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Auxiliary Society of the First Baptist Church, New-York.

The Anniversary of the Bible Society of the First Baptist Church in New-York, was celebrated in their meeting-house in Gold-street, January 10th, 1839.

The President took the chair at 7 o'clock, and after an appropriate hymn, prayer was offered by Elder Parkinson. The report of the Board of Managers for the past year, was then read by Dr. Devan.

From that interesting document our limits will only allow us to make the following brief extracts:

"While we are mournful in view of the many opportunities to advance the cause, which we as individuals allow to glide by unimproved, we rejoice that as a Board of Managers of the Bible Society of this church, we have been permitted through grace to embrace the opportunity afforded us by your contributions to do something for the kingdom of Jesus. We have the pleasure to announce, that your contributions for the past year have enabled us to transfer to the Treasury of the American and Foreign Bible Society the sum of $500; by means of a portion of which Elders Dodge, of Newark, and Grenell, of Paterson, have been enrolled as Life Directors of the Parent Institution. There remains yet as a balance in the hands of your Treasurer, the sum of $83 25."

The last named amount was obtained by the zealous co-operation of a committee of pious ladies attached to the church, and to whom the Board pay the following just and delicate tribute :

"The call of duty has been promptly and nobly responded to by the too much neglected but powerful support of female exertion. We are rejoiced in being able to inform you that the Bible committee of the ladies of this church and congregation have done the cause much service, for after your Board had reaped all they could into the granary of the Lord, the female committee gleaned the field, and added to our treasury the sum of $82 88, exclusive of which they added to our list several new subscribers. With pleasure, therefore, do we render honour to whom honour is due. Your Board in taking leave of them, most cordially thank them for their efforts, for we have found them help meets indeed."

After the acceptance of the report, the Corresponding Secretary of the Parent Society delivered an address, and offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:

66

Resolved, That it is the duty of all who believe the Bible to be a divine revelation, and therefore that it is our duty; to employ all lawful means to promote the circulation of the sacred Scriptures among all nations, faithfully translated into their respective languages."

A collection was then taken to aid the funds of the Society, and the following persons were chosen as officers of the Society for the ensuing year.

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TRUTH PREVAILING IN GERMANY.

Brother Oncken writes from Hamburg, December 8th, 1838.

'Your very acceptable letter, dated October 8th, has greatly relieved me from my anxiety, as to the 5000 Bibles I had purchased, as friends in England and Scotland have declined to render me any assistance. Many thanks, therefore, to you and the brethren composing the Board of the American and Foreign Bible Society, for the generous support given; but for this aid, I should have been altogether without a Bible, larger than a small pocket size. One thousand copies and upwards, are already in circulation, and who knows what amount of light, life, comfort and joy they may already have been instrumental in imparting to dying men.

"From the enclosed bill of lading, you will see, that a case with Bibles has been shipped for your society;-it contains 144 copies 8vo. Bibles, a small parcel for the American Tract Society, and two large folio Bibles, which I wish to present to your Society. The Testaments and the remainder of the Bibles will be forwarded in the spring: freight, insurance, &c. is so very high this time of the year.

"I made a tour to the south this autumn, which has been attended by most glorious re sults, and has for some time occupied the newspapers all over Germany. The blessed Lord has done great things! and my soul magnifies his holy name. A Christian church has been formed at Stuttgard, composed of twenty-two members, who were all immersed in the Neckar, by my hands; the particulars of the circumstance that led to this happy result, you will learn from the brethren at Boston. Since my return, three candidates for immersion at the University of Marburg, have offered themselves, and to-day I had an interesting letter from a man in Westphalia, in which he tells me, that he has been compelled by convictions to espouse our cause. The work in this city is, thanks to God, prospering: Eight converts were immersed in the Elbe on the 5th inst. and several individuals have applied for admission to our communion."

After alluding to the persecution which in various forms he is compelled to suffer, brother Oncken goes on to remark:

"But oh! a faithful God!-He has been my shield, and has richly compensated me for these little trials, in the success with which my feeble efforts here have been crowned.

"I have so many things to say, and yet I must break off, time bids me do so. A thousand thanks to you and all in America, who love us and pray for us.-I feel we are one spirit with you-when a few more fleeting hours shall have passed over us, we shall press each other to the heart in the immediate presence of Him who loved us, and gave himself for us. May He keep us near his side whilst here, and present us blameless before our Father, with exceeding joy. In much Christian affection, yours in the gospel of Christ,

J. G. ONCKEN."

To the Auxiliary Societies, and other Friends of the American and Foreign Bible Society,

The Bible is the authentic testimony of God, to facts not otherwise discoverable-a knowledge of the truth which it reveals is necessary to the salvation of the soul. The prayerful perusal of the Scriptures is therefore incumbent upon all who can procure the inspired volume; and to afford to all mankind, facilities for obtaining the invaluable treasure, is a paramount duty of the friends of Christ. The Committee of Publication indulge the hope, that the auxiliary societies will adopt immediate and active measures to circulate within their respective bounds, the Bibles and Testaments which have been printed since the last annual meeting of the society.-Superficial and false religion is industriously propagated throughout the world by means of the press. Tares are everywhere scattered by the agents of sin; let the servants of Christ hasten to sow the good seed of that Gospel by which "life and immortality are brought to light"-let them widely circulate the pages of that book which, like the leaves of the tree of life, are "for the healing of the nations."

Twenty-five thousand copies of a nonpareil New-Testament, and five thousand of the brevier New Testament are ready for delivery. The whole Bible, in brevier, is in a course of preparation, and will be completed in a few days.

TERMS.

Nonpareil Testament, 18mo. bound in cloth, per 100 copies

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$12 50

16 00

37 50

18 75

25.00

65 00

The above are the Society's lowest terms, being the actual first cost of the books. It is believed that cheaper volumes, considering the superior style of execution, have not been presented to the public, and the Committee hope that they will be extensively circulated.

The Committee earnestly recommend auxiliary societies to adopt the earliest and most effectual measures to locate a depository in some central and convenient place, and that information of the fact be immediately communicated to the churches in their vicinity.— They further recommend, that orders for books be forwarded as soon as possible to the Corresponding Secretary, No. 82 Madison-street, or to Wm. Colgate, No. 6 Dutch

street.

The Committee earnestly entreat that this subject may receive immediate attention, and that the whole of the present edition of the Bible may ere long be distributed as "bread cast upon the waters, which shall be found after many days." Let every minister of Christ-let every brother and sister in Christ, composing the seven thousand Baptist churches in the United States, examine into the moral wants of those around them-let no one capable of reading, continue without a Bible-let no Sunday school scholar be without one of our New Testaments. Is it not probable that tens of thousands might be induced to subscribe for a copy of the Bible or New Testament, if solicited to do so? Let all the churches circulate subscription papers for that purpose in their respective congregations and neighbourhoods, and if not before, let orders for books be sent by delegates to the annual meeting in Philadelphia.

The Committee respectfully solicit that this article may be read from the pulpit of each church to which it is sent.

On behalf of the Committee, most affectionately
Yours in the bonds of the Gospel,

New-York, April 1, 1839.

CHARLES G. SOMMERS,

Cor. Sec. A. & F. B. S.

We are reluctantly compelled to omit the list of new Auxiliary Societies, Life directors, and Life members, of the society; and also the statement of additions made to the Biblical library-they will appear in the next annual report.

TREASURER'S ACCOUNT.

Moneys received by WILLIAM COLGATE, Treasurer of the "American and Foreign Bible Society," 1839.

Jan.

A Gentleman of Mount Holly, per
Rev. Samuel Cornelius
Illinois Baptist Convention, per J.
Peck, Treasurer

M.

Bowling Green Bible Society, per J.
E. Tyler, Louisville
Rev. A. Maclay, Louisville, per do
Youth's Burinan Bible Society, New-
York, per Geo. L. Newton, Treas.
Bible Society of the 1st Baptist church,
New-York, per Wm. Durbrow, Tr.
Laurens-st. Bible Soc. per Luke Barker
Oliver-street Female Bapt. Bible Soc.
per Emma Garniss, Treasurer,
Washington Union Asso. from South
Hartford Bapt. ch. per H. F.Baldwin
Virginia and Foreign Bapt. Bible Soc.
per James Sizer, Treas.
Oxford Bapt. Asso. Hebron, Me. per
Rev. John Trippe

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1200 00

126 23

24 00

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Oneida County Bible Society, per
Uriah Hobby, Treasurer
Youth's Burman Bible Society, N. Y.
per S. H. Cone, for Books .
W. M. Henry, New-Brunswick, pr do
A friend in Oliver-street Church, pr do.
Cash sales of New Testament, at the
Depository, No 6 Dutch-st. for Jan.
Feb.

Bible Society for Albany county and
vicinity, per Wm. Soulden, Tr. viz.
1st Baptist Church, Albany, per

186 92

Wm. Soulden

10 00

Martha K. Pohlman

20 00

20 25

Elizabeth Brooks

1 00

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50

2.00

Bern and Knox church, viz.

By the Church collections

16 31

26 98

Harriet Clark, of Burnville

1 00

Dr. Adam Clark

10 00

Rev. Wm. H. Murch, President of
Stepney College, London, per Rev.
C. G. Sommers, 10 Sovereigns
Rev. A. Maclay. New Orleans

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17 44

48 50

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Westerloo First Baptist Church

11 25

520 00

Schenectady Church, viz.

N. Y. Young Men's City Bible Soc. for books, S. Raynor, Tr.

Julius Bowles

1 00

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2 69

A Friend in Oliver-street church,.

10 00

91 19

Aimwell Sewing Soc. of 1st Baptist

Church, Washington, per S. H. Cone! 30 00

$3895 67

WM. COLGATE Esq. Treasurer, 6 Dutch-street.

Rev. CHARLES G. SOMMERS, Corresponding Secretary, 82 Madison-street, 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.

ARTERLY PAPERS.

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SECOND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN BIBLE

Subsequent to the Meeting of the Bible Convention, April 28, 1837.

THE Society held its last Anniversary on Tuesday, the 22d of April, 1839, in the meeting-house of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

After spending an hour in supplication for the blessing of God, the Chair was taken at 10 o'clock, A. M. by S. H. Cone, the President of the Society. Brother Daniel Sharp, of Boston, opened the Meeting, by reading the 19th Psalm. After which Brother R. Babcock, jr. of Philadelphia, addressed the Mercy Seat.

A Committee, consisting of brethren Chapin, Bennett, Sears, Baker, and Adams, were appointed to nominate a Board of Managers for the ensuing year. An abstract of the Treasurer's Report was then presented and accepted, on motion of Brother Daniel Dodge, of Philadelphia, seconded by Brother William Crane, of Baltimore.

This Report showed an amount of receipts during the year, of $24,745 75 and a balance on hand of $6275 44. The President then delivered an address, which has been published in connexion with the Annual Report of the Board of Managers, an abstract of which was read by Charles G. Sommers of New-York, the Corresponding Secretary of the Society.

ABSTRACT OF THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT.

The Report opens with an acknowledgment of the Divine goodness, and a statement of the flattering prospects before the Society.

Home Distribution.-The Board regard as one great source of their prosperity, the regularity with which the quarterly and Annual Meetings of Auxiliary Societies have been attended. During the year there have been published for home distribution 25,000 copies of the New Testament for Sabbath schools, in nonpareil.

5000 copies of the New Testament, in brevier.

5000 copies of the Bible, in brevier, making in all 35,000 volumes.

The Report then proceeds as follows:

In the regions of human policy, too much light may be as fatally overwhelming as too little; but in the moral world, God has ordained the unveiled revelation of his will, to be at once the solace and the safeguard of mankind. In a country like this, where every man may adopt any creed and every creed, or no creed at all, it must be evident, that the extensive diffusion of the Bible is the only means of preventing that most fearful of all evils, universal corruption; the offspring of universal ignorance. The Board therefore contemplate the work of domestic distribution as a sacred and indispensable department of their labours.

In our own land we behold an expanding field of usefulness-here the enginery of the press may exert its mightiest powers over the minds of unborn millions, in a country exceeding the extent of the whole of Europe-here future generations will contemplate a teeming population, possessing one common language, united by the bonds of a common brotherhood-moving and acting in a kindred mass, and amalgamated into one vast empire, bounded only by the geographical limits of the continent. Facts prove that the population of America, has, during the last two centuries, doubled itself in periods of less than 25 years, and in another century the freemen upon this continent, will probably outnumber the present millions of China. If the energy of the human mind is here as elsewhere, to bear a proportion to the masses which prompt it to good or to evil; what will be the future condition of our country, unless the dissemination of the Scriptures can be made commensurate with the increase of a nation who even now claim dominion over an empire beyond the limits of Alexander's; and still, pressing onward towards an ever receding horizon? Hundreds of thousands are even now floating on the westward tide of emigration towards the setting sun, and the most powerful of all motives call on us to send with them not only our laws and civil institutions, but the Bible, as the only imperishable foundation upon which the hopes of the present and future generations of the American republic can be consolidated-the only repository of those deathless truths which elevate and sanctify the human mind. Donations.-1000 copies of the nonpareil New Testament have been presented to "the New-England Sabbath School Union."

Foreign Distribution.-Since the incipient organization of the Society in 1836, $50,500 have been appropriated to the translation of the Bible, and its foreign distribution.

Translations made by Baptist Missionaries.-The late excellent Dr. Carey, assisted by the late Messrs. Thomas, Ward, and Felix Carey, has published the Bible in whole or in part, in 39 languages,-the New Testament in twenty-three languages or dialects, and smaller portions of the Scriptures in nine other languages.

To this may be added, the entire Bible, translated into the Chinese by Dr. Marshman; two editions of which have been printed and circulated. These translations, made by Baptist Missionaries, are entitled to respect, not only because as good probably, as under their circumstances could be produced by any body of translators; but be. cause THEY WERE THE FIRST IN EACH LANGUAGE RESPECTIVELY, that had ever been prepared for the hundreds of millions who inhabit those regions of darkness.

The labours of this eminent brother, have been ably seconded by the late Mr. Chamberlain, who translated and printed the New Testament in the BrajBhasha and Hindi languages, the latter having been printed as far as the epistle to the Corinthians, at the time of his decease.

Mr. Amos Sutton, of Cuttack, is preparing an improved version of the Scriptures in the Uriya language.

Mr. Thompson, of Delhi, Mr. Lish, of Cherrapungi, Mr. Chater, of Colombo, in Ceylon, and Mr. Broucker, of Samarang in Java, have prepared, or are now translat

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