Extract from the First Annual Report of the Stanton-street Bible Society, auxiliary to the American and Foreign Bible Society. It will doubtless be conceded by every Christian, that one grand instrument in the hands of God of hastening the fulfilment of the positive declarations of him who has spoken, and who will bring them to pass, is the printing and distribution of the Holy Scriptures in the various languages spoken by the inhabitants of the different parts of the earth, so that each one may read in his own tongue wherein he was born the wonderful works of God And in reference to this glorious design, it appears to an attentive observer of the signs of the times, that the providence of God has opened a wide field of usefulness to the denomination to which we are attached, and has laid upon us a corresponding degree of responsibility and obligation to occupy till he comes. And for the purpose of cultivating this field of labour, a number of the disciples of Jesus who have hearts to feel for the wants of the destitute, have formed an association denominated the American and Foreign Bible Society, the sole object of which is to endeavour to advance the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, and to bring men to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. Immediately after the formation of this society, an auxiliary association was formed in this congregation, denominated the Stanton-street Baptist Bible Society, the first anniversary of which we celebrate this evening. On reviewing the operations of this society during the past year, we have reason to thank God and take courage. Our brethren and friends have come up promptly to our aid, and evinced a disposition to do what they could in this holy cause ;-and while we lament that we have done comparatively so little during the year, we cannot refrain from expressing a hope, that by the continued blessing of him who has called us to labour in his cause, the year upon which we have entered, will be marked with results which will redound to the glory of God, and to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. BURMAH. In Burmah the desire for the gospel is so intense, that they often come forty or fifty miles on foot through deserts, the haunts of the tiger, to attend its ministrations. The missionaries on their tours, are sometimes received with songs and gladness. Mr. Wade, was once on entering a large village, met by a company of young maidens singing words to the following import : "The Lord his messenger has sent, The Burman priests-their day is spent, Nine-tenths of the whole male population can read; and they read with much care such religious books as are given them by the missionaries. One of our brethren on a tour to a distant part of Burmah, was told that a man had just died in great peace, trusting in a new religion. He repaired to the place, and found clasped in his hands, disposed on his lifeless breast, a Christian tract; which had revealed to him a Saviour, and opened to his departing soul a blessed immortality. SIAM. Brother Wm. Dean writes from Bankok, on the 10th December, 1836, as follows: "The heathen are willing to receive Christian books. We have a population of more than five hundred thousand people, composed of Chinese, Malays. Burmese, Peguans, &c.; and probably few among the whole would refuse a book when offered, and many, prompted by curiosity, are eager to obtain them. Besides these, we are annually visited by several thousand Chinese, who come in junks from the different parts of China Proper, Hainam, Batavia, Singapore, &c. We also have an opportunity of sending books by native boats up to Yuthia, (the old city) and to other places on the river and canals about the country." BIBLE SOCIETY AT FERNEY. A Bible Society was some years since established at Ferney, once the residence of Voltaire-the prince of infidels. This noble enterprise for the propagation of the Christian religion, is said to have been commenced by the Baron de Stael, and a few zealous Christians in that place. In the history of Bible Societies, this is truly a memorable event. That the antidote should issue from the very spot whence the poison of infidelity was for so many years disseminated; and that the advocates of Christianity should in that very place print and circulate the sacred volume, as a sufficient shield against the misrepresentations and sophistry with which he had there assailed divine revelation, are events which that brilliant Frenchman would have pronounced impossible. "There" said a friend, to Rev. W. Acworth, when in France, "this is the room where Voltaire's plays were acted, for the amusement of himself and his friends." But now converted into a repository for Bibles. Oh that the gifted infidel could have been there, to witness the result and repent of his ratiocinations respecting the downfall of Christianity. But, there is a point beyond which even divine forbearance does not extend. Circular of the Bible Convention, held in Philadelphia, to the Baptist Churches throughout the United States. DEAR BRETHREN,-At the recent Bible Convention assembled in this city, churches, associations, conventions, and societies of the Baptist denomination, from twenty-three of the United States, and the District of Colombia, were represented by an aggregate amount of numbers and intelligence, unequalled probably, in the past history of our advancement. After much prayerful deliberation, a very gratifying degree of unanimity was manifest in reference to the importance of a distinct Bible organization, to furnish the requisite means for distributing faithful translations of God's word in foreign languages. As a matter of compromise, it was unanimously agreed to confine the operations of the society which has been organized by the Convention, during the ensuing year, to the circulation of the Sacred Scriptures in foreign tongues; and in the mean time to solicit the denomination throughout our land, to send up to the first annual meeting of the Society in New-York, the last week in April, 1838, their views as to the duty of the society to engage in home distribution after that period. The following are the resolutions passed by the Convention on this subject. 1. "Resolved, That under existing circumstances, it is the indispensable duty of the Baptist denomination in the United States, to organize a distinct society for the purpose of aiding in the translation, printing, and circulation of the Sacred Scriptures. 2. "Resolved, That this organization be known by the name of the American and Foreign Bible Society. 3. Resolved, That the society confine its efforts, during the ensuing year, to the circulation of the word of (iod, in foreign tongues. 4. "Resolved, That the Baptist denomination in the United States be affectionately requested to send to the society, at its annual meeting, during the last week in April, 1838, their views as to the duty of the society to engage in the work of home distribution. 5. "Resolved, That a Committee of twenty-four members, one from each state, be appointed to draft a constitution, and nominate a Board of officers for the ensuing year." In accordance with the last of these Resolutions, a Constitution has been adopted, and the officers of the society for the ensuing year have been appointed. The seat of its operations is fixed in the city of New-York, and the undersigned, in obedience to the direction of the Convention, beg leave, with respectful earnestness, to call the early, enlightened, and candid attention of all the Baptist churches in our country, to the question submitted to their decision in the 4th Resolution. Without attempting to enumerate the reasons which require to be taken into ac count in forming an accurate judgment, we may here be permitted to remark, that sufficient time and opportunity will be allowed to all our churches, to form and express such a decision as they think most in accordance with facts and duty-best adapted to honour God, and bless a ruined world. That you may be guided aright in this important question, and especially that you may not fail to send your views as above requested, either by delegates or by letter [addressed to the Corresponding Secretary of the American and Foreign Bible Society, N. Y.] was the earnest desire of the Convention, by whose order and in whose behalf we beg leave affectionately to salute you, Your Brethren in Christ Jesus. as BARON STOW, ADIEL SHERWOOD, Secretaries of the Convention. Philadelphia, May 1, 1637. RUFUS BABCOCK, Jr., President. OMISSIONS. In the list of Life Members published by the American and Foreign Bible Society, the name of Rev. Samuel Aaron, Burlington, N. J. was omitted, but it will be inserted in the next Annual Report. The Bible Society for Albany County and its vicinity, auxiliary to the American and Foreign Bible Society, was not announced in the list of auxiliaries published in the Annual Report of the American and Foreign Bible Society, owing to an informality, in not furnishing the requisite information to the Corresponding Secretary. The naine will be incorporated in the next report of the society. We would again respectfully state, that all letters relating to travelling agencies, the formation and management of Auxiliary Societies, delegations to annual meetings, requests for donations, &c. should be directed to the Rev. Charles G. Sommers, Corresponding Secretary of the American and Foreign Bible Society, 82 Madisonstreet, New-York. TREASURER'S REPORT. Moneys received by WILLIAM COLGATE, Treasurer of the "American and Foreign Bible Society," 1837. April, 1837. Clinton Bible Society, J. Foote, Treasurer, per E. Bright O. Platt, Adrian, M. T. per E. Bright A. Gillett, Rose, Bible Society of Burnt Hills, per J. Remitted per H. Miller, Cincinnati, on do Cedarville Bible Soc. per C. D. Fendall Saratoga Springs Bible So. S. Cole, Tr. do Clifton Park Bible Soc. Bible Association of the Baptists of E. C. Griswold, Benton, Ohio Oneida Co. Bible Soc. per W. Hobby 85 00 36 25 60 00 610 00 30 00 405 00 13 62 275 30 00 Bible Soc. by Rev W. Shadrack 120 00 43 00 11 92 180 00 Eliza M. Ketchum 5 00 John Tabor, $3, Mrs. Jane Tabor, $1 Seneca Asso.Bib. So. pr J. M'Lallen, Tr 170 75 2d Bap. ch. Dover, by S. Mabbath 311 00 32 00 4 00 38 70 55 00 136 00 30 00 30 00 10 00 5 00 20 00 8.00 30 00 16 02 9 25 per Genesee Co. Bible Soc. contributed by the Perry Bap. ch. and Le Roy Bap. ch. per Rev. W. Arthur F. A. Phenix, per Mrs. Mace do do Miss Chamberlain, Westchester, Penn. Oswego Co. Bible So pr J. Waterman Females of Bap ch. Marcus Hook, Pa. Lewis Bond, Burtee Co. N. Carolina Bap. church, Keeseville, Clinton Co. Bap. ch. Le Ray, per Rev.T.A.Warner 1st Bapt. ch. Cohansey, N. J. per Rev. H. Smalley Cumberlan l-st. ch. Norfolk, Va. Rev. Jos. S. Baker. Sundry collections by the Rev. Thos. Mason in North and South Carolina Rev. R. Proudfoot, by S. Williams, Huntington Co. Pennsylvania Shaver's Creek Church do Whipoorwill ch. Logan Co. Ky. per Rev. R. T. Anderson Sulphur Springs ch. Simpson do Rev. Samuel Love. missionary of the May. Baptist ch. at Clinton do 7 50 Elder Houston, Frankfort Rev. Michael Quin 30 00 Elder Eaton, on acc't of N. Green, dec. Rev. CHARLES G. SOMMERS, Corresponding Secretary, 82 Madison-st. N. Y. This publication is periodical, contains a half sheet, and the postage for any distance under 100 miles, is 1 1-2 cents; for any distance over 100 miles, 2 1-2 cents. W. I. Clark, per W. Williams 30 00 A Sister in Moyamnensing Baptist ch. 15 50 30 00 30 00 8.00 741 Total 12674 95 PROTEST OF THE BRITISH BAPTISTS. In March last, a deputation from the London Board of Baptist Ministers had an interview with the committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Lord Bexley, the president, in the chair. The object of the deputation was, to present a protest, signed by nearly six hundred Baptist Ministers, against the resolution of the Committee, to withhold the Society's assistance in the publication of the Baptist Missionaries' Bengalee version of the New Testament, because they had rendered the word baptizo and its derivatives, by words in that language equivalent to immerse, immersion, &c. The Rev. Dr. F. A. Cox assured the committee that he and his brethren came, not to foment discord, but to promote peace. Rev. Mr. Brandram, and Rev. John Clayton, junr. interposed their objections, and the subject was adjourned to a future day. At a subsequent meeting of the Committee (Board) of the B. and F. B. S. the following document was again submitted and read: PROTEST. THE undersigned Ministers of the Baptist denomination, feeling it incumbent upon them, as a solemn matter of conscience and duty, to bear their individual and united testimony against the Resolution of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, refusing aid to the Bengalee translation of the New Testament, executed by the Baptist Missionaries at Calcutta, because "the words for baptize, &c., are rendered by words signifying immersion ;" and understanding that grants to several of the Versions prepared by the late venerable Dr. Carey have long been suspended on the same ground; submit the following statement to the members of that Society, and deliberately publish it to the world as an act to which they are impelled by a faithful regard for the interests of truth. In common with their fellow Christians, they have been accustomed cheerfully to labour in the ranks of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and will yield to none in sincere and ardent attachment to its catholic constitution and noble design. The have rejoiced in its prosperity with honest delight; have sympathized in its difficulties |