The letter respecting the translation of the Scriptures into several Eastern Languages being laid before the Boston Association, a Committee was appointed to consider the subject, who after a careful inquiry offered the fol lowing report.

THE circulation of the Holy Scriptures through a large part of the Eastern world is the object proposed by the translations, which this associa, tion are desired to encourage. In addition to the general obligation, which is imposed on Christians, to diffuse the light of the gospel, there are some circumstances, which appear to rec. ommend the Eastern nations to par. ticular regard. They are in some de, gree civilized, they possess written languages, they are accessible to Christians, and they must receive much benefit or much injury from the Christian world. It is perfectly safe to preach the gospel amongst them. As far as the scriptures have been dispersed, a general disposition to read them has been expressed. The increasing connexion between

*For the letter referred to see the 10th No. of the Panoplist, p. 462.

India and Christian nations will favour continued missionary efforts, and the translations now made will be useful to future missionaries, and in general to all Christians, who visit the coun try. Changes in the East may be expected favourable to Christianity, particularly the decline of Mahometanism.

He

The present translators appear to have fidelity and ability, and possess many advantages for translating and circulating the scriptures. Mr. Carey, who superintends the work, is acquainted with Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Sanscrit, and many living languages of the East and West. has composed grammars of the Sanscrit, Bengallee and Mahratta languages, and begun a Sanscrit dictio nary. Marquis Wellesly appointed him to an honourable station in Fort William College at Calcutta, which appears to have been a very respectable institution. In the journals of the missionaries, we find him quoting some of the most important critical works on the scriptures; and in noticing some difficult passages, he discovers minute attention, and a “desire to make the translation as just as possible." In his letters he shows an observing mind. He communicates many interesting remarks on the natural and moral state of the

ried some of their number to India. He is frequently mentioned by them with the greatest tenderness and respect. His arrival at Calcutta is often noticed with satisfaction. They speak of his bringing money and books to them from Philadelphia. These circumstances must have enabled him to obtain the most correct information. Mr. Ralston, who is referred to in Capt. Wickes' letter is an elder of Dr. Green's church. As some intercourse has subsisted between Philadelphia and the missionaries, and as Capt. Wickes' acquaintance with India must facilitate communication, it appears that no objection can arise from the difficulty of transmitting aid to the translators.

From their journals, it is very evident that the translators are Calvinistic Baptists, and like all other missionaries, they extend their peculiar sentiments in connexion with the scriptures. But they act on the great Protestant principle, that the scriptures are the only rule of faith and practice. They circulate the Bible as the standard by which their own sentiments are to be tried. In their journals they appear to be so much impressed with the importance of a translation of the scriptures, and so much engaged in the work, that there seems no reason to fear, that the contributions of the Christian public will be diverted to any other purpose. In improving the zeal of these missionaries for the diffusion of the scriptures, we shall at once impart the richest blessing, which we enjoy, and give the heathen the best means for distinguishing between religious truth and

error.

With respect to the relative importance of this object, we conceive, that it promises as much, at least, as any scheme with which we are acquainted for the propagation of the gospel amongst the heathen, and we beg leave to report on the ground above stated, that we consider it worthy the recommendation of the Association.

JOHN LATHROP, by order.

The preceding report being made to the Association, it was unanimously accepted. The Association do accordingly express their approbation of

the plan, which has been laid before them, for translating the holy scriptures into several languages of the East, and for spreading them through a large portion of the heathen world. They recommend the object to the ministers and churches of the Commonwealth, and hope that contributions or some other mode will be adopted for aiding this interesting design. That the object deserves the attention and exertions of the Christian public, will be acknowledged, they conceive, by all, who consider the scriptures as the best gift of God to mankind, and who possess the benev olence, which the scriptures are designed to inspire.

JOHN LATHROP, by order.

Subscriptions will be opened in this town, and the monies raised for this purpose will be committed to the care of the Rev. Dr. Stillman, Rev. Dr. Eckley, Deacon S. Salisbury, Henry Hill, Esq. and Hon. John Davis. These gentlemen will receive and transmit whatever money may be raised in the country for this object.

cumstances have prevented my fulfilling this duty, that I had not in my possession some small religious works which might afford instruction to a well-disposed seaman. The Tracts now furnished me, will, I trust, answer that end, and be the means of promoting the rise of religion in the minds of those, whose consciences are not awakened to a proper sense of their guilt.

It is a matter of no small pleasure to me to know, that through divine grace, some of my endeavours have been instrumental to the awakening several men who were plunged into the most depraved state of wickedness. And as a tribute to that excellent good man, Dr. Doddridge, I cannot for bear to mention, that when I was a lieutenant, an unfortunate seaman, under sentence of death for mutiny, was placed near my cabin. He was insensible to his situation, and appeared hardened in sin. Although he was a Catholic, I prevailed on him to allow me to read to him, "The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul," and it pleased God to enlighten his mind, that I have every reason to suppose, he died seeking for pardon and eternal life through the obedience and death of the Saviour Jesus Christ.

Persons send for miles round to get a few, and even Papists (who are numerous in those parts) are so highly delighted with them as to send repeatedly for them.

Extract of a letter from the Danish Secretary for spreading the gospel, dated Faabourg, June 1, 1804.

LAST year we had many opportunities of dispersing several thousand Tracts of a smaller and larger size, and thereby of spreading the knowl edge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ among our countrymen in Denmark and Norway. We had the satisfaction to hear from different parts concerning the good effects already resulting therefrom. Should the Lord be pleased to open us a door of usefulness in Greenland, and more especially in Iceland, we shall not fail to inform you in some future letter. All accounts concur to state, that Iceland is at present in the very greatest want of the gospel light, which deplorable situation loudly calls for our help.

Extract of a letter from Professor Young of Heidelburgh, dated Nov. 19, 1804.

I HAVE the pleasure to inform you, that I have succeeded in establishing a Religious Tract Society here in Germany, similar to that of yours in London. The 301. which we receiv. ed from the kindness of our wellwishers in England, have been expended in the publication of a relig ious pamphlet, entitled "The Christian Philanthropist," of which 2000 copies have already been gratuitously distributed throughout Germany, and as we are informed, proved the means of much blessing. Of this work, the second number is in the press, and as we have again collected about 300 florins from our friends in Germany, we intend to print off and distribute as large an impression of that also. We hope, in the course of time, to be able to do more in this way.

UNITED STATES. We have received a Message of the President of the United States, (Feb. 19, 1806) communicating "Discoveries made in exploring the Missouri, Red River and Washita, by Captains Lewis and Clark, Dr. Sibley, and Mr. Dunbar, with a statistical account of the countries adjacent."

The two letters which follow, from Mr. Jefferson, and Captain Lewis, contain satisfactory information concerning the objects of this expedition, and a condensed account of the progress, which has already been made toward their accomplishment. Interesting extracts from this valuable communication will appear in future numbers of the Panoplist.

To the Senate and House of Represen

tatives of the United States. In pursuance of a measure proposed to Congress by a message of January 18th, 1803, and sanctioned by their appropriation for carrying it into execution, captain Meriwether Lewis, of the first regiment of infantry, was appointed, with a party of men, to explore the river Missouri, from its mouth to its source, and, crossing the highlands by the shortest portage, to seek the best water communication thence to the Pacific ocean; and lieutenant Clarke was appointed second in command. They were to enter into conference with the Indian nations on their route, with a view to the establishment of commerce with them. They entered the Missouri May 14th, 1804, and on the first of November took up their winter quarters near the Mandan towns, 1609 miles above the mouth of the river, in latitude 47 deg. 21 min. 47 sec. north, and longitude 99 deg. 24 min. 45 sec. west from Greenwich. On the 8th of April, 1805, they proceeded up the river in pursuance of the objects prescribed to them. A letter of the preceding day, April 7, from captain Lewis, is herewith communicated. During his stay among the Mandans, he had been able to lay down the Missouri, according to

courses and distances taken on his passage up it, corrected by frequent observations of longitude and latitude; and to add to the actual survey of this portion of the river, a general map of the country between the Missisippi and Pacific, from the 34th to the 54th degrees of latitude. These additions are from information collected from Indians with whom he had opportunities of communicating, during his journey and residence with them. Copies of this map are now presented to both houses of Congress. With these I communicate also a statistical view, procured and forwarded by him, of the Indian nations inhabiting the territory of Louisiana, and the countries adjacent to its northern and western borders; of their commerce, and of other interesting circumstances respecting them.

In order to render the statement as complete as may be, of the Indians inhabiting the country west of the Missisippi, I add doctor Sibley's account of those residing in and adjacent to the territory of Orleans.

I communicate also, from the same person, an accent of the Red river, according to the best information he had been able to collect.

Having been disappointed, after considerable preparation, in the purpose of sending an exploring party up that river, in the summer of 1804, it was thought best to employ the autumn of that year in procuring a knowledge of an interesting branch of the river called the Washita. This was undertaken under the direction of Mr. Dunbar, of Natchez, a citizen of distinguished science, who had aided, and continues to aid us, with his disinterested and valuable services in the prosecution of these enterprizes. He ascended the river to the remarkable hot springs near it, in latitude 34 deg. 31 min. 4 sec. 16, longitude 92. deg. 50 min. 45 sec. west from Greenwich, taking its courses and distances, and correcting them by frequent celestial observations. Ex. tracts from his observations, and copies of his map of the river, from its