Of their beloved friend the Commiteee will only further say, that he combined qualities but rarely found in the same individual-strength of body and of mind; talent and learning; solidity of judgment; singleness of purpose; integrity of conduct; together with an independence of spirit always kept under the control of Christian principle. To these endowments were added, a tone of feeling at once generous and tender, and a heart under the habitual influence of that "Charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

Though firmly attached to the Church of England, both in its doctrine and government; yet, in a truly catholic spirit, he could cordially co-operate with his fellow-Christians connected with other departments of the Universal Church. Not having respect to his own ease, nor shunning reproach for Christ's sake, he laboured, and toiled, and watched, and prayed; in all things commending himself to the approval, not of men but of God.

While the Committee express their sincerest regrets on the loss of so endeared an associate-regrets that will be fully shared not only by his family, but by the whole body of his parishioners, and even by the Church of Christ at large-they are constrained to acknowledge the goodness of God in having permitted them so long to enjoy his faithful services; and they would, at the same time, offer up an earnest prayer, that He who is Head over all things to His Church may deign (now, as formerly) to raise up and point out to them a suitable instrument for carrying forward a work, so deeply connected with the glory of God and with the highest good of mankind.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. DR. STEINKOPFF.

DR. STEINKOPFF, for many years the efficient Foreign Secretary of the Bible Society, is minister of the German Lutheran Church, in the Savoy, Westminster. He is still living; and for more than half a, century, he has been a faithful preacher of the

gospel of Christ in the metropolis. On account of his amiable spirit, and zeal for the evangelization of mankind, he has been greatly beloved by all denominations of Christians in England. He has cordially united with them in their Missionary operations; and he was, therefore, prepared to take a share in the labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Dr. Steinkopff is a German: he was born at Stuttgart, in Wurtemberg, September 6, 1773. He studied for the Christian ministry at the University of Tubingen; and came to settle in London in the year 1801. Divine Providence having spared his life and preserved his health, he was privileged to celebrate the "Jubilee" of his ministry in London, November 30, 1851. Dr. Steinkopff possessed the spirit of his Lord and Saviour, in a large degree; and, therefore, he took a lively interest in the Religious Tract Society, and in the early conferences respecting the need of a Bible Society. He instituted, at the request of the Committee, various inquiries on the Continent as to the need of the Scriptures. He was present at the first meetings; and he gladly accepted the invitation to become the first Foreign Secretary of the Bible Society at its formation. His services in council and correspondence, in his journeys on the continent, and in various other ways, were very highly important; but health declining, he felt obliged to resign his office. Having written to this effect, to the Committee of the Bible Society, December 2, 1826, on the 18th they adopted the following minute :

The Committee cannot but express their deep concern at the

necessity which deprives the Society of the invaluable services of their Foreign Secretary.

Of the magnitude, extent, and beneficial effects of the services of Dr. Steinkopff, both at home and abroad, during a period of more than twenty-two years, an adequate opinion can be formed by those only who were witnesses of them, or have the means of access to the records of the Society, in which they occupy so large a space. Of the zeal, the cheerfulness, and the patient assiduity with which they were performed, the members of every successive Committee of the Society can bear the most ample testimony. Nor is it to be forgotten, that for eighteen years, those services, which during a considerable portion of that period occupied nearly his whole time and attention, were gratuitously performed; and that the salary, which was afterwards annexed to his office, was wholly unsolicited and reluctantly accepted. Never were services rendered by any public functionary more disinterested than those of Dr. Steinkopff. His colleagues and the Committee will long cherish the remembrance of the truly Christian spirit that ever tempered the ardent zeal which animated his exertions, and endeared him to their affections.

Dr. Steinkopff's health was happily restored; so that he has been enabled, through a quarter of a century more, to undertake repeated journeys in various countries on the continent, promoting the objects of the Society, and also to render essential service to its Auxiliaries, and in editing several versions of the Scriptures. It would be impossible worthily to represent his important labours for the Bible Society. On the memorable 7th of March, 1853, he was able to attend the Jubilee Meeting of the Society. Except William Alers Hankey, Esq., whose state of health did not allow him to be present, Dr. Steinkopff was the only surviving originator of the Bible Society; and his address to the assembly

was a most affecting review of the history of the Institution, paying a just tribute of respect to the memory of his principal colleagues in office, especially the Noble Presidents, Lord Teignmouth and Lord Bexley, and his beloved co-secretaries, the Rev. John Owen, the Rev. Joseph Hughes, and the Rev. Andrew Brandram.

Though unable now to render the services of former years, and while anticipating his eternal gain through Jesus Christ, Dr. Steinkopff prays for and rejoices in the continued and increasing prosperity of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

CHAPTER III.

THE TRANSLATORS OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. DR. CAREY.

DR. CAREY has left a name among men, as one of the most honoured of Christian Missionaries, and as "Prince of Translators of the Holy Scriptures." He was born August 17, 1761, at Paulerspury, Northamptonshire. He feared God in his youth, and was received as a member of the Baptist Church, on a profession of his faith, in 1783.

William Carey supported himself by labour as a shoemaker; but he loved his Bible, and gave his mind to study, while he felt constrained to preach the Gospel in the villages; and his services were acceptable to a small Baptist Church at Moultan, where he went to reside in 1786. There he built a chapel, and was ordained to the pastoral office in 1787, supporting himself by a school. Being a hard student, he acquired the knowledge of several languages, and rose from obscurity, esteemed by his brethren. In 1788, he became pastor of the Baptist Church, in Harvey Lane, Leicester.

Carey was called of God, however, to still greater things. A missionary spirit was rising up in the