Committee's Address relative to the Monthly Extracts.

which are continually flowing in from all quarters of the world; and to admit them to share, with as little delay as possible, in the enjoyment of those fruits, to the production of which their local exertions have so materially contributed.

"But the Committee, in resorting to this plan, have an object beyond that of conveying satisfaction and delight. They are deeply sensible of the beneficial influence produced upon their own minds, by the communications from distant lands, read to them at their periodical meetings, both in exciting their gratitude, and stimulating their exertions; and they are anxious to establish such means of intercourse as may enable them to extend, as widely as possible, these salutary impressions. Experience has taught them to believe, that if extracts from the most interesting parts of the society's correspondence were read in the meetings of the Local Committees, and distributed among the members, for the information of others, it would tend greatly to enliven the spirit of those meetings, and to invigorate and expand the general zeal.

"Under this conviction, the Committee have determined to issue, in the last week of every month, a sheet of brief extracts, from their articles of correspondence, similar in form to the present, with a view to their being read at the meetings of the Committees of the different Auxiliary and Branch Societies and Bible Associations, and distributed among their officers, members of Committee, and gratuitous collectors.

"These Extracts will be transmitted to the secretaries of the Auxiliary Societies, who are earnestly requested to forward, without delay, a due <proportion of the present, and of all succeeding numbers, to the secretaries of the several Branch Societies and Associations within their respective districts, so as to ensure the receipt of them in time for the meetings in each ensuing month.

"The Committee anticipate much good from this measure, if their views are followed up by their friends in the country; and they trust they may reckon upon a diligent and punctual co-operation from the Auxiliary Societies, in giving it effect in the manner suggested.

"As Auxiliary Societies may expect to derive considerable accession of strength, and even of pecuniary advantage, by circulating, and encouraging their Branch Societies and Bible Associations to circulate, copies of these papers, greatly beyond the extent which the Parent Committee would consider themselves authorised gratuitously to furnish, provision will be made for an extra demand; and Auxiliary Societies may, for that purpose, be supplied with any quantity, on application to the Depositary, Mr. Cockle, at the Society's House, Earl Street, Blackfriars, at the rate of Four shillings per hundred, provided the order for them be received within the month immediately following the date of each number."

The best evidence of the satisfaction with which this paper is received throughout the numerous affiliated societies, will be found in the fact, that 40,000 copies are scarcely sufficient to satisfy the monthly demands.-In many associations, and especially in those conducted by ladies, every free contributor of half-a-guinea or upwards per annum is presented with a copy monthly, and to regular subscribers of smaller sums they are lent for perusal. The following extracts are selected from a great variety of testimonies in favour of this

measure:

"The Monthly Extracts from the correspondence of the British and

Testimonies to the advantages of the Monthly Extracts.

Foreign Bible Society continue to be circulated by this association, and appear to interest the lower classes of the inhabitants. The collectors have in some instances been reminded by the free subscribers, that they regard the regular perusal of them as their privilege and their right, while they continue to support the cause."-HAMPSTEAD and HIGHGATE Fourth Annual Report. "The portion of the correspondence published monthly by the Committee of the Parent Society affords much true delight, and creates general interest. It is reported by one of the District Committees, that 'a little boy was so much delighted on reading one of the Monthly Extracts, that he immediately requested his mother, at whose house it had been left, to allow him to give the penny a week, which he had to buy cakes, &c. to the Bible Society, which was readily complied with;' and he is now a free subscriber to the Ladies' Bible Association."-NORTHAMPTON Second Annual Report.

"You would be surprised to see the avidity with which the Monthly Extracts are read, among the more sober and intelligent of the poor of our several districts. The greatest difficulty in an Association is, to keep up the interest, and consequently the subscriptions of the small weekly free contributors. This difficulty is most effectually met by the constant and systematic circulation of the Monthly Extracts. One or two of our subscribers have expressed their disappointment and regret in very strong terms, when they have been accidentally passed over by the Collectors."

Letter from the PLYMOUTH Minute Secretary, Jan. 1820. "The interesting intelligence, and solid advantages, which have been derived from the Monthly Extracts issued by the Parent Society, have come under the grateful observation of your Committee. The benefits have been considerably increased by the judicious plan adopted by the Ladies' Committee, of circulating them among the free subscribers, subsequent to their perusal at the Committee meeting. The good effects of this measure are sufficient to justify your Committee in earnestly recommending its continued use and universal adoption.”—HORSHAM Fifth Annual Report.

The certain publication of these extracts on the last day of every month, causes them to be anticipated with joy in every part of the kingdom. Often has the author beheld the mechanic or the peasant seated, after the labours of the day, in the midst of his family, listening with eager interest, as his wife or child read this announcement of "good news from a far country," or the triumphs of the Bible in his native land: and more than once has he heard the humble dwelling resound with the accents of praise and gratitude to GOD, who had enabled its lowly inmates to co-operate in so great and glorious a work! Surely, at a period like the present, when far different publications are so widely circulated, it is a subject for congratulation, that this is added to the list of periodical antidotes to the poison of infidelity and sedition.

The example of the Parent Institution, in this, as in other respects, was speedily followed, both at home and abroad.

The Hibernian Bible Society published its first Monthly Sheet in November 1818;-a quarterly selection of Extracts in the Welsh language, printed at Bala, commenced at Michaelmas 1819;-and the important continental tour of

The plan adopted in Ireland, Switzerland, and Denmark.

the Clerical Secretary, in the autumn of 1818, led to the adoption of a similar expedient at Geneva, Bâsle, and other places in Germany, on an extensive and systematic scale.

The following extracts will afford satisfactory evidence, that the beneficial effects of the measure now under consideration are not confined to our own country :

"The German translation of the Monthly Extracts has been attended with very considerable advantages. Copies of them have been widely circulated both in Switzerland and Germany; and the perusal of them has tended greatly to dispel prejudice, to encourage exertion, and to excite, in those who before were languid or indifferent, a degree of zeal which promises the happiest fruits. Your Committee cannot forbear citing, as illustrative of the general spirit of these remarks, the liberality of a carrier, who voluntarily transported from Bâsle to Zurich several packages of Bibles, destined for Chur, of nearly 30 cwt., without receiving any compensation.

"Of the Geneva Bible Society, your Committee will speak in the brief but satisfactory statement of its excellent President. 'Our biblical labours proceed well: thanks to your powerful support. The translation of the sheets of correspondence is attended with success; and the transmission of them into France appears to have produced great benefit.'"•

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Dr. HENDERSON; dated COPENHAGEN, April 30, 1819.

"It must have given you great pleasure to hear that a Monthly Paper has been projected, somewhat analogous to your Monthly Extracts. The Committee look to your Extracts as the principal source whence to draw the most interesting matter relative to the progress of the Society."+

It was finally decided by the Committee of the Danish Bible Society, to adopt the measure; and the publication has regularly appeared, in monthly succession, since the close of 1819, with the best effects.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. THEOPHILUS BLUMHARDT; dated BASLE, December 1, 1819.

"An expedient which, under the blessing of GOD, has been evidently greatly instrumental in furthering the cause of Bible Societies in Germany, by diffusing information of the most encouraging kind, are the Monthly Extracts, of which 7000 copies are every month going forth into the German world. They have proved a bond of fraternal union among the different institutions; and from every quarter we receive the expressions of the warmest gratitude for this blessed gift of the honoured Parent Society. Mr. Breitinger assured me, that these sheets had paved the way for their society appearing, now, before a public better prepared to appreciate its object and tendency. In Bern, and in the whole of Würtemberg, they are read in the monthly meetings of the different associations, which are daily gaining more consistency and regularity. Thousands among the wealthy and the poor have, by these sheets, been brought to co-operate with Bible Societies, who had not before manifested any interest in the

Sixteenth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, p. xxxi & XXXV. About 10,000 copies of the Monthly Extracts are printed at Bâsle; of which 7000 are in German, and the remainder in French.

+ Sixteenth Report, Appendix, p. 59.

American Quarterly Extracts.-Russian Monthly Paper of Business.

cause. May the Lord abundantly bless the noble Parent Institution, for this, as well as for so many proofs of its Christian solicitude !"#

From the Secretary of the GOTHENBURG Bible Society, dated Sept. 30, 1819. "I request you to send us the following numbers of your Monthly Extracts; namely, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 19, and 22; which we either have not received, or lost by frequently lending them to friends: these extracts are so edifying, and so adapted to awaken an interest for the Bible cause, that a complete collection of them would be considered a truly valuable gift."†

From a Gentleman in UPPER CANADA, dated KINGSTON, January 12, 1820. "Our friends in England are not generally able to form an adequate idea of the happiness the majority of British Christians abroad experience, on learning the progress of that Institution, upon which the greatest part of the world are looking with solicitude for its utmost success. From every quarter we are asked for the sheets of Monthly Extracts, which give great satisfaction."

From the Third Annual Report of the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, 1819. "Believing that in proportion as the public mind is informed, public feeling will be excited and a corresponding activity produced on behalf of Bible Societies, the Board of Managers have directed the publication of a periodical work, entitled "Quarterly Extracts." The good effects of this measure have already been felt; and the Board would take the liberty of suggesting to the members of the society, the expediency of contributing, by their example and influence, to the circulation and perusal of the publication."

The Committee of the Russian Bible Society-never the last to adopt any measure for consolidating and extending the interests of the cause-perceived the numerous advantages of this plan at a very early period, and regularly issue a monthly "Paper of business," similar in its tendency and effects.

A monthly publication at Berlin, exclusively devoted to the Bible and Missionary Societies, regularly gives a translation of the "Monthly Extracts" as printed in London, which are thus circulated throughout the Prussian dominions.

The good effects produced by these publications is spoken of in strong terms by correspondents from every quarter: they are stated to have contributed more than any thing else towards convincing those who were previously adverse or indifferent, removing prejudice, and securing the good-will and co-operation of many who formerly kept at a distance.

The Monthly Extracts" are published, as has been already stated, on the last day of every month, and are successively numbered and dated: they are regularly forwarded

Sixteenth Report, Appendix, p. 80. + Ibid. p. 141.

+ Ibid. p. 205.

Circulation of Speeches, Addresses, &c.-beneficial effects.

to all the Auxiliary Societies within the United Kingdom, and transmitted to kindred institutions on the continent of Europe, and in the other quarters of the globe. It should be an object of particular attention with the Committees of all these societies, that their Branches and Associations are regularly supplied with copies; and a degree of liberality in this respect will be found highly conducive to the interests of the respective national institutions, as well as to those of religion and morality.

Were every National and Central Bible Society to adopt this admirable plan, and publish a monthly sheet of correspondence and transactions, the results would be incalculably beneficial. Circulated throughout all their affiliated institutions, and a copy sent to every National Bible Society throughout the world, the spirit of Christian union and benevolence would gradually extend;-the tidings that filled a British heart with gratitude and joy, would produce a responsive glow of delight at St. Petersburg and Calcutta; and the notes of praise that arose on the banks of the Delaware or the St. Lawrence, be resounded on the shores of the Baltic and the Caspian. While the press is employed in proclaiming, with almost electrical rapidity, throughout the world, the follies and the vices of mankind, let us endeavour to consecrate it to the duty of announcing to all kindreds, nations, tongues, and people, THE BLOODLESS TRIUMPHS OF PRINCE OF PEACE.

THE

3. Under the class of Occasional publications, a numerous list of valuable documents, speeches, addresses, &c. may be included; the design and effect of which are thus described by the society's historian:

"Another cause of the increased impression, which has been observed as characteristic of this era of the society (1812-1813) was the prodigious distribution of certain minor publications, adapted to explain its principles, and to confute the objections which, under different forms, were industriously circulated with a view to its prejudice, and, were that possible, to its extinction. This plan, which was devised and conducted by Richard Phillips, Esq. consisted in selecting such speeches, addresses, or other compositions, as were considered to be popular and impressive, and dispersing them, by means of a private subscription, in those parts of the country which required to be brought into a state of excitement, or to be fortified against the influence of sophistry and misrepresentation. To these causes -the regular publications of the Parent Society and its Auxiliaries, the productions arising out of the existing controversy, and the minor pieces thrown into circulation by private liberality, all co-operating in their several degrees-we are to ascribe, under the blessing of Providence, that rapid growth of the institution which exhibited, between its eighth and ninth anniversary, an addition of seventy-five new establishments to the number