time to time all requisite enlargement. The Board indulge the hope that in supplying the Chinese with the preaching of the word, and especially with copies of the sacred Scriptures on the south of China, in Siam and Cochin China, and the numerous islands of the China Sea, thronged with Chinese emigrants, they will be permitted to bear an equal part with the most favoured missionary institutiors.

But it is on the southwest and western borders of China that the Board look with peculiar interest. From the several stations in Burmah Proper, and the British Provinces already occupied by missionaries, and from Zeumé, and other interior regions of Laos, where the Board contemplate the early establishment of others, and still more from the mission recently commenced in Assam, it is believed facilities exist and will arise for disseminating the word of God within the Chinese empire, such as at present can nowhere else be found. Whatever they may prove to be, our reliance is on the grace of God, and the cordial co-operation of our brethren, that we shall not fail to improve them with an interest and fidelity corresponding in some measure to the blessed. ness of the privilege which they involve. God hath se before us an open door. Let it not be said that we are slow to enter in. Very affectionately, Yours,

L. BOLLES, Cor. Secretary B. B. F. M.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

Moneys received by WILLIAM COLGATE, Treasurer of the "American and Foreign

Rev CHARLES G. SOMMERS, Corresponding Secretary, 82 Madison-st. N. Y.

This publication is periodical, contains a half sheet, and the postage for any distance under

100 miles, is 1 1-2 cents; for any distance over 100 miles, 2:1-2 cents.

AT the twenty-first anniversary, (the last) of the American Bible Society, the Hon. John Cotton Smith, President of the Society, being prevented by the severe illness of his consort from attending the annual meeting, transmitted a written address, from which we here present an extract. The document, as a whole, does honour to the intelligence and piety of that distinguished man, and as Baptists, we cannot but be gratified with the following correct opinions-they are in perfect accordance with the spirit and practice of Baptists since the days of Christ, and no language could more forcibly describe the course pursued by our missionaries, in the work of translating the Bible into the languages of heathen nations.

"Our duty, my brethren, is both imperative and plain. First, we are to circulate the Holy Scriptures without note or comment,' whether in our own or a foreign tongue. We cannot be too particular in admonishing all who receive our aid in the work of translation, to conform faithfully and minutely to the originals-to beware of incurring the awful guilt of adding to or taking aught from the Divine Word-to bear in mind the momentous truth, that he who is employed in transferring the messages of Heaven from their originals to another language, is bound to exercise the same accuracy and fidelity in rendering, that the inspired penmen were in recording the communications of the Most High."

ster.

The following letter from a ministering brother in New-Jersey, reminds one of the alarm and opposition of the monks in 1474, when William Caxton introduced the art of printing into England, and set up a press at WestminHis proceedings so much excited the fears of the men who had kindly undertaken to provide for the souls of all men, that they began to declaim against him. Their charge was, that a new language called the Greek had been discovered, of which the people should beware, since it was that which produced all the heresies that in this language was come forth a book called

the New Testament, which was to be put into the hands of all the people! And also that another language called the Hebrew had been got up to mislead the souls of men. They were therefore cautioned to be on the look out, for "all who learnt it were turned into Hebrews."

CEDARVILLE, DEC. 3, 1836.

DEAR BROTHER-When I providentially came to this place last June, I found the whole community in a state of extreme agitation, and the theme of all conversation was, the New Baptist bible; almost every hour I was asked the question, "have you seen the new Baptist bible?"-and when I replied negatively, together with the declaration that I had not heard there was such a "new bible," the inquirers were astonished to think of my coming direct from Philadelphia to this remote place, without seeing or knowing any thing of "that sacrilegious attempt to make a new bible"-and that the said Baptist bible was now in circulation The effect which these reports had, was of an unhappy nature. The Baptist cause was at a low ebb. The few Baptists themselves were almost ready to believe that there was indeed a new Bible to be imposed upon them by a Baptist ecclesiastical council," of the nature of "the General Assembly," or "the General Conference," so boldly were these reports uttered. The friends of the Baptist cause began to regret that they had declared themselves friendly to such innovators; every thing looked gloomy-and I felt that it was high time to examine into the thing. I asked where the reports came from, and they were all traced to Mr. * *+, a Methodist local preacher, who was very busy in riding throughout the whole country, spreading the report; and not content with endeavouring to make enemies to the Baptist cause, in one instance, he went to the house of an old Baptist lady, who is in her dotage, and told her that the Baptists were making a new bible, and that they were going to take all the old ones from their members. This good old sister, who was very much attached to her old fashioned Baptist bible, was nearly frantic at the thought of losing her bible, and declared that they should never have it; for she "would hide it and fight for it." This is but one instance out of many of a similar kind. I sent to this" Alexander the Coppersmith," a copy of the constitution of the American and Foreign Bible Society, and positively contradicted the reports in circulation, and scon convinced the reasonable part of the people of the absurdity of the thing from the nature of the Baptist churches, each being INDEPENDENT. Another report which this man circulated, was that the Baptists already had a translation of the New Testament, which they had adopted, and that it was by Alexander Campbell, a Baptist preacher of Virginia. I soon let them into the real secret, that the honesty of such men as Drs. Campbell and Macknight, of the church of Scotland, would not allow them to transfer a word that could be translated. These statements had the desired effect; the matter soon died away, and those who for a time were prevented from uniting with the Baptists by these reports, have since come out and joined us.

The community having heard so much on the subject of the "new bible," I have been at some pains to disseminate information on the subject of the American and Foreign Bible Society-and since they have an understanding of the subject, they have felt an anxiety to do something for the cause. Pursuant to public notice, the ladies in the bourds of this church and congregation, met on Thursday evening, December 1st, and organized the "Cedarville Female Bible Society, auxiliary to the American and Foreign Bible Society."

E. D. FENDALL.

The above communication discloses the hostility of a professed minister of Christ, from whom we might have hoped for better things. But this spirit is in perfect keeping with the opposition of the human heart to the simple truth of the Bible, in every age. When the celebrated Erasmus published the New Testament in its original language, the University of Cambridge absolutely forbad the use of it. "These," says he, "object to us the feigned Authority of Synods, and magnify the great Peril of the Christian Faith and the Danger of the Church, which they pretend to support. And these Cla

mours they disperse among the ignorant and superstitious Populace, with whom, having the Reputation of being great Divines, they are very loth to have their Opinions called in question, and are afraid, that when they quote the Scriptures wrong, as they often do, that the Authority of the Greek and Hebrew should be cast into their teeth, and that by and by, that should appear to be a mere Dream, which was by them given out for an oracle." Accordingly, the vicar of Corydon in Surry, is said to have expressed himself to the following purpose, in a sermon which he preached at Paul's Cross about this time. "We must root out Printing, or Printing will root out us." Query-Is not the course uniformly adopted by our pædobaptist friends a practical exemplification of the learned vicar's precautionary determination? We must root out Believers' Baptisin, or that will root out Infant sprinkling. Cavendo Tutus.

OPINIONS OF BAPTISTS RESPECTING THE DUTY OF THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The following quotations are selected from the minutes of Baptist Associations, as an expression of the views which are generally entertained as to the extent of the field of the American and Foreign Bible Society's operations.

The Committee on Bible translation and distribution of the Hudson River Baptist Association, assembled at Mount Pleasant, June 21st, 1837, presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted.

That since the last session of this body, a numerous convention of the denomination assembled at Philadelphia, and after a free and full discussion of the whole subject, approved of the incipient organization at New-York; and that so far as the sentiments of the denomination have been elicited, the American and Foreign Bible Society has received their cordial approbation. Therefore,

1. Resolved, That this association most cordially approve the acts of the late Bible Convention at Philadelphia, in the organization of the American and Foreign Bible Society, embracing the principles of the incipient organization, under the same title at New-York.

2. Resolved, That in the opinion of this association, the King of Zion has already determined the bounds of the American and Foreign Bible Society's operations, by the unqualified declaration which prescribes the sphere of Christian duty, in view of the moral destitution of the whole human family-"The field is the world." That there is much cause for mutual congratulation and fervent gratitude to God, in the loud and cheerful response of the denomination to this call of heaven; and that in their successful translations of the Bible, into the language of more than one half of the nations of the carth, we can clearly perceive the indications of that divine favour, that has in every age distinguished the Baptists as the advocates and defenders of the truth and ordinances of God.

3. Resolved, That whereas the churches of this association did, in their session of 1836, unanimously pledge the prayers and pecuniary resources of this body in support of the American and Foreign Bible Society," it is earnestly hoped, that they will redeem that pledge, by liberally contributing as the Lord has prospered them, to sustain that Society in its magnificent enterprise of holy benevolence.

B. T. WELCH, Chairman.

Ashford Baptist Association, Connecticut.

1. "Resolved, That this Association are highly gratified to learn, that, as the result of the Convention recently held in Philadelphia, a society for the trans

lating, printing, and circulating the Sacred Scriptures was formed, to be known by the name of 'The American and Foreign Bible Society. It is their fervent prayer that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon the work of their hands.

2. "Resolved, That under existing circumstances, in our opinion, it is the duty of the Baptist denomination to embrace the whole world as the field of their future operations.

3. "Resolved, That we appoint J. Chaplin, D. D. Rev. H. Fitts, Rev. B. Cook, jun. Rev. N. D. Benedict, and H. Rider, Esq. to represent this body in the Convention to convene the last Wednesday in April, 1838, in the Oliver-street Church, N. Y. "B. COOK, Jr. Chairman."

The following resolution was passed by the New-York Baptist Association, at its late anniversary, May 30, 1837.

Resolved, That this association, recognising the unspeakable importance of giving to the whole world, with the least possible delay, the entire word of God, faithfully translated, regard, with the most lively interest, the organization of the American and Foreign Bible Society by the Baptist denomination-and do most earnestly recoinmend to the churches of this body, and to the religious community in general, to adopt the most efficient means to supply the treasury of the society with ample funds, for the distribution of the Holy Scriptures.

From the Minutes of the Fifth Anniversary of the Monongahela Baptist Association.

Resolved, That we cordially approve of the late organization of the American and Foreign Bible Society, which we regard as constituted in obedience to the providence of God, calling our denomination to endeavour, by unfettered and untrammelled action, to give the Bible, in true and faithful versions, unto all the nations of the earth.

Virginia and Foreign Baptist Bible Society.

This Society celebrated its anniversary in the meeting-house of the First Baptist Church, Richmond, June 6th, 1837. The President, Col. Alexander Fleet, in the Chair. An interesting report was read by Brother Ryland, after which the following resolutions were passed, with a unanimity of sentiment and ardour of feeling, which evinced the determination of the brethren to labour efficiently in the Bible cause.

Resolved, That we cordially approve the formation of the American and Foreign Bible Society, by the Bible Convention which met in Philadelphia, April 26, 1837, and that this society become auxiliary to that institution.

Resolved, That seventeen delegates be appointed to attend the anniversary meeting of the American and Foreign Bible Society the last week in April, 1838, and that they be instructed to recommend to the society to engage in the work of Home as well as Foreign distribution.

The last Resolution was moved by Brother Cone, President of the Parent Society, who addressed the meeting upon the leading topics connected with the printing and circulation of the Scriptures, both at home and abroad. He dwelt particularly upon the fact, that the friends of the society, upon whom its responsibilities had officially devolved, were convinced that the perpetuity and extensive usefulness of the institution could not be reasonably anticipated, if its operations should be limited to narrower bounds than those prescribed by the God of the Bible-"THE FIELD 19 THE WORLD."