Switzerland, now delivered from the terrors of war, embraced the Bible cause; and Societies were formed at Lausanne, for the Canton of Vaud, and at Geneva and Neufchâtel, for their Cantons, in December, 1814. America continued its course, with noble zeal in the cause of the Scriptures, in an increasing number of Societies in the northern and middle States, and also in the British Provinces. Domestic zeal was nourished in our various Auxiliaries. But "to specify in detail," as Mr. Owen remarks," the circumstances which denoted the progress of the common undertaking through the several portions of the British Empire, were an impracticable task; it must suffice to state, that a spirit of generous emulation appeared to actuate the friends of the Society. In this state of prosperity, as it respected its concerns both at home and abroad, with an income of nearly £100,000, and an issue of nearly 250,000 Bibles and Testaments from its own depository, the Society proceeded to celebrate its eleventh anniversary. The hand of death had severed from its company of labourers some distinguished individuals, particularly the Rev. Dr. Buchanan, the Rev. Thomas Charles, and Henry Thornton, Esq., its Treasurer. But to the accustomed attendance of prince, and peer, and prelate, was added that of Baron Anker, of Norway," and a vast assembly of friends of the Holy Scriptures." * Owen's History, vol. iii., p. 63. THE TWELFTH YEAR OF THE SOCIETY, 1815-1816. EUROPE was now again thrown into agitation, by the escape of Bonaparte from the Isle of Elba. The several powers were, therefore, called again to arms; extraordinary was the preparation, and terrible the conflict, by which the victory was gained over the common enemy, his final overthrow, at Waterloo. Little interruption, however, was experienced by the Bible Societies. And Dr. Steinkopff set off, in May, on a tour of nearly 5,000 miles, forming Bible Societies, and strengthening those in existence, in Holland, Germany, and Switzerland. Every one seemed to be in progress; and the need of the Scriptures will appear from the report, which states:-"In the schools of East Prussia, more that 32,000 children are instructed, who are not able to procure a Bible. Among 18,000 German, 7,800 Polish, and 7,000 Lithuanian families in Lithuania, not a single Bible was to be found." Encouraging reports, however, were received from the Prussian, Swedish, Russian, and German Bible Societies of their progress in the cause of the Scriptures, especially after the visits to many by Dr. Steinkopff. Many Catholics obtained the Scriptures. from Ratisbon and Marpurg. Pleasing accounts were sent also from Constantinople, of the circulation of the Scriptures among the Greek Christians in the islands, in the East of Europe, and in Asia Minor. The Calcutta Committee made various interesting communications relating to the printing of the Scrip tures in the Armenian and Malay languages; and towards the expense of the latter, the sum of 10,000 rupees was contributed by the Honourable East India Company. The Colombo Bible Society continued active; and early in 1815, commenced the distribution of 2,000 Cingalese Testaments, presented by the Calcutta Bible Society, for the native Christians. In the meantime steps were taken for the circulation of the Bibles and Testaments in Tamul, Portuguese, Dutch, and English, with which the Colombo Depository was supplied by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and its Auxiliary at Calcutta. Drs. Morrison and Milne having completed the New Testament in Chinese, the latter proceeded to distribute copies of it among the priests and governors at the islands of Banca and Batavia, fortified by the Governor, Sir T. S. Raffles; and gratifying testimonies were given respecting this effort to evangelize the Chinese. America afforded some of the most delightful facts regarding the circulation of the Scriptures. Every Auxiliary reported affecting instances of the need of Bibles among the increasing population, and new societies were formed even in the Southern States. In South America efforts were made to establish a Bible Society; and it was believed that, in the provinces belonging to Spain, with a population of 10,000,000, professing to be Christians, there could not be found one Spanish Bible. British America and the West Indies shared in the sympathy of the parent Committee; and success N ful efforts were made in them to supply the people with Bibles. Domestic operations were continued with unabated diligence, in advancing the interests of the Bible Society throughout the United Kingdom. In prosecuting these, the attention of the Committee was called to the presence in London of the Archdukes John and Lewis, brothers of the Emperor of Austria. They desired to learn the principles and objects of the Bible Society; and the Rev. Drs. Steinkopff and Schwabe attended their Imperial Highnesses, presenting them with a set of its Reports and versions of the Scriptures. On the 19th of February, 1816, Lord Teignmouth and the secretaries waited on those princes, with an Address, and a set of the Society's Reports and Versions, for the Emperor of Austria. They were "careful to show that the Society in no degree interfered with matters of doctrine or discipline; confining itself to the letter of Holy Scripture, according to the versions accredited in the respective churches of Christendom; and that in this respect it was the prototype of that Holy Alliance in which the Catholic Emperor of Austria, the Greek Emperor of Russia, and the Protestant King of Prussia were united, notwithstanding their peculiar differences, in the maintenance of those principles which formed the basis of Christianity." The Archduke Lewis being absent, John listened. with attention, and dismissed them with assurances of friendship, promising to report all things with faithfulness to his brother, the Emperor. * Owen's History, vol. iii. pp. 138, 139. Hitherto the opponents of the Bible Society had been persons of inferior or the middle ranks in the Established Church; but now the Society was denounced by three northern prelates, in their several charges to their clergy, as pregnant with danger to the interests of both the Church and State.* These prelates-Lincoln, Chester, and Carlislewere sufficiently replied to by various periodicals and the works of the Society, while "eight English and six Irish prelates continued to range themselves among its Vice-presidents.”† Confidence in the goodness of their cause, and gratitude to God for his continued blessing, influenced the friends of the Bible, while they celebrated the triumphs of the Scriptures in their twelfth anniversary, in a large assembly, in May. And while some of the learned English dignitaries were censuring the Society, its grand object was seen by "the Archbishop Metropolitan of the Russian Greek Church," to be "to spread among the people of the earth the salutary light of Divine Revelation; to illumine their understandings, not with earthly but with heavenly and spiritual wisdom; to form their hearts to the laws of God; and to extend and consolidate the kingdom of Jesus Christ."* THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF THE SOCIETY, 1816-1817. *Owen's History, p. 140. + Ibid, p. 148. |