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American Bible Society.

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to temples, or give alms, will the governor not punish you?" "yes," answered they. "Having sinned against God, now by what way can you go to heaven ?" In answer to my question, either by way of fear or scoff, they pointed me to a great road that was near the place, seeming to say by their gestures, if you want a way to heaven, there is one. I told them, that when we were great sinners, Jesus Christ the Son of God came into this world, suffered much, and died on account of our sins; that if they leave off worshipping the devil, and receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they would go to heaven, and if they do not do so, they must go to hell.

I continue to tell these things to all the people to whom I go to read. Some would hear gladly. It is very profitabte to give the word of God to these people, for if they possess the scriptures, their children at least will read them; their children will compare their religion with ours, and then, perhaps the Lord will turn their hearts and incline them to receive the words of eternal life. I always pray for these perishing heathen, and hope that you and the church, of which you are the pastor, will pray for them too. The Rev. J. Scudder often warns and exhorts my school-fellows, who are 17 in number. I do so also; talk to them almost every day. They think much of eternal things whilst they are hearing, but when they leave the room, Satan carries off the seed of divine truth from their hearts. Some of them talk much of serious things. I pray that the Lord, who has brought them under Christian education, brought them from that perdition to which heathenism leads, may graciously pour out his Holy Spirit into the hearts of these dear youths. Please to pray for these youths, and for the heathen, and I beg your church to pray likewise. And so I, a poor sinner as I am, entreat the Lord for you and for your church. May the Lord be with us, and carry on his work.

Yours affectionately,

WHELPLEY.

UNITED STATES.-AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE American Bible Society has the highest claims on the American churches, as being in every point of view a NATIONAL INSTITUTION, whose sole object is to give the Bible, without note or comment, to every destitute individual on the face of the earth. With these just pretensions, it is presented to the benevolence of Christians of every denomination, in all the cities, towns, and villages of our country, in the hope they will adopt the principle, that no sum is too small to dọ some good, and no sum is so large as to exceed the wants of the institution, as long as one soul remains without the Sacred Volume. Notwithstanding the respectable number of auxiliaries, which are now contributing their aid, there are immense districts of our country, containing a numerous population, that have done little or nothing to promote the circulation of the Bible. It is in these districts that we hope soon to see auxiliary societies and associations formed to pour into the general treasury their resources.

We now conclude the addresses delivered at the Anniversary Meeting, a pare of which will be found at page 23 of our first number.

The following resolution was moved by the Rev. Mr. De Witt, of Fishkill, N. Y. and seconded by the Rev, Mr. Somers, of this city:

Resolved, That the Society receive from their Managers with much pleasure, the cheering intelligence that so large an acdition has been made to the number of their auxiliary institutions, and return their thanks to the pious individuals who have promoted their formation.

This returning anniversary, said Mr. De Witt, quickens all the kindness of Christian love. It refreshes the mind by gratitude in the review of what has been done, and by the humble confidence of what will be done through the instrumentality of this Society. The leading promise of the Old Testament, was the advent of Messiah. In faith of this promise, Abraham on the mount of vision, anticipating the fulness of time"saw his day, and was glad." The leading promise of the New Testament, under which our happy lot is cast, is the gift of the Spirit, and the spread of the gospel throughout the world. In the gracious providence of God, elevated on this mount, and contemplating the awakened Spirit, and combined exertions of Christians in the holy concert of love, we realize the fulfilment of ancient prophecy, we behold the dawning light of the latter day glory. The voice of providence distinctly addresses us, " Prepare ye the way of the Lord. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." Surely then we may appropriate, "Blessed are our eyes, for they see, and our ears for they hear what kings and prophets desired to see and hear, yet saw and heard not."

Mr. D. W. alluded to the honoured instrumentality of the Bible Society in accomplishing these blessings, and drew, in glowing language, a comparison between that charity which places the gift of the Bible in the hands of the destitute, and that mere temporal relief, which often aggravates and multiplies the cases of distress. In the progress and success of the charity of this Society—

The spring from which flow the streams of vice and misery united, is drained the tree of sin bringing forth the fruit of sorrow, and of death, is eradicated; the seed of the word of truth is implanted, grows, and brings forth the fruit of "righteousness, peace, and joy." The declaration so emphatically pronounced by our Saviour, should never be kept out of view-"To the poor the gospel is preached." No where are the simplicity, beauty, value, and power of this gospel rendered more conspicuous, than in the evident and striking contrast between the religious and irreligious poor. No where is the undisguised influence of its precepts and consolations so plainly marked as in the pious poor. He who imparting this gift to the child of poverty, has witnessed the tear of joy, and smile of gratitude combined, with which it was received-who has traced its effect in integrity, contentment, consolation, and joy, prevailing in the life-who has attended the death bed of peace and hope, and heard the thankful reference to this very gift; He has in this one instance received a testimony, not only to the value of the Bible, but also to the excellence of the Bible Society, irresistibly convincing. Co-operating with Sabbath Schools, the Bible Society has given them a life, vigour, and usefulness not before possessed. .

But the charity which animates, governs and ennobles this institution, has an extent beyond country, a view infinitely beyond time. It gathers its ripe and rich fruit beyond the grave. The salvation of the immortal soul, deliverance from sin and death--eternal are its objects, incalcula

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bly great and precious. Here its operations can have no limits, but what present means and opportunities impose. "The field in which the seed must be sown is the world." Every exertion prompts another, every triumph prepares for a greater-in proportion to the wants of the world, how little has been done.

A general survey of the difficulties with which Bible Societies here had to contend, and the success which after all has marked their course, was next brought forward by the Rev. speaker. He then presented the encouragements and consolations which the agents in this holy work may derive from the consideration that "our cause is the cause of God."

We regret that the press of intelligence obliges us to give but this brief notice of this address, but we are compelled to close with the following remark on the influence of this institution in promoting Christian Union :

The influence of this Society in cementing Christian hearts, as well as increasing and combining Christian exertions cannot be too highly appreciated. It is, indeed, delightful to dwell upon the union of Christian hearts in this work. This day we feel and exemplify it. It is an unction from above, more deeply felt than readily expressed. It is as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for there God commanded the blessing.

Mr. President-We have here pitched our tabernacle for a moment, and we find it pleasant. We soon return to our respective spheres and duties. We here leave the pledge of continued, may I not say, increased devotedness to the Bible. Let us carefully redeem the pledge. Let us add to the vigour of our exertions, the purity of our examples, and the fervency of our prayers. Let the pastor excite his flock, and the Christian his fellow Christian and neighbour, till all Israel bring each one an offering to the Lord and Saviour.

The Rev. Mr. SOMERS, rose to second the motion, and remarked that

Among the distinguishing mercies we have received from the muuificence of heaven, that does particularly demand our gratitude and our praise, which qualifies us to be doubly blest in blessing others. While I survey this large and religious assembly, convened from different parts of the continent, to celebrate the sixth Anniversary of the American Bible Society, a deep and sacred awe pervades my soul. Methinks the hosts of heaven are bending from their lofty thrones to witness our solemnities, and may not the redeemed spirit of the venerable Boudinot, be hovering over us to-day; and, what is incomparably more impressive, is not the Lord Jesus Christ present, to observe our sympathies for suffering humanity, and to record the amount of our zeal for theLord of Hosts?

View the map of the world: how inconsiderable are the sections actually illuminated by the Bible; all besides exhibits one vast moral chaos. From pole to pole, and from east to west, there is neither the knowledge of God, nor the love of holiness, nor the hope of heaven. The Jews, as a nation, remain inflexibly impious in their opposition to Christ and his canse; nor is paganism purified by the lapse of centuries and the great increase of light. Her polluted temples and her ensanguined altars are still dedicated to the "Unknown God." Her

deities are still the patrons of rites the most barbarous and obscene. Her annual sacrifice is the blood of thousands crushed beneath the car of Juggernaut, consumed on the funeral pile, or devoured by the monsters of the deep. Such, sir, is the moral history of millions of beings, who were created originally after the image of God, and destined for the most exalted enjoyment in his presence. Beings whom we must soon meet before the bar of God! Wherever you turn, what page soever of man's history you contemplate, from the attenuated refinements of Greece, or the golden days of Rome, to the monstrous barbarism of the Tartar, the Hottentot or the Hindoo; you meet with nothing that sweetens the enjoyments of domestic life, no precept that strengthens the bonds of more extended social intercourse; nothing that exalts, enlightens and refines the institutions of civil life; nothing that cau reclaim the abandoned, that can sustain the suffering, or whisper consolation to the dying.

We must pass over the animating description of the rise and progress of Bible institutions in Great Britain and America, and the allusion to the labours of Carey, Ward, Judson, Patterson and Morrison; but, with the Rev. Gentleman, we would urge upon the attention of our countrymen and the world, the ancient adage

"NOTHING IS DONE WHILE any thing REMAINS TO BE DONE."

It is true, sir, (said Mr. S.) that since the formation of the first Bible Society, upwards of four millions of Bibles have been circulated; but we may say of these, what was said with reference to the five barley-loaves and two small fishes-what are they among so many? -Suppose a Bible to afford religious instruction to six persons, then twenty four millions of the human family have participated in your bounty; but these Bibles have been distributed principally in countries where the light of salvation has shined since the reformation. But even in those countries-in our own happy America-and in this city, famous for its prompt, enlightened, and efficient zeal in the cause of Jesus, it must not be concealed, that thousands continue destitute of the Bible. What have we done to redeem the four hundred millions who sit in gross darkness and the shadow of death, ignorant of the precious Saviour driven forward by errors, the most destructive, victims of a sanguinary superstition, which every hour swells the catalogue of the dying and the damned. Have we laboured, have we prayed for those souls with an ardour becoming the disciples of Christ? Should the heathen now perishing for lack of vision, challenge us in eternity and say, these devouring flames which consume us, these ponderous chains with which we are loaded down, this dark and horrible abyss, we might have avoided through a more noble zeal of American Christians-we could not plead guiltless.

When the famishing sons of Egypt cried to Pharaoh for bread, he said, Go to Joseph. Whither shall we direct the millions who are hungering after the bread of life, but to the store house of our spiritual Joseph? Yes, sir, we will send them to the Bible Society, for there is bread enough, and to spare. And thus, when your charities. like Eden's liquid plain. pure as the expanse of heaven, shall have

Obituary.-Rev. Jonas Coe, D. D.

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spread from the rock on which the weather-beaten pilgrims landed, to the farthest promontory on our western shores, and from the Arctic Circle to Cape Horn, as you gaze with delight on a scene almost too splendid for the human eye, and see, as the result of your labours, the glory of the Redeemer irradiating the moral hemisphere of this new world, we will say to you what the poet said to Eve, What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself.

Notices and Acknowledgments.

"VERMONT" is under consideration. "A LANDSMAN" will perceive that his communication came too late; the last part, however, will be noticed in a future number. "Relation of Mrs. S-A-" is received.

Book for Children.-The Memoir of Harriet Newell Truair, in our last number, has been published in a neat 18mo. form, and is for sale at this office, and the Sunday School Depository, 59 Fulton-street.

The life of the Rev. Thomas Scott, author of a Commentary on the Bible, will be published in a few days, by J. P. Haven of this city, in a 12mo. volume of about 450 pages, with a likeness of Mr. Scott, at the low price of $1 25. It is with pleasure we notice the publication of the "Life and Letters" of this distinguished divine, in this country. We have perused a part of the volume, and feel assured it will be found highly interesting to others, as it has been to ourselves.

Health of the City-Various and contradictory reports have goue abroad with respect to the existence of Yellow Fever in our city, and we presume our country friends will be obliged by our informing them that several cases of Bilious Ferer have been reported by the Board of Health, but no cases of yellow fever. It is the opinion, however, of many respectable Physicians, that a number of cases of yellow fever have occurred in Rector-strect. The disease, whatever it should be called, is confined to a small district, and the city at large enjoys usual health.

INSTALLATION.-The Rev. THOMAS MC AULEY, D.D. LL. D. late Professor in Union College, was installed by the Rev. Presbytery of New York, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, in Rutgers'-street, in this city, on the 1st inst. The Rev. William Gray preached the sermon, the Rev. Dr. Romeyn delivered the charge to the Pastor, and the Rev. W. Stafford, the charge to the people. There was a large and respectable audience, and the exercises were solemn and interesting.

Obituary.

DEPARTED this life, at Troy, N. Y. on Sunday July 14th, the Rev. JONAS COE, D. D. pastor of the Presbyterian church in that city. It has seldom fallen to our lot to record the death of a man so much beloved, and so extensively useful. He has been a faithful and laborious servant in the vineyard of his Lord and Master. He has been a practical, an every day preacher of the gospel. In the sacred desk, he has faithfully exhibited the humbling and purifying doctrines of the cross; in his daily walk and conversation he has given a constant and living reproof to the profane, to the worldly minded Christian and the cold professor. In his life, he exemplified the Christian duties; in his death, the Christian graces. His private character was truly

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