expectation has been amply verified. The societies instituted on the continent, during the year, are numerous and important. The Committee will first notice those, the formation of which was assisted by the presence and exertions of the Rev. R. Pinkerton, while on his return to Russia.

1st, The Netherlands Bible Society, established at Amsterdam, under the presidency of his Excellency Mr. Roel, Minister of the Interior; and of which many Catholics are members. Another Society has been formed at Rotterdam, of which his Excellency Mr. Van Hoogstraaten, Member of the States General, is President.-Thirty more Bible Societies have been instituted in different parts of the United Netherlands, which, together with Rotterdam, are considered divisions of the Netherlands Society. A plan has been adopted for instituting 32 Bible Associations in Amsterdam and its environs, comprising nearly 200,000 inhabitants.

24, The Grand Duchy of Berg Bible Society, established at Elberfeld. The population is large, and includes a great proportion of Catholics. Many thousands of them had never seen a Bible; and among some, even the meaning of the word was unknown. His Excellency Baron Von Gruener, governor-general of the duchy, was chosen president. 3d, The Hanoverian Bible Society. In Hanover, as in Petersburgh, the Lutheran, Calvinistic, and Catholic clergy, join hands to promote the good cause. When the chief Catholic priest entered the room, he grasp ed Mr. Pinkerton's hand in the most cordial manner, and with a countenance beaming with joy, said, "I rejoice that I have an opportunity of uniting in such a glorious cause. I am decidedly of opinion, that the Scriptures should be put into the hands of every class of men, and that even the poorest and the meanest should have it in their power to draw Divine instruction from the Fountain Head." The president of this society is his Excellency Baron Von Arnswaldt, minister of state,

4th, The Prussian Bible Society, established at Berlin, under the presidency of his Excellency Lieutenant-general Von Dierecke, tutor to the Crown Prince of Prussia.-His Prussian Majesty has approved of the Society, and confirmed its laws; and has granted to it the freedom of the letter-post. The Bible Society, which had existed at Berlin since 1805, has merged in the Prussian Bible Society.-At Konigsberg, the printing of the Lithuanian Scriptures was rapidly advancing. An additional grant of £200 to the Bible Committee at Königsberg has enabled them to procure additional types, and to print 3000 extra copies of the Lithuanian New Testament. A Bible Society has been recently instituted at Königsberg, in connexion with the Prussian Bible Society at Berlin.

5th, The Saxon Bible Society, established at Dresden, under the presidency of his Excellency Count Hohenthal, the minister for religion.A most interesting account of the formation of this institution, given by the Rev. Dr. Doring, chaplain of the court of Saxony, concludes with observing, "Universal was the impression, and loud the gratitude expressed both towards the Parent Institution in London, and its worthy member Mr. Pinkerton. Tears of joy glittered in many an eye, and the name of the Lord was glorified. May he command his blessing on this holy union!"

Mr. Pinkerton, in passing through Warsaw, held a meeting in the palace of Prince Czartorisky, for the purpose of forming a Polish Bible Society; at which meeting certain regulations were adopted, subject to the approbation of the Emperor of Russia. In Poland, it is asserted, that a copy of the Bible is scarcely to be obtained at any price. Mr. Pinkerton, before he left Warsaw, made arrangements for the distribution of 250 Polish Bibles, and 500 New Testaments, as well as of a

number of German Testaments and Bibles.

The societies above enumerated, were established in less than three months after the last annual meeting. At the meeting convened for the purpose, the greatest joy and harmony prevailed; and from the rank, abili ties, and respectability of the presidents, vice-presidents, and directors, there is every reason to hope their example will have an extensive influence, and their exertions a most beneficial effect. The committee have granted L.300 to the Berg Bible Society, and L.500 to each of the four other societies: and they have since granted L.100 to the Auxiliary Bible Society at Potsdam; and the like sum to the Saxon Bible Society, for promoting an edition of the New Testament in the Wendish dialect, for the use of the poor Wendes or Vandals in Lusatia.

RUSSIA.

The Bible Society at St. Petersburg has now assumed the title of "The Russian Bible Society." The proceedings of this institution, formed under the patronage of his imperial majesty, and superintended by a nobleman not less distinguished by his piety and abilities than by his high rank, are conducted with a zeal and energy which promise substantial benefits to the Russian empire, The great object of its exertions is, to distribute a large number of copies of the holy scripture at the lowest rate: its committee is now printing them in seven different languages while the committees of its auxiliary societies are printing them in several other dialects. The number of Bibles and Testaments now printing by the Russian Bible Society is stat ed at 92,000 copies.

The Moscow Bible Society, which almost rivals that at St. Petersburgh in the number of contributors, has undertaken an edition of 5000 Bibles and 5000 Testaments in the Slavonian language, for the use of the native Russians; the printing of the latter is nearly finished. In 260 years, not more than 50,000 copies of the Slavonian Bible have been

printed. This Society has also urta dertaken, at its own expence, the printing of 5000 copies of the Georgian New Testament. A set of Georgian types, which escaped the conflagration of Moscow, has been discovered: and this work is now in progress, under the superintendance of the Georgian Metropolitan Ion, and Archbishop Pafnut, both residing at Moscow.

The Society at Dorpat has established a Bible Association in every parish, under the direction of the Pastor. This has been found a most efficient plan for promoting its success among the common people.

The Societies at Mittau and Riga are printing 14,000 Lettish New Testaments, and the Society at Revel an edition of the Bible in the Revelian Esthonian dialect. To the Societies of Mittau, Riga, Dorpat, and Revel, 1000 copies of the Ger man New Testament have been ordered from St. Petersburgh, at the expence of the British and Poreign Bible Society.

The Committee have granted the the sum of L.200 to the Russian Auxiliary Society, formed at Arensberg, the capital of Oesel, for that and the neighbouring islands. The scarcity of the Scriptures is so great in these parts, "that even some, who are teachers of others, are destitute of a Bible.”

The printing of the Persian New Testament, translated by the late revered Henry Martyn, is printing at St. Petersburgh, from a copy brought thither by Sir Gore Ousely, Bart., Ambassador from his Majes ty to the Court of Persia, who has undertaken to superintend the press. The zeal, learning, piety, and diligence of Mr. Martyn, afford the most satisfactory assurance of the accuracy of this translation. A singular testimony in its favour has already appeared in the interesting letter of the King of Persia, to Sir Gore Ousely. Under the countenance of this sovereign, the Persian New Testament will probably be extensively read; and the western provinces of Persia, now subject to

Russia, afford a wide field for its circulation. The Committee have assisted this work by a grant of L.300. Intelligence from the Crimea authorises the hope, that the Tartar New Testament, printed at Karass, will prove a blessing to the Mohammedans in that quarter. A Mufti, to whom a Tartar New Testament had been presented, accepted it with gratitude: he has become an annual subscriber of fifty rubles to the Soeiety at St. Petersburg, and has also expressed a solicitude to obtain a copy of the Bible in Turkish.

A version of the Calmuc New Testament, translated at St. Petersburg, is printing there, at the charge of the British and Foreign Bible Society. This dialect is understood by other tribes in Siberia, and on the confines of China.

The Georgian Archbishop, Dositheos, is a member of the Russian Bible Society; and by his influence, the Royal Family of Georgia, and many of his countrymen, have also become members of it. The number of professed Christians in the three provinces under his charge, exceeds half a million; and in the 2000 churches which they contain, there are not 200 copies of the Bible. Not only is an edition of the Georgian New Testament printing at Moscow, but the Archbishop has heartily agreed to promote the establishment of a Georgian Bible Society on his arrival at Tiflis, the ca pital.

"It is my opinion," says the ecclesiastical head of the Græco-Georgian Church, “that the Bible Societies will be the means of spreading the knowledge of the Gospel among all nations, and of fulfilling the prophecies of our Lord in regard to this part of our faith. But such institutions are not only most eminently calculated to bring the heathens to the faith of the Gospel, but also to rouse the churches of Christ, in different lands, from that spiritual ignorance and slumber in which many of them are lying, and to bring them again to the fountain of all truth and blessings."

As a token of his esteem for the Society, he has presented to them,

a copy of a Georgian Bible, with an inscription expressing his "hearty desire to co-operate with them in their exertions, to spread the word of the Lord among all nations of earth."

The first annual meeting of the Russian Bible Society was held at St. Petersburg on the 20th of last September. On this occasion, the first dignitaries of the Greek, Catho lic, Armenian, and Georgian chur ches attended, in their sacerdotal garments, united in amity and peace. The proceedings of the day were conducted by the President, Prince Galitzin. The Report of the Committee, when reading, produced a burst of astonishment, gratitude, and joy, over the gloriously simple principles and blessed effects of their beneficent institution. The immediate effect of this meeting was the accession of three metropolitans, five archbishops, and two distinguished laymen, to the list of vice-presidents of the Society.

Nine Auxiliary Societies are connected with that of St. Petersburgh. More are in contemplation; and the plan for Bible Associations has been considered, and unanimously approved; and each vice-president and director had his district assigned to him, in order to carry the plan into effect.

The Armenian Bible is now printing in Russia, and the Committee have agreed to assist the undertaking, by a donation of L.500. The Armenian inhabitants of Russia have themselves subscribed for half the edition of the New Testament, consisting of 5000 eopies, now printing.

The following is a quotation from a letter addressed to Lord Teignmouth, by Prince Galitzin :

"The object of the Society is from day to day becoming more generally known and understood from its beneficent effects: its funds are increasing by the subscriptions and dona-tions of many thousands of new members. Thus our institution is enabled, as it advances, to extend the sphere of its operations, through the increasing aid which it receives from all classes of people in the empire; among whom the Russian

Clergy, by their own liberality and persuasion of others, are peculiarly distinguished. The peasantry in the villages lay together their rubles and kopecs, to support the good cause of the Society; thus manifesting that they have right ideas of its pious work. The demand for Bibles increases from day to day so much, that the Society knows not how to satisfy it. Such, my lord, are evident marks of the grace of God, that bringeth salvation to all men, and deadeth them, therefore, to the knowledge of the word of life."

Such a description suggests heartfelt prayers to God, for his blessing on an institution formed for supplying the spiritual wants of the Russian empire. The Committee have voted a third donation of L.1000 in aid of the Russian Bible Society.

The Committee have received a donation from that Society of 1000 copies of the Armenian New Testament: in return they have placed at its disposal a considerable quantity of Bibles and Testaments, which remained on hand in Russia, after supplying the prisoners of war in that empire, as well as nearly 500 Testaments in the Ancient and Modern Greek, together with a set of stereotype plates for the Modern Greek Testament, which will facilitate the circulation of the Scriptures in the provinces using the Greek language, where the demand is increasing.

SWEDEN.

Of the activity displayed by the Evangelical Society at Stockholm, no further proof is necessary than that it has printed 40,600 Testaments, and 13,500 Bibles. The Committee has granted the sum of L.300 to this Society, to aid the printing of a poc ket Swedish Testament, on standing types, which was much wanted; and a further sum of L.200 to enable the Society to extend the distribution of Bibles among the poor in Sweden.

The three Auxiliary Societies of Gothenburg, Westeras, and Goth land, are no less actively employed in circulating the holy Scriptures within their several departments; and their exertions have been assist

ed by donations from this Society.

The Committee here aliudes, with feelings of unfeigned regret, to the death of the Rev. Dr. Brunnmark, whose. life was a sacritice to his indefatigable exertions in this cause. He had the satisfaction, however, to witness the happy effects of the three societies he had planted; and to observe a growing interest in Sweden, both in the circulation and perusal of the holy Scriptures. He assisted to form a plan of a general Swedish Bible Society, which was submitted to the King, with a request that he would become its Patron; to which his Majesty assented; and the crown prince, at the same time, assented to he the first honorary member of the Society, which obtained the royal confirmation on the 22d of February last. Count Rosenblad, the President, has already demonstrated the deep interest which he feels in the success of the institution, by the measures he has adopted for forming Auxiliary Societies in Sweden, as well as a Bible Society in Norway. The Committee have voted L.500 in aid of the Swedish Bible Society.

DENMARK.

On the 22d of May, 1814, at a most respectable Meeting convened in Copenhagen, at which Dr. Munter, the Bishop of Zealand, presided, a Danish Bible Society was formed, with his Danish Majesty's approbation, and with the promise of his highest protection. The objects of this Institution are to supply Denmark with the Danish Scriptures ; to provide the Germans settled there with the German Scriptures; to provide for the exigencies of Iceland, Greenland, the Danish West-India Islands, and the Danish Settlements on the Coast of Africa.

Iceland was last year visited by the Rev. Mr. Henderson. The main object of his journey was to give the natives the full benefit of the measures adopted for supplying them with the holy Scriptures. He carried with him the recommendation of Bishop Münter, and received the greatest encouragement from the Bishop and Clergy of Iceland, as well as from the Civil Authorities:

he employed two months in perilous journeys into the interior, and, wherever he went, he was welcomed with enthusiasm, and followed by the benediction of the inhabitants. The want of the Scriptures was lamentably felt, and the ardour of the people to obtain a copy excessive; yet, notwithstanding this scarcity, he received frequent proofs of the acquaintance of the Icelanders with the contents of the sacred volume; and, taken as a body, they exhibited the strongest marks of a religious dispo sition.

FINLAND.

The Finnish Bible Society flourishes, and the grant of L.200 for supplying the Swedish inhabitants of Finland with the Scriptures has produced the happiest effects. This Society had agreed to adopt the plan of establishing Auxiliary Societies. The Committee have granted L.500 to promote the printing of a quarto edition of the Finnish Scriptures. This fresh donation has been acknowledged in terms of the warmest gratitude by the Governor-general of Finland.

GERMANY.

A Bible Society has been formed at Lubeck, with the sanction of the Burgomaster and first members of the Government. It has been assisted by a grant of L.100.-To the Hamburg-Altona Bible Society recently established, the Committee have granted L.300.-At Bremen, a Society has also been recently established, to which a donation of L.100 has been presented.

A Bible Society has been instituted at Dantzick, after the plan of the Prussian Bible Society, his Excellency J. W. de Weikman, Privy Counsellor of his Prussian Majesty, President. A donation has been made to it of L.200, besides L.50 for the gratuitous distribution of Bibles among the inhabitants of that city, who had most severely suffered from its bombardment.

To a Bible Society formed at Erfurt, for the province of Thuringia, L.300 have been granted in aid of its funds.

has made progress, both in collect<< ing subscriptions and in printing a large 8vo edition of the German Bible. The King of Wurtemberg, has granted the Institution the freedom of postage for all its letters and parcels, and allowed it the use of a seal.

A Branch Bible Society has been formed by the United Brethren, for Herrnhut Niesky, and Kleinwelke, in connexion with the Saxon Bible Society.

SWITZERLAND.

An additional grant of L.200 has enabled the Zurich Society to undertake a large edition of the German Bible.

The Bible Society at St. Gall mentions that the Canton of St. Gall contains upwards of 100 Catholic pa rishes, in which the reading of the Scriptures was formerly prohibited to the people, but that eighty or ninety of the parishes have received permission to peruse them; and that the acquaintance of the Catholics with the Scriptures becomes more and more general. The situation of this society, as well as that of Basle, being calculated for promoting the circulation of the Scriptures among the Roman Catholics, the Committee have presented to each L.100.

The Bible Society at Basle has printed and circulated the Italian and Romanese New Testament. The Romanese Old Testament was also in progress. All these works are materially assisted by the Bible Committee at Chur. The Basle Society has also completed an edition of 10,000 copies of a German Bible, on small types. Its Bibles and Testa ments are circulating, not only in Switzerland, but also in several parts of

Germany and France; both among Protestants and Roman Catholics.

Bible Societies have been instituted at Lausanne, for the Canton de Vaud, and at Geneva; to each of which the Committee have voted L.200.

MALTA.