has done us the favour to accept an appointment as our Agent, writes as follows: "In some parts of the county the distribution of Bibles has been attended with very salutary effects. Persons who never could read have been stimulated to learn; and there are instances of some far advanced in age who have undertaken to qualify themselves for reading the inspired volume. Some also, who being able to read, had hitherto neglected the word of God, have applied for, and been furnished with Bibles, and have paid an attention to them which loudly proclaims the utility and glory of such benevolent establishments. Nearly all the Bibles we have received are already disposed of, and the demand is yet great, and increasing. The number of the destitute far, very far, surpasses our highest calculations." Other returns are very satisfactory; and we are not destitute of evidence, that the Spirit of God has deigned to communicate his sanctifying influence through our poor endeavours to circulate his Word.

In addition to other encouraging circumstances, the Directors notice with much pleasure the recent formation, in this place, of an Auxiliary Female Bible Society. They are happy to see in this event, and some others of a similar nature, in different parts of the adjacent country, that the females of this State manifest a disposition to follow the noble example which has been so extensively set them by Associations of their sex in other parts of the United States. It is a circumstance which adds no little glory to the American character, that while other countries have greatly outstripped us in the early establishment and ample resources of their male associations, our females were the first, who, in any country, have associated, to any considerable extent, for benevolent purposes. Female charitable societies have spread through the land with an almost electrical rapidity; and they contribute no small part of the sums which are annually raised for benevolent objects. The station filled by women in society, no less than their natural tenderness, is admirably adapted to the successful application of these ennobling charities; and certainly, the female character can never shine with so bright a lustre as when employed in relieving the wants of the distressed, and furnishing to the destitute the means of eternal life.

It

From the event just mentioned, the Directors would take occasion here to remark, that it is on Auxiliary Societies that every extensive scheme of beneficence must rely for efficient and continued support. It is by means of its numerous Auxiliaries that the British and Foreign Bible Society is enabled to pour out so vast a stream of beneficence as to make it the Wonder of the World. is on its Auxiliaries that the American Bible Society must depend for that patronage which can alone enable it to reach those high destinies which Providence seems to to have assigned it. It is by means of Auxiliaries only that the grand scheme of spreading the scriptures through the world can be made to embark every man's feelings; for it is by minutely extended Auxiliaries only that every individual in society can be personally called upon to aid in the promotion of the noble cause. It is by means of Auxiliaries only

that our own Society can hope to accomplish the good of which it is capable; and the Directors anticipate the period as not far distant when an Auxiliary Society in every county, and a Bible Association in every neighbourhood, shall, in this region, as they have done in others, give perfection to the system of a universal distribution of the Word of God.

On the destitute state of a great part of our own continent, the American Bible Society appears, very naturally, to have fixed a steady and compassionate eye. Emulating, in the extent of its views and the wisdom of its plans, the example of its great Predecessor in Europe, it gives fair promise of accomplishing a similar career of glory. The untried fields of southern America will open to its growing powers a sphere of action sufliciently expanded; and we trust that the maturity of its growth will be signalized by other triumphs than those, which, on the same fields, once encrimsoned the banners of Cortez and Pizarro.

Extract from the Report of the ULSTER COUNTY AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY, presented May 5, 1818.

This society was formed September 2, 1816. We immediately offered ourselves, and were received as one of those numerous Auxiliaries, which in this age of Bibles, are daily affiliating themselves to the American National Institution. The Treasurer's annexed report shows that we have bought and paid for three hundred Bibles. Of this number we have voted, as a gratuity, twelve to each town; and eleven of the towns have taken their quota. To Marble-town, Hurley, and Kingston, seven dozen bibles were voted for the use of Sunday Schools. The collections for the Society have been exemplary. Kingston has, during the last year, contributed nearly seventy dollars to the American Bible Society: and one hundred and fifty dollars to the funds of this Society. Some other towns, as appears by the Treasurer's report, have also emulated these deeds of benevolence.

Extract from the Report of the Executive Committee of THE MASSACHUSETTS BIBLE SOCIETY, presented June 4, 1819.

The Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Bible Society respectfully report, that they have distributed during the last year the following Bibles and Testaments :-Large Bibles, 264-Small do. 1643-Testaments, 1637-making in all 3544.

A large proportion has been given to individuals on their own application; several to managers of charity schools and of missionary societies; some to destitute seamen; and a few to the soldiers stationed at Marblehead, at the request of their commander. The distribution has been as cautious as is consistent with the liberal principles of the Society. Bibles are undoubtedly given, in some instances, to those who should blush to receive them without an equivalent; but we have this consolation, that we bestow a book which is the best remedy for their sordidness.

During the last year an earnest application was made to the

Trustees by a respected American in Paris, for the aid of this Society in distributing the Scriptures in France. The Committee, to whom the subject was referred, having considered the very depressed condition of Christianity in that country, the great scarcity of Bibles, and the difficulty of obtaining them among the common people, the influence which the French nation will always have over the opinions and manners of the civilized world, and the peculiar importance of recovering it to the knowledge and belief of the gospel ; and having learned that an edition of the New Testament had been commenced which required foreign assistance for its completion, recommended to the Trustees an appropriation of such funds as could be conveniently spared for this purpose. It was considered, that the present was a favourable opportunity for repaying an obligation which we had contracted to Europe. It is probably recollected, that at the establishment of our Society a donation was made to it of £100 sterling by the British and Foreign Bible Society. Whilst this liberal act was received with gratitude, the opinion of many was, that in the prosperous state of this country, we ought not to employ the funds of another for our relief. Under these impressions, the Trustees resolved to apply the donation just named to the distribution of the Bible in France; and it is believed, that better services cannot be rendered to Christianity than by giving its records to a great people in the heart of Christendom, where the prevalent ignorance of our religion almost surpasses belief.

Extract from the Second Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the KENTUCKY AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY, presented April 2, 1818.

The managers have done very little during the past year, as it respects the ultimate object of the Society. They conceive, however, their efforts Irave been directed, and with effect, to a most noble object, which, when accomplished, will enable the Society to prosecute its grand designs with the happiest result.

At our last meeting, it was stated to you that hopes were entertained that the American Bible Society would locate a set of their Stereotype Plates at Lexington. Since that period some doubts arose in the minds of the Managers of the American Bible Society, whether it would be most advisable to locate the Plates designed for the western country at Pittsburgh or at Lexington. The final determination of the managers has been in favour of this place.

As the American Bible Society are about to send out two sets of types, [Stereotype Plates,] it will doubtless be expected that we should immediately use them both. Unless we should be able to effect this, neither the views of the parent Society, nor the demands of our fellow-citizens will be complied with. Our funds are yet small; but in this noble undertaking we must cast ourselves upon the blessing of Almighty God, and the liberality of our fellow-citiZens; resources which we hope will never fail in so good a cause.

We cannot forbear mentioning, that we esteem the location of this large printing establishment in Lexington, and in the midst of the western country, as a circumstance which calls loudly for the gratitude of the christian public, and anticipates a greater blessing to our town and country than any event that could have taken place. Let this Society prove herself worthy of the trust committed to her hands; and let each of us leave it as a dying charge to our children to perfect that which we have but begun.

Great

Extract from the First Annual Report of the HERKIMER BIBLE SOCIETY, presented at the Annual Meeting, February 10, 1818. As this is the first Annual Meeting of the Society, but little information of our own operations can be presented, nor would this be the proper place to exhibit them. Our limits are small, circumscribed with other large and operative societies, whose benevolence has on every side extended, in some measure, even to us. things are not to be expected; but the liberalities of some villages and of some individuals, I trust will not be overlooked in the proper place. Should this Society really be found to be small, should the inhabitants be found to be better supplied with Bibles than is usual, yet this should be no objection to the existence of such a society. It should not in the least degree paralize our exertions. But I trust this region is no better supplied than others. That there are hundreds, if not thousands, in this country who have no Bibles, at least the families are but partially supplied with the word of God. But should we have no necessities of our own, who that has a feeling heart or a pious mind, can survey the distant regions of death, without reaching out a benevolent hand to rescue from Satan the children of darkness-to recover from ruin the sons and daughters of gloom and despair.

The good effects of this institution are already beginning to appear. No inconsiderable attention is already excited among us, especially among the people of colour in this Village. The encouragement of having Bibles has stimulated them to learn to read them, and some, who ten months ago scarcely knew their letters, I have heard reading the word of life. Should one such soul be saved by these means, it would infinitely over balance our whole exertions.

Extract from the Third Report of the Board of Managers of the BIBLE SOCIETY OF RENSSELAER COUNTY; read before the Society May 25, 1818.

During the year past 132 Bibles and 90 Testaments have been delivered by the Treasurer to the departments for distribution, and there remains on hand 298 Bibles and 150 Testaments. Since the organization of the Society 819 Bibles and 210 Testaments have been issued by the Treasurer for distribution.

The balance in the hands of the Treasurer, at the date of the last

Annual Report, was $86 95. The receipts of the year have been $214 18, and the expenditure $217 16, leaving a balance of $83 97 in the Treasury. The Treasurer's account, (annexed to this Report,) will furnish the particulars of the receipts and expenditures.

Since the Society was organized there have been $1,152 43 received, and $1,068 46 expended. It ought to be observed, that the principal item of expenditure of the last year was a donation of $200 to the American Bible Society. The Managers are persuaded, that the Society, on consideration, will approve of this donation, as it goes to increase a fund devoted to the noble and truly charitable design of distributing the Scriptures among the destitute, wherever they are to be found. We have reason to believe that there are many destitute of the Bible in this county, and some might think that this should have prevented our making the donation. But let it be remembered, that although no Bibles or Testaments have been purchased the last year, a considerable stock remains on hand; more, it is feared, than will be called for this year, unless greater exertions shall be made in the departments.

Extract from the Second Annual Report of the Managers of the FAYETTEVILLE AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY; read before the Society June 11, 1818.

Soon after the commencement of the second year the Managers received the first remittance from the Parent Society. This consisted of 200 Gaelic Bibles, substantially bound and handsomely printed. These Bibles, from the circumstance of none having been printed in this country, were sought after by the Natives of Scotland, and in many instances by their descendants, with the greatest avidity. They appeared to have recovered a long lost treasure, or to have met a long wished for friend. The consequence was that the whole, with the exception of a very few, were immediately taken up, and used, as we hope, to edification. Among the applicants for these Bibles were some, and indeed many, who were abundantly able and willing to pay for them. They alleged that they had no Bible in their houses, and the reason was, that none could be procured. The Managers therefore concluded that they ought to accommodate them, and receive a fair price in return-they therefore sold to such as preferred paying for them, at the rate of $2 per copy. They were however careful and even conscientious in bestowing them gratuitously, wherever this was necessary, and they directed their Agents in all instances to do the

same.

This first remittance of Bibles being so soon distributed; and there remaining many, even without the knowledge of the Managers, who had not been supplied, and who ardently wished it-the Managers lost no time in ordering a second supply from the Parent Society. And here they take a lively pleasure in announcing the promptness and cheerfuluess with which their order was attended to. Although that Society had none on hand, yet they lost no time in procuring the necessary supply from the British and Foreign Bible Society. A second remittance of 200 Gaelic Bibles has therefore just come to hand, which will in like manner be soon distributed.