which I questioned them, and was surprised to find that they not only understood the words and sentences, but were able to explain the tropes and figures in that difficult work.-But I must come now to the subject of translations; and here I must bear my testimony that those mute preachers of the gospel are effectual to reach the hearts and consciences of the natives. The version found at Dacca was the Bengalee-by far the most imperfect that has appeared -and I can add my testimony to what has been stated by a preceding speaker (The Rev. Mr. Webster) relative to the good effects produced by that single copy of the Scriptures. It is a delicate subject to defend imperfect versions of the Scriptures, because it appears like trifling upon the most important of all subjects; but in every case I believe the versions have been the best that could be produced. If we had to translate into a known language, with dictionaries, and vocabularies, and standard works of reference, to which we might refer, it would be perfectly inexcusable to produce any thing but an accurate translation. But when a Missionary goes among a strange people, he finds no book to which he can refer; the first thing, therefore, he has to do, is to make a vocabulary, and after residing some time with the people, he gradually proceeds with a translation of the scriptures into their dialect. Then comes the Quarterly Review, and condemns the translation as imperfect, because it has been executed by a self-taught missionary, and has not been revised by a competent person, forgetting that there is not another person who understands the language. I knew Henry Martyn, and never expected to hear his abilities called in question; and I also know that excellent man, Dr. Morrison, against whom the charge of incompetence has been brought forward, founded entirely on his own statements about himself, that he felt himself incompetent for his work.' We might as well conclude that the Rev. Thomas Robinson is incompetent, because in the letter I have just referred to, he says, 'I cannot bear to look upon the translation I have now completed.' Mr. Ellerton, one of the authors of a translation into Bengalee, once said to me, I consider the Scriptures as the sword of the Spirit; and I am anxious to present that sword to the natives as little contaminated with rust as possible.' This sentiment has been the basis upon which we have all

acted; and it has been our unceasing anxiety to produce the best possible translation that could be effected.

The Rev. J. W. Cunningham, M. A. Vicar of Harrow, observed, 'My friend Mr. Thomason has made the very best speech he could possibly have made on the foreign objects of the society, but as my resolution relates to the operations of the society at home, I must confine myself within a narrower range; and I find that the heads of his address will furnish me with ample topics on all the subjects I shall bring forward on this occasion. He has told you that the Bible Society found India in a complete state of apathy-it could not have found India more in apathy, than was England when the Bible Society was first formed. Old societies existed, but they were perfectly asleep, and it was the Bible Society which first roused them to activity. He has told you that this society brought men together, and that blacks and whites could now act on the same committees, I am not disposed to say that our dissenting brethren are blacks, and that we churchmen are whites; but I will say, that a greater shyness could not be observed in India, than was manifested in England between churchmen and dissenters previous to the formation of this Society. There was discord in all our forces; and instead of the great army of the Gospel marching under one great flag, we were fighting under different little flags, and attacking each other, rather than making common cause against the common enemy. He has told you, also, that the blacks and whites first learnt to act together, and now they have begun to act alone. This is the case with the Edinburgh Committee and our Scotch friends, who, after labouring with us in many difficulties, have now begun to act alone; and though I cannot approve the acrimonious spirit by which they have been influenced, yet I pray God that his blessing may rest upon them, and that their efforts may abundantly prosper.-My Reverend Friend has also spoken of tropes and figures: and here I was afraid my parallel would fail, till I recollected the article in the Quarterly Review, and I declare that I never saw so many tropes and figures concocted together in twenty pages, amounting to nothing, than are to be found in that Review. He has likewise told us, that some of the natives have learnt 'Paradise Lost,' in the schools which he visited. We can tell him that many natives of

England have spiritually learnt Paradise Regained' in the school of the Bible. With regard to imperfect translations, he has told us a simple and honest account-that natives are living upon these versions, bad as they may be. It is but honest to tell him, that we have been living upon imperfect translations for centuries past. What was Wickliff's Bible, but an imperfect translation? What were all the other translations that successively appeared? all imperfect, though gradually advancing in correctness and excellence. What mean the marginal references to our present version of the Bible, if the translation is immaculate? The preface to our authorised version declares that 'things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of ill-meaning and discontented persons, who by calumniations and hard interpretations seek to dismay us: that popish persons at home and abroad will malign us,

because we are poor instruments to make God's holy truth to be yet more and more known unto the people whom they desire still to be kept in ignorance and darkness.' It is evident that the Scriptures, though indifferently translated, are better than all the books in the world; and are still the Word of God, though not accurately translated. The King's speech would be the King's speech, however indifferently translated into Irish or Gaelic.-But before we quit the article in the Quarterly Review, I must inform those who have read the attack in the last number, that that Journal has done Mr. Platt the justice to affix his reply in the present number; not indeed, in the body of the work, but at the end, among the advertisements and other papers. The attack rides in the coach, the answer is put in the basket; but there it is, and will amply repay perusal.'

WE have just received the Report of this valuable Institution, and hasten to communicate to our readers copious extracts for their information.

Your Committee proceed to lay before their friends and the public, the exertions which the Society is now making to spread the Holy Scriptures amongst our soldiers and seamen; the prospects of further usefulness which are presenting themselves; and the consequent claims which are made upon the funds and income of the Society.

1. With respect to the Army, the claim of the word of God towards that quarter, continues to occupy a very considerable portion of the attention and of the resources of the Society.

a

It will be recollected, that in the year 1825 was issued by the late lamented Commander in Chief, that noble regulation, that henceforth a Bible should be considered as an essential part of the "necessaries " of British soldier. In consequence of that regulation, some good friends of this Society fell into a mistake, which we must here notice, lest it should have extended itself to others, and prove injurious to the Institution. They supposed that Government was to bear the whole of furnishing the soldier ; expense -would be its own Bible Society; consequently that we might quit the field, retire upon the full pay of public

approbation, with permission, however, to enter into any other service in alliance with the good cause of charity, religion, and benevolence. These estimable persons little thought of the labours and honours which were in store for them in consequence of that invaluable regulation. What was its immediate effect? In the year before this regulation appeared, the entire number of Bibles and Testaments distributed by the Society was 5,372 in the year in which this regulation first became operative, the number of Bibles distributed to the Army alone was 18,355, at a loss to the Society of more than £.1,800; the sum allowed by Government for each Bible falling short of the cost price to the Society, by two shillings per volume.* The number of Bibles distributed to the Army in the last year, including the issue to troops of the Honourable East India Company, amounts to 8,291 at a consequent loss of £.829. Thus, in the two years following the late regulation, 26,646 Bibles have been distributed to the Army alone, at an expense of more than £.2,600 to the Society. Certainly, these facts do not look much like a permission to retire; as if Government

* Why is this?-Surely the Government ought at least to exonerate the Society from any loss. If the Committee voluntarily undertake the trouble of circulation, and the expense of the Establishment, the prime cost of the Scriptures actually furnished surely ought to be supplied.

was to do all the work, and our exertions and subscriptions be no longer wanted. Those kind friends, above alluded to, must not boast themselves as if they were putting off their armour, for the fact is they are just beginning to buckle it on. This efficient regulation of 1825, that every soldier shall have a Bible, and our own appellation of a "Military Bible Society," compels us to look towards every part of the globe where a British soldier is stationed.

In the vast continent of India we behold a large military force scattered amongst millions of Idolaters; and your Committee were naturally anxious to occupy so important a post in the very heart of the enemy's country. The Honourable East India Company, by whom that portion of our soldiers is paid, has generously listened to the suggestion of your Committee, and consented to allow the same sum to provide them with the Scriptures, as is given by the British Government, viz. three and sixpence for each Bible. A treaty has been entered into with the Court of Directors on the above terms; they have made their first requisition of 667 Bibles :—this detachment has already left the head quarters of your Society,-and there is every reason to suppose that it is only the advanced guard of very powerful reinforcements that will speedily be required.

Thus the regulation of 1825 is a second birth day of your Society; and even the infancy of its second life has exceeded the most vigorous periods of its former existence: before that memorable era we were, it is true, called a Military Bible Society; but now we begin to feel what that name implies, now we have taken the field in good earnest. The supply of the British Army alone with the Scriptures, is now, what it should be, a most important, animating, and arduous task: yet it is a task from which your Committee, by God's continued help, will never shrink: where can the soldier more naturally look for his Bible than from the "Military Bible Society?" where can he more justly expect to find friends, who will help his rulers to extend the important boon, than from the members of an institution which has surnamed itself by his name? Your Committee are assured that you will never resign the honour of uniting with Government to supply our brave defenders with the Bible; that you will never permit the

British soldier to say "my Society" began to build, but was not able to finish.

2. Your Naval operations :-these are not as yet of the same extended nature with those of your Military department: already, however, through the vigorous efforts latterly exercised in this quarter, the demand from seamen for the Holy Scriptures has been unusually great; and your Committee would indulge the hope, that they may one day be made instrumental in supplying every sailor in His Majesty's Service with a Bible. If the Scriptures be necessary for the soldier, they are not less so for the sailor, who is exposed to the dangers of the sea, in addition to those presented to him by the enemy. In the meantime, your Committee have opened a communication with the officers commanding the blockade service on the coasts of Kent and Sussex; and an official sanction has been given to supply the seamen of that quarter, which affords a considerable prospect of usefulness.

Official sanction has also been obtained from officers commanding His Majesty's ships at Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Sheerness, for the supply of their crews with the Holy Scriptures. Highly satisfactory letters have also been received respecting the boys in that department, from whence our seagoing ships are mostly supplied. An extract from a clerical correspondent, secretary to an Auxiliary, at one of our principal sea ports, will serve aptly to illustrate the importance of this pleasing fact. He writes; "the Society is indebted to the officer commanding His Majesty's ships in ordinary, for an arrangement which has contributed much to reduce the stock in hand. He has authorized me to furnish each of the boys in that department with a Bible and Prayer Book, to which the perpetual drafting of them into sea-going ships will insure a circulation, as wide, I might almost say, as British intercourse; or, more strictly, co-extensive with that which she holds through the medium of this sea-port. New boys coming in room of the old will perpetuate the requisitions from that quarter. As the pocket edition is that called for in the navy generally, we should prefer the next supply to be entirely of that sort, and to the extent of 400 Bibles." Thus there is a continued introduction of the Scriptures into these vessels, which may be productive of very beneficial effects to others, beside

their youthful owners. The little cap

tive maid of Israel was the means of the great Syrian captain being cured of his leprosy; and the waters of salvation from the hand of a child may cleanse the hardy veteran of a leprosy, far worse than that which afflicted the servant of Naaman.

Your Society does not confine its operations to seamen in His Majesty's service; it extends its advantages to all of every denomination, who occupy their business in the great waters. The supply of Scriptures to these various children of the ocean has exceeded that of former years, amounting to 3,337, a number larger than at any other period of the Society's history.

On every Bible issued in our Naval department at reduced prices, (independent of gratuitous issues) the Society sustains a loss of three shillings, the remainder being paid by the individual: on every Bible issued in our Military department, the loss is two shillings, the remainder being borne by the Government: thus the loss and deficit in the aggregate is very great.

The total number of Bibles and Testaments distributed by your Society during the past year, amounts to 11,628.

The total receipts of the year amount to £.5,369 7s. 11d. and the expenditure to £.5,438 13s. 8d. which, exclusive of the residue of a legacy comprehended in the cash account of last year, exhibits the aggregate increase to the Society's funds of £.1,427 4s. 7d. during the present year; and a further pleasing fact, that there has been an increase to the Parent Society, independent of Auxiliaries, of 169 annual subscribers. A debt of £.334 7s. 10d. has, however, been unavoidably incurred, arising from the numerous and urgent demands from seamen for Bibles, at the different sea-ports, who have been for the most part gratuitously supplied.

Every year brings forth testimonies of the most gratifying description; the character of this Society is known and read of all men, and recommends itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. The extensive claims which are now making, and will continue to be made, can only be answered by more extensive resources, and an increased number of subscribers. We most earnestly beg every individual who may either hear or see this Report, well to consider this truth. We intreat them DEC. 1827.

at all suitable opportunities to favour the establishment of Auxiliary Societies which may be forming, and to circulate appeals and information about the Society in their neighbourhood; to remember that extensive and general good is the effect of individual exertion; and, if all do not abound in riches largely to give, yet the poorest and most humble cannot be entirely without influence.

CORRESPONDENCE.

"5th January, 1827.

"I thought it right to mention this previous to making a requisition for a fresh supply of Bibles, which urgent and increasing demands, and the present exhausted state of the depository, obliges me to request you will direct to be complied with as soon as possible.

"Provision is now made for the Merchant Seamen. A Lieutenant of the Navy and Member of our Committee having undertaken to ascertain, Merchant Vessel touching at this Port. by visiting weekly, the wants of every H. M. S. Asia, which is shortly to proIceed to the Mediterranean for three years, will want a supply; my wish to be able to meet which, has caused me to write in much haste, in order to save the post."

13th February, 1827. "Your promptness of attention to the last requisition has been most opportune for the Asia.* The parcel containing 400 Bibles arrived, and she sailed with her proportion very soon after. The Barham also has since been supplied, and is now on her way to the West Indies. We were rather short of Testaments, which obliged us to have recourse to a Sister Society here for a loan to make up their complement for those ships, as the deficiency could not possibly have been communicated to you, and supplied in time for the occasion. Permit me now to request Testaments of the pocket size, to the extent of five or six hundred."

5th August, 1826. "You are aware that I took one of the District Secretaryships: I very well remember the first morning I commenced my labours. I took a little boy with a basket full of Bibles and Testaments, and the first vessel I boarded was a Collier. The men were at dinner (and this is the time I always select). I told the Captain the object of my

* Our readers will probably recollect that the Asia and Genoa subsequently mentioned have recently been engaged in the severe contest with the Turkish fleet at Navarino. 3 T

visit, which was to dispose of the Word of God to his people at the price of the binding! I gave him the specimens, and requested permission to hand them below to the crew: he took them down himself, and said, 'Now, my lads, here is an excellent chance to suit yourselves with a Bible.' Out of eight men, four became purchasers; and I left the vessel with a heart, I trust, in some measure thankful to the Lord, who had thus encouraged me in the commencement of my exertions: for in some of my cruises, I have boarded four or five vessels running, without selling a book; but this, I must say, was not so much from the men not wishing to have them, as that the Captain was not on board, and they had no money. From the time of my commencement, in March, till about three weeks ago, I have boarded 135 vessels, and sold 80 Bibles and about 130 Testaments. Whatever comes in my way I board, and am almost universally well received. On board of one of H. M. Cutters I sold upwards of £3 worth. On board of the Genoa, on her lower deck, going from mess to mess, I sold 7 Bibles and 16 Testaments. On board the Revenue Cruizers, also, I am very well received. On board of only one ship have I met with a direct refusal, and on board of the most, direct assistance. Sometimes the men on board of Merchantmen make, like Sailors, eccentric remarks, but with a little dispassionate reasoning, this gives way, and invariably they are respectful."

"14th December, 1826. "One Brig I boarded here lately, the captain was on shore, and the men had no money (a frequent occurrence), but the mate wanted a book very much as also the steward: I told him if he would pay the Custom-house officer on board, he would pay me again; this was readily agreed to. The old cook then came up he wanted a Testament, but he brought me to pay for it, a 6d. French piece, a Dutch 2d. and a little bit of Danish money: I, of course, readily let him have the book, the black steward remarking, 'Well! I wonder if the old cook is going to be religious: I must take my sister home a present, she will be surprized to see me bring her a Bible.' The mate said, 'I tell you what, Sir, if sailors have books at sea, they will read there's Old Tom, the cook, just for form's sake, reads two hours every Sunday an old history book.' I very often meet with eccentric remarks, but these almost universally give way to

rational ideas. A vessel belonging to this place offered the other day to give me a tow wherever they saw me. A captain of a merchantman told me, a few days since, that sailors were a different kind of people to what they once were that now, on Sunday afternoons, when at sea, instead of mending their clothes, or going to sleep, they would read their Bibles."

"20th December, 1826.

"May I beg the favour of you to tender the inclosed small donation in support of its objects; and if I could have had the opportunity, I should have been happy, as an old soldier, to have added my humble testimony in support of the opinion, which I rejoice to find is gaining ground, that religious principles are not inconsistent with military duties. On the contrary, my experience has long convinced me, that the soldier who is duly impressed with the duty he owes to his God and his Saviour, will prove the last man to desert his king and country in the hour of danger."

"30th March, 1827.

"I have great pleasure in forwarding to you the account you wish. I have reason to think our sailors are now supplied with the Word of God; the few Bibles and Testaments I have, will enable me to supply the wants of strangers, who may occasionally land at this place. Almost all our benevolent friends and neighbours are engaged in some society; so that I am left alone in this. I hope you will not despise the day of small things, as our distribution must appear unimportant, when compared with others; still I rejoice that your Bibles were sent to me. A poor young sailor in affliction applied to me for the word of God; and in his anxiety to gain the greatest consolation of life, he obtained a conveyance to this place, a distance of fourteen miles, that he might obtain a boon which your Society has prepared for soldiers and sailors. He is still unwell, but is become, I hope, a sincere follower of the Lord Jesus Christ."