AN ADDRESS, &c.

MR. PRESIDENT,

The happy tendency of Bible Societies is no longer a matter of doubt or uncertainty in the christian world.

Their rapid, and extensive growth, in Europe and America, and their benign and salutary effects, excite at once our wonder and our gratitude; and we are constrained to exclaim in the language of Scripture, "What hath God wrought?"

The interesting report which has just been read, affords conclusive evidence of the powerful influence of example in a good cause.

It is but a few years, since this Society was established, and stood alone in America. Now, we report the existence, and growing prosperity, of seventy-five sister institutions, all on the same liberal plan; and all zealously engaged in diffusing the Word of life.

We solicit, Sir, your indulgence while we make a few remarks on the usefulness and importance of Bible Societies, and the practical influence and excellence of the Holy Scriptures.

If a remedy could be found, suited to every disease, incident to the human frame, how valuable would it be considered? how highly would it be prized? and how generally would it be resorted to? But if this invaluable restorative could only be procured by those in affluence, how enviable would their situation be considered, as affording exclusively the means of securing the inestimable blessing of health.

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In this case, let us suppose a society formed for the benevolent purpose of supplying the poor, and all who should feel themselves under the influence of disease. Who that had the power, would not rejoice in the privilege of becoming a member of this society; and seek with avidity, the gratification which would arise from administering this healing balm to the destitute and afflicted.? What such a remedy would be to the body, the Bible is to the soul. It points out "A sovereign balm for every wound," and through the liberality and benevolence of Bible Societies it is now ready to be distributed to the poor, "Without money and without price." Yes, to the poor this healing fountain is now open, and by this sovereign, this all-powerful remedy, not only the diseased, and the dying, even the dead are restored to health and vigour.

This is no hyperbole no ideal or imaginary representation. It is real, and their are many who can testify to the fact from their own experience. The prediction has been fulfilled-the time has arrived "When the dead hear the voice of the Son of God (in his word) and, hearing they live."

And how has this mighty work been accomplished? By what means have these wonderful effects been produced? We answer, by this Sacred Book-by this Word of Life-by the Bible.And shall this inestimable book any longer be neglected or unknown? Forbid it every generousevery pious heart.

But it cannot be the long predicted period has arrived--a new and glorious era has commenced, and "The knowledge of the Lord (as we fondly hope) is about to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea."

Behold! the innumerable hosts who have put their hands to this glorious work, who have come up to the "Help of the Lord-to the help of the

Lord against the mighty." And let it be recorded on the hearts of all who rejoice in the prosperity of Zion, that in this glorious work of disseminating the Scriptures of truth, there is but one heart and one voice-not a discordant note-not a jarring sound. The universal chorus seems to be

"Let party names no more

The christian world o'erspread."

This effect, singly and alone, produced and cherished as it has been, by Bible Societies, affords more cause of joy and rejoicing to every pious and benevolent heart, than all the narrow and selfish advantages ever obtained by a sectarian spirit.

What a source of pleasing reflection does it afford, to see this spirit of union and harmony prevail among the followers of the Redeemer. Well may we say, in the words of the pious Psalmist― "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity-it is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments-as the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion."

To those, Sir, who have had the honour of sharing with you, in the management of this institution, this sentiment must afford the most pleasing retrospect. The happy union and undisturbed ' harmony, with which our feeble efforts have been accompanied, have rendered the performance of duty a most pleasing work and labour of love; and greatly encourage us to hope, "that our labour has not been altogether in vain in the Lord." When we view the spread of Missionary, of Bible, and of Tract Societies, have we not ground to hope, that the Lord is about to take to himself his great

power, and reign, king of nations, as he is king of saints.

In the united efforts of the pious of all denominations, to promote the great interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, do we not discover the harbinger of good things to come?

The angry and selfish passions, too long suffered to separate and divide those engaged in the same glorious cause, have vanished from our sight; and the benevolent and compassionate spirit of the gospel, appears to have taken their place. Surely, "this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." "Let the people praise thee, O God,

let all the people praise thee."

Do we not hear the appropriate and comforting language of the Prophet to the church, as it were, addressed to our ears, in these latter days—in these ends of the earth: "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations. Spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes, for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited." And the believer under the animating view of Zion's prosperity—the hope of greater blessings yet to come, and in the exercise of faith and holy zeal, is ready to respond with joyful acclamation in the words of the sacred penman-"Awake, awake, put on strength O arm of the Lord.- Awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old.-Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab and wounded the Dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep, that hath made the depths of the sea a way for thy ransomed to pass over.

We will now briefly enumerate some of the peeuliar advantages which the believer enjoys from the Holy Scriptures. And first, we say of this