13. The Plymouth. Governor Crayke, president; Dr. Lockyer, vice-president; and G. Soltau, Esq., treasurer.

14. The Tewksbury. The Earl of Coven try, president: C. Codrington, Esq., M. P.; and C. H. Tracy, Esq., M. P., vice-presidents and H. Fowke, Esq., treasurer.

15. The Ladies Auxiliary Bible Society at Dublin. Viscountess Lorton, patroness: Lady E. Littlehales; Countesses of Westmeath, Meath, and Leitrim; Viscountess Lifford ; Ladies C. Crofton, M. Knox, L. Barry, H. Bernard, A. Bernard, C. Bernard, Castlecoote, and Molyneaux; Hon. Mrs. Hewitt; Mrs. Shaw; and Mrs. Brownlow; vice-patronesses.

The following extract from the second Report of the Neath Auxiliary Bible Society seeins peculiarly deserving of attention.

"Since the last meeting, among the several communications received from the Parent Society, we notice with pleasure one which, we trust, has bad already a salutary efficacy, that of recommending the appointment of sub-committees, to visit the poorer classes of society in their habitations, in order to ascertain and relieve their necessities, with respect to the Holy Scriptures; and the formation of Branch Societies, and Bible Associations, wherever it is practicable.

"Your committee, in considering these recommendations, felt animated by the spi-, rit they tended to excite, and in consequence, nominated several sub-committees to prosecute their objects in the several districts of our sphere: some of these remain not yet fully reported to us, and still claim our attention; in other cases, the object has been either fully or in a degree attained. In one instance, we are informed, that the labouring people employed in shipping coal at Britton ferry, and a number in the neigh bourhood of Baglan, willingly contribute their penny per week to repay the cost of a Bible or Testament: in another case, namely, in the vicinity of the numerous works at Neath Abbey, a Bible Association has been instituted on the plan suggested by the Parent Society, which we have reason to hope will not only enable us, on a future occasion, to-state that the poor within its sphere, are supplied by the contributions of a penny per week made by the workmen, but will furnish its mite in aid of the Foreign objects of the Society. Other objects, besides the mere collection of the poor man's mite, and affording him a Bible or a Testament, we hope will be attained by the examinations making into the state of society by these sub-committees and associations.

“The absence, or the apparent absence, of all idea of accountableness, and the extreme depravity of the minds of some of our fellow-creatures, become known to their more enlightened neighbours, and the necessity there is to endeavour to inform the minds of the uninstructed by education, becomes more glaringly obvious, and must excite the Christian to activity. But not the depravity only of his fellow-creatures, does the Christian observer notice, he is cheered in his task by the discovery of facts of an opposite nature. One or two of this description it is gratifying to record, as they are communicated to us through one of the sub-committees. An old man (upwards of seventy-five years of age), who is assisted to a maintenance by the parish, has, within the last fifteen months, learnt to read his Bible in his native (the Welsh) language, through the persevering efforts of a religiously disposed workman, who lodges in his cottage; and now rejoices in the privileges he enjoys, at this late period of his existence, considering it as one of the greatest blessings of his life. His wife (aged seventy. two years) is now learning her letters, in the hope of more fully partaking in the benefits arising from the perusal of the Scriptures for herself; and, on a late occasion, emphatically expressed her strong preference for a participation in this privilege, by holding out her hat with an air of enthusiasm, and exclaiming; Yes! I would rather that I could read than to have this hat full of gold.' One other instance, no less pleasing, there is of a near neighbour of theirs. A poor woman (near sixty years of age) has been taught to read her Bible within a few months (by a female lodger, the governess of a neighbour. ing charity-school) and she takes delight in the practice morning and evening.' In all these cases, the Bible Society may be considered to have been the means by which they have been furnished with the Holy Scriptures."

The next extract is taken from the Report of the Liverpool Society, and serves painfully to confirm all that has been stated, of the prevailing want of the Holy Scriptures in this country.

"The town itself, independently of every more distant good which our commercial situation may enable us to accomplish, presents a vast field for the benevolent exertions of this Society. It appears, from an exami nation of the books of the Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor, that of 4386 familes, whose circumstances have been investigated and reported by their visi

tors, only 1544 are possessed either of Bible or Testament. No doubt there are many other families, which, in so large a population, the utmost activity and vigilance would be liable to overlook, equally destitute, Enough, therefore, yet remains to stimulate the zeal, and to exhaust the resources, of those who will be appointed to conduct the business of the Society; much of ignorance remains to be instructed; much of religious indifference to be roused into action; much of vice and licentiousness to be subdued; much of poverty and of affliction to be comforted. While we lament the darkness which still hangs over the minds of so many of our fellow-men, and intercepts every ray of inspired truth, we are yet animated by the hope, that the dawn of a brighter day, which gives the fair promise of a steadier light and a kindlier heat, has already appeared; and that the Sun of righteousness will shine forth, full orbed, and in unclouded splendor, on the dimness of our moral hemisphere. This hope rests for its accomplishment on the universal diffusion of the Scriptures."

In the second Report of the Bristol Society, are inserted two letters, from which extracts are given in the Appendix. One of these letters is from the Rev. P. M. Proc ter of Newland, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and is addressed to the Secretaries of the Society.

"I did not expect," he says, "to have had occasion to address you again so soon; but immediately on the arrival of your va luable present of Bibles and Testaments, I was surrounded by so many earnest applicants, that in six days all the Bibles were disposed of. The price put upon them, appeared to enhance their value; and so anxious were the poor to have them, that many borrowed the money through fear of losing the opportunity.Thank God! I have at last got a Bible,' was their heartfelt exclamation. They considered it a blessing and a

treasure."

"The effects already excited by the circulation of the Scriptures among us, have been very conspicuous. I have unexpectedly found several individuals with their Bibles before them. A comparatively very full atKendance at public worship appears to have been already produced by the powerful word of God; and an accession of eighteen com

In this natural effect of the increased distribution of the Scriptures, we may see the cause of the increased circulation of The Prayer-book which appears to have

The other letter, in requesting a further supply of Bibles and Testaments for the seldiery, states:

"Last Friday we gave away a few Testaments furnished by a friend. Several soldiers went away disappointed, who had ap plied the Friday before, as our stock was soon exhausted. A pious soldier told me, I should be surprised to see the change which has taken place among his comrades, as twenty may be found at one time, while on guard, employed in reading their Bibles. He added, "You cannot conceive the good that is doing among us."

The information contained in the following two letters is important. The first is from the Rev. John Owen, Chaplain-general, to the Right Hon. N. Vansittart.

"The sick of Lord Wellington's army are sent to Lisbon. Provision of the Scriptures, &c. has been made by government for the English troops in the hospitals there; but the German Legion, who are in great force in Portugal, and have many sick in the same hospitals with the English soldiers, are wholly destitute of the Scriptures. If, therefore, the Bible Society should see fit to consign some Testaments in the German tongue to the Rev. James Allott, Chaplain to the Forces, at the General Hospital, Lisbon, I can be answerable for the zeal and attention of that gentleman in applying and preserving the books committed to his charge."

The second is from the Rev. Dr. Dakins, the Chaplain-general's Assistant, to the Secre taries of the Bible Society.

taken place. Persons who are led to church, naturally desire to have the book containing the services of the church.

13. The Plymouth. Governor Crayke, president; Dr. Lockyer, vice-president; and G. Soltau, Esq., treasurer.

14. The Tewksbury. The Earl of Coven try, president: C. Codrington, Esq., M. P.; and C. H. Tracy, Esq., M. P., vice-presidents: and H. Fowke, Esq., treasurer.

15. The Ladies Auxiliary Bible Society at Dublin. Viscountess Lorton, patroness: Lady E. Littlehales; Countesses of Westmeath, Meath, and Leitrim; Viscountess Lifford ; Ladies C. Crofton, M. Knox, L. Barry, H. Bernard, A. Bernard, C. Bernard, Castlecoote, and Molyneaux; Hon. Mrs. Hewitt; Mrs. Shaw; and Mrs. Brown low; vice-patronesses.

The following extract from the second Report of the Neath Auxiliary Bible Society seeins peculiarly deserving of attention.

"Since the last meeting, among the several communications received from the Parent Society, we notice with pleasure one which, we trust, has had already a salutary efficacy, that of recommending the appointment of sub-committees, to visit the poorer classes of society in their habitations, in order to ascertain and relieve their necessities, with respect to the Holy Scriptures; and the formation of Branch Societies, and Bible Associations, wherever it is practicable.

"Your committee, in considering these recommendations, felt animated by the spirit they tended to excite, and in consequence, nominated several sub-committees to prosecute their objects in the several districts of our sphere: some of these remain not yet fully reported to us, and still claim our attention; in other cases, the object has been either fully or in a degree attained. In one instance, we are informed, that the fabouring people employed in shipping coal at Britton ferry, and a number in the neigh bourhood of Baglan, willingly contribute their penny per week to repay the cost of a Bible or Testament: in another case, namely, in the vicinity of the numerous works at Neath Abbey, a Bible Association has been instituted on the plan suggested by the Parent Society, which we have reason to hope will not only enable us, on a future occasion, to state that the poor within its sphere, are supplied by the contributions of a penny per week made by the workmen, but will furnish its mite in aid of the Foreign objects of the Society. Other objects, besides the mere collection of the poor man's mite, and affording him a Bible or a Testament, we hope will be attained by the examinations making into the state of society by these sub-committees and associations.

“The absence, or the apparent absence, of all idea of accountableness, and the extreme depravity of the minds of some of our fellow-creatures, become known to their more enlightened neighbours, and the ne cessity there is to endeavour to inform the minds of the uninstructed by education, becomes more glaringly obvious, and must excite the Christian to activity. But not the depravity only of his fellow-creatures, does the Christian observer notice, he is cheered in his task by the discovery of facts of an opposite nature. One or two of this description it is gratifying to record, as they are communicated to us through one of the sub-committees. An old man (upwards of seventy-five years of age), who is assisted to a maintenance by the parish, has, within the last fifteen months, learnt to read his Bible in his native (the Welsh) language, through the persevering efforts of a religi ously disposed workman, who lodges in his cottage; and now rejoices in the privileges he enjoys, at this late period of his existence, considering it as one of the greatest blessings of his life. His wife (aged seventytwo years) is now learning her letters, in the hope of more fully partaking in the benefits arising from the perusal of the Scriptures for herself; and, on a late occasion, emphatically expressed her strong preference for a participation in this privilege, by holding out her hat with an air of enthusiasm, and exclaiming; Yes! I would rather that I could read than to have this hat full of gold.' One other instance, no less pleasing, there is of a near neighbour of theirs. A poor woman (near sixty years of age) has been taught to read her Bible within a few months (by female lodger, the governess of a neighbour ing charity-school) and she takes delight in the practice morning and evening. In all these cases, the Bible Society may be can sidered to have been the means by which they have been furnished with the Holy Scriptures."

The next extract is taken from the Report of the Liverpool Society, and serves painfully to confirm all that has been stated, of the prevailing want of the Holy Scripture in this country.

"The town itself, independently of every more distant good which our commercial s tuation may enable us to accomplish, presents a vast field for the benevolent exertions of this Society. It appears, from an exami nation of the books of the Society for Bet tering the Condition of the Poor, that af 4386 familes, whose circumstances have been investigated and reported by their vis

tors, only 1544 are possessed either of Bible or Testament. No doubt there are many other families, which, in so large a population, the utmost activity and vigilance would be liable to overlook, equally destitute. Enough, therefore, yet remains to stimulate the zeal, and to exhaust the resources, of those who will be appointed to conduct the business of the Society; much of ignorance remains to be instructed; much of religious indifference to be roused into action; much of vice and licentiousness to be subdued; much of poverty and of affliction to be comforted. While we lament the darkness which still hangs over the minds of so many of our fellow-men, and intercepts every ray of inspired truth, we are yet animated by the hope. that the dawn of a brighter day, which gives the fair promise of a steadier light and a kindlier heat, has already appeared; and that the Sun of righteousness will shine forth, full orbed, and in unclouded splendor, on the dimness of our moral hemisphere. This hope rests for its accomplishment on the universal diffusion of the Scriptures."

In the second Report of the Bristol Society, are inserted two letters, from which extracts are given in the Appendix. One of these letters is from the Rev. P. M. Proc ter of Newland, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and is addressed to the Secretaries of the Society.

"I did not expect," he says, "to have had occasion to address you again so soon; but immediately on the arrival of your valuable present of Bibles and Testaments, I was surrounded by so many earnest applicants, that in six days all the Bibles were disposed of. The price put upon them, appeared to enhance their value; and so anxious were the poor to have them, that many borrowed the money through fear of losing the opportunity. Thank God! I have at last got a Bible,' was their heartfelt exclamation. They considered it a blessing and a treasure."

"The effects already excited by the circulation of the Scriptures among us, have been very conspicuous. I have unexpectedly found several individuals with their Bibles before them. A comparatively very full attendance at public worship appears to have been already produced by the powerful word of God; and an accession of eighteen com

municants, shews an interest and emulation to partake of that happiness which a conformity with the precepts of Christ alone can inspire and secure. During my regular inquiries into the use made of the Bibles, various interest in the subject has been of course disclosed; but I find that a favour able idea may be formed of it. Many instances of a daily perusal have appeared, and some zealously use their newly acquired treasure.-Scarcely a solitary instance of abuse has been discovered, and a very great proportion of the books are well covered. A numerous body of poor individuals are daily gaining an increasing knowledge of the word of life, and many are the blessings and thanksgivings which ensue. The joy testified by some for the opportunity of becoming acquainted with God's word is very great."

The other letter, in requesting a further supply of Bibles and Testaments for the seldiery, states:

"Last Friday we gave away a few Testaments furnished by a friend. Several soldiers went away disappointed, who had ap plied the Friday before, as our stock was soon exhausted. A pious soldier told me, I should be surprised to see the change which has taken place among his comrades, as twenty may be found at one time, while on guard, employed in reading their Bibles." He added, "You cannot conceive the good that is doing among us."

The information contained in the following two letters is important. The first is from the Rev. John Owen, Chaplain-general, to the Right Hon. N. Vansittart.

The sick of Lord Wellington's army are sent to Lisbon. Provision of the Scriptures, &c. has been made by government for the English troops in the hospitals there; but the German Legion, who are in great force in Portugal, and have many sick in the same hospitals with the English soldiers, are wholly destitute of the Scriptures. If, therefore, the Bible Society should see fit to consign some Testaments in the German tongue to the Rev. James Allott, Chaplain to the Forces, at the General Hospital, Lisbon, I can be answerable for the zeal and attention of that gentleman in applying and preserving the books committed to his charge."

The second is from the Rev. Dr. Dakins, the Chaplain-general's Assistant, to the Secre taries of the Bible Society.

taken place. Persons who are led to church, naturally desire to have the book containing the services of the church.

I have received from the Depository of the British and Foreign Bible Society, for the use of the troops confined by sickness and convalescent, at Royal York Hospital, Chelsea, 50 French, 20 Dutch, and 100 German Testaments; and I beg leave to return my grateful thanks to the Society for this supply, so valuable and so important. I will put them into the hands of the German Legion, and other foreigners serving his Majesty, myself; and I will add a few words of advice and exhortation at the same time. The good that is done by thus circulating the Scriptures is incalculable. Government has supplied the Barracks and other Hospitals with Common Prayers, English Testaments, and Bibles; and a selection of Religious Tracts, from the list published by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, has been made, and sanctioned by the Archbishops and the Bishop of London, and circulated with the Bibles. And it affords me the most heartfelt satisfaction to be enabled to say, that the poor sick soldiers receive the books with expressions of thankfulness and gratitude; and, instead of idling their time away in unseemly, or spending it in wicked, conversation, they are frequently seen forming small parties, and reading the Bible and the religious tracts to each other.

"I have taken the liberty to enclose two Pound notes as my mite towards your excellent and truly Christian design, and I hope you will permit me to insert my name as subscribing one Guinea annually."

The following letters have reference to the prisoners of war in this country, and with these we shall close our extracts. Translation of a Letter from Mons. to the Agent for Prisoners at Norman Cross. "The sacred books, which have been delivered to the prisoners, are, for the most part, preserved and respected, as they deserve to be. Messrs.———, —————, ——, &c. to whom

the Bibles were given, have told me, that they derive the greatest consolation from them; and they offer their thanks to those pious and charitable persons who have taken a pleasure in imparting to them the Word of God, in a situation in which the soul has so much need of comfort. Thus, Sir the effect produced by these books is such as all Christian souls could desire."

From a Correspondent, near Chatham.

"As the British and Foreign Bible Society have honoured me with the charge of a considerable number of Bibles and Testaments, for distribution among the prisoners of war at this depot, I deem it my duty to give

some account of the manner in which they have been distributed.

"For many months past, numbers of the prisoners have manifested a great desire to read the Scriptures. As soon as I found this to be the case, in order to supply them as far as possible, and at the same time to prevent the books being too cheap, I procured one or two respectable officers on board of each ship, and committed to their care a few Bibles and Testaments, to lend out every day in the manner of circulating libraries. This plan has hitherto answered well, for we often see small parties collected together in different parts of the ship, and one engaged in reading to the rest. But in proportion as the Bible is known, the desire to read it becomes more general; hence, in addition to the circulating libraries, when I find a person who expresses a strong desire to possess a Bible or Testament of his own, to take home with him to his native country, I give him one."

"I would here beg leave to observe, that I do not fail to embrace the opportunity of cartels going to France with invalids; when such an opportunity offers, I give to each invalid a Bible or a Testament. With respect to the fruits which appear at present, in addition to those I mentioned in a formet letter, the sacred Scriptures are read with much apparent attention, and I doubt not with much real benefit. A few days ago I visited the general hospital ship, and was much pleased to see some of the poor dying captives reading the Bible as they lay in their beds. I have letters in my possession, both in French and German, expressive of the high sense of gratitude which many of those feel to whom the bounty of the British and Foreign Bible Society has extended.”

BAPTIST MISSION IN INDIA.

It is with very deep concern that we communicate to our readers the particulars of a calamity which has befallen the printing

establishment attached to this mission. The account is extracted from a letter from Dr. Joshua Marshman, of Serampore, to Dr. Ry land of Bristol, dated March 12, received September 9th, 1812.

"I closed a letter to you on the 10th, but now write anew. Another leaf of the ways of Providence has been since unfolded, which will fill you both with sorrow and gratitude, and call for the exercise of faith in H whose word, firm as the pillars of heavet, has declared, All things shall work together for the good of them that love God.'

"Last night, about six, I was sitting in my study, musing over the dealings of God, wha