Preparation of the Monthly Report, 3. When a subscriber removes without informing the Collectors, they should inquire of the neighbours, and lose no time in giving or sending the ticket. 4. The preceding hints are only applicable when the party removes to another District of the same Association, or to a place within the limits of an Association connected with the same Auxiliary (or Branch) Society. If the removal be to a greater distance, the tickets are altogether dispensed with; and in the case of a Bible Subscriber, the party is requested to name some one who may continue the subscription, and receive the Bible or Testament. But if such be the wish of the subscriber, the amount received should be returned, and reported to the next Committee, when the Treasurer should be authorised to repay it to the Collectors. Monthly Report. (See Specimen, No. x.) 1. Collectors should always bear in mind, that on the regularity and correctness of this important document the accuracy of the Secretaries' Books wholly depends. Nor should it ever be forgotten, that if the Collecting Book be incorrectly kept, the Monthly Report will likewise be inaccurate, A very slight degree of attention will prevent any deficiency or error in either the one or the other. 2. Collectors will find it advantageous to fill up their Reports on the day preceding the Monthly Committee-meeting. The number of the district should be first inserted, with the date of presentation; next, the amount received since the last Report, specifying accurately the separate sums, under their proper heads of " Free Contributions," "Subscriptions for Bibles and Testaments," and "Total," and checking the several amounts by their " Collecting Book," and the money in the bag. The names of all persons who have become new free contributors, or Bible subscribers, since the date of the last Report, should then be inserted correctly, under their respective heads, from the Collecting Book; which also supplies the information required under the remaining heads in the first page of the Report. When inserting the total number of free contributors and Bible subscribers, care should be taken to deduct the number of those, of each description, who have dis continued. 3. It should always be remembered, that in two cases only should the name of a contributor or subscriber be reported more than once, under each separate head: first, when the party had been reported as having discontinued, but subsequently renewed the subscription; and secondly, when a Bible subscriber requires another copy. In the latter case, the party should be reported as a new subscriber for every copy required. 4. The name of every individual who discontinues should be Committee-Meeting-Public Distribution. reported, from the "Discontinuation List" at the end of the "Collecting Book;" and, if possible, the reason that influences the individual. By this information many false reports and groundless insinuations have been promptly corrected. 5. In filling up the second page of their Report, the Collectors will have to depend on the correctness of their memory, if they have not previously taken notes of any interesting occurrence. The observations already made, in reference to No. x., preclude the necessity of further remark on this important subject. N. B. The Report should always be written with ink. 6. It will save time and trouble at the Committee-meeting, if the Collectors exchange their pence for silver, and the latter for bank notes, when the amount admits of it. In reference to the Committee-Meeting. 1. Collectors should frequently recur to the list of the Committee-days, in the first page of their "Collecting Book," and always endeavour to be punctual in their attendance at the hour appointed. 2. When illness, or any other unavoidable impediment, prevents the attendance of a Collector, she should always send the bag, containing the Report and money, timely, to her colleague, or to the Committee, and instruct the bearer to receive the duplicate bag. Inattention to this simple duty may occasion serious inconvenience to a Committee. 3. When the number of her district is called over in its turn, the Collector hands her bag to the Bible Secretary, and receives the duplicate bag, which she should immediately examine, to see whether it contain the form of the Monthly Report, and the requisite number of copies of the "Monthly Extracts.' 4. Collectors are respectfully requested to give their undivided attention to the business before the chair. They will thus facilitate the proceedings of the Committee; and their own Reports will become doubly entitled to that respect which they shew to those of their colleagues. 5. Collectors should always endeavour to remain till the conclusion of the business. In reference to a Public Distribution. (See Section III. of this Chapter.) 1. When informed of the time fixed, the Collectors should immediately inform all their Bible subscribers, and specify the latest day (which should never be altered) for those to complete their subscriptions who may wish to receive their copies at the distribution. 2. When the "Lists" are furnished by the Minute Secretary, the Collectors should fill them up carefully and correctly, and send them to the Bible Secretary, on or before the day appointed by her. General Hints to Collectors. Without strict attention to this duty it will be impossible to conduct the business with order and propriety. No addition whatever should be subsequently made to the lists; or confusion will ensue, and the charge of partiality be incurred. 3. When the Collectors receive the subscribers' tickets, they should be immediately delivered to the respective individuals, with a charge to attend punctually at the appointed time and place, and to shew (but not deliver) their tickets at the doors, that they may be conducted to their proper place in the room. Those who cannot conveniently attend should be requested to send their tickets by some member of their respective families, or by one of their neighbours. 4. In their weekly visits immediately succeeding a public distribution, the Collectors should inquire of the subscribers whether the Bibles and Testaments give satisfaction. GENERAL HINTS. 1. Collectors should always remember the responsibility that attaches to their characters. The poor know little or nothing of the Bible Society, but through the medium of the Collectors, who should consider themselves, individually, as the representatives of the Parent Institution within their respective districts; and it is by their conduct and manner the Society will be judged and appreciated by many. 2. Although these Hints are intended merely as practical suggestions, the author cannot refrain from recommending Collectors to cherish and cultivate a disposition of mind consonant with the great cause in which they are engaged. If undertaken in a right spirit, the pursuit will become a privilege and a pleasure; gratitude and respectful affection will gradually extend among the poor; opposition will be disarmed by the steady but unobtrusive progress of truth; and apathy will be warmed into co-operation, in beholding the wisdom and the prudence of Christian Females, animated by Christian zeal, but governed by Christian principles. Among those graces that should characterize the Collector of a Bible Association, no one is more valuable, nor more attractive, than "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of GOD of great price." 3. Peculiar caution and delicacy will be required, in meeting the objections of those whose views of the Bible Society are different from our own. Arguments repeatedly refuted, and misrepresentations frequently exposed, may be again adduced; but they should always be met with temper and forbearance; under the influence of that "charity" which "suffereth long and is kind," which "vaunteth not itself," "doth not behave itself unseemly," easily provoked," "hopeth all things, endureth all things," and "never faileth." The best answer to opposition will be found in the " is not General Hints to Collectors. beneficial effects of the Bible Society; but many valuable hints and cautions may be acquired from those who think differently from us. 4. A similar degree of patience is frequently necessary when visiting the poor. Every allowance should be made for their ignorance, and occasional rudeness of manner; and the object in view, as well as the inestimable value of the sacred volume, should be explained with mildness and judgment. 5. In all suitable cases, the frequent perusal of the Bible, when found in a poor family, should be recommended with kindness and gentleness. 6. It will sometimes happen, that a subscriber prefers having a different sized Bible or Testament to that originally selected: all such cases should be met with cheerful acquiescence on the part of the Collectors. 7. If a Bible or Testament be damaged, or badly or incorrectly bound, it should be immediately exchanged by application to the Bible Secretary, and sent back by her to the Auxiliary (or Branch) Society, by the Secretaries of which it will be returned to the Depositary of the Parent Institution. Cases of this kind are comparatively unfrequent; but they should always receive prompt attention. 8. If a Lady collect in more than one district, the accounts and Reports should always be kept completely separate and distinct, or confusion will ensue. - 9. Collectors should frequently revisit their districts; and, according to their own discretion, solicit the support of those who have hitherto declined. 10. Pawnbrokers should be requested not to receive Bibles or Testaments issued by the Society. 11. Papers, explanatory of the object of the Association, may be beneficially left for distribution at suitable places in a district; such as bakers' shops, chandlers', &c. 12. When a contributor or subscriber discontinues, the name should be immediately inserted in the list at the end of the Collecting Book, and reported at the next Committee-meeting. 13. As the Collectors of Bible Associations are frequently members of other benevolent institutions, it may not be unnecessary to remind them of the singleness of the object now under consideration. Several valuable individuals make it a point never to discharge the duties appertaining to other societies on the day appropriated to those of the Bible Association. The prudence of individual Collectors will suggest the proper line of conduct to pursue, in reference to this subject; and thus protect the Society from the groundless accusation of having concealed objects to promote. 14. It is perfectly consistent with the spirit and letter of the preceding observation, to remind Collectors of those numerous collateral benefits which never fail to attend a well-conducted Bible Association. The advantages of cleanliness, sobriety, and economy-the duty of loyalty, and subordination to their superiors General Hints to Collectors. --the importance of having their children educated, and of learning to read themselves and the blessings attending a state of independence, and freedom from pauperism, may be, and in numerous cases are suggested, without the slightest departure from the fundamental principle of the Bible Society. The establishment and success of savings banks, provident societies, schools for children and adults, village libraries, clothing societies, and other admirable institutions of a kindred nature, may be traced in many instances to the kind and judicious hints of the Collectors of Bible Associations. 15. Another collateral benefit arises from the recommendation of Collectors to the poor, to attend regularly their respective places of worship. It is scarcely necessary to say, that no particular place, or religious denomination, should be alluded to: and if any question on this subject be asked, the author would venture to suggest some such answer as the following: "The Bible Society is composed of members of the Church of England, Independents, Baptists, Moravians, Quakers, Methodists, &c. We have no wish as to the place you attend, nor can we recommend any one in preference to another; but it is your duty, and will be your interest, to go to some place regularly.” 16. Much of the effect will depend on the manner in which these hints are given. They should never be obtruded; but as suitable opportunities offer, a prudent Collector will suggest them with affability, gentleness, and judgment. Encouragement, rather than complaint, will best produce the desired effect: but wisdom will neither attempt nor expect too much, nor be discouraged by the apparent failure of the effort to improve. Many of these hints, like the divine lessons of the Bible, may be long ere they pierce through the stubborn soil of ignorance and habit; yet they may ultimately reach the heart; and taking root there, spring forth into life and fruitfulness. 17. As connected with the three last observations, there is yet one suggestion which is offered with affectionate respect to all who are connected with the Bible Society. Standing as this great Institution does, on the broad and firm basis of Christianity, inviting the co-operation of all who believe and accept the Saviour, and influenced by that perfect liberality which excludes no human being from becoming a participant of its blessings, it is the imperative duty of its friends to manifest a kindred spirit. Whether by the public advocate of the cause, or the private Collector in a retired district, it is alike important that no allusion be made to any point of difference on religious subjects: even the conscientious prejudices of those who dissent from us should be respected; and our motto be, "Unity in things necessary: Liberty in things indifferent: |