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connexion, have, in addition to the paramount obligations of religion and humanity, a personal interest in the spiritual and moral improvement of the commercial marine.

Another source from which by much the largest proportion of additional aid to the local, and eventually to the general, interest of your Society has been derived, is the zeal so laudably manifested by the Female part of the community. Desirous of turning this zeal, which had already displayed itself in the formation of "Ladies' Bible Associations," to advantageous account, your Committee examined the Regulations by which their proceedings were governed, and issued them in a revised form, in the hope that they might be found serviceable, in giving to that class of exertions a prudent and useful direction. The model suggested in the circular referred to, has, with few exceptions, and those arising altogether, it is believed, out of local peculiarities, been generally adopted; and the effects already produced encourage the expectation of the most pleasing and beneficial results.

As an example, under this head, the Liverpool Ladies' Auxiliary Bible Society, with its Ten Associations, deserves to be particularly cited. In the production of this system of Female Auxiliaries, (to which, as well as to by much the largest proportion of these Institutions throughout the country, the personal exertions of Mr. Charles Stokes Dudley, essentially contributed,) the zeal, the talents, and the influence of more than 600 Ladies, embracing many of the most respectable and pious females in Liverpool, and its vicinity, were called into exercise under the patronage of the Countess of Derby, and other Ladies of rank. The union, harmony, and co-operative spirit which characterised the establishment of these Eleven Auxiliaries; the systematic energy with which their proceedings have been conducted; and the extraordinary fact of their having within three months obtained 7292 Subscribers, issued 1338 Bibles and Testaments, and raised more than 9707., unanswerably demonstrates the practicability of engaging Females to occupy a most useful and efficient department in this work of benevolence; and justifies an assertion of your Committee, (which they here repeat,) that Associations of this description, "if regularly constituted, and discreetly administered, are likely to become an instrument of extensive and permanent good."

[The Report thus speaks of this country :-]

In AMERICA the cause continues to flourish; and the correspondents of your Society report, from time to time, such particulars as evince that the Scriptures are rising in estimation among a great proportion of the inhabitants of the northern division of that vast Continent and its contiguous islands and settlements.

But it is to the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, as combining nearly all the Local Institutions in one grand Association, your Committee must principally look, in order to ascertain the progress made by the common efforts in the American Union.

"The formation of this Society" (to use the language of its Committee)" was hailed as a great and glorious era in the history of the country: and its means of accomplishing the important end of its formation, have been increased with more than ordinary rapidity." In justification of this statement, it may be observed, that at the close of its first year it numbered more than 80 Auxiliaries and how greatly that number must have increased, may be inferred from intelligence received in September last, purporting, that new Societies were constantly forming; and that the number in existence at that time was believed to exceed 200.

The desire of this National Institution to establish an intercourse of friendship and co-operation with the British and Foreign Bible Society, had been notified, immediately on its formation, by its venerable President, Dr. Boudinot, and replied to by a congratulatory letter, and a grant of 5007. on the part of your Society. This disposition was still further evinced, by the more particular expression of it through the Secretary for Foreign Correspondence, the Rev. Dr. Mason, on his recent visit to this country. How well qualified that gentleman was to be the medium of such a communication, those who had the satisfaction to hear his eloquent, liberal, and most impressive address, at the last Anniversary of this Society, will not need to be informed.

Your Committee were not backward in availing themselves of the favourable opportunity afforded by Dr. Mason's presence among them, to testify through him, their high respect for the American Bible Society, and the deep interest they continued to take in every measure which might conduce to its success.

In Asia, in Africa, and in America, the cause has been espoused, and continues to be promoted, with degrees of vigour and activity proportioned to the circumstances of the respective countries; and in the last of these grand divisions, more especially, your Committee feel imboldened to expect, from the newly-formed American Bible Society, a scale of operations, within the benefit of which the largest proportion of the western hemisphere shall be eventually included.

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

AN idle weed that used to crawl,
Unseen, behind the garden wall,

A FABLE.

(Its most becoming station)
At last-refresh'd by sun and showers,
Which nourish weeds as well as flowers,
Amused its solitary hours

With thoughts of elevation.

Those thoughts increasing day by day,
It shot forth many an upward spray,
And many a tendril band;
But as it could not climb alone,
It uttered oft a lazy groan

To moss and morter, stick and stone,
To lend a helping hand.

At length by friendly arms sustained,
Th' aspiring vegetable gained

The object of its labours;
That which had cost her many a sigh,
And nothing less would satisfy-
Which was not only being high,

But higher than her neighbours.

And now this weed, though weak and spent,
With climbing up the steep ascent,
Admired her figure tall;

And then (for vanity ne'er ends
With that which it at first intends)
Began to laugh at those poor friends
That help'd her up the wall.

But by and by my lady spi'd
The garden on the other side;
And fallen was her crest
To see, in neat array below,
A bed of all the flowers that blow,
Lily and rose,-a goodly show,
In fairest colours drest.

Recovering from her first surprise,
She soon began to criticise,-

"A dainty sight indeed!

I'd be the meanest thing that blows,
Rather than that affected rose;
So much perfume offends my nose,"

Exclaim'd the vulgar weed.

"Well, 'tis enough to make one chilly,
To see that pale consumptive lily

Among these painted folks
Miss Tulip, too, looks wond'rous odd,
She's gaping like a dying cod:
What a queer stick is golden-rod !
And how the violet pokes!

Not for the gayest tint that lingers
On honey-suckles rosy fingers,
Would I with her exchange;
For this, at least, is very clear,
Since they are there, and I am here,
I occupy a higher sphere-
Enjoy a wider range."

Alas! poor envious weed!-for lo!
That instant came the gard'ner's hoe,
And lopp'd her from her sphere;
But none lamented when she fell;
No passing Zephyr sighed "farewell;"
No friendly Bee would hum her knell;
No Fairy dropt a tear.

While those sweet flowers,of genuine worth,
inclining tow'rds the modest earth,
Adorn the vale below;
Content to hide in sylvan dells,
Their rosy buds and purple bells,
Though scarce a rising Zephyrtells
The secret where they grow.

THE MORAL.

"LET no one think more highly of himself than he ought to think." What a vast alteration would take place in Society if this reasonable rule were to be attended to.

Young people, at the period when they are acquiring knowledge, are very liable to self-conceit; and thus, by their own folly defeat the great purpose of instruction; which is, not to make them vain, but wise. They are apt to forget that knowledge is not for show, but for use: and that the desire to exhibit what they know, is invariably a proof of their acquirements being superficial. Besides, like most other faults, self-conceit is no solitary failing, but ever brings many more in its train. They who are very desirous to shine themselves, are always envious of the attainments of others; and like the weed in our fable, will be ingenious in discovering defects in those who are more accomplished than themselves.

There are three things which those who are conscious of a tendency to selfconceit would do well to remember :

First, That this fault is always most apparent in persons of mean minds, and superficial acquirements: a conceited person may, indeed, be clever, but never can become great.

Secondly, That however they may suppose this weakness to be concealed within their own bosoms, there is no fault that is really so conspicuous, or that is more impossible to hide from the eyes of others.

Thirdly, That it is highly offensive in the sight of God; and wholly inimical to moral and religious improvement.

Now, is there any gaudy weed who would fain become a sterling flower? Let such be assured that this wish, if prompted by right motives, and followed up by sincere endeavours, will not be in vain. But let it be remembered, that such a change can never be effected by merely adopting the colours and affecting the attitudes of one. This would be but to become an artificial flower at best; without the grace and fragrance of nature. Be not, then, satisfied with imitation; which, after all, is more laborious and difficult than aiming at reality. Be what you would seem to be; this is the shortest, and the only successful way. Above all, "be clothed with humility; and have the ornament of a meek and lowly spirit,"-for of such flowers it may truly be said, that, "Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Youth's Mag.

ERRATUM.—In our last Number, page 221, 15th line, for Rev. Thomas F. Skillman, read Rev. Robert M. Cunningham.

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Commencing with the UNITED NETHERLANDS' Bible Society, your Committee have to express their satisfaction at the vigour and cordiality with which the several establishments throughout the kingdom, (52 in number,) under this common designation, have prosecuted their benevolent object. The funds from various sources, within the first year, amounted to 33,763 florins, (nearly 3,5001.) and the issue of Bibles and Testaments to 4,578. Among the objects in which this Association is engaged, one is, an edition of the Malay Bible in the Arabic character. With a view to encourage a work so much needed by the Malay population of the East, who are chiefly Mahomedans, your Committee arranged for such an extension of the proposed impression as would allow for 5000 Bibles, and 5000 extra Testaments, to be placed at the disposal of your Society.

The HANOVER Bible Society, with its Branches at Osnaburg, Bueckeburg, and Aurich in East Frisia, under the Patronage of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, and several distinguished Noblemen and dignified Ecclesiastics, has proceeded in its work of distributing the Scriptures among Protestants and Catholics. Many of the latter have, notwithstanding every discouragement, co-operated with the former in this object so interesting to both.

Nearly 12,000 copies of the Scriptures had been disposed of by the Parent Society at Hanover, in November, 1817; and 2500 by the Osnaburg Branch, within the two first years of its formation. From the Depository of the former 500 copies were, by direction of your Committee, forwarded to Hildesheim and the vicinity. The want which prevailed in several parts of this district, may be inferred from the statement of a respectable parish minister; that on his first settlement among his charge, (five years before,) not a single copy of the Bible was to be found in the village, the church, or the school. How acceptable, under such circumstances, this supply must have proved, it will not be difficult to imagine; and your Committee could not, without emotion, hear themselves thus addressed, by the Rector of the Protestant Grammar School of St. Andrew, on receiving, for his disposal, 100 copies of the Bible :"Do not despise the thanks we offer you with pure hearts. This donation shall stimulate us afresh to watch over the best interests of our youths; and, by the public reading and expounding of the

Scriptures, to kindle the flame of religion in their hearts, and thereby render them truly wise and virtuous."

After such a representation, it will be heard with pleasure that a Bible Society has been recently formed at Hildesheim.

The PRUSSIAN Bible Society, under the patronage of His Prussian Majesty, consisting of the Central Society at Berlin, and various Branches and Auxiliaries in different parts of the kingdom, exhibits a gratifying spectacle to the eye of th Christian philanthropist.

The CENTRAL Society, in its third year, distributed 6000 Germau Bibles. The large edition of 11,000 copies will soon be completed after which, another edition of 10,000 must be immediateÎy undertaken, as the deficiency is said to be still very great.

In the department occupied by the THURINGIAN Bible Society, an investigation has been made into the circumstances of the inhabitants, as to their want of the Scriptures. The inquiry was, in many parts, conducted under the authority of the magistrates; and, although the most pressing cases only were attended to, the returns exhibited a demand for not fewer than 8,974 copies.

In MECKLENBURG a new and promising Bible Society has been formed at ROSTOCK. Its Committee, reflecting on the indifference to religion during the reign of infidelity, and the appearance, since the late political changes, of "a more favourable disposition towards the Christian faith, the revealed word of God, and religious worship," observe ;-" We consider ourselves, therefore, as peculiarly happy, that, at this very time, we were encouraged, by the distinguished labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to lay the foundation of a Bible Society of our own. Providence, by wisely overruling the events of this world, appears to draw numbers to the fountain of Christian wisdom and faith; to whom we can now throw that fountain open, and invite them to become partakers of it."

The progress made by the Bible Society in the free City of FRANKFORT, on the Maine, is truly gratifying, and has drawn from the Emperor of Russia a strong testimony of his commendation and friendship.

The influence of this Society has extended to many of the neighbouring parts: and the demand for the Scriptures has increased in a degree which has surprised, and, from the narrowness of their means, even embarrassed the Managers of the Institution." "My room," says the Secretary, "was often, on Sundays in particular, so crowded with people that I was obliged to confine myself to one of the corners of it."

These applicants were, chiefly, day-labourers from Fulda, HesseCassel, Bavaria, &c.; and not more desirous of the Scriptures, than sensible of their value; but, from the smallness of their earnings, unable to give more than a trifle, and some not even that, for a Bible.

In reflecting on these circumstances, the Secretary adds,-" As

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