the suggestion of Mr. Hughes, "The British and Foreign Bible Society." It being then determined to convene a public meeting the principal topics of discussion in Mr. Hughes' Essay, designating the object of the proposed society, and sphere of its activity. In the combination of its views, it was considered as distinguishable from all others, and presenting nothing but the inspired volume, would be sure to circulate truth, avoid controversy, and unite all descriptions of Christians in its support. The 7th of March was appointed as the day of the meeting. The following gentlemen's names were subscribed to the address: Granville Sharpe, William Alers, Joseph Burwell, Henry Boase, Robert Cowie, Samuel Foyster, Joseph Smith Gosse, Richard Lea, Alexander Maitland, Samuel Mills, Joseph Reyner, Herman Schroeder, Christopher Sundius, George Walif.

On the day appointed, about 300 persons, of different religious denominations, attended the meeting at the London Tavern, at which Mr. Granville Sharp presided, and which terminated in the formation of the present society. The business was opened and discussed by Robert Cowie, Esq succeeded by William Alers, Esq. and the following gentlemen, Samuel Mills, Esq. and the Rev. Messrs. Hughes, Steinkopff and Owen. The last named gentleman seems at first to have considered the project of an universal circulation of the Scriptures, and the union of different sects in promoting such a scheme, as altogether chimerical. But the good sense, temperate zeal and perspicuous information of the preceding speakers, particularly Mr. Steinkopff, and the representation he gave of the scaroity he had himself observed of the Scriptures in foreign parts, and the unaffected simplicity with which he described the wants of his German fellow countrymen, completely won his assent to an institution of which he has since become one of the most distinguished advocates, and the historian, from whose valuable work the principal part of this compendium is extracted.

At this memorable meeting it was in substance, resolved, 1. That The British and Foreign Bible Society should be formed, with the sole object to encourage a wider dispersion of the Scriptures. 2dly, That it should co-operate with other societies for circulating the Scriptures through the British dominions, and according to its ability should extend its influence to other countries, whether ChrisVOL. H.No. v.

tian, Mahometan or Pagan, 3dly, 4thly, and 5thly, Each subscriber of one guinea annually, should be a member; that a subscriber of 201. at once, should be a member for life-of 50l. a governor, and of a greater sum a governor for life; governors to be entitled to attend and vote at all the meetings of the committee-an executor paying a bequest of 50l. to be a member for life, or if paying 1007. or more, a governor for life. 6thly. Mem bers to be entitled, under the direction of the committec, to purchase Bibles and Testaments, for the purpose of gratuitous distribution at the society's prices, which should be as low as possible, but no English Bibles or Testaments should be given away in Great Britain, by the society itself. 7thly, The annual meeting of the society to be held in the month of May, when the treasurer and committee should be chosen, the accounts audited, and the proceedings of the foregoing year reported. 8thly, The committee to consist of 20 members, who shall conduct the business of the society, and have power to call an extraordinary general meeting; 24 of the committee, who should have most frequently attended, to be eligible to re-election the ensuing year. 9thly, The committee might recommend honorary members.

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The resolutions were adopted with much cordiality and joy; a committee appointed to carry them into effect; 7007. were immediately subscribed. Never, perhaps before, were 36 persons (the number of the committee, the proceedings of which will be next detailed) brought together to promote a common object, whose habits and prejudices exhibited a greater and more unpromising variety : nothing but the Bible could have effected their approximation to a common standard. But the utmost candour, harmony, and impartiality marked every proceeding of the society's agents. The first important business was to appoint proper officers and designate their duties. Henry Thornton, Esq. allowed his respectable name to stand at first, and it was continued, as treasurer. With a view to represent the church establishment and dissenting interest, the Rev. Jos. Hughes, and the Rev. Josiah Pratt were appointed joint secretaries of the home department, and the Rev. Mr. Steinkopff foreign secretary. Mr. Pratt was shortly afterwards succeeded by Mr. Owen, who had been nominated in the first instance, but from motives of delicacy, had declined to fill the office. It being the intention of the committee to unite the occupations of

assistant secretary and collector, and Messrs. Joseph Tarn and Thomas Smith with recommendations equally strong having been nominated, in that wise and accommodating spirit which distinguished their earliest as well as latest proceedings the committee determined to avail themselves of the services of both, and their respective departments were afterwards assigned to a sub-committee.

The next step taken, after a free discussion conducted in a truly Christian spirit, was to new model the committee. In the first instance it had been chosen indiscriminately, with little reference to any other personal qualification than a general attachment to religion, and regard for the object and success of the institution. But according to the new plan it was determined that it should consist exclusively of laymen, of whom, six should be foreigners, and of the remaining thirty, one half members of the established church, and the other half of other Christian denominations. In order, however, to secure the services of the clergy, and of ministers generally, provision was made for their admission to a seat and vote in the committee, on the terms which admitted of their becoming members of the society. So considerable an innovation requiring the sanction of a general meeting, and indeed, such a meeting appearing desirable, to consolidate the establishment and extend the reputation of the society, it was resolved, That the whole of its regulations should be revised and submitted to the body of the subscribers. A meeting was in consequence convened on the 2d of May, 1804, at which the Rt. Hon. Lord Teignmouth, whose name had appeared amongst the earliest contributors, was solicited by his friend Zachary Macaulay, Esq. to preside. His lordship, though he had promptly acceded to the request, having been compelled through ill health to retract his engage ment, Granville Sharpe, Esq. a second time performed the office with his characteristic urbanity and attention. Upon this occasion Mr. Wilberforce addressed the meeting, in a speech replete with judgment and animation. The amended plan of regulations was unanimously adopted, and the meeting separated with an increased conviction of the excellence of their cause, and a resolution to support it. A prospectus was shortly afterwards published, stating the reasons on which were founded the claims of such an institution to the public patronage, viz. the prevalence of ignorance, superstition, and idolatry ever so large a portion of the

world; the limited nature of the societies in existence, and their acknowledged insufficiency to supply the demands, as well the recent attempts which had been made to discredit the Christian religion. It then stated the exclusive object of the society to be the printing and circulating of the Scriptures, both at home and, as far as its funds might permit, abroad; and, after adverting to the comprehensive principle on which it was conducted, and would embrace the undiscriminating support of all Christians, concluded by observing, "that in consequence of the enlarged means of instruction enjoyed of late years by the lower orders in this country, a desire to peruse the Scriptures has considerably increased; and, that in Wales, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, and other places, they were considerably wanted, and in some places, eagerly sought after.”

Before, however, this prospectus had been carried through the press, lord Teignmouth, of whom we have just spoken, a nobleman of the most distinguished reputation, piety, and liberality of sentiment. had consented to accept of the office of president. In this choice, the society was influenced by the suggestion of that great and excellent prelate, Bishop Porteus, who, through the information of the Rev. Mr. Owen, then his domestic chaplain, had taken a warm interest in its concerns. "He saw instantly," says an eloquent observer,* "that a design of such magnitude as the dispersion of the Bible over every accessible part of the world, could be accomplished only by the association of men of all religious persuasions. He justly looked forward to great results from such a combination of effort, and entertained a hope, that it might operate as a bond of union amongst Christians. Whilst, therefore, he remained firmly attached to the old society, he gave the sanction of his name to the new one; and the more he considered its object, and the longer experience he had of the spirit and principles on which it was conducted, the more deeply he was convinced that it merited all the support which the Church of England could give it." As nothing seemed wanting to the success of the society but the patronage of the established church, that consummation was now happily effected. Within a few weeks from lord Teignmouth's nomination to the presidency, with the bishop of London, the bishops of Durham, Exeter (now Sarum), and St. David's, sent in their names as subscribers. These, and other

*Rev: Archdeacon Hodgson.

valuable accessions about the same time to the list, determined the character and fixed the respectability of the institution. In order, however, to perfect the system, some further revision of its regulations seemed yet necessary, and more especially in the designation of the sacred volume. Accordingly, at the suggestion of the bishop of London, it was agreed, that the only copies to be circulated in the language of the united kingdoms, should be of the authorized version, without note or comment. A deference was shown, in every respect, to the established church. The modest author of the first suggestion of the institution, and those who were concerned with him in framing the original draught of it, avoided every thing which could be construed into an exhibition of themselves; and on all occasions, resigned the foreground to those who appeared most likely to advance its general interests. When the president proposed to those members of the committee who were not of the established church, to add two names from their own religious connexion to the list of vice-presidents, they severally declined the dis, tinction.

The business of the society was first transacted by weekly, but afterwards monthly and adjourned meetings of the committee, at the London Tavern; and exacted a large portion of time and attention, which was cheerfully and even zealously bestowed. Different sub-committees were also appointed for the several departments of practical business. Amongst these, the care of the funds of the society was confided to Samuel Mills, Robert Howard, and Joseph Rayner, Esquires, who managed that important trust, by annual re-election, to the great security and advantage of the institution. The improvement of the society's general interests, and the prosecution of inquiries with reference to the circulation of the Scriptures, devolved upon other respective sub-committees; and in the latter department, the services of the secretaries, at this period, were particularly called into action.

The most ready and effectual means were sought to obtain a supply of the Scriptures in the English, Welsh, and Irish languages.

account of a Chinese manuscript of the New Testament in the British museum, (No. 3599, of the Sloanian collection,) offered his services as editor, if the society should think proper to print it. At this moment an impression favourable to such an undertaking had been made by a memoir on the state of religion in Chi-. na, just published by the Rev. William Mosely. The committee were disposed to listen to the proposal, and were gratified to find, from the testimony of Sir George Staunton and Mr. Chaumont, two accomplished Chinese scholars, that the translation was in the highest degree satisfactory. Dr. Hagar, extremely well acquainted with that language, then at Paris, and Mr. Hollingsworth, a gentleman conversant with China from frequent visits, were also consulted on this occasion. Mr. Hollingsworth, while he recommended a degree of caution in the introduction of the sacred volume into the country, appeared to anticipate the most important effects, if the ruling powers should be convinced that Christianity had no connexion with politics. train of inquiry thus favourably opened was studiously followed up; but as the probable expense of printing 1000 copies of the manuscript, was estimated at 2000 guineas, and the issue of the experiment uncertain, it was deemed expedient at that moment to decline the further prosecution of the matter. But the design was suspended, rather than dismissed, by the committee.

The

The agitation of the subject, however, was fraught with a most important consequence. It had induced the appointment of a committee, at first denominated the China, and afterwards more generally, the Oriental sub-committee, which was naturally, and indeed from the purposes of its formation, led to direct its attention to some other portion of the Oriental field. British India, on every account appeared the most inviting; and the known disposition of some of the company's servants at Calcutta, and of the Baptist missionaries at Serampore,* afforded a sufficient encouragement to set en foot the operations of the society, and led to the interesting results which will hereafter be detailed,

As early as the month of April, Dr. Antonio Montucci, who had published an

fixed their residence, for more than ten years past, in the Danish settlements at Serampore. To this mission, according to Dr. Buchanan, (Asiatic Researches, p. 85,) belongs the honour knowledge by translations of the Holy Scrip. of reviving the spirit for promoting Christian

tares

and very nearly ceased to exist. But while the rigour of quarantine was relaxing, and the intercourse of business renewing, the plague suddenly re-appeared. This was owing to the reprehensible avarice of merciless individuals, who had been employed to burn the furniture, clothes, &c. belonging to infected houses, but who, instead of effectually performing their duty, had secreted some articles of value and some wearing apparel, which they now sold to needy people, who, ignorant of the consequence, strutted in the splendid garb of pestilence to a nameless grave!

The plague now raged with accumulated horrors; and the lazaretto being insufficient to contain one half of the sick who were daily crowding in, temporary hospitals were, at a very great expense, erected outside of the town. Indeed no expense was spared to overcome the evil. But the manifest incapacity of the native doctors, or rather quacks, was worthy of their cowardice. They were wofully deficient in anatomy, and never had any distinct idea of symptom, cause, or effect. Their knowledge extended no farther than common place medicine and herbs-to the use and application of which old women in all countries have equal pretensions. These unfeeling quacks could never be prevailed upon to approach within three yards of any pa tient whom they visited. They carried an opera glass, with which they examined the diseased person in a hurried manner, being always ready to make their escape if any one approached near enough to touch them. It is but justice to except from this character of the Maltese faculty one gentleman, who, having travelled on the continent of Europe, had made himself master of the various branches of his profession; but I am sorry to add, that he fell a sacrifice to his humanity in the behalf of his country

men.

About the middle of summer the plague became so deadly, that the number of its victims increased to an alarming degree-from fifty to seventy-five dailythe number falling sick was equal-indeed greater. Such was the printed report of the Board of Health:-but the real extent of the calamity was not known; for people had such dreadful apprehensions of the plague hospitals, whither every person was carried along with the sick from the infected houses, that they actually denied the existence of the disease in their families, and buried its victims in the house or garden. These

were horrible moments! Other miseries of mankind bear no parallel to the calamities of the plague. The sympathy which relatives feel for the wounded and the dying in battle, is but the shadow of that heart rending affliction inspired by the ravages of pestilence. In the first the scene is far removed; and were it present to the view, the comparison fades. Conceive in the same house, the beholder, the sickening, and the dying: to help is dreadful! and to refuse assistance is unnatural! It is like the shipwrecked mariner trying to rescue his drowning companion, and sinking with him into the same oblivious grave!

Indeed, the better feelings of the heart were quenched by this appalling evil, which

Subdued the proud-the humble heart distrestand the natives who ventured to remove the sick and the dead shared their fate in such numbers, that great apprehensions were entertained, lest in a short time none would be found to perform this melancholy office-but

Grecians came-a death-determined band, Hell in their face-and horror in their hand! Clad in oiled leather, these daring and ferocious Greeks volunteered their services effectually; but their number was so small, that recourse was had to the pri handsome reward, and the promise of soners of war for assistance. With a gaining their liberty at the expiration of the plague, the French and Italian priwhite-washed the infected houses, burnsoners swept the streets, cleared and ing their furniture, &c. till we saw

Nights red with ruin-lightning in the morn! They did not all escape the evil:-but I have seen some of them, when duty led them near the prison where their friends were confined, climb up to the chimney top of the infected house, and, being Free from plague, in danger's dread employ, Wave to their friends in openness of joy!

The ignorance of the native faculty was now assisted by the arrival of reputed plague doctors from Smyrna. These strangers excited great interest; and treated the malady with unbecoming contempt. They related the vehemence of pestilence in their country, where it was nothing unusual, when the morning arose, to find from one to three or four hundred persons in the streets and fields, stretched in the dewy air of death!-That the