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Central Bible Society.

signed by his venerable Sovereign, who, | Letter from His Majesty the King, to the on one occasion, expressed the hope, that he should live to see the day, when every subject in his realm would be able to read his Bible; and his Lordship, acting upon the same principle, hoped the day was fast approaching, when every man throughout the whole world would be able to read the Bible, and have it to read, in his own language.

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Making a general Total of 21,132 ditto.

Auxiliary Societies have this year also been formed at Ruhland, in Upper Lusatia, and at Ruhrort, in the vicinity of Duisburg; and from the connexion in which they stand with other filial Societies, the sphere of action of the latter is likely to be enlarged.

Although the exertions of all these filial Societies are, in a great measure, obstructed by the still continuing difficulty of obtaining a supply of Bibles, there is a prospect, that, by the new editions now undertaken, and the enlargement of other printing establishments, the supply may be rendered equal to the demand.

May the zeal for the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures never cool among us! May it be excited in all who feel deeply interested in the progress of the Gospel, by a due consideration of the want of the Holy Scriptures, and of the blessed effects resulting from the promulgation of the word of God! Then, with the blessing of the Lord, this our work will infallibly contribute to build up and edify the church of Christ, both in purity of doctrine, and holiness of life.

I HAVE observed, with peculiar interest, the happy success which has attended our exertions to promote the promulgation of the Holy Scriptures, communicated to me in your letter of the 19th of this month, which accompanied your Second Report; and I join you in the wish you express at the conclusion May the Giver of all good bless what is doing, with a sincere desire to promote the extension of his kingdom (Signed) among all nations." FREDERIC WILLIAM. Berlin, February 21, 1817, To the President and Directors of the Central Bible Society in Berlin.

of it. 66

From the Fourth Report of the Bombay Auxiliary Bible Society.

September, 1817. THE Committee have great satisfaction in reporting, that they have supplied, to a considerable extent, among the European soldiers under this Presidency, the deficiency of English Bibles and Testaments, which they lamented in their last Report.

In this they have been much assisted, both by favour of His Excellency the Commander in Chief, and by a very li beral supply from the Naval and Military Bible Society of London.

The Commander in Chief, with the most laudable attention to the wants of the European soldiers, recommended to the government, that a certain number of English Bibles and Testaments should be assigned for the use of the patients in the hospitals belonging to the different corps and detachments, and maintained at the public expense. This recommendation having met with the ready approbation of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, was forwarded with that sanction to the Committee, who immediately took the necessary steps to fulfil a proposition which so entirely promoted the wishes and views of the Society.

No sooner did the Naval and Military Bible Society of London come to the knowledge, that many applications from commanding officers of ships and regiments for the Holy Scriptures in the English language, could not be complied with by the Bombay Society, for want of an adequate supply, than they unanimously resolved to send out 250 Bibles, and 500 Testaments, for the use of the navy and army under this government. These Bibles and Testaments have been received by the Committee, and will be carefully distributed.

At the request of an Armenian gentleman, a few Armenian Testaments were sent for the use of a school at Bushire; and there is reason to believe, that many more might be usefully distributed among the Armenian churches in Persia. The few copies of the Syriac Gospels received from England, at the time that the last Report was printing, have been forwarded to the residents of Travancore and Cochin, for the use of the Syrian Christians on the Malabar coast: they proved exceedingly acceptable, and are said by their priests to be correctly printed, in a very legible and beautiful type. There are very few copies of the Syriac Testaments among them; and the Catanars, or Clergy, expressed a very anxious wish to have copies of the whole of the Holy Scriptures printed in a similar manner. As the Committee have since received a further supply of these Gospels, they will not fail to forward them for distribution in the best manner.

BAPTIST ITINERANT AND BRITISH

Missionary Society.

The following Subscriptions and Collections were received by the Rev. JAMES UPTON (of London) for the Baptist Itinerant and British Missionary Society," in August, 1818.

£ s. d.
Abergavenny, collection at.. 6 0
BristolCounterslip Meeting,do. 5 19
Bradford, Wilts, ditto. 5 10
Ditto, Rev.J.Hinton, donation 1 0
Bourton-on-the-Water,collect. 7 4
Bradley, ditto.....
2

Beckington, donations.. 0 17
Ditto, Mr.J. Evil, subscription 1
Cirencester, collection...... 3
Keynsham, ditto

008056000

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The intelligence which the Committee of this Society continue to receive, is of the most interesting nature; nothing but such affecting facts as are laid before them at their monthly meetings, could convince them of one-half of the ignorance and moral misery, which still prevail in England and its adjacent islands. It is therefore earnestly hoped that this and all similar institutions, will receive such support from the Christian public, as may enable them to continue and extend their operations, till every town, village, and hamlet in the kingdom have a preached gospel within their reach; and thereby possess and enjoy the best guardian of public morals, and the only safe guide to everlasting happiness. The following extract of a letter from one of our Itinerants to the Secretary, is a specimen of the correspondence referred to,

DEAR SIR,

Tresco, Aug. 21, 1818.

The increasing state of the schools made the last parcel of tracts very acceptable; but we still want many more school books. The Lord has also been graciously pleased to give me opportunities of preaching to, conversing with, and distributing tracts among seamen, which we hope has been useful to many, as the following extracts from letters 3 12 4 lately received will tend to shew. J. W. belonging to an English brig, called upon me after service one evening to thank me for a Bible which I had given him last winter. "I hope," said the poor seaman, "I shall prize it more and more; it has been an anchor to my poor soul." R. S. wrote from Bristol, May 24, 1818. "DEAR SIR,

00660

Long-Ashton, Mrs.Hodges,sub. 1 1
Melksham, collection..... 2 4
Trowbridge, Tabernacle, ditto 1 5 0
Ditto, Mr. Neath, donation.. 1 0
Tetbury, collection......
Westbury Leigh, donations—
Overbury, Mr. B..................

Salter, Mr. S. jun.

Stancomb, Mr. J.

Stancomb, Mr. W.

Small sums amounting to....

4 0

1

1

1

0

0

1 0 0

2 8 6

"I did expect to see you in Scilly before this time. Never shall I forget the blessing which I received on that evening when you preached about the sufferings of our dear Lord Jesus. My poor wife was much distressed about her soul after reading the tract entitled

52 11 2 The following sums were received by the Secretary, for the same object, in a journey through the county of Salop and part of Denbighshire, when five of our Iti-Serious Thoughts on Eternity.' I have nerants were visited, and several new fields of labour, affording prospects of usefulness, were pointed out.

since bought a Bible for her and my dear children, which I hope will be blessed to their souls."

5, 1818.

H. B. wrote from Waterford, dated July | The mate and Harry assist me in singing one of Dr. Watts's hymns, then one of "You may rest assured, dear us reads a chapter, and we all kneel Sir, that I shall never forget your kind- down, except the man at the helm, and ness to me and my men. S. G. is, II read one of the prayers from that little believe, truly converted by reading the book which you gave me, sometimes books which you gave us before we left adding a few words as I can. I often Scilly. Often does he talk about the think of the night when I attended your Lord Jesus Christ to the seamen of other preaching at St. Mary's, and am, I ships. I have taken your advice, and hope, yours in the Lord Jesus Christ, the men like family worship very well.

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H. R."

Account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the Baptist Missionary Society, from August 1, to November 1, 1818; not including Individual Subscriptions.

FOR THE MISSION.

Cornwall, collected in a journey through, by the Rev. T. Wilcocks
Buckinghamshire Aux. Society, balance, by the Rev. W. Groser, jun.
Ashburton, Devon. by the Rev. P. House..
Bover Tracey, by J. L. Sprague

Modbury, by Mr. Samuel Goss

.....

1 0. 0

3 15

2 11

£ s. d.

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57 13 3 8 6 3

Kingsbridge and its vicinity, by the Rev. John Nicholson 15 1
Dunstable, Collection and Subscriptions, by the Rev. Wm. Anderson.
Shoe-lane Auxiliary Society, by Mr. R. Riley

Langham, Essex, Collection

Friends, by Mr. J. Warmington..

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12 18 6

13 18 6

1

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Watford, Herts, Auxiliary Society, by the Rev. Mr. Groser
Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, Auxiliary Society, by Mr. J. Hindes
Perram, Mr. Cheshunt, a Life Subscription.

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Burn, Mr. Ground-Rent to Michaelmas, 1818, by Mr. Burls.
Sevenoaks, Kent, Collections and Subscriptions, by the Rev. W.Shirley 16
Thrapstone,... ..Ditto........Ditto....by the Rev. W. Ragsdell 23
Legacy of the late Mrs. Rupertia Hill, Fore-street, London, by Mr. Burls100
Worstead, Norfolk, Collection by the Rev. R. Clark 8

8102

Penny a-week Society, by Mr. J. R. Blakeley 8 11 6}

Gurney, Hudson, Esq. M. P. a Donation

Amount received for Books sold, by the Rev. J. Ivimey

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Hants and Wilts Assistant Society, by the Rev. J. Saffery

Maze-pond Auxiliary Society, by Mr. Beddome

Auxiliary Society, at the Pev. J. Upton's, by Mr. R. Pontifex

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21 0

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4900

18 11 6 1 0 354 25

38 0 0

46 15 10

Cambridge, Aux. Society, with Contributions of Friends in the Vicinity 70 0 0

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From the Church at Ilford, for one year, ending Aug. 1, by Rev. Mr.Smith 26 10 6 For the Translations and Schools.

Paisley, Youth's Society for Religious Purposes, by Mr. Alexander

Speirs, Treasurer

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Subscriptions, by the Rev. G. Sample

TRIUMPH OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN FRANCE. (From the Times Newspaper of the 25th of November, 1818.)

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A cause involving questions of the high-trous mass was to pass, at what is called est interests to our Protestant brethren

the Feast of God." The Police of

Gap fined Monsieur Roman, a Protestant, six franks, for refusing to obey the Mayor's edict. M. Roman appealed to the Court of Cassation. The question was, "Can a citizen be compelled to hang out tapestry on the front of his house, while the external ceremonies of the Catholic worship are performing?" On this question the counsellors for M. Roman delivered the most correct sentiments upon the subject; declaring, that "all the constituted authorities had proclaimed the principle of religious freedom; and had completely separated questions of religion from those connected with civil and political rights." "The court, after a long deliberation, pronounced a judgment, said to be most strongly worded, by which it annulled the judgment complained of, and decided that the municipal authorities have no right to make a rule for constraining citizens to cover the fronts of their houses on occasions of religious ceremo nies." Comparing the above decision with the spirit manifested towards the Protestants in France only three years since, we consider it a subject for congratulation to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, as the triumph of reason and religion over superstition and idolatry.

NEW MEETINGS OPENED.

GARWAY.

A NEAT place of worship, 30 feet by 20, was opened, September 9, 1818, at Garway, Herefordshire, for the use of the Baptist church which formerly assembled at Broad-Oak.

At ten A. M. Mr. Jones of Hereford,

commenced with reading and prayer; Messrs. Trey of Coleford, and Hawkins of Eastcombs, preached from Psalm cxxxii. 7, 8, 9, and Rom. i. 16; and Mr. Williams of Ryeford concluded.

Met again at three.-Mr. Harris of Coleford prayed; Mr. Jones of Hereford preached from John xvii. 21; Mr. B. Davies, (student at Abergavenny,)

concluded.

Met again at six.--Mr. Preece of Hereford prayed; Messrs. B. Davies and Hawkins preached from Isa. xi. 10,

and Heb. x. 14.

Each of the opportunities was numerously attended, and the friends of Emmanuel found the day a season of refreshment from the presence of the Lord.

The following are the circumstances which led to the erection of this place of

worship:-A meeting-house was for. merly erected at Broad-Oak, by the Countess of Huntington, upon a leasehold tenure, which was supplied by the students in her college at Treveca; but upon the expiration of the lease, the ministers in that connexion gave up preaching in this neighbourhood; not, however, before they had been the means of turning some from darkness to light. These rented the house as tenants at will, and invited the neighbouring Baptist ministers to preach for them. Several persons were baptized, and on the 1st of August, 1802, were formed into a church, under the pastoral care of a Mr. Fleming, a sensible, pious man, who kept a shop at Monmouth, and laboured among these few and poor Christians almost gratuitously, until he was called to receive his reward, about the year 1806. Soon afterwards, Mr. Marmaduke Jones settled among them, who laboured hard in the ministry, but not with any considerable success, until 1816, when the number of his family, and the poverty of his people, obliged him to resign his charge. Since that period, they have been without a pastor; and they are now principally supplied from the Abergavenny Academy; and Messrs. Williams of Ryeford, and Jones of Hereford, administer the Lord's Supper.

Their old place of worship was very incommodious, and they were liable to be deprived of it every year. Under these circumstances, one of the members

offered them a very suitable spot of ground, being all he had, gratuitously. It is sufficiently large to admit of a burying-ground. They were encouraged by the neighbouring ministers to build a house for God, which is now completed. They labour, however, under great difficulty, being about £150 in debt, and having no one to solicit the assistance of the Christian public on their behalf.

N. B. This would be an eligible situation for a young man willing to teach a school, and preach the gospel. Should any warm-hearted person of that description be disposed to cast himself on the providence of God, he may, by applying to the Rev. D. Jones, Baptist minister, Hereford, obtain every necessary information. No one need apply unless he can produce respectable reference as to his character, &c. Hereford.

NEW MILL.

D. JONES.

ON Wednesday, October 14, 1818, a new and commodious meeting-house was

Baptist Missionary Society, and recording the principal transactions of other similar institutions.

A copy to be furnished, gratis, to all

opened for the use of the Baptist church | meeting at New Mill, near Tring, Hertfordshire, under the pastoral care of Mr. D. Clarabut. Mr. Wake of Leighton began the services of the day with read-annual subscribers of one guinea or uping the scriptures and prayer; Dr. Rip- wards, persons collecting to the amount pon preached from Psalm ii. 6; and Mr. of a shilling a week, and ministers who Harrison of Woburn, (Independent,) make annual collections on behalf of the concluded with prayer. In the after- Society. noon, Mr. Ashton of Berkhampstead, (Independent,) began; Mr. Ivimey preached from Gen. xxviii. 16, 17; and Mr. Daniels of Luton concluded. In the evening, Mr. Tomlin of Chesham began; Mr. Maslin of Hertford, (Independent,) preached from Haggai vi. 7, 8, 9, and concluded the pleasing services of the day. The gospel has been preached on this spot for many years, and the interest has been gradually increasing, the former house having been twice enlarged. The present building is 50 feet by 40, exclusive of the vestries, and is capable of seating 700 persons. £400 have (at present) been raised towards it by the church and congregation; £64 15s. 9d. was collected on the day of opening. A debt of about £700 still remains to be defrayed.

NOTICE.

THE Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society have conceived that some alteration may be made with advantage in the mode of communicating their Missionary Intelligence. The plan hitherto adopted, of publishing Periodical Accounts, in pamplilets of a considerable size, and at distant and uncertain intervals, seems more adapted to record the commencement and earlier efforts of a Mission, than to convey information of its progress in the more advanced stages of its history. So great an interest, also, is now happily excited on behalf of Christian Missions in general, that it seems desirable to present the friends and supporters of each distinct society, with brief notices, at least, of the principal transactions of the rest.

With this view, the Committee have determined that the Series of Periodical Accounts shall terminate with No. XXXIII. now in the press, and which, with an Appendix, to follow almost immediately, will complete the sixth volume. The following arrangement is proposed in lieu:

A half-sheet (or eight pages) to be published on the 24th of every month, under the title of " The Missionary Herald;" containing intelligence, at large, of the proceedings and operations of the

A sufficient number of "The Missionary Herald," will be struck off, for the purpose of stitching into the Baptist Magazine of the following month, for the accommodation of those friends who prefer receiving it through that medium. All other subscribers, desirous of having copies transmitted to them, are requested to address, (if by letter, post paid,) either of the Secretaries, Dr. Ryland of Bristol, or Mr. Dyer of Reading, or the Publisher, Mr. Button, Paternosterrow, and to mention the channel through which the Numbers may be regularly transmitted from London.

An Annual Report, condensing the intelligence of the preceding year, will also be published, subsequent to the annual meeting in October. This will comprise the Cash Account, Lists of Contributors, &c.; and be circulated gratis among the subscribers to the Society.

In conformity with this plan, the first will be published on the 24th of this Number of "The Missionary Herald" some pleasing intelligence lately remonth, (December,) and will contain ceived from Calcutta; extract of a letter from Dr. Carey, &c.; and an engraving of the Hindoo idol SHION.

All communications on this subject, addressed as above, will receive imme diate attention.

Reading, December 1, 1818.

ONE pound for the poor negroes in Jamaica is received from a gentleman of Portsea, who has lost more than 1007. by the stopping of the Portsmouth Bank; but who thus manifests his gratitude to God for what he possesses, in those very dispensations, from which the sordid professor obtains a momentary relief, during the accusations of his conscience, for with-holding what remains.

Ir is with considerable regret that we announce the sudden death of the Rev. Dr. Balfour of Glasgow, who was a zealous friend to the Baptist Mission. We are in expectation of being able to insert a Memoir of him early in the ensuing.. year.

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