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Scarcity of the Scriptures in Poland.-France-supply inadequate.

this applies still more strongly to the remaining three millions of Servians, under the dominion of the Turks. The Croatians, who consist of about 900,000 souls, have, to this day, no part of the Holy Scriptures in their language, except the Gospels for Sundays and Holy-days: and the Albanians have no portion whatever of the word of GOD at all, in any language which they understand. Much good is therefore to be expected from the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures, not only among these nations, but also among many other tribes without the borders of the empire, who, professing the Christian faith, under the dominion of the Turks, are unable, in their present circumstances, to obtain copies of the sacred writings, even for the purpose of supplying their churches and priests. Such, for instance, is the lamentable condition of most of the Wallachians, Moldavians, and Bulgarians; the former of whom speak one language, and possess a version of the Bible in their language, but which is so scarce, that it is not to be obtained for money. For that part of the nation connected with Russia, provision is now making; but for the millions of Wallachians and Moldavians under the Austrian Government, nothing has yet been done.”—13th Report: App. p. 96.

FRANCE." An increasing demand has been manifested in France for the Catholic Scriptures: and so strongly is this felt, that various printers are now speculating in editions of that book, for which but a short time ago very few purchasers could be found. The Society for Elementary Education has introduced the New Testament into the Schools for mutual instruction; and several pious Catholics have evinced not a little industry in recommending it, and that with considerable success, to the poorer members of their communion."-Sixteenth Report, p. lxvi.

"The Committee have not always waed to furnish Bibles until they were asked for. One of their first acts has been, to offer this treasure of consolation and mercy to criminals in their chains. It has been received in some prisons, and in the hulks of Toulon and Rochefort, with a feeling of gratitude which promises a sincere repentance, and the design of a reformation.

Many small tribes of Protestants, scattered over the surface of France, appeared worthy of the attention and care of the society. Some are with out pastors, and without public worship. The Department de la Somme alone counts about six thousand individuals in this state of abandonment and religious privation: yet among these reformed Christians, so long forgotten, the faith of their fathers has been preserved in all its purity. For want of sacred books, of which violence had deprived their obscure families,and from replacing of which, either fear or poverty had prevented them,-oral traditions have transmitted from generation to generation the most interesting narratives, the most important lessons, and the holiest precepts of the Bible. Passing from the father to the children, the most fervent prayers and hymns, the most proper to nourish faith and hope, have never ceased to resound in their cottages, and the paternal benediction has stood in place of that of the minister of the LORD. When at length the written Word of God returned to the bosom of these insulated families, what thanksgivings have been offered up for this unexpected blessing of Providence !" Sixteenth Report, Appendix, pp. 71, 72. "The demands for Bibles and New Testaments multiply to such a degree, that it is not possible for the binder to keep pace with them.

"The editions of Paris are proceeding so rapidly, that almost all my time is absorbed in correcting proofs."— Ibid. p. 73.

"On all sides I am besieged for Bibles; and I shall feel most grateful to

Spain.-Netherlands-ASIA.-Ceylon.-Java.

the Committee of the Bible Society if they will place at my disposal a certain number of copies of different editions printing in France.

"We hope soon to be able to satisfy the already numerous demands which are made on us by the Consistories of our churches for copies of the holy scriptures, at which we are at work. We desire with all our hearts to have them quickly distributed; and as the greatest number of families are unprovided, we think that our wishes will be easily satisfied.

"You will see by the sheet which I transmit, that we invite all the friends of the religion of Christ to make generous and pious sacrifices, to enable us to spread the sacred books among the most indigent families who would make a good use of them; and by the means of schools lately established, we doubt not that all will soon make the study of the word of God their happiest and most consolatory occupation.”—Ibid. p. 74 et seq.

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SPAIN." Even Spanish New Testaments have been solicited from your Committee: and they cannot but cherish a hope that they may find in the result of the events which are now taking place, an opening for communicating to the inhabitants of Old and New Spain that sacred Book which affords, equally, instruction for the life that now is, and for that which is to come."

Ibid. lxvik

NETHERLANDS:- "The Rev. Mr. Winkel, at Antwerp, has made a very good use of the New Testament of De Sacy, of which copies had been forwarded to him. Some persons have cheerfully purchased it at double its value. There were many opportunities in that place for usefulness, especially among the French shipwrights, whose number is great; but, in general, the Bible was there, as in other parts of that country, an unknown book. A foreign merchant, who had settled at Antwerp, had made fruitless inquiries in all the booksellers' shops for a copy; and the opposition against the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures among Roman Catholics, arises not merely from the servile followers of human authority, but, in a greater measure, from the promoters of infidelity, and the enemies of Christianity." Ibid. App. p. 76.

ASIA

CEYLON." The Cingalese Scriptures are become so very scarce, that to the bulk of the native Christians (amounting to about 200,000) they may be said to be in fact unknown."-Eleventh Report: Appendix, No. VI.

"In several parts of the island, the Scriptures, both in the Tamul and Cingalese dialects, have been sought for with great avidity: copies of the latter have been eagerly received by the intelligent among the Cingalese, and even by several of the Bhuddist priesthood, who have of late, in some places, been roused to an uncommon degree of inquiry on the subject of the Christian scriptures. This disposition has been greatly confirmed by the examples of certain natives of high rank and superior information, who, under the influence of divine grace, have been brought, chiefly through reading the Scriptures, to renounce their idolatry, and make a public profession of the Christian faith. The influence of these events has been widely propagated; and not only the superstitious Bhuddists, but the haughty Mahomedans, have begun to manifest an inclination to receive instruction themselves, and to permit their children to partake of the benefit of an improved education."- Fourteenth Report, p. 69.

JAVA.-"Of the Arabic Bibles and Testaments sent to Java, a very considerable number have been sold: some of the Arabian merchants and sheiks

Amboyna, &c.-gratitude for the Scriptures.

are described as sitting in company whole nights together, reading them with the greatest eagerness and attention.

"One merchant actually delayed his departure from Batavia for many days, in order to read a Bible, which he had received from Mr. Supper, with tranquillity and reflection. He promised to recommend it to his countrymen, and implored a thousand blessings on the Bible."-Twelfth Rep. p. 44.

AMBOYNA, &c." The want of the Scriptures at Amboyna may be painfully inferred, from the fact of a Malay Bible having, in November 1816, fetched, at a public sale, forty-six Spanish dollars, upwards of 10%. sterling." Fourteenth Report, p. 44.

"The Rev. Joseph Kam, minister of the Dutch Church at Amboyna, states the urgent need of a large supply of the holy scriptures for upwards of 20,000 native Christians, among whom the precious Word of God is very scarce.' He adds, that he writes with a broken heart,' from his inability to furnish a single copy of the holy scriptures, so much wanted by his dear people."—Ibid. Appendix, No. v.

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"The Committee of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society having placed 3000 Malay Testaments at the disposal of W. B. Martin, Esq., for the supply of the native Christians of Amboyna, the following is his statement relative to the distribution.-It had been his intention to limit the distribution to persons selected for their respectability, and presumed desire to profit by the gift; and his lists were made out accordingly: 'But,' says Mr. Martin, this intention I was afterwards compelled to relinquish ; as I found it impossible to confine the distribution within the narrow limits which a rigorous adherence to it would have prescribed: for so great was the eagerness pervading the community, to reap the benefit of a liberality which they had not before experienced, and of which they would not expect soon to witness the recurrence, that, on the day appointed for the distribution, instead of the comparatively small and select number of individuals designated by the lists, the church was crowded by a multitude of people of both sexes, and of all ages, imploring, with an earnestness of supplication which could not be resisted, the unreserved communication to them all, of an advantage which all appreciated, and all had been prepared, and were qualified to enjoy.”—Fifteenth Report, p. lxxiv.

"The Rev. Joseph Kam, referred to in one of the preceding extracts, thus writes under date of the 14th of January, 1819:—

"Besides the Negeries in the Celebes, I found, on my journey to the Sanguir Islands, upwards of 10,000 native Christians, among whom I did not meet with more than two complete copies of the Bible, and a few New Testaments.

"When I lately arrived at a large Negery (or village), the name of which is Lileboi, north-west from Amboyna, upwards of 800 persons, in order to convince me of the reality of their faith in the only true and living GOD, brought all their idols before me, and acknowledged their foolishness. I advised them to pack them all up in a large box (into which they formerly used to be put for their night's rest), and to put a heavy load of stones upon them, and to drown them all in the depth of the sea, in my presence. They all agreed to follow my advice; a boat was made ready for the purpose; and with a great shout, they were carried out of the Negery, and launched into the bosom of the deep. After this business was over, we sang the four first verses of the 136th Psalm.

"This is the fruit of preaching the gospel of CHRIST, and of the labours of your society."'"-Sixteenth Report: Appendix, 'p. 196-7.

India.-Grateful reception of Bibles by the Natives, and by Roman Catholics,

PENANG." In Penang, Mr. Milne estimates the number of Chinese settlers at 8000; and he observes, that in the course of his distribution, he did not meet with one who did not thankfully receive a New Testament from his hands.”—Fourteenth Report, p. lxxiv.

MALACCA.-"Mr. Milne has found many openings for putting the Chinese Scriptures into circulation. By the communication which it maintains with those places in the archipelago where the Chinese reside; with various parts of Cochin-China and Siam, where multitudes of Chinese are settled; and even with three provinces of China itself; opportunities occur, of which Mr. Milne has diligently availed himself, and by a due use of which, much good, it is hoped, may hereafter be accomplished.”— Ibid. p. 74-5.

INDIA." There is no part of the world which offers a wider scope for the operations of the British and Foreign Bible Society than Hindostan. The Christians dispersed over that vast country, including Ceylon, are calculated at nearly a million, using various dialects; and few among this number have had the happiness to possess the sacred scriptures. Many of the descendants of the ancient Christians, it may be confidently affirmed, have, from the want of these precious records, relapsed into idolatry and superstition; and many who now profess Christianity are, from the same deprivation, Christians merely in name.

"The Hindoos and Mahomedans subject to the British authority may be estimated at seventy millions; of the remainder, no calculation can be made. These observations cannot but suggest the most forcible motives for the exertions of the British and Foreign Bible Society, both for supplying the wants of the Christians of India, and for displaying the records of divine truth to the natives who are ignorant of it."-Eighth Report, p. 10 et seq.

"Sandappen, a schoolmaster, in his address for a New Testament, says— 'Reverend Father, have mercy upon me. I am, amongst so many craving beggars for the holy scriptures, the chief craving beggar. The bounty of the bestowers of this treasure is so great, I understand, that even this book is read in rice-markets and salt-markets.'"

Ninth Report: Appendix, p. 23.

"As to the disposition of the natives themselves of the best caste towards the Bible, take the following among many other no less striking evidences. A Nayr, of Travancore, even reproached one of our Zillah judges on the coast, for not giving them our Scriptures. The judge had been reading to him some passages from the Malayalim Gospel; when, on his stopping, the man, full of admiration of its divine sentiments, rather abruptly addressed him, “ What, sir, and are these indeed your shasters? Why, why have you not given them to us? We have not kept back ours from you; why have not you given us yours?' I could give you affecting instances of lively gratitude with which many have received the Tamul Scriptures, and the veneration they have expressed by word and action."- Letter from the Rev. M. Thomson, Madras.-Eleventh Report: Appendix, p. 26.

"At Nag-poora, the capital of the Mahratta dominions, a gentleman, friendly to the Scriptures, gave a copy of the New Testament to a Brahmin, a man of high estimation. He received and read it; but discovered no pe culiar regard to the Gospel, till about a fortnight before his death, when he openly declared, that he gave up all hope in his own religion, and trusted only in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who gave his life a ransom for sinners. His astonished family expostulated with him, and even manifested resentment;

F

India. The Tamul Bible Association established at Madras.-China.

but all in vain: the dying man had obtained a view of the Friend of Sinners, and he appeared to cleave to him to his last moments."-Ibid. App. p. 31.

"The expectation held out by the Committee (of the Bombay Auxiliary Bible Society) in the First Report, of distributing the Scriptures in Portuguese to the native Christians of that church, has been realized with great success; and they have not only dispersed a considerable number on the islands of Bombay and Salsette, but have forwarded no less than 550 to Goa, at the particular request of the British Envoy, who describes the natives, and even the priests, as coming in crowds to receive them."

Thirteenth Report: Appendix, No. II.

"A very intelligent and truly Christian native, Appavoo, having been employed by the learned and industrious Colonel Mackenzie to collect antiquities for him, in aid of a great work in which he is engaged, undertook to distribute some Tamul New Testaments in the course of his journey. Among the happy results with which this procedure of Appavoo has been already attended, the deposed Rajah of Travancore has been so impressed with the Bible, that he has directed a chapter to be read to him daily; and the high-priest of the Jainas has desired a visit from the Rev. Mr. Rhenius, who sent him the Tamul Bible, to explain the Gospel more perfectly to him and his people. Under the impression made by these and other interesting circumstances, the Christian native writes:

"While we have time, let us sow the good seed of the Gospel; the GOD of heaven will shower on it his Holy Spirit, that it may bring forth good fruits:'-and he adds, in a strain of interesting simplicity; In every age there have arisen some alterations in their superstition. Inquiry is made into their own Vedam, to find out the good way: I am sure, very soon, GOD ALMIGHTY will enlarge his kingdom; and the venerable benefactors who exert themselves in this desirable cause, will be rewarded a thousand fold.'"-Fourteenth Report, p. lxv. et seq.

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A society has been established at Madras, called the Tamul Bible Association. Under the presidency of the Rev. Mr. Rhenius (of the Church Missionary Society), this little groupe of native Christians held its first anniversary on the 26th of July 1818, at which not fewer than eight native converts delivered their simple addresses. Of these, one was expressed in the following terms:-'I am glad that a society like this has been established. By this means the word of God will be given to the poor; yea, will be made known to all. This word of GOD is a cleanser of the heart: I wish that all may receive it.'"-Sixteenth Report, p. 73.

CHINA. That a translation of the entire Bible into the language of this immense empire-supposed to contain onefourth of the whole human race-is at length completed, must be a source of gratitude and joy to every sincere believer in divine revelation. Of the importance of this work, and the good effects of the partial distribution already commenced, the following extracts will testify :—

"The intelligence from Java respecting the acceptance of the Chinese New Testament by the Chinese settled in that island, is highly encouraging and interesting. It appears that many of them not only read the New Testament, but are anxious to obtain explanations of passages which they do not understand. These Chinese,' Mr. Supper (Secretary of the Java Bible Society) adds, have already turned their idols out of their houses, and are desirous of becoming Christians.' One of the most opulent of the

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