of our country, and after repeated and long-continued efforts to supply the destitute, at least TEN THOUSAND individuals without a leaf of the Holy Scriptures. Blessed be God! the nieans are now provided for their effectual supply; and the Reports of the Collectors bear ample testimony to the delight and gra titude of the Labouring Classes.

Among the Subscribers for Bibles, there are several JEWS; and one Collector states, that the first person who entered her name as a subscriber was a

venerable woman, who has entered the HUNDREDTH year of her age! She has never possessed a copy of the Scriptures, and is extremely anxious to be supplied; saying she " I can find a person who will come every day and read the Book of God to her."

Increased Circulation by the Derbyshire

Auxiliary.

misfortunes and sufferings have justly excited a considerable share of the public sympathy: they allude to the Spanish Refugees, a great number of whom are residing within the District of this Auxiliary Society, in Somers' Town. On being informed of the extreme distress to which they have unhappily been reduced, many of them individuals who filled stations of rank and authority in their own country, your Committee considered it to be very desirable to circulate the Word of God among them, as the best source of relief and consolation to which their minds could be directed: they accordingly felt happy, in placing at the disposal of a Clergyman, whose benevolent exertions to mitigate the distress of these unfortunate persons have been most praiseworthy, a supply of 50 copies of the Spanish Scriptures; and so quickly were these distributed,

I had the pleasure of attending, on the 28th inst., the Sixteenth Anniversary Meeting of the Derby and Derbyshire Auxiliary Society. The Chair was taken by the Bishop of the Diocese, who took occasion to express, in strong terms, his unshaken and increased regard for the Society, and his full and confirmed confidence in its Conductors. His Lordship was surrounded by more than twenty of his Clergy, the High Sheriff of the county, and many other highly-respectable individuals; while the spacious room in which we assembled was crowded in every part. The Report of the Committee bore testimony to the value of the Associations recently established; while it demonstrated the necessity of their still further extension, by the remarkable fact, that the issues of Bibles and Testaments during the past year had exceeded those of the preceding, by more than 500 copies; making the total number distributed by this Auxiliary nearly 29,000. The Collection at the close of this truly interesting meeting was, I apprehend, unprecedented on any similar occasion, amounting to 104.4s.4d. Grateful Acceptance of the Scriptures by Spanish Refugees.

The Committee of the Bloomsbury and South-Pancras Auxiliary remark, in their Fourteenth Report

The attention of your Committee has recently been directed to a very interesting description of persons, whose

to be one of considerable importance, did not hesitate to make an application for a Parent Committee. further quantity of 50 copies to the

Great Want of the Gaelic Scriptures. We extract some particulars on this subject from the Society's last Report.

From the Inverness Auxiliary, a communication has been received, stating that it had been ascertained that there are more than 12,000 Families in the Highlands, who have not a single copy of any part of the Sacred Scriptures : many of them are too poor to pay any part of the price of copies, and most of them can pay but very little: 250 Gaelic Bibles and 500 Testaments have been sent to this Auxiliary; and, as communications are making to ascertain the best means of further remedying their deplorable wants, 3000 more Gaelic Bibles have been appropriated for this purpose together with 1000 Testaments.

The Inverness Society for the Education of the Poor in the Highlands, which will share in the above grant, has forwarded one of its Reports, from which the following interesting extracts are taken.

-In the western parts of Inverness and Ross, all the Scriptures found existing are in the proportion of ONE copy of the Bible for every EIGHT persons above the age of EIGHT years; and, in the other parts of the Highlands and Islands, including Orkney and Shetland, where reading is very general, only ONE copy for every THREE persons.

One-fourth part of all the families in these districts, or 100,000 persons, are still wholly

without Bibles; and there are in this number several thousand families in which there are persons who can read the Scriptures.

-Now, from the youthful scholar to the aged parent, may be seen minds under the sanctifying efficacy of the spirit of the Gospel; and, so far as the influence of the School is extended and Bibles have been circulated, a system of religious devotion is making a rapid establishment in the farm-houses and cottages and, among those who have been thus subordinated to the practical lessons of the Gospel, habits of industry, sobriety, and decency, are daily becoming more visible. I, therefore, look foward to no distant period, when, by the Divine Blessing and the aid of your Society, this sequestered spot of the Western Highlands will produce as pious and orderly people, as those are who live in more favoured parts of Scotland.

-I beg leave to express my warmest gratitude to you and the Directors, for the welcome grant of a few Gaelic Bibles and Testaments, which many of my poor parishioners will accept with the most grateful thanks. It has often distressed me, that, when they came, earnestly beseeching me to get them Gaelic Bibles, it was not in my power to grant their request. I shall endeavour to give you as correct an account as possible of the state of the parish, in the different particulars of your Letter:-the population is 2381: the number of Gaelic Bibles in the parish may, I think, as far as I have been able to ascertain the fact, be about 30, and of Testaments 45: the number of English Bibles and Testaments is double that quantity: the number of persons in the parish who can read Gaelic may be about 660, above the age of eight years.

John Campbell, Esq. the Secretary of the Gaelic-School Society in Edinburgh, having attended a Meeting of your Committee, and stated that the extended operations of that Institution occasion increasing demands for the Gaelic Scriptures, 3500 Testaments were voted, and a request on the part of that Society to purchase 2000 Bibles was readily acceded to. A Minister in Perthshire, having also addressed your Committee with a similar statement, 150 Gaelic

Bibles and Testaments were voted to him. The Rev. Dr. Campbell, Secretary to the Society in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge, having requested, on its behalf, some copies of the Gaelic Scriptures, 500 Bibles have been presented for the use of Schools under the patronage of that Institution. Rapidly-Increased Demand for the Scrip

tures in Ireland.

The gratifying information which follows is extracted from a Letter addressed to the Society by one of

the Secretaries of the London Hibernian-Society.

I am directed by the Committee of the London Hibernian-Society respectfully to apply to the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and solicit a renewal of that bounty which has already been so frequently bestowed.

The demand for Bibles and Testaments of various kinds, but more especially for Bibles, has recently been so great, that, although 1000 Bibles and 13,139 Testaments had been received at the London Hibernian-Society's Depository in Dublin since the commencement of April last, there did not remain in the Depository in the beginning of August a single Bible; and the stock of Testaments is reduced so low, that, without a fresh supply, it will very soon be entirely exhausted.

This increasing demand for Bibles is not merely a natural consequence of the progress of Scriptural Education, and the result of the active and beneficial labours of the Scripture Readers employed by this and other Societies, but has, more especially, been excited by the recent discussions on religious subjects which have taken place in Ireland. The frequent reference made by the different disputants to the Old Testament as well as the New has stimulated multitudes to

inquire for the Whole Word of God: and the Society is informed, that, on occasion of the late discussion in the North of Ireland, the Scholars in some

of the Schools were in the habit of borrowing, night after night, every Bible in the School; in order that the Children, their Parents, and Friends, might compare one passage of Scripture with another. Such Bibles were invariably returned on the following morning.... The Inspectors and Scripture Readers, in their progress through their respective districts, are incessantly applied to for Bibles, and especially by Roman Catholics: one Inspector was applied to on the morning of Sunday, August 12th, by five Roman Catholics for Bibles; but he had not one either to give or lend.

The Committee of the London Hibernian-Society have instructed me to state these particulars to your Committee necessary, in order that the magnitude more fully than might at first appear of their wants may be more clearly known. The London Hibernian-Society has, at this time, above Five Hundred Day Schools, exclusive of Sunday and

Adult Schools; and the Committee cannot possibly comply with the suggestions of their friends, suggestions of which they entirely approve, unless your Committee will kindly supply a large grant. They cannot hope to supply the existing demand, to confer the usual rewards on deserving Scholars and introduce the Bible among the Young Men and the Senior Scholars, unless your Committee can supply them with about 5000 Bibles and 20,000 Testaments. The Committee feel, in making this application, that they are asking largely: but they are emboldened from the past liberality of the British and Foreign Bible Society to state their case plainly; and they are deeply impressed with the importance of improving the present moment, when, from various causes, a spirit of Religious Inquiry appears to prevail more widely in the Sister Country than at any former period.

HIBERNIAN BIBLE SOCIETY. Enlarged Exertions of the Society. A BRIEF view of the Society's proceedings in the year ending March 31, 1826, was given at pp. 407, 408 of our last Number: the following extracts of a communication from that Society, addressed to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and dated on the 16th of July, will shew the enlarged scale on which its exertions were carried on in the year ending March 31,1827.

By the liberal grant received from your Society in the year 1825, our Committee were enabled to increase the assistance extended by grants to Auxiliary Institutions; and to hold out the offer of aid, wherever an Auxiliary or Branch Society or Bible Association should be formed, upon the plan approved by this Society: they also directed their efforts toward the southern parts of Ireland; where they had hitherto been prevented, by the limited state of their funds, from prosecuting the great object of the Society. The result of these measures has been most encouraging. During the year ending the 31st of March last, besides several new Societies mentioned in the Annual Report for 1826, One Hundred and Twenty-nine Auxiliary Institutions were established, many of them in most destitute districts; and the issue of the Sacred Scriptures amounted to

40,058 copies, being an increase, above the issues of the preceding year, of above 4700 Bibles and Testaments.

This extension of the Society's operations having taken place chiefly in the Province of Munster, and in other destitute parts of the country, was attended with a considerable diminution of the Society's funds, as a much larger proportion of the issues than usual was necessarily gratuitous. The total amount of grants made by our Committee last year, as stated in the Report, was as follows-Bibles, 6215; Testaments, 8142; total, 14,357 copies: value, 22681, 8s.4d.

Of the first Quarter of the Society's present year, it is said—

June last, the proceedings have, through During the Quarter ending 30th of the Divine Blessing, continued to be most satisfactory. Within that period, Thirty-three Branch Societies, and Three Ladies' Bible Associations, were formed; and there were issued from our Depository 10,550 copies of the Holy Scriptures. But our Society, although the funds are improving, must soon limit their operations, unless their Depository be replenished; as the Grants during Bibles and 4212 Testaments; total, 6648 the last Quarter have amounted to 2436 copies; value, 7931. 15s. 1d. The Committee of the Hibernian Bible Society therefore feel, that, in the present state of this country, when the minds of the people are in so extraordinary a manner should not be fulfilling their duty, if directed to the Sacred Scriptures, they they did not accept your kindly proffered aid; and they have directed this application to be made accordingly.

The Committee add

Upon a review of the present state and prospects of our Society, the desire for the Sacred Scriptures which so remarkably prevails, and the new channels which are every day opening to facilitate their circulation, there is abundant cause to thank God and to take courage. We are now given to see, as it were, the fruits of the labour for many years past bestowed upon this country. May God grant that it may prove to be the firstfruits of an abundant harvest! The steady advancement which the cause of our Society is making in the country will be abundantly evident, by a comparison of the issues of the last four years; the average annual issue for several years, preceding 1824 having

The Secretary, in a Letter of the 30th of August to the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, gives the following particulars of still-continued enlargement :—

The Letter of your Assistant Secretary of the 21st inst. having been submitted to the Committee of the Hibernian Bible Society, communicating the gratifying intelligence, that 23,150 copies of the Holy Scriptures had been voted by your Committee, I am in structed to express their most grateful acknowledgments. The number of our Auxiliaries and Associations, and the de mand for the Holy Scriptures, are still rapidly increasing. Since the 30th June last, Twenty-six new Bible Institutions have been formed; making, in the whole, since March 1826, an increase of ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-ONE Associa tions and Branches. The issues from our Depository since the last Annual Meeting have more than doubled the issues of the same period in the preceding year.

The lovers of truth and the friends of Ireland have much reason for devout gratitude to God: the progress and inHluence of His Holy Word, while promoting the spiritual welfare and moral habits of our people, will most powerfully tend to the tranquillity and union of the Empire.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. REPORT OF THE DEPUTATION TO THE BASLE MISSIONARY INSTITUTION.

THE visit of the Senior and Assistant Secretaries, as a Deputation to the Conductors of the Missionary Society and Institution at Bâsle, was noticed at pp. 301, 343, and Oct. 1827.

400. The objects of their visit, with the result of their inquiries, will appear from the following abstract of a Report laid by them before the Committee: a few matters of detail only are omitted.

With thankfulness to God for the numerous instances of His providential mercy, the Deputation report to the Committee the result of their journey which they made into the matters reto the Continent, and of the inquiries ferred to them in their Instructions.

regards the various points on which this The general result of the visit, as it Committee directed inquiries to be made, highly satisfactory. was, in the judgment of the Deputation,

In laying before the Committee the information which they collected, the Deputation deem it best to do so as nearly as may be in the words in which it was communicated to them. Regulations & Discipline of the Institution.

With reference to the Laws which

regulate the admission of Students into the Bâsle Institution, great caution and strictness appear to be employed. When a Young Man desires to be received as a Missionary, he is directed by the Committee either to apply to an Auxiliary Society, if one be near him; or to some friends in his neighbourhood in whom the Committee confide; and he is re quired to place himself under their care and inspection for a year, or, if requisite, for two years. When the Candidate comes to the Institution, he spends some weeks there; and sees the Committee, collectively and individually; and he is not received unless approved by every Member. No one is admitted into the Institution who is under a matrimonial engagement, or whose Parents are opposed to his going out as a Missionary.

The Probationer's first year is called the Elementary Year. After he has resided in the Institution during that period, he undergoes another examination, in order to decide whether he shall be admitted to a second year's probation: the decision is grounded on the judgment of the four Teachers; and, for an admission into the second year, the Stu

dent must have their full approbation. The second year he is a Probationer capacity to acquire Languages: this year more immediately with respect to his is called the Philological Year. After having finished the second year he is

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admitted as a Scholar; but, in order to this admission he must have the unanimous approbation of the Committee and Teachers: from this period, a course of three years commences, which are called the Theological Years. During the whole period of residence in the Institution, a Student is at liberty to leave it, and the Committee retain the power of dismission.

The Institution is advantageously situated, in a retired and elevated street, near the walls of the town; and the accommodations furnished for the Students appear to combine comfort with

economy.

There are four Teachers connected with the Institution; who are Ministers of the Lutheran Church: these are, the Rev. Theophilus Blumhardt, the Inspector; the Rev. Luke Burckhardt, the Rev. Augustus Steer, and the Rev. Mr. Vayhinger. Besides these, there is a Layman, Mr. Burchlen, on the establishment of the Institution, who is more immediately charged with the temporal concerns and general business of the Society. Mr. Blumhardt himself directs the Theological Studies, in which department he is assisted by Mr. Burckhardt: Mr. Steer directs the studies in Hebrew and Greek; and Mr. Vayhinger in the Classics. The Students have also the benefit of hav ing the Bâsle University freely open to them.

With respect to Discipline, the system is rather one of principles than of regulations. The great principle is, that the heart must be constrained by the love of Christ, freely and cheerfully to devote all to Him; and that each should regard himself as not his own, but Christ's: every Student is expected to be under the influence of this holy law of evange lical love and freedom. Under this view, each Student is allowed the largest practicable sphere of Christian Liberty: he is informed-" Your state here is a state of trial: the gift which Christ has given you is Christian Liberty; and, of this, you are expected to make a right use; and we shall judge, by your use of it, how far the law of Christ has power over your heart and life." Their conduct is, in consequence, very much left to themselves. There are no rewards nor punishments. There are two leading views, which it is designed should regulate each Student-one, the conviction that he is to render himself worthy to be prepared for the service of God as a

Missionary-the other, that, if expelled, his expulsion will have been brought about by his own misconduct.

With regard to inferior arrangements, the whole body of the Students is divided into Five Yearly Classes. Each class selects one of themselves, who is Senior for the week; and another, who is Servant of the class: so that there are five Seniors and five Servants: the Senior of one week is Servant for the next. The Seniors are the representatives of the Inspectors, in the midst of the Students. The Senior of the eldest class is Chairman, and the four other Seniors are his Assistants; and these form a sort of Court, responsible for all that is done in the Institution: if any violation of the rules be discovered, the Chairman takes cognisance of it in the first instance, giving information of the occurrence to the Inspector: if he cannot settle it, he calls in the aid of the other Seniors: if this is not effectual, the case is more formally brought before the Inspector, who usually communicates with the offender, through the Seniors; but, if necessary, sees the party himself: if this does not effect the desired object, the case is brought before the Weekly Conference of the Teachers; and, finally, if their remonstrance be of no avail, the matter is referred to the Committee, and then usually terminates in dismission. Self-government and submission to the Seniors are pressed on the Students as primary duties in the Institution. This system has, in practice, been attended with very salutary effects; and it has been found necessary to bring few cases before the Committee for decision.

There is no prescribed rule relative to the Students' Private Devotions; but the practice of this duty is considered to be essential. If it were neglected, it would be observed by the individual's fellow-students, and reported to the Inspector; who would admonish the party on the subject. Neglect of this duty would be considered as indicating the absence of real religion, and the individual dismissed for its neglect. The Students rise at five o'clock, and each is expected to engage in private prayer before Family Worship, which is held at six o'clock. During different parts of the day, opportunities are afforded for private and social prayer, of which it is presumed that each avails himself; and each is expected to pray in private before he goes to rest.