 106 Bibles and Testaments, and collected above eighty pounds; of which sum, 471. 4s. 8d. was appropriated to the general object of the Parent Institution. This success justifies the language in which the Auxiliary Society, in their Third Annual Report, announce its formation, as

"an institution worthy of extensive imitation, and from which the most beneficial effects have already arisen; not only by imparting the holy scriptures to the poor in the town of Colchester, but also by contributing upwards of one-half of its funds to the general purposes of the Society; which were raised by the meritorious exertions of a Committee consisting of nearly forty Ladies, who collected from above 600 members their subscriptions of one penny a week and upwards. Your Committee notice with much pleasure the patronage by which this institution has recently been honoured: and as the supply of the poor in the town of Colchester is its first concern, your Committee cheerfully commit this part of their duty into its hands."

It must however be acknowledged, that the rules adopted by this association were deficient in some important particulars. It was resolved that the members of the Committee should be selected from among "such Ladies as shall procure and pay to the amount of twelve subscriptions (of one penny a week) and upwards:"-and by another regulation, it was provided, "that it be determined at the monthly meetings to whom the Bibles and Testaments shall be distributed, and that they be applied for one month previous to their being delivered." Hence it will readily be perceived, that the qualification of a member of the Committee, or Collector, might be, and in many cases was acquired by Ladies, without going out of their own families, or the circle of their immediate friends; and thus the primary object of all such institutions-that of meliorating the condition of the poorwas, in a great degree, defeated. Experience has abundantly proved, that it is only by assigning a local and defined district, of limited extent, to voluntary and approved collectors, and by that knowledge of its inhabitants which personal investigation alone can supply, that this important object can be accomplished, and permanent benefit conferred. And it is equally evident, that the latter regulation implies an extent of gratuitous distribution, unnecessary in reference to the labouring classes, and subversive of those powerful principles which should constitute the basis of every attempt to improve their state. A comparison of the rules in question, with those recommended in the following sections, will supersede