to passing events, with reference to the kingdom of Christ; and relate circumstantial accounts of those remarkable occurrences near them, which they judge it will be interesting to the ministers assembled at Herrnhuth, and the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ and his cause generally, to be acquainted with. Letters from individual ministers, whose names, if they desire it, are not inserted in the protocol, have often, from the mere impulse of the writers, exhibited open-hearted, humble, and very affecting narratives of their former course of life, while they were still "the children of wrath, even as others ;" and have described their conversion and their trials: after which they have perhaps asked the advice of the conference as to their Christian state, their difficulties, and the manner in which, as to certain points which they specified, they would recommend to them to conduct themselves in their office as gospel ministers. These confidential expositions of the Christian experience of servants of the gospel in our day, in which the authors with singleness and uprightness of heart gave an account of what the Lord had done and was still doing in their own souls, have always excited peculiar interest. Letters to the conference are answered by members of the same; but for obvious reasons the answers are not entered in the protocol. This highly interesting and instructive annual collection of communications from esteemed ministers of the word in so many different countries, and the remarks and proceedings to which they give rise in the conference, with other occurrences there, are, with the exception above noticed, all compiled by the president of the meeting, and his immediate assistants, in the protocol, in form of what we might perhaps term a "report." Those who address communications to the conference, have commonly read one or more of the protocols, and appear to be edified by them. It is believed, that nothing like a just calculation can be made of the whole number of ministers who are thus united in spirit upon the one only foundation of Jesus Christ and his merits by means of attending this conference, or reading its protocols. Some of them are men of celebrity and influence, as authors, professors in universities, or dignitaries in the different divisions of the Christian church. Living in many and distant countries, they, and their congregations, and other friends who desire to have spiritual connexion with them, speak various languages; into which therefore the protocol is, if required, translated, in order that as many of them as desire it may become acquainted with its contents. The ministers and their people, and other friends who are thus specially and somewhat intimately connected as Christians by means of reading or hearing the protocols are, at present, besides the United Brethren's congregations generally, many Lutherans, German Reformed or Calvinists, Dutch Reformed, Protestant Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Independents or Congregationalists, Baptists and Methodists. Some Roman Catholic priests, and teachers in their schools, have of late years addressed truly evangelical communications to the conference, and some of them have attended there, and appeared to be much pleased and affected. This meeting of ministers at Herrnhuth, is, among the rest, very useful on the continent of Europe, in giving circulation to accounts respecting Missionary and Bible societies, and whatever else appears to have a tendency to promote brotherly love, peace, unity, and fellowship of spirit among the children of God of all denominations; and, at the same time, to excite to the humble and zealous exercise of all their common duties, in the furtherance of the cause of their divine Head and Master. If there is any one point which this union of Christians maintains more strenuously than all others, it is their avowed determination, (in which they are all unanimous) to adhere steadfastly to the doctrine of the divinity and atonement of Jesus Christ. In this view they have long been regarded by many, as a strong rampart against that delusion and departure from the truth, which at present so lamentably prevail in some Christian countries. In the year 1814, a small volume was printed in Germany, entitled, "Practical Remarks on the Ministry of the Gospel; extracted from the protocol of a conference of ministers, which has assembled annually at Herrnhuth ever since the year 1754." The remarks are arranged under eight different heads or chapters. It is proposed to translate this publication into English; and it is believed that many ministers and lovers of the truth in this country, might derive pleasure and instruction from the perusal of it. Hoping that the above account, on the accuracy of which you may rely, will be acceptable for insertion in your Herald, I send it to you, and remain truly, dear sir, your sincere friend and humble servant, BENJAMIN MORTIMER. New-York, May 12, 1820. UNITED STATES. VERMONT BIBLE SOCIETY. Extracts from the Seventh Report. Five hundred Bibles which were on hand at the time of our last anniversary, and 660 Bibles, and 650 Testaments, since purchased of the American Bible Society, have been distributed to the several county societies, and it is believed, have, by them ór their agents, been put into the hands of the poor and destitute. So far as information has been obtained, the gift, wherever bestowed, has been received with gratitude. It having been ascertained that Bibles were much wanted in Canada, the Directors agreed to ask of the American Bible Society, a donation of 200 Bibles, to be distributed there. This favour was very cheerfully and promptly granted, and the Bibles forwarded to the Rev. Dr. Stewart, and the Rev. Mr. Reid. Letters from these gentlemen have been received, expressing their gratitude for the favour, and informing that the Bibles were mostly distributed. Your Directors ordered that $700 be remitted to the treasury of the American Bible Society, which was forwarded accordingly. We are confident, brethren, that every member of the Vermont Bible Society rejoices in the success of the National one, and derives pleasure from the consideration that we are the tributary stream of that grand reservoir of American benevolence. The receipts from the several county societies the present year, amount in the whole, to $1,193, 87; which, after deducting $110 paid for Bibles for Bennington County, leaves in the treasury, for future disposal, $1,083 37. Our society has been in existence seven years. During that period we have purchased and distributed, including donations received from other societies, and a few on hand, 5460 Bibles, and 750 Testaments; and remitted to the treasury of the American Bible Society, exclusive of what we have paid for Bibles, thirteen hundred dollars. But, brethren, we should hardly stop to survey the ground we have gained. "There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed." Indeed our work is but just begun. The following extracts of letters will show in what estimation your charities are held, and afford encouragement to perseverance in this labour of love. From DR. STEWART to the Secretary. "Reverend Sir, แ "Hatley, June 21,1819. "I am happy to acknowledge the receipt of a box, containing ninety-four Bibles; a present, I understand, from the Vermont Bible Society, to the inhabitants of the townships in Canada, east of Lake Magog. "I request you to present our grateful thanks to the society for their very acceptable and excellent gift. "A great many of the Bibles have already been distributed, and the rest will soon also be given to poor persons who are likely to make good use of them. I beg to contribute twenty dollars in aid of the beneficent purposes of the Vermont Bible Society. "I am, Reverend Sir, your sincere friend and brother in the Lord. "C. STEWART." From the Rev. MR. REID to the same. "Reverend Sir, "Last April I received 100 Bibles, which the Vermont Bible Society forwarded to me for distribution. I am now to happy to inform you that I have distributed them in the best way that I could devise. The following townships have participated of the society's donation, viz. St. Armand, where I reside, Stanbridge, Dunham, Sutton, Potton, Bolton, and Farnham; and there are now fourteen Bibles left in my hands, which will be distributed erc long. "In behalf of those people who have received the good word of God, through the liberality of your society, I beg leave to offer you my best thanks, and also to the members of your benevolent institution, for a donation so precious, and so magnificent as that which we have received of your bounty. When I distributed a Bible, I always accompanied the precious gift with as appropriate an exhortation as I could, and I hope and pray that as they have received it freely, it will produce in them fruit unto eternal life. "With my earnest prayers for the success of your society, in promoting the cause of our common Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by the circulation of the holy scriptures, which are able to make men wise unto salvation, "I remain, Rev. Sir, your most obedient servant, "Minister of St. Armand, Lower-Canada." From the REV. E. H. NEWTON to the HON. WM. HALL, one of the Directors. "Gave one Bible to a poor man with a large family, and only a part of an old Bible in his house. He has lived an openly wicked life, intemperate and profane. For twenty years has despised God's word, but at that time was brought to search it as the only guide to find deliverance from his troubled conscience. Since that his wife and two of his children, have hopefully passed from death unto life, but we fear he has returned to his cups and profanity." Among other instances of bestowing the gift of a Bible, he states-Gave one Bible to a poor man, with a wife and three children. They had about two-thirds of an old Bible. As I presented them with a new one, the poor woman took it, and clasped it in her arms, and with joy sparkling in her countenance, exclaimed, "It is the best present that I ever had." She gave me a thousand thanks, appeared serious, but uninformed. "When I have presented a Bible to a family, I have usually carried it, and conversed with them about their everlasting peace -urged them to search the scriptures, that the present might not rise up in judgment against them. I have then read a chapter, and in solemn prayer commended them to God, that his word may prove a savour of life unto life to their souls. "The Bibles distributed have been gratefully received, and I hope have been the means of doing extensive good. I know no instance in which the present has been perverted to any other use than that for which it was given. If I had more Bibles I could dispose of them well." There are, doubtless, in our own state, many families yet unsupplied with the Bible. Instances of this kind have generally been found numerous in proportion to the search which has been made among the poor and irreligious classes of the community. In other sections of our country the want is much greater. In the benevolent cause in which we are engaged, we cannot doubt of the approbation of God; for we know it is his command that the gospel of his grace should be published among all nations,⚫ and preached to every creature. We rejoice, too, in the consideration, that, in this cause, we are not alone. Thousands have engaged in the work before us, and millions are associated with us in the holy resolution of giving the Bible to every destitute family under heaven. The Bible Society of VIRGINIA, Held a General Meeting on the 4th of April, 1820, at Richmond, the Rt. Rev. Richard C. Moore, D. D. in the chair. The meeting was opened with a hymn and prayer, by the Rev. Jesse Turner, and a sermon appropriate to the occasion by the Rev. John H. Rice. The Seventh Annual Report of the Managers was presented, by which it appears, that this society, since its organization, has distributed 8936 Bibles and Testaments-1325 of which were issued the last year. The receipts during the year have been $1099 90, and the disbursements $1321 25, leaving a balance due the Treasurer of $221 45. We hope the appeal which the managers have made in their Report will be heard, and be felt by the friends of the Bible cause in Virginia, and that they will come forward and replenish the treasury of this respectable institution with a liberal hand. Our limits will confine us to the following extract from the Report: When we consider the sublime object of evangelizing the world, for which Bible societies are instituted: the glorious effects to be produced, by supplying the poor in every clime, with the bread of life--by opening the eyes of the blind, and guiding their feet, with the lamp of divine truth, in the way in which they should go, by delivering the heathen from their cruel and impure superstitions-by uniting Christians of every denomination in the bands of peace and brotherly love, and hastening on the happy time when all shall know the Lord from the greatest even to the least, our hearts must burn within us, and all our faculties should be devoted to the universal dissemination and fulfilment of the scriptures. No exertions or sacrifices should be considerd too great in a cause involving all that is dear and precious to the soul of a Christian philanthropist.-A cold and careless service ought not to be rendered by those who in subscribing to a BIBLE SOCIETY, |