thus that a Bible Society exists in every one of the Protestant Cantons.

The Institution at Basle had printed, or caused to be printed for its use, 108,124 copies of the Scriptures up to June, 1820; and it was yet unable to meet the urgent demands for German Bibles.

'Of the necessity which existed for Bible Societies in some parts of Switzerland, and of the utility which may be expected to result from them, some opinion may be formed from the following anecdote, which relates an actual occurrence in the Canton of Glarus. "Two poor families had received a legacy, of which a Bible formed a part. Neither would resign the right to this invaluable treasure; they, therefore, came to an agreement to use it alternately for half a year each. This practice was observed for several years; at the expiration of every half year, the Bible passed from one family to the other, till, on the establishment of a Bible Society, another copy of the Bible was presented to one of the families, and both were thus happily accommodated."

'In Germany, there is much attention to the diffusion of the Oracles of God, and much exertion is made. "In the kingdom of Wirtemberg, the hearts of the Sovereign and the people appear to be united as the heart of one man, in the work of disseminating the holy Scriptures;" and the Society in this kingdom is one of the most diligent and prosperous on the European Continent. Since its formation, it has distributed more than 45,000 Bibles and Testaments.' pp. 40, 41.

'The Prussian Bible Society, at the close of its sixth year, counted 38 Auxiliaries, and in that year had distributed 40,000 Bibles and Testaments.

'The Societies in Denmark are particularly active and efficient. The Danish Bible Society, in its sixth year, issued 11,320 Bibles and Testaments, and had 36 Auxiliaries.' p. 42.

In the testimony to the character of their late President, with which we close our extracts, and in their unanimous choice of that distinguished and venerable man, Judge Jay, for his successor, the Managers of the American Society have paid a tribute alike to the illustrious living and departed in which they have the universal sympathy of their countrymen.

'The Managers rejoice, that the piety of their departed friend and benefactor was ardent, and his walk exemplary; that his works of faith and of usefulness were so namerous and so noble and in the confidence that the stroke, which has caused many to mourn their loss, has been to his unspeakable gain. The letters received by the Board on this occasion, and particularly those from the President and one of the Secretaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society, have not only expressed sympathy and condolence, but also been so many evidences of the high sense entertained in this and in

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other countries of the character and the exertions of Dr. Boudinot. The monument to his honour, more durable than brass, is the Ameri-' can Bible Society; and instead of merely some friends and strangers reading his Epitaph on his tombstone, and thus learning or retaining the remembrance of his name and his worth, there will be thousands on thousands, in successive ages, blessing his memory and blessing God on his account, while they witness the usefulness or experience the benefits of the National Institution.' p. 10.

INTELLIGENCE.

Bryant's Poems.-A late number of the Monthly Review in an article upon a volume containing specimens of American poetry, contains the following remarks upon the writings of Mr. Bryant :

Mr. Bryant's poems exhibit much genius, and if instead of remaining a servile imitator of Lord Byron, he would allow his own powers free scope, we think that he gives promise of finer poetry than any that America has yet produced. His Thanatopsis is a masterly sketch. We will not apologize for the length of our extracts from his poem called the Ages, because we think our readers will be gratified with such specimens of bold conception and animated description. We entertain high expectations of this author, and shall be really glad to welcome his productions on this side the Atlantic.'

We insert these remarks with pleasure, because upon the whole they indicate a disposition to do justice to the merits of Mr. Bryant. But one is really at a loss to conceive in what respect these reviewers can see in Mr. Bryant a servile imitator of Lord Byron. An imitator of him he certainly is not, in any one particular, nor is there any similarity except in the simple matter of the structure of the verse of one of his poems, for which he has older and higher authority than Lord Byron. There is a resemblance neither in language nor in sentiment. The pure and chaste strain of moral feeling which pervades the poems of Bryant, the essential spirit of devotion which breathes through them, are as different from the impurity, the obscenity, and the impiety of Lord Byron's, the later ones particularly, as the wholesome state of society in a New England country village, from the luxurious profligate, corrupt, and vitiated community in which the English

Peer is throwing away his life, far from the duties to which his rank and station call him, and abusing the talents which were given him for better purposes than to write ribbald verses, and strive to bring into contempt all that is holy in religion and dignified in virtue.

Evangelical Missionary Society.-The trustees of this society have lately issued an address to the public soliciting aid in carrying into effect its important objects. From this Address, which states fully the objects and wants of the institution, we make a few extracts.

'Where there are small societies, and the members are disposed to contribute to the support of religious worship and instruction according to their ability, yet do not possess means altogether sufficient for the purpose, there is a loud call for foreign aid. Ignorance and error will thus be prevented from spreading, and these societies will be gradually enlarged, and become adequate to provide for themselves.-Now this is a primary object of the Evangelical Missionary Society of Massachusetts. It proposes to do something to repair the walls of our own Jerusalem, and to prevent the inroads of infidelity and fanaticism. While there is much to be done at home, to maintain the cause of true religion, we shall be justly chargeable with unfaithfulness to our divine Master, if we do not make corresponding exertions. 'The Society was formed in 1807. The original members belonged to the counties of Worcester and Middlesex. But it was their early wish and plan to have associates from all parts of the State; and it now embraces Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, and Plymouth. An Auxiliary Society has also been established in the State of Maine. The history of its labours and beneficial effects in various places, give ample testimony of its laudable design and prudent management. Reports of its proceedings have been annually published, shewing the number of places in which religious instructers have been employed, and the attention and gratitude of the people among whom they laboured.'

'We are induced also to extend our views to distant parts of the country, where the population is rapidly increasing; but where the light of the gospel has yet shed little influence.

'We cannot believe that our friends will fail to perceive the importance of this object, or will withhold the aid necessary to accomplish it. In a country where the face of society is continually shifting as it is here, and new settlements are pushing themselves into the wilderness, beyond the reach, almost, of those institutions which our older states so happily enjoy; a great deal

needs to be done to cause the means of religion and education to keep pace with the increase of population. Without some extraordinary effort, it will not be possible to establish churches and schools in any proportion to the establishment of towns and villages; and the consequence must be, that large tracts of our distant country will be settled and become populous, without the advantages of education and religion; or, at least, will be left to the occasional and contradictory teachings of travelling preachers. There are some towns, even in New England, in which the institutions of religion are not supported. How many might we then suppose there must be on the frontiers of civilization, where the salutary neighbourhood of our numerous churches is wanting ?And we find it to be so in fact. It is well known that there are large tracts of country, collections of numerous and flourishing towns, in which the voice of preaching is rarely heard, and where the happy influence of a stated ministry is unknown. The consequences of their continuing in such a state must be most melancholy. And it is a state which they cannot remedy themselves, even if they have the disposition. But even the disposition must, in many cases, be imparted to them. Those who enjoy the blessing must diffuse it.--The necessity of this has been felt by many who have turned their thoughts to the subject; and efforts have consequently been made to effect something. More, however, needs to be done-much more. The Evangelical Missionary Society desires to bear a part in the work, and to excite its religious friends to an interest in it, proportioned to its vast importance. Until this is excited, and they come forward generously, and put into our hands the necessary means, we shall be compelled to sit still, the mortified spectators of a good work doing by others, in which we are not permitted to share; and, what is more painful still, anxious witnesses of the spiritual suffering of our fellow-men, which we have no means of relieving. We shall be compelled, also, to look forward to the day when irreligion and immorality shall gain the ascendancy in some portions of our land, and endanger, perhaps, the peace and welfare, as well as the honour and fair name, of our country; and to lament that we were not permitted to put forward a hand to check the evil in its commencement.

"We therefore beg our friends as men, as christians, as philanthropists, and as patriots, to give their attention to this most interesting subject, and inquire if they can conscientiously refuse to aid the design we propose. We acknowledge that they have done something-but can they think that they have done enough? They have furnished to this, their only domestic missionary so

ciety, only to the amount $700 a year*-not enough even to answer the pressing demands of our own state. What is it, then, in proportion to what is needed for even commencing this large work, to which the state of our country, and the character of the times, call us? If we are right in reading our duty in this respect, we trust our friends will not be backward in their encouragement. We make our appeal to them, and wait for the result.

'It is but right that they should know more definitely the plan we wish to execute. We state, therefore, that it is not our desigu, as it has not been our practice, to send one man to travel over a vast surface of country, merely calling for a few days at every town. We have a purpose, as we think, of more settled good. Our object would be to select a place where there was a promise of doing good, and send a preacher to reside there, with the aid, if possible, of some of the inhabitants; with the hope that his labours might be so blessed, and so acceptable, that at length he should have around him a regular society, which should support him without assistance. When this should take place, the same means might be used in accomplishing a similar work elsewhere; and thus church after church be gathered. Is not this a feasible, laudable design? We have operated in this way in time past, and with even our feeble means, have had cause to rejoice in doing evident good. How much good, substantial, unquestionable, permanent good, might be done, in thus bringing village after village to the love and the habit of maintaining religious Institutions!

'This is not all. For a part of the plan would be to obtain for our preachers the office of instructers of youth, and thus to extend, as far as possible, the improvements of education, together with the lessons of religion.

'When the expenditure of a few thousand dollars a year would promote this work with a visible progress, we cannot believe that our fellow christians will deny us the means of making the experiment. We trust that they only need to have the way pointed out, and they will feel it a duty to aid in it.'

There is an accumulating fund of about $4000, which has been formed of the larger donations and contributions. There have been many donations of $50, and many of smaller sums, from individuals; one of $2000;-annual contributions by the Ladies in West Church, and New North Church, Boston; in North Church, Salem; in Brookline, Northborough, Concord,

*The annual receipts of the Society have been but about $400; to which add the income of the fund, $300, and the whole disposable funds are but $700 a year. † In February there were urgent applications for aid from seven places in Maine, and seven in Massachusetts; to only six of which could assistance be afforded. New Series-vol. V.

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