sionaries, and to endeavour to excite as much of public interest in their favour as possible. For this purpose he drew up 'Proposals for a subscription for translating the Holy Scriptures into the following Oriental languages :-Sanscrit, Bengalee, Hindoostanee, Persian, Mahratta, Guzerattee, Brissa, Carnata, Telinga, Burman, Assam, Bootan, Tibet, Malay, and Chinese,' containing a prospectus of Indian versions, and observations on the practicability of the general design, signed by the nine Baptist Missionaries, and dated Mission House, Serampore, March, 1806. That paper was composed entirely by Dr. Buchanan, part of it from materials furnished by the Missionaries. But as it was apprehended that the name' Baptist' might not be auspicious to the design, in the general view of the public, Dr. Buchanan did not admit that word, but designated them 'Protestant Missionaries in Bengal.' Copies of the Proposals' were liberally distributed both in India and in England. To some of these distributed in England was prefixed a frontispiece, representing a Hindoo receiving the Bible and "bending to the Christian faith.' Copies were also transmitted to almost the whole of the principal civil officers, and to many of the military officers in the Honourable Company's service throughout Hindostan, from Delhi to Travancore, many of whom had never heard of the Serampore Mission before. Dr. Buchanan had permission, at the same time, to send the proposals, in his official character as Vice-Provost of the College free of expense, to all parts of the empire ; and he accompanied them, in most instances, with

a letter from himself.

The design received en

couragement from every quarter, and a sum of about £1,600 was soon raised for the translation; to which the late Rev. D. Brown contributed £250."*

cor

In April 28, 1808, Mr. Brown wrote that " rect editions of the Scriptures, in Hindostance, Persian, and Arabic, might be expected from the Rev. H. Martyn, at Dinagepore, assisted by his co-adjutors, Sabat, from Arabia, and Mirza, from Lucknow." "The Malayalim, Cingalese, Malay, and Telinga, (it was stated) would be ably conducted in Malabar, Ceylon, and the coast," while the Missionaries at Serampore "were spoken of as qualified to proceed with Bengalee, Mahratta, Sanscrit, Burman, Chinese, and perhaps some other dialects of India."

"This happy beginning," adds Mr. Brown, "could not have advanced beyond the threshold, without the fostering care of the British and Foreign Bible Society." This seems evident from the fact that the Committee resolved, January 2, 1809, to appropriate to that object £1,000 annually, for three successive years.

The work of translating proceeded, and January 1, 1810, Mr. Brown proposed to his congregation in the Old Church at Calcutta a subscription for the purchase of Tamul Bibles, and this amounted from thirty-five subscribers, to 9,000 rupees. A BIbliOTHECA BIBLIA was now formed at Calcutta, including a Bible Repository, and a Translation Library. So that, all things prospering in India, the Committee. increased their grant of £1,000, in 1809, to £2,000

* Owen's History, vol. ii., pp. 5, 6.

for three years, with grants of Bibles in the original and modern languages, for the Library, besides a fount of types, a printing press, and paper for an edition of the Bible at Bombay.

War deranged almost everything in Europe, yet the Berlin Society printed 8,000 Polish Bibles, and 4,000 extra Testaments, the cost of which was £1,600, towards which the Parent Society gave £960, and advanced on loan £300 more. The sum of £300, afterwards increased to £500,. was granted to the Köningsberg Bible Society, for an edition of the Lithuanian Bible. Other provinces of Russia were found destitute of the Scriptures, and £600, raised the next year to £1000, were voted to print the Bible in the Livonian and Esthonian dialects.

Though war raged, the Bible cause advanced in Germany, Switzerland, and other parts. Sicily and Malta, especially, were benefitted by the distribution of Italian Testaments in those islands, even among Roman Catholics.

Religious zeal triumphed in America, and Bible Societies were this year formed in South Carolina, Maine, and Georgia. To these the British Society made its accustomed grants; and the address from Georgia to the Committee in London states:-"There are two circumstances which particularly call for such an Institution in Georgia. By the exertions of the several denominations of Christians an attention to religion has been excited in various parts of the State, which a few years since were noted only for profligacy and immorality; and Bibles are there eagerly sought for where lately they were despised.

We wish also to extend the consolation of the gospel to the blacks among us. To the different churches in this city alone, there belongs no less than sixteen hundred and ninety-four communicants, who are people of colour. They are generally present when the Lord's Supper is administered; and to them no present could be more acceptable than the Gospel of Jesus! "From this distant land the blessings of thousands who were ready to perish, but who were enlightened by the sacred Scriptures, distributed according to the plan first proposed by you, shall descend upon your heads; and the names of the founders and promoters of your benevolent Society shall be repeated, with affectionate gratitude by our descendants."

Domestic operations were continued with liberality and zeal. Early in 1811, the New Testament, in the Irish and Manks languages, was completed, and offered at reduced prices to the poor. The Committee also granted a supply of the Holy Scriptures to the crews of twenty revenue cutters, under the inspection of Captains Blake and Hopkins. prisoners in France were also regarded by the Committee, who granted for their use 100 Bibles and 500 Testaments; and this act of humanity was duly respected by the French Government.

British

Auxiliary Societies were this year formed at Swansea, Uttoxeter, Bishopwearmouth, Neath, West Lothian, Rotherham, Uxbridge, Cornwall, Weymouth, Liverpool, and Huddersfield, besides four branches for that of Manchester. But none appeared so remarkable as that of Liverpool, so long dishonoured as the chief seat of the British slave-trade.

These multiplied Auxiliaries became the strength of the Parent Society, by raising funds and distributing the Scriptures; so that the number of Bibles and Testaments issued this year was nearly 100,000 copies. Confident, therefore, that their work enjoyed the approbation of heaven, the Committee with joyfulness celebrated their seventh anniversary in an enlarged assembly of friends. On that day the Philadelphia Bible Society held its general meeting, and in their Report the Committee state:-"The annual meeting of the Parent Society is held on this day, and it is a pleasing and animating consideration that our exertions are united with theirs to extend the empire of the Redeemer, till it embrace in its peaceful bosom all the empires of the world, and Jesus Christ become King of nations, as he is King of saints."

THE EIGHTH YEAR OF THE SOCIETY, 1811-1812. EVERY friend of the Bible Society appeared astonished at the admirable facts reported to the seventh anniversary assembly. "There was everything in the retrospect to satisfy, and in the prospect to encourage." The Committee stated, that "they could contemplate with heartfelt satisfaction what the Institution had already accomplished, and look forward with cheering hope to its future more enlarged employments."

The Berlin Society having finished their edition of the Polish Bible and Testament, the demand for them was great in Warsaw and several provinces ;