Official testimony of the Parent Society.

"I will only add, that, contemplating the recent institution of Bible Societies, begun in England, and extending rapidly throughout the world, as a prodigious effort for the raising of a mound against the threatening inundation of infidelity; as being also one of the happiest expedients which have been devised, for spreading the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ; and as tending directly to the accomplishment of the assurances given, that His kingdom will at last be co-extensive with the world; I will not suffer myself to believe that your sex, any more than ours, are debarred from promoting these blessed ends, in your distinctive character. Accordingly, I take the liberty of exhorting you to persevere in the work begun, and of assuring you of my best wishes, and my prayers for your success."

7. That the results of Ladies' Bible Associations, and the conduct of those who take an active part in their concerns, have fully justified the observations just quoted, and amply satisfied the warmest friends to these institutions, is a fact which, however gratifying, excites no surprise. It is precisely what was anticipated from British and from Christian Females:-they have remembered, that it was by honoured individuals of their sex the REDEEMER of the World was attended, during his sojourn upon earth; that they "ministered to Him of their substance;"-followed Him even unto Calvary; and were the last to leave His cross, and the first to announce His glorious resurrection from the dead:-they have borne in mind, that it was to a Woman the encouraging language was addressed," She hath done what she could:" and in assisting to distribute the divine legacy of His Gospel, they have found they were fulfilling one of their highest duties, exercising one of their dearest privileges, and promoting their own happiness and peace.

The following official testimony to the value of those institutions, extracted from the Sixteenth Report of the Parent Society, supplies an appropriate conclusion of these remarks:

"Your Committee have often expressed their high opinion of the various advantages derivable from Bible Associations; and in that opinion they find themselves, by progressive experience, continually more confirmed. Whether they look to the increase of the funds of the Society, or the improving tendency of its local operations, they find ample ground for regarding Bible Associations as deserving the warmest commendation, and the most decided encouragement and support. These remarks, which comprehend Bible Associations in general, are particularly applicable to those which are constituted and conducted by the Female portion of the community. In every part of the country, where the trial has been correctly made, Ladies' Bible Associations have justified the strong language in which your Committee have recommended, and in which they think it their duty again to recommend, their establishment in connexion with the Auxiliary Societies of the District."

Letter from Pastor Oberlin, of Walbach.—Sophia Bernard.

SECTION I.

ORIGIN OF FEMALE BIBLE SOCIETIES.

1. In tracing this stream of Christian charity to its source, we shall find the spring among the mountains of Alsace. If there be any man to whom the merit of opening the fountain appertains, it is Pastor OBERLIN, of Walbach, in the Ban de la Roche. It was the perusal of a letter from this extraordinary man, in the Appendix to the First Annual Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, that originally suggested to the author of the present work, the possibility of interesting the Females of Great Britain in the cause of that institution: and as this communication breathes a spirit which cannot be too widely diffused, no apology will be necessary for introducing the following extracts.* After expressing his gratitude for a donation of 30l. for the purpose of purchasing and distributing French and German Bibles among the poor inhabitants of that sequestered region, he observes:

"I have made a list of such persons as I consider most deserving of such a present. Among the large number of individuals and families to whom a Bible is a most welcome present, I first put down such characters as are most active in promoting the Redeemer's kingdom, and in doing good to the bodies and souls of their fellow-men.

1. "The first Bible shall be given as a present to SOPHIA BErnard, who is one of the most excellent women I know, and, indeed, an ornament to my parish. While unmarried, she undertook, with the consent of her parents, the support and education of three helpless boys, whom their wicked father had often trampled under his feet, and treated in a manner too shocking to relate, when nearly starving with hunger they dared to cry out for food. Soon afterwards, she proved the happy means of saving the lives of four Roman-Catholic children, who, without her assistance, would have fallen a prey to want and famine. Thus she had the management of seven children, to whom several more were added, belonging to members of three several denominations: she now hired a house and a servant-girl, and supported the whole of the family entirely with her own work, and the little money she got from the industry of the children, whom she taught to spin cotton. At the same time, she proved the greatest blessing to the whole village where she lived: for it is impossible to be more industrious, frugal, clean, cheerful, edifying by her whole walk and conversation; more ready for every good word and work; more mild and affectionate, more firm and resolute in dangers, than she was. Satan so enraged some of her enemies, that they threatened to destroy her old tottering cottage; but God was graciously pleased to preserve her. A fine youth, of a noble mind, made her an offer of his hand. She first refused, but he declared he would wait

See Owen's History, Volume III. page 420 et seq. for an animated sketch of this venerable character, who, "with the simplicity of a patriarch, and the zeal of an Apostle, has done so much to promote both the temporal and the spiritual welfare of his charge."

A A

3

Letter from Pastor Oberlin.—Maria Schepler-Catharine Scheiddegger.

for her even ten years. When she replied, that she could never consent to part with her poor orphans, he nobly answered, Whoever takes the mother, takes the children too.' So he did-and all these children were brought up by them in the most careful and excellent manner. Lately, they have taken in some other orphans, whom they are training up in the fear and love of God. Though these excellent people pass rather for rich, yet their income is so limited, and their benevolence so extensive, that sometimes they hardly know how to furnish a new suit of necessary clothes. To them. I intend to give a Bible, considering that their own is very often lent out in different Roman-Catholic villages.

2. “A second Bible I intend to give to an excellent woman, MARIA SCHEPLER, who lives at the opposite end of my extensive parish, where the cold is more severe, and the ground unfruitful; so that nearly all the householders are poor people, who must lend their clothes to each other when they intend to go to the Lord's Supper. This poor woman is also a very distinguished character, in whose praise I could say much, were I to enter into particulars. Though distressed and afflicted in her own person and circumstances, yet she is a mother, benefactress, and teacher to the whole village where she lives, and to some neighbouring districts too. She takes the most lively interest in all which relates to the Redeemer's kingdom upon earth, and often groans under a sense of all the inroads made by the powers of darkness. She also has brought up several orphans without receiving the smallest reward, keeps a free school for females, and makes it a practice to lend her Bible to such as are entirely deprived of it.

3. "A third Bible-present I intend to make to an excellent widow woman, CATHARINE SCHEIDDEGGER, who is, like the former, a mother to orphans, and keeps a free-school; as also does another young woman, who instructs little children in a neighbouring village, in such knowledge as may render them useful members of human and Christian society.

"I might easily enumerate many more characters of a similar description, whose eyes will overflow with grateful tears if they are favoured with the present of a Bible."

66

How many English Sophias, animated by this example, have directed the fainting steps of the orphan to HIM who is a father of the fatherless:"-how many Marias have become blessings "to the villages wherein they dwell:"-how many Catharines have placed in the hands of children that sacred: guide which has taught them "the way in which they should go!" May the voice from the mountains of Alsace be still heard in Britain, and her daughters be excited to perseverance in a cause so holy !

2. The idea originally suggested by this communication, was materially strengthened by the result of subsequent inquiry, which established the fact of a desire, on the part of the female sex, to co-operate in this work of mercy. In addition to the "Sheffield Juvenile Bible Society," (see Chapter V. Section I.), another institution of a remarkable character deserves attention, as a fresh illustration of the tendency and effects of that benevolent spirit which had been awakened in the country, and in its progress gradually per

Aberdeen Female-Servants' Society.-Regulations.

vaded every class of the community. "The Aberdeen Female Servants' Society, for promoting the diffusion of the Scriptures," is thus introduced by the Committee of the Edinburgh Bible Society, in their Second Annual Report:

"Some time ago, a few female-servants in Aberdeen, desirous of testifying their good-will toward the support of these excellent institutions formed of late in the country, for sending the Scriptures, and, by them, the knowledge of salvation, to such as are yet destitute of that inestimable privilege, Resolved to meet together, and contribute a little in aid of the funds of such institutions. Their numbers increasing, and having obtained the consent of some ministers of the Gospel to preside at their meetings, they did, on the 16th of August 1809, form themselves into a society, to be called 'The Aberdeen Female Servant Society, for promoting the diffusion of the Scriptures.'

"Grateful that their own humble situations have been cheered by those discoveries and prospects presented in the Bible, the members of the society cannot be indifferent to the condition of such as are yet in darkness and in the shadow of death; persuaded that the present appearance of Divine Providence invites co-operation in the cause of righteousness, from those who, individually, could accomplish little; apprehending perseverance in the course they have begun likely to promote their own religious improvement, and encouraged by what they have hitherto experienced, they have adopted, for the conduct of the society, the following Rules :

I. The society shall admit as members, such female-servants of decent character, and other females of good report, of different religious denominations, as may be inclined to join them.

II. That the society shall have a general meeting at least once every quarter; the duration of which, for obvious reasons, shall be short; when such ministers of the Gospel as may be favourable to the society, shall be requested to attend, that they may give necessary information and advice. III. Each member shall pay one shilling on admission, and the like sum, or what she can afford, at each quarterly meeting afterwards, to the funds of the society."

IV. That a Treasurer shall be annually chosen by the society, who shall keep a list of the members, the accounts of the society, and dispose of the funds according to the society's direction.

V. That a Committee shall be chosen annually, consisting of six members of the society; who shall provide for the accommodation of the society at its meetings, warn the other members of the times of the stated and occasional meetings, and bring the contributions of such as may be prevented from giving personal attendance.

VI. The application of the society's funds shall be determined on, only

It would appear, by the following extract from the Annual Report of the Paisley and East Renfrewshire Auxiliary Society, that this Rule was subsequently modified in its practical application. "Let it be remembered, that the first Bible Association consisted of 240 female-servants in a town in Scotland. They had voluntarily associated, even before any Bible Society had been established in that part of the United Kingdom, for the purpose of contributing each a penny a-week, towards the general objects of the British and Foreign Bible Society. They met at a stated hour, every Saturday evening, and each paid her penny to the persons appointed as Receivers: and such was their punctuality, that though many of them came from a distance, the time occupied in the payment seldom exceeded five minutes."

Legacy from a Female Servant at Nurenberg.

in a general meeting of the society, either at a quarterly meeting, or one called by the ministers who countenance the society, for the express purpose; and in determining how the society shall distribute its funds, it shall be guided by what appears to be the most urgent call of Providence, in behalf of the respective institutions for diffusing the Scriptures.

The society consists at present of 110 members; meeting statedly on the first Wednesday of August, November, February, and May.

Aberdeen, 6th February, 1811.

The first donation of this Society was presented to the Edinburgh Bible Society, amounting to 201. sterling and 201. Is. has been lately given towards aiding the translations of sacred scripture now carrying forward by the Missionaries at Serampore, in the East Indies."

There is every reason to believe that this was the first association of adult females for promoting the object of the Bible Society; although its remittances have not been limited exclusively to that institution, but have occasionally aided the funds of various Missionary and School Societies. From the time of its establishment to March 1820, the aggregate amount derived from this comparatively humble source exceeded 2201.; and the number of subscribers at the latter period was about one hundred and fifty.

It is pleasing to reflect, that this benevolent disposition on the part of domestic servants is not confined to our own country. In the Wenden Association, connected with the Dorpatian Branch of the Russian Bible Society, "Female servants presented their gifts with joy."-Two sisters replied to the question, whether they meant their gifts as a donation or annual subscription; "That they wished for the honour of being enrolled among the members of the Bible Society; and were determined to offer a similar gift next year, though they should have to sacrifice their rest for several nights.' added, "Love to the Redeemer minds no trouble."* And a still more remarkable evidence of this generous feeling has transpired while the first sheets of this work were going through the press, in the following communication from a correspondent in Nurenberg, to the Committee of the Parent Society:

One

"I had lately an affecting proof of the great interest excited even among the humbler classes of the community; by the cheering accounts of the extensive operations of your society. A maid-servant, who had for some time lived in the family of the Rev. Mr. Ranner, City Librarian in this place, and who had frequently heard of the excellent effects of the labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was so penetrated with admiration and esteem, that on her death-bed she left a legacy of 100 florins (about 10%) to your society, naming me as the person through whom it should be transmitted. The legacy was announced to me in the town-hall, by order of the magistrates; and as soon as it shall be paid to me, I shall remit you a bill to

that amount."

• Fourteenth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, p. 135.