PREFACE.

MORE than forty years ago, the author of this work became a member of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He contemplated with cordial satisfaction its noble object, and felt constrained to aid its benevolent progress. He has been interested in its wonderful successes; as he has been privileged in various ways, to unite with its faithful friends in the seasons of its trials, co-operating with its honoured labourers in furthering its triumphs. He has been acquainted with many of its devoted officers, and its powerful advocates. He has, therefore, been delighted to anticipate and to witness its glorious year of Jubilee ! JUBILEE

Interested thus in this great Institution, the author has long given some care and labour to the preparation of this volume. It is designed as a MEMORIAL of the successes that have attended the mightiest apparatus of Christian benevolence that ever was constructed and set in motion by the sanctified wisdom of the people of God.

Judicious friends have expressed strong approbation of the plan of this work. They deem the

CLAIMS of the Bible" as most important to be represented in its FIRST PART. The SECOND PART has been drawn up on the plan of the Rev. Mr. Owen's "History of the First Ten Years of the British and Foreign Bible Society," but is far more brief-to offer a condensed record of the various labours, trials, and triumphs, of the great Institution. MEMORIALS of its principal labourers appear to require the THIRD PART; and a brief view of its glorious RESULTS, seems appropriate to the FOURTH PART; while the FIFTH PART proposes to anticipate the future PROSPECTS of the Society, as gathered from the indications of Providence, and from the sure testimony recorded in the Bible.

The author commends his work to the generous patronage of all who are lovers of the Sacred Oracles; as a desirable and suitable memorial of labours and triumphs, that will not fail to instruct the successors of the "Fathers and Founders of the Bible Society," but especially he commends it to the mercy and grace of the DIVINE HEAD of His universal Church, the BLESSED GIVER of the Holy Scriptures!

Lewisham, June 21, 1853.

BIBLE TRIUMPHS.

INTRODUCTION.

Judgment regarding the Bible Society-Its JUBILEE-Its various operations-Review of its Origin and of its History necessary -The Endowments of its PRESIDENTS - SECRETARIES DIRECTORS-TRANSLATORS-AGENTS-Indicate the Providence

of God.

"WHо, but the Author and Giver of all concord," asks the eloquent Robert Hall," could have put into the hearts of the children of men a design so beneficial and Godlike; so adapted to allay the heats and animosities which have so often disturbed the peace of society, and disfigured our common Christianity? -The idea of a public monument, to embody the national sentiment, has been so nobly realized by the Bible Society, by taking pledges from the statesmen, the senators, the nobles of the land, of their devoted attachment to the Word of God: they have publicly lifted up their voice, and declared, in the face of all Europe, that the Bible is the religion of Great Britain!"

Men of the greatest intelligence and the soundest

judgment in every nation of Europe and of the world, have pronounced their opinion concerning the British and Foreign Bible Society. They have been unanimous in declaring their regard for it as the most admirable instrument of the Divine Benevolence; and their conviction that its formation must have been suggested by Infinite Wisdom and Goodness. The character of its extensive operations is so entirely unselfish and purely benevolent; its design is so noble and beneficial to all nations; and the cordial union of good men, of various religious sentiments and professions, is so zealous, that the work appears manifestly to have had a superhuman origin, and to have sprung from the influence of the Spirit of God.

Fifty years of steady, undeviating progress in the same cause of godly philanthropy, seem also to demonstrate that it has been guided by the infallible direction of Almighty Providence.

Unparalleled and truly astonishing have been the various labours of this great Institution. And equally remarkable have been its triumphs in success. Its wide field of operation-limited only by its means, is the whole world,-including all the nations of mankind. To review the instructive past, therefore, and to prepare a new generation of labourers for the eventful future, must be deemed peculiarly expedient, and acknowledged as our bounden duty. Every consideration of policy and utility must

prompt us to the commemmoration of its holy and happy Jubilee!

In surveying the past progress of the Bible Society, it will be necessary to recal to mind its remarkable, though humble origin,-and to trace the course of edifying history. It will also be indispensable to contemplate the eminent Christian character, the superior distinguishing talents, and the essential endowments of its principal officers and agents, qualifying them for their appropriate spheres of labour and service. These will not fail to excite in the observant mind, unfeigned admiration at the sovereign bounty and the manifest superintendence of the gracious Providence of God.

The Bible Society has been most highly favoured in its highly NOBLE Presidents, whose personal excellencies have recommended its claims to the notice of the great in all nations. Its SECRETARIES have been men of peculiar talents, possessing the rarest endowments of piety, practical wisdom, eloquence and devotedness to their responsible duties. Its TRANSLATORS have been raised up in various communions, especially among our Missionaries to the Heathen, enriched with uncommon learning and filled with a spirit of wisdom, to render the oracles of God in languages before unsanctified by the Holy Scriptures. Its EDITORS have been men of extensive learning, critical skill, and admirable industry, to watch over the revisions of the Sacred Books. Its