tution of this society, has also been called to his glorious reward. We shall never more, in this world, see the face, nor hear the voice, of the active and venerable JOSHUA M. WALLACE, Esq.

These servants of the living God have finished their task, and are now, we trust, enjoying the unspeakable rich repast of everlasting love. It becomes us, therefore, to be humbly resigned to the divine will, and to say, with entire submission of spirit, "thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven." Our Soverign Lord and Master hath called them to receive the plaudits of "well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord," to which, with holy confidence, we add our submissive-Amen.

Summary of the Fourth Report of the American Bible Society.

With feelings of unbounded gratitude to Almighty God, for his gracious blessing on their labours, the Managers of the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY present to their constituents their Fourth Annual Report.

During the past year, through Divine goodness, an extensive field for exertion has been opened, and means, if not entirely adequate, yet in no inconsiderable degree proportioned to occurring exigencies, have been supplied.

When the Society consider how great have been the pecuniary embarrassments of our fellow-citizens; what unusual difficulties have obstructed the transmission of moneys from the interior, and how much individual ability has been abridged by the pressure of the times, they will unite with the Managers in rejoicing, that the institution has maintained so firm a hold on the public affections, that it has so rapidly advanced towards its grand object, and that the liberality of our Christian brethren, of every denomination, has been so distinguished in their contribution to its funds.

It is an encouraging circumstance, that the beneficial character of its operations has commended this society to the approbation of many, who once doubted the practicability and efficiency of an establishment on so enlarged a plan. The accession of new Auxiliaries, the warm expression of individual sentiment in its favour, the moderated views, and, in some instances, active co-operation of the few who were once enrolled in opposition to this united effort of Christian philanthropy and zeal, are all "tokens for good"—auspicious omens of its final and complete suc

cess.

The managers entertain a very confident persuasion, that as experience, the surest test of all attempts at usefulness, shall continue to furnish new evidences of the advantages of a confederation of all the Bible Societies in the Union under one head, any remaining objections on the part of those who have not yet associated themselves with the National Institution, will be removed; and that there will be witnessed, in our free and happy country, an union of opinion, and concentration of effort, somewhat resembling those which are now exhibited in support of the VOL. VII.

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grand trans-atlantic society, whose brilliant example first inspired, and still animates us to exertion.

In the outset of the operations of the American Bible Society, many difficulties were unavoidably encountered. It had to surmount, by the harmony of its deliberations, and the impartiality of its benefactions, the erroneous apprehensions of such, as existing evidences had not already convinced, of the possibility of giving permanency and effect to the associated labours of Christians of every name, in the circulation of that blessed book, which each accepts as the basis of its faith. It had to afford practical demonstration to such whom argument could not persuade, that a more salutary economy in the employment of means, and more vigorous and rapid advances toward the attainment of the end, would be the result of combined, rather than of desultory action. It had to subject itself, for a season, to the suspicion of halting in its grand design, by a limited gratuitous distribution of the sacred volume, until the liberality of auxiliaries and of individuals, had enabled its conductors to realize such an amount of money in its treasury, and such a supply of Bibles in its depository, as would place the permanency of the institution, and its capacity to accomplish the great object of its patrons, beyond a reasonable doubt.

It affords the managers unspeakable gratification, and will unite the hearts of their fellow-members of the society in fervent thanksgiving to God, that, at the termination of their fourth year's labours, they have occasion for no unpleasant retrospect; that Christian love and fellowship have grown with mutual intercourse, and that conciliation and harmony have uniformly governed their measures. They have found an ample requital of all their exertions, in those feelings of affection and attachment which the principle of our association, and its simple, but magnificent design, are so well calculated to foster and increase.

In the estimation of the Managers, there are also furnished, in the past history of the National Institution, conclusive proofs, that the extensive range of territory, throughout which its measures are to operate, forms a difficulty much more formidable in appearance than in fact. The facilities of communication, and the safety and economy of transportation, daily increase. The constant intercourse maintained between a great commercial metropolis, like New-York, with other ports, and with the interior of the country in every direction, supplies opportunities, at every season of the year, of conveying Bibles, with cheapness, security, and expedition, to the most distant places. And when to these propitious circumstances, is added the comparative difference of expense in conducting an establishment on a large and on a contracted scale, in the purchase of materials, the cost of labour, and the superior execution of the work, the Managers feel warranted in the belief, that Bibles issued from the general depository of

this society, can be afforded at a much lower rate, in proportion to their quality, than from any other source.

There have been printed, at the Depository of the American Bible Society, during the past year, 47,000 Bibles, 16,250 Testaments. In the three first years, 76,820 Bibles, 24,000 Testaments; total, 100,820. To these are to be added the followingBibles printed from the stereotype plates at Lexington; Bibles, procured as stated in the Third Report, viz. Gaelic, German, Welsh and French; Gospel of St. John in Mohawk; and Epistles of St. John, in Delaware, also mentioned in the same Report, 6,450. Spanish Testaments, presented by the British and Foreign Bible Society, as hereinafter mentioned, 500. German Bibles, presented by the same society, 500. French Bibles, presented by the New-York Bible Society, 200. Dutch Bibles, presented by the Nova Scotia Bible Society, 23; and Dutch Testaments, presented by the same, 9. Making a total of ONE

HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIF

TY-TWO Bibles and Testaments, or parts of the latter, printed from the stereotype plates of the American Bible Society, or on common type, or obtained for circulation since the commencement of its operations.

Several other editions of Bibles and Testaments have been put to press, among which is an edition of two thousand French Bibles, from the stereotype plates belonging to the society.

There have been issued from the Depository, from the 30th April, 1819, to the same period in the present year, 26,800 Bibles; 14,392 Testaments; 259 Epistles of St. John, in Delaware; 62 Gospel of St. Jolin, in Mohawk.

In the preceding years there were issued, 55,122 Bibles and Testaments, and 467 Epistles of John in Delaware; making a total of NINETY-SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND Two Bibles and Testaments, and parts of the latter, issued from the Depository of the National Bible Society from its establishment.

Of the above Bibles, there were 281 German; 227 French; 71 Gaelic; and 1 Welsh.

Of the above Testaments, 563 were Spanish. Of these, there were gratuitously sent to Valparaiso, 248; to New-Orleans, 187; to Trinidad, 6; and to St. Croix, 50.

The remaining 72 copies have been sent to societies, or disposed of to individuals.

Part of the Spanish scriptures, printed by this society, and of those presented by the British and Foreign Bible Society, have been sent to South America. Another grant of five hundred Spanish Testaments, is only awaiting a suitable opportunity to be transmitted to the municipality of Buenos Ayres, for introduction into the primary schools of that place. The latter grant has been made on the recommendation of an intelligent gentleman, whose residence for several years at Buenos Ayres qualified him

to judge of the probability of their proving an acceptable present, and being well employed. Others have been sent in smaller quantities, to the other places in South America above mention. ed, by way of experiment; it being judged expedient to withhold larger supplies until the practicability of introducing them safely should be ascertained. This precaution was suggested by information of the seizure and detention of Bibles and Testaments by the governments of South America, whither they had been sent without such previous inquiries.

Under the hope of much future usefulness, in the distribution of the Spanish scriptures in that destitute country, an extensive correspondence has been opened for the purpose of discovering favourable avenues for their introduction, and the Managers are happy in already perceiving prospects that are favourable to the accomplishment of this desirable object.

Great difficulties have been experienced in putting the Indian scriptures into circulation, particularly the Mohawk, of which it will be seen, very few have been issued, and those chiefly by way of experiment. Correspondence, with a view to information on this subject, has been opened with every person from whom it seemed likely to be obtained, but hitherto with little success.

Two hundred and fifty of the Epistles of St. John, in Delaware, and thirty of the Gospel of St. John, in Mohawk, have been delivered to the Rev. Mr. Mortimer, for distribution among Indians of those nations, by the missionaries of the United Brethren; and twenty-four copies of the latter, to the Rev. Mr. Crane, a missionary among the Tuscarora Indians, in the state of NewYork, for distribution among the members of his congregation, and other Indians understanding that language.

At present, it is to be lamented, that but few of the Indians can read. It is hoped, however, that the measures now in prosecution by different religious societies, under the enlightened patronage of the American government, for civilizing and evangelizing the Indian tribes, will open opportunities to make an useful disposition of these, and other scriptures, in the aboriginal langua ges of our country.

Correspondence has also been had with Louisiana and Natchez, and some places in and adjacent to the British provinces, to facilitate the introduction of the French scriptures among those of their inhabitants that use that language.

The Managers having been informed that a mission was about to proceed from Boston, to the Sandwich Islands, in the Pacific Ocean, under the direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, accompanied by several natives of the Island of Owyhee, who had been instructed in the Foreign Mission School at Cornwall, in the state of Connecticut, supplied that society with splendid Bibles, to be presented to Tamaahmaah, the late king of Owyhee, and Tamoree, king of Atooi.

They also furnished each of the natives of Owyhee, who accompanied the mission, with a handsome copy of that blessed book, with whose value, there is reason to believe, they had become experimentally acquainted. The Managers at the same time, presented the respectable body above mentioned, with a donation of 200 Bibles and 100 Testaments, to be distributed by their missionaries, among the Americans and Europeans resident at, and frequenting those islands, for purposes of trade, and among whom there is a scarcity of the holy scriptures.

They have also, on the application of the Committee of that Board, made them a further grant of 200 Bibles and 200 Testaments, for distribution by their missionaries in the Island of Ceylon, in the East Indies.

On an application made in behalf of the American Society for colonizing the free people of colour of the United States, the Managers were happy to aid the laudable designs of that benevolent institution, by a donation of eleven octavo Bibles, of a suitable description, for presentation to his Excellency the Governor of Sierra-Leone, and to the African kings, and chief men in the western part of Africa; and also one hundred common Bibles, one hundred and fifty Testaments, and several copies of the Spanish Testament and French Bible, for the use of the first body of American colonists, who sailed from the port of NewYork in the month of February last.

The Board having recently been informed that the Missionary and Bible Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, were about sending two missionaries to the Floridas, have placed at their disposal, for distribution in those provinces, 50 French, and 50 English Bibles, and 200 Spanish, and 100 English Testaments.

The Report next exhibits a statement of the more general work of gratuitous distribution in our own country. Our limits will not admit of its insertion entire, but we would remark, that the distribution appears to have been made with the greatest possible care and judgment, and with a very liberal hand.

The total gratuitous grants made during the fourth year, (including those before particularly specified,) amount to 18,637 Bibles and Testaments, valued at $11,036 35.

These donations, as far as they have been acknowledged, have been gratefully received, and proved a very timely aid to the societies to which they were sent.

Opportunities not unfrequently occurring during the recess of the Board, for sending copies of the scriptures, in foreign languages, to places out of the United States, which if not immediately embraced, would be lost, the Standing Committee have been authorised to sell or present such scriptures to individuals. going abroad, for the purpose of distribution, as occasion may

require.