cause have been so little restrained in any place; and have, in most places, been even stimulated and enlarged.

Your Committee have again the grateful duty of repeating their acknowledgments to the Rev. the Presbyteries in the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, collectively and separately; for their contributions to the Society. Since the close of the former accounts, as stated in the Appendix to the last Report, the sum of 13827. has been remitted by their Treasurer at Glasgow, William Muir, Esq. on account of collections from the several Presbyteries, and Dissenting Congregations; of which 800. 12s. 4d. is the second annual collection from the Presbytery of Glasgow.

In consequence of a recommendation from the Rev. the Synod of Ab. erdeen, to make collections on account of the British and Foreign Bible Society in the Parochial Churches within its bounds, the sum of 3051. has been collected and remitted.

From the Rev. the Presbytery of Sterling, the Society has received 1471. 5s. 6d. being the amount collected at eight Parochial Churches in that Presbytery, making, together with those included in the last Report, the total amount of their second collection, 250l. 12s 1d.

The Rev. the Presbytery of Annan, having recommended that collections should be made in the parish Churches within their bounds, the sum of 40%. has been remitted from those of Cumbertrees, Hoddam, and Ruthwell.

The funds of the Society have also been augmented by other congrega. tional collections in England, Wales, and Scotland, the particulars of which will be stated in the Appendix; viz. in England-from the parish Churches of Guilford; St. Andrews, at Liv. erpool: South Collingham, Stow, and St. Michael's, at York; from the Meeting houses at Little Baddow, Witham, and Great Yarmouth; at many places in North Wales; and in Scotland-At Aughtergavern, Balmade, Cortachy, Dumfries,'Moniave, and Muthil.

The funds of the Society have also been augmented by various miscellaneous contributions, which it is now the task of your Committee to particularize.

The Holborn Sunday School has made a farther donation of 23. 9s. 4d.. and the sum of 154/. has been receiv ed from twenty-nine Sunday Schools in North Wales.

A contribution of 12. has been made by the young ladies of Miss Toulon's School, at Hackney: this is the third contribution from that Seminary.

A donation of 501. has been receiv. ed from the Committee for conducting the Youth's Magazine.

To different individuals, also, the Society is indebted for liberal contributions in the course of this year; but, as a specification of them would lead too much into detail, the enumeration of particulars must be reserved for the Appendix.

And lastly, under this head, your Committee have to report the following legacies and bequests:

Miss Mary Stringer, late of Watlington, Oxfordshire, 100%.

Mrs. Allen, late of Aberdeen, 107. Mrs. Elizabeth Penticross, late of Wallingford, 100. 4 per cents.

Mr. John Hankinson, late of Hackney, 100%.

Mrs Elmsall, of Thornhill, Yorkshire, 2001. of which a moiety is payable in 12 months, and the remainder subject to contingencies.

Mr. James Collyer, late of Chobham, 401.

Captain Ross, late of the Coldstream Regiment of Guards, 21. Rev. John Clark, late of Trowbridge, 50.

Miss Mary Howlet, late of Spring. field, 50%.

Mrs. Rebecca Tomkins, late of South Place, Finsbury, 2001. payable after the expiration of one life.

Mr. Allan Cuthbertson, of Glasgow, 1007. The Society is indebted to the heirs of Mr. Cuthbertson, John and James Cuthbertson, Esquires, for fulfilling his intentions; as the bequest, from circumstances peculiar to the Scottish law, was not binding on them; they have nevertheless paid

the same as a donation, with interest. The Society's Library has been this year enriched by the accession of some valuable books, the donations of different individuals. These acts of liberality have been duly acknowl. edged; and the description of the sev. eral works, together with the names of the donors, will be particularly stated in the Appendix.

This may be a proper place for ob. serving, that desirous of testifying the gratitude which the Committee consider as due from the Society to one of its earliest, most constant, and useful friends, the Rev. Josiah Pratt, they have unanimously placed him among those Life Governors who bave earned that distinction by rendering important services to the Institution.

On a general review of the Socie. ty's transactions during the last year, your Committee are fully authorized to congratulate its Members on the increase of its influence and efficacy. This prosperity is, under God, to be attributed to the simplicity of its object, and the fidelity with which that object has been pursued, both at home and abroad. Anxious to secure the continuance of this conduct by every possible precaution, your Committee suggest the expediency of altering the arrangement of the words, "without Note or Comment," in the first Article of the Constitution, with a view to render it more perspicuous and explicit. The Rule will then

stand as follows:

"The Designation of the Society to be "The British and Foreign Bible Society:" of which the sole object shall be, to encourage a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures without Note or Comment: the only Copies in the Languages of the United King. dom to be circulated by the Society, shall be the authorized Version."

Your Committee will now conclude their Report, with some reflections suggested by a review of the progress of the British and Foreign Bible Society, from its institution in 1804, to its present state of efficiency.

It is most gratifying to remark, that the approbation generally bestowed on the principle of the Society, and

annually increasing, has uniformly attended its proceedings; that, in the wide range of communications for promoting the object of its institu tion, your Committees have received the most zealous assistance: Their inquiries have been cheerfully an swered; co-operation, where solicited, has been cordially granted; and even their wishes have been frequent. ly anticipated. As the sphere of the Society's operations has expanded, its resources have been proportiona bly augmented; numerous Societies, animated with the same spirit, have annually arisen; like scions, the orna. ment, and, beyond them, the support, of the parental stock; and hence, the British and Foreign Bible Society has been enabled to advance so largely towards the attainment of its objectthe diffusion of the Records of Eter nal Life over the habitable globe. Its growth has indeed been rapid: a small seed has become a large tree; luxuriant in its branches, and abundant in its fruits: let a hope be cherished, that its maturity will show still larg. er dimensions, and yield fruits in still greater abundance.

In connexion with these observations, it may not be improper, briefly to notice some of the collateral bene fits arising out of the Institution.-In opposition to Infidelity it proclaims the public belief of thousands in the truth of Revelation; implying at the same time a sense of obligation on the part of its members, to a practical observance of those holy precepts which Revelation inculcates. The co-operation of the numerous individ. uals composing the British and For eign Bible Society, and the several Associations connected with it, es hibits an example of Christian concord, honorable to the character, and auspicious to the interests of religion. It shews how the unity of the spirit may be held in the bond of peace."

The Society is also a medium of intercourse among Christians dispersed all over the world; concentrating their affections, and combining their exertions to promote the glory of God, and the salvation of their fellowcreatures. Nor is it a consideration of small importance, that it has a ten

dency to conciliate the esteem and respect of foreign nations, for the religious principles and benevolent dis position of the British character.

It may be further observed of the British and Foreign Bible Society, that it has awakened the public attention, at home and abroad, in a degree hitherto unknown, to the spiritual wants of their Christian brethren; and has excited an equally ardent zeal to relieve them. A cursory inspection of the several Reports, and of the Correspondence annexed to them, will shew the degree in which this benevolent spirit has operated, in supplying numbers of the poor the afflicted, and the desolate, with the means of enabling them to exercise "patience in tribulation," and to "rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

It was justly said of the Divines who first translated the Scriptures into English, "These, with Jacob, rolled away the stone from the Well of Life;' and of the British and Foreign Bible Society it may truly be affirmed, that it has opened channels, by which the waters of this living spring have not only flowed to numbers who thirsted for them within the United Kingdom, but have been conveyed to the barren and parched soils of the remotest regions. The thanks and acknowledgments with which the benevolent exertions of the Society have been more than repaid, exhibit the combined expression of joy, gratitude, and piety; and must excite correspondent emotions in the hearts of all who peruse them.

The utility of the British and For. eign Bible Society has been so experimentally demonstrated, as to occasion an expression of surprise that its establishment should have been de. ferred to so late an era; and that a nation professing its belief in the Scriptures, and commanding at the same time the most favorable means of circulating them, should have so long delayed its collective efforts for their universal dissemination. But times and seasons are in the power of God: and those therefore to whom this high duty has now been assign ed, considering themselves as his honored instruments for making known his way upon earth, and bis VOL. IV. New Series.

saving health among all nations," will ascribe the praise to Him, to whom alone it is due; with devout thanksgiving for his blessing-without which the best intentions, and most persevering exertions to promote even his glory, would be of no avail.

Under the influence of these sentiments, the Members of the British and Foreign Bible Society may contem plate, with heartfelt satisfaction, what it has already accomplished, and look forward with cheering hope to its future and more enlarged employment.

The field of operation which lies before us is vast; and-when considered as including the never-ceasing wants of Christians both at home and abroad, and extending to countries where Idolatry and Superstition pre vail-may justly be deemed unlimit

ed.

This consideration should sug gest the duty of accompanying our strenuous exertions with our earnest prayers-that the disposition and means to satisfy the increasing claims on the Society may never fail; that the light of Divine truth which we are conveying to the eyes of our fel low-creatures, may shine into their hearts; and that both those who dispense and those who receive the Ho.. ly Scriptures through the medium of this Institution, may find them "the power of God unto their salvation."

REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN STURBRIDGE.

A Letter from the Rev. Otis Lane to a neighboring Clergyman.

Sturbridge, Dec. 12, 1810. REV. SIR, When you were at my house, you expressed a wish that I would give you some information with respect to the late revival of religion in this place.

I observe, in the first place, that for many years there had been here a great degree of coldness and deadness in the great concerns of religion. Now and then one came forward, and made a public profession of his faith; but nothing very noticeable in a religious view took place; and, so far as I can learn, there never has been

60

what may properly be called a relig. ious revival, antecedent to the period of which I am about to speak.

In the beginning of the autumn of 1809, an uncommon seriousness appeared to be on the minds of many: and a greater readiness to attend to, and converse upon, the things of religion was observable. There were three or four young women, particularly, who lived in different parts of the Society, that appeared deeply impressed, and anxiously inquiring what they should do to be saved. Our public assemblies soon appeared more full, serious, and solemn, than usual. The hearts of the friends of Zion began to rejoice. Several professors of religion were much engaged in the cause of the Redeemer.

In the beginning of the January following, conference meetings were set up, and attended by a considerable number with great seriousness. Some that were first awakened began to entertain a hope. Special attention appeared to increase, and new cases of conviction occasionally, perhaps I may say frequently, appeared through the winter and spring. During this time a considerable number, we may charitably hope, have been brought to bow to the sceptre of Je. sus Christ, and are translated from the kingdom of darkness to the king. dom of God. Since the awakening began, thirty have been added to the church. Of this number the greater part are young persons. Eigh. teen are in a family state. Twentyfour of the whole number are females; of whom two are under twenty, and one in her eighty-first year. Four or five others entertain a hope, who have not yet made a public profession. Some, who have been under great

convictions, have, we fear, settled down again into thoughtless security. Though we may expect tares among the wheat, yet in those who have made a profession nothing has hitherto appeared inconsistent with the temper and character of the humble followers of Christ. But God seeth not as man seeth. We cannot deter. mine the state of the heart. Though the late revival could not be called general, it is worthy of pious notice and grateful acknowledgments. We should not despise the day of small things. We believe the Lord has, in a special manner, been with us, and wrought a good work in the hearts of sinful men: praised be his name. The friends of Zion have great reason to ascribe glory to Divine grace.

The special attention seems now to have subsided, though we still keep up conferences.

It is worthy of remark, that the subjects of the good work experienced adeep sense of the hardness and plague of their own hearts; of their lost, un. done, and helpless state; of their own utter unworthiness; and of their sole dependence upon the righteousness of Christ, and the sovereign grace of God. They also saw and felt the importance and excellence of many doctrines and realities of the Gospel, to which they had before felt peculiar opposition,

If, dear Sir, you can collect from the above statement any thing that will add to the general mass of useful information, respecting the late religious revivals in this country, it is at your service. With great respect, I am, &c.

COS

Monies paid to Missionaries

A Discourse occasioned by the burning of the Theatre in the city of Richmond, (Va.) &c. &c. Delivered in the Third Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Jan. 8, 1812, at the request of the Virginia Students attached to the Medical Class, in the University of Pennsylvania. By A. Alexander, D. D. Philadelphia; J. W. Scott.

A Sermon delivered in Boston be. fore the Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, Nov. 27,1811. By the Rev. Eliphalet Pearson, LL. D. Cambridge; Hilliard & Metcalf. 1811.

A half-century Sermon, delivered at Norfolk, Oct. 28, 1811, fifty years from the Ordination of the author to the work of the ministry in that place. By Ammi R. Robbins. Hartford; Peter B. Gleason & Co. 1811.

The Watchman's Warning to the house of Israel; a Sermon, delivered before the Congregation in Petersham, Nov. 21, 1811, being the day appoint. ed for Thanksgiving throughout the Commonwealth. By Festus Foster, A. M. Minister of the Gospel in Petersham. Worcester; I. Thomas, jun. 1811.

Reply to Mr. Abbot's Statement of proceedings in the First Society in Coventry, Connecticut. By the Association in Tolland County. Hart ford; Peter B. Gleason & Co. 1812.

A Sermon preached Sept. 8, 1811, at the Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth Street, New York, being the Sabbath after the author's ordination

and installation as pastor of the church in that place. By Henry P. Strong. New York; Largin & Thompson. 1811.

NEW EDITIONS.

A Dissertation on the use and abuse of Tobacco, wherein the advantages and disadvantages attending the consumption of that entertaining weed, are particularly considered. Humbly addressed to all Tobacco Consumers, but especially those among Religious People. Second American edition. By Adam Clarke, LL.D. Newburyport; Thomas & Whipple. 1812.

The Works of the Reverend Joseph Bellamy, D. D. late of Bethlem, Connecticut, in three volumes. New York, Stephen Dodge. Boston; Sam. uel T. Armstrong. 1812.

The System of Doctrines contained in Divine Revelation explained and defended. Shewing their consistence and connexion with each other. To which is added, a treatise on the Millennium. In two vols. By Samuel Hopkins, D. D. late pastor of the 1st Congregational church in Newport. Second edition. Boston; Lincoln & Edmands. 1812.

Becket

Belchertown

Berkshire Wash. Ben. Society Berwick, Rev. N. Lord's Soc.

$12 99

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