^: ';,; i ii! ' ' i'iiiji Hi h: jili i 1 \k ij! i ^il ! ! • IH- ' Ihi '\\ w ';: 1: •ill 1 1^ iiiiiiiiiiliilliiiiiiiii BV 2370 .N4 A4 1912 Aiken, Edwin J. The first hundred years of the New Hampshire Bible Hon. David Cross. President, 1S99- THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY 1812-1912 Rev. Edwin J. Aiken Secretary, 1898-1912 The Rumford Press Concord, N. H. 1 912 TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE' OxE Hundred Years of Bible Work in New Hampshire .... 1 Constitution of 1812 2 Organization of the Bible Society 4 Act of Incorporation, 1812 5 Fiftieth Anniversary 23 Se\^nty-fifth Anniversary 38 Constitution of 1897 45 One Hundredth Annual Meeting 51 Financial Report 54 Officers of 1812 and 1912 56 Officers from 1812 to 1912 57 Life Members 1912 61 Corporate Members 1912 63 County Bible Societies 63 Ladies' Bible Associations 66 COLPORTAGE WoRK 68 A Look Forward 70 Biographical Sketches 71 The Printing of the Scriptures in New Hampshire 76 Editions of the Bible 77 Editions of the New Testament from 1818 to 1865 78 APPENDIX. The Story of Mary Jones, and the Organization of the British and Foreign Bible Society 81 The Organization and Work of the American Bible Society . . 82 Organization of other Bible Societies 84 Organization of the New England Bible Societies 85 The Circulation of the Scriptures 85 Translation of the Scriptures 86 Facts About the Bible 86 PORTRAITS. Hon. David Cross, LL.D. Frontispiece. Hon. John Langdon, LL.D 4 Rev. Osman C. Baker, D.D. 9 Rev. Ebenezer E. Cummings, D.D 19 Hon. Edward Spalding, M.D 23 IV TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Hon. John Kimball 29 Rev. Franklin D. Ayer, D.D 35 Dea. WilI/IAm G. Brown 39 Hon. Isaac W. Smith, LL.D 45 Rev. Alfred L. Elwyn 51 Rev. Elisha Adams, D.D 57 Rev. Edwin J. Aiken 62 ILLUSTRATIONS. Meeting House, Concord, N. H., 1812 66 New Hampshire Bible Society Depository, 6 School St., Concord, N. H 70 Full Size Title Page of the New Testament, Printed by Samuel Bragg, Jr., Dover, N. H., 1803 .... 76 Full Size Title Page of the New Testament, /» Printed by Simeon Ide, New Ipswich, N. H. 1815 78 Monument Erected in Memory of the Rev. Thomas Charles, Bala, Wales 81 American Bible Society Work in China 83 American Bible Society Work in Siam 84 PREFACE. No date in the history of New Hampshire shines with clearer lustre than the 3rd day of June 1812, and yet the birth of the New Hampshire Bible Society, when it occurred, seems to have attracted but little public attention, if any at all. The writer has searched the papers published during the month of June 1812 \Ndthout finding a word of record or of welcome. ' This Society was organized one hundred years ago and exists today simply to circulate one book, and a centenary history of the Society and of its work means much. For the facts and figures herein given we are dependent upon the written records and published reports of the Society. But as one traces the story of the Society's work for a hundred years and is made to understand something of the giant obstacles before it, and of the courage and zeal of those who undertook it and have continued it through these many years, he must look upward, as well as outward and onward with faith, and humbly and thankfully confess that "This is the Lord's doings, and it is marvellous in our eyes." The object of the Society and its work is "That they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." And should this compiling of facts inspire the reader to a more earnest Christian service and to a more zealous study of the Word, it will repay the compiler many fold. Edwin J. Aiken. ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF BIBLE WORK IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. In the printed report of the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society at the beginning of Bible work in New Hampshire, date 1803, we find the following: "Is not the object important, and worthy of fupport? — The Gofpel is the greateft of all bleffings. This alone contains a fovereign, ample remedy for perifhing, immortal fouls. We enjoy its benign bleffings. We, who, in our anceftors, afar off from God, ftrangers to the covenant of promife, having no hope, and without God in the world; we, through the benevolence, charity and zeal of others, from other nations, in ages paft, do enjoy that bleffed Book, which brings life and immortality to light. But there are others, innumerable, who do not enjoy it; but are perifhing for lack of vifion. And multitudes of our own nation and kindred, in our infant fettle- ments, are in a ftate but little fuperior to theirs." We find that with the close of the year 1805 "our miffionaries have diftributed (and have on hand for diftribution) 26 Bibles and 15 Testaments." The first proposition to form a Bible Society independent of the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society was made at a gathering of the General Association of Congregational Min- isters at Exeter, September 19, 1810. The following September at a meeting of the same body at Dunbarton, it was decided to be expedient that such a Society should be formed. A com- mittee was appointed to prepare an address to the Christians of all denominations inviting them to unite in such an organization, and also to draw up a constitution and call the first meeting. The following notice was printed in the New Hampshire Patriot, under date of May 26, 1812. BIBLE SOCIETY. All persons who wish to be members of the New Hampshire Bible Society are desired to meet at the Meeting House in this town, on the 3rd day of June next, at 10 o'clock A.M. when the Constitution of the Society is to be adopted, and officers chosen for the year ensuing. The meeting was held in the First Congregational Church, at Concord. 1 2 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE The Constitution reported by the committee was as follows : CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. 1. The Society shall be called the New Hampshire Bible Society. The sole object of the Society is to promote the more extensive distribution of the Holy Bible. This object is to be invariably pursued, by procuring and distributing, gratuitously, among the destitute and needy, or selling at reduced prices, accord- ing to the discretion of the Board of Directors, Bibles or Testa- ments, in the English language, of the present received version^ without note or comment; and by aiding, in case the funds of the Society shall admit, in translating and printing the Holy Scriptures, in other languages, for charitable distribution. 2. Every person who advances forty dollars, shall be a member of the Society for life; and every person, who gives his name to the Secretary, and annually pays either two or three dollars, shall be a member, until he signify to some officer of the Society his desire to withdraw. So long as persons pay their annual sub- scription, a member who pays two dollars shall be entitled to one Bible annually; and every other member shall be entitled to two Bibles annually; provided that these Bibles are applied for at the time of the annual payment, or within a year afterwards. 3. The officers of the Society shall be a President, three Vice- Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and four Directors, to be chosen annually by ballot. Of these officers, two of the Vice- Presidents, the Secretary, and two of the Directors, only, shall be Ministers of the Gospel. 4. The above named officers shall be a Board of Directors; six of whom shall be a quorum for transacting business; but a less number may adjourn from time to time, as shall be necessary. This Board shall meet immediately after their appointment, and afterwards upon their own adjournment; and also when required by the President or senior Vice-President. They shall manage all the concerns of the Society, and exert themselves to promote its object. For this purpose, it shall appoint agents, in different places, for procuring subscriptions and donations, and for dis- tributing Bibles; and shall adopt whatever rules and measures they may judge expedient, which are compatible with this Con- NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. 3 stitution. At every annual meeting, they shall exhibit to the Secretary a written report of their proceedings, together with such information and suggestions as they may think deserving the consideration of the Society, and calculated to animate their exertions in distributing the Holy Bible. 5. The Society shall annually appoint two persons, to be Auditors of the Treasurer's accounts, and report to the Society. 6. In case, the office of Secretary or Treasurer, or Auditor, shall become vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint some person to fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting. But no member of the Board shall ever be appointed an Auditor. 7. The annual meeting of the Society shall be on the Wednes- day following the third Tuesday in September, at 5 o'clock, P. M. in the same place where the Now Hampshire Missionary Society shall hold their annual meeting; unless the Society shall determine to meet at some other time and place. Notice of the time and place of such meeting shall be given by the Secretary in such manner as the Society shall direct. 8. All sums which may be given, beside those which constitute membership, will be gratefully received, and devoted to the sole object of the Society. 9. The President, or in his absence the senior Vice-President, or in th3ir absence the senior Director present, shall preside in all meetings of the Society and of the Board. The Secretary shall record their proceedings, and correspond in their name. He shall also keep an account of all monies which shall be paid to the Treasurer, and of all orders drawn on him. The Treasurer shall give receipts for all the money which he receives, and shall make no disbursements without an order drawn on him, by direction of the Board. 10. Any article in this Constitution, except the first, may be altered or amended, at any annual meeting, by vote of two thirds of the members present. 11. Members of other Bible Societies, and Ministers of the Gospel not belonging to this state, who may be present at an annual meeting, shall be invited to set with the Society, as cor- responding members. This Constitution was adopted, and the following officers were elected : 4 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE His Excellency, Gov. John Langdon, LL.D., President. Rev. Seth Paj'son, D.D., Rindg3, Vice-President. Rev. John H. Church, Pelham, Secretary. Jonathan Wilkins, Esq., Concord, Treasurer. Daniel Emerson, Hollis, ] Rev. John Smith, Salem, i j^^^^^i^^ Maj. John Mills, Dunbarton, [ Rev. Reed Paige, Hancock, I Rev. Abraham Burnham, \ a il't Dea. Abiel Rolfe, Concord, / One hundred and sixty persons united with the Society during the first four months. The formation of a Bible Society in our state was an event in its history. It shows the influence of the Bible upon the early men of the state, for New Hampshire could not have furnished a more distinguished company than the thirty- five clergymen and one hundred and twenty-five laymen whose names appear on the list of founders. The Society had its origin in a time of war. As a nation, we were then engaged in the second conflict with Great Britain. They were dark days and there was in the minds of many good men a hesitation in regard to the formation of a Bible Society. They asked, "Can it be carried on and supported in New Hamp- shire?" The seaports of the country were then blockaded, and Bibles printed in England and on the Continent of Europe could not be obtained. But the Society succeeded in purchasing during the first three months of its existence, four hundred and fifty copies of the Bible of West and Blake in Boston for immediate distribution. The record says, "These Bibles were purchased for sixty-four cents. The same could have been bought in Hart- ford, Ct. for 62 1-2 cents, but on account of the risk of transport- ing them by water in the time of war, it was thought best to pur- chase at Boston, especiafly when it was found that we could take the Bibles at the bindery in Concord, N. H." Twenty agents were appointed in different parts of the state for the sale of the Bibles and to sohcit contributions, and $508.77 was received during the first four months of work. The first annual meeting of the Society was held in connection with the annual meeting of the General Association of Congre- gational Churches of New Hampshire at Holhs, September 16, Hon. .John Lancuox. President, 1812-1814. NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. 5 1812, and its first report, which was called an annual report, covers less than four months. At this meeting the officers of the Society elected in June were re-elected, and Rev. John Smith and Rev. John H. Church were appointed a committee to prepare a petition to the Legislature for an act of incorporation; and the Hon. Thomas W. Thompson and Rev. Reed Paige were appointed agents of the Society to present the petition at the November session. The following petition was presented: "The petition of John Langdon and others praying that they may be incorporated into a body politic by the name of the New Hampshire Bible Society. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Convened, the undersigners, having formed them- selves into a society for the purpose of gratuitously distributing the Holy Scriptures among the destitute and needy, humbly pray, that they and their associates may be incorporated into a body politic, by the name of the New Hampshire Bible Society, with all the powers and privileges incident to incorporations of a similar nature; and your petitions as in duty bound will hum- bly and thankfully acknowledge their obligations to your honor- able body. John Langdon John H. Church John T. Oilman Moses Whiting Wm. F. Rowland William Hardy, 2nd Walter Harris John Marsh Samuel Harris Reed Page Daniel Hardy Asa McFarland John Kelley Tho. W. Thompson John Smith" The following act of incorporation was obtained : State of New Hampshire. " In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve. An Act, to incorporate the New Hampshire Bible Society. Whereas, The Hon. John Langdon, John T. Oilman, and others, have petitioned the General Court, praying that they 6 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE and their associates may be incorporated for the purpose of circulating more extensively the Holy Scriptures, by distrib- uting them gratuitously amongst the poor and needy, and disposing of them at reduced prices; and the prayer thereof appearing reasonable: Therefore, 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened. That John Langdon, John T. Oilman, Seth Payson, Reed Paige, and John H. Church, and their asso- ciates and successors, be, and they are hereby, incorporated and made a body politic, by the name of the New Hampshire Bible Society: and by that name may sue and prosecute, be sued and prosecuted, to final judgment and execution; and shall be, and hereby are, vested with all the privileges and powers which by law are incident to corporations of a similar nature. 2. And be it further enacted. That Seth Payson and John H. Church, or either of them, may call a meeting of said Society, to be holden at any suitable time and place, by advertising the same in one of the Concord newspapers at least fourteen days before the time of holding said meeting; and the members of the Society, by a majority present, or represented at said meeting, shall choose a Clerk or Secretary, who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of his office ; and shall agree on a method of calling future meetings; and at the same or any subsequent meeting may elect such officers, and make and establish such by-laws, as to them shall appear to be expedient to carry into execution the benevolent design of the Society; and the same by-laws cause to be enacted, and annex suitable penalties to the breach thereof; provided said rules and by-laws be not repugnant to the Constitution and Laws of this state. 3. And bs it further enacted, That the said Society be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered to hold personal estate, not exceeding five thousand dollars." This Society had its origin when few similar societies existed in the world. Only five Bible Societies existed in the whole Eastern Hemisphere — one in Oreat Britain, three on the Conti- nent of Europe and one in India. Only four years had passed since the formation of the first Bible Society in America, and there were few societies existing in the United States. There NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. 7 were but three State Bible Societies in New England — the Con- necticut Bible Societj', the Massachusetts Bible Society, and the Bible Society of Maine. The second annual meeting of the Society was held in the Con- gregational Church at Plymouth, September 21, 1813. Hon. John Langdon was re-elected President, and Rev. Seth Payson, D.D., Ebenezer Adams and Rev. Nathan Parker, D.D., were elected Vice-Presidents. The Secretary reported that a die for stamping Bibles had been presented by Mr. Jacob Perkins, of Newburyport, Mass., and a vote of thanks was extended to tha donor. Also, a gift of one hundred dollars was received from the Hon. John Langdon. The membership had increased to 334, and the reports as to Bible distribution W3re as follows: Rev. Mr. Morrison reported that he had given "twelve to people unable to get Bibles, but very desirous of them"; Rev. Mr. Rowland reported that he had distributed twenty-four, mostly in Exeter and Stratham; Rev. Mr. Burnham had given eight to persons in divers places; Rev. Timothy Clark had dis- tributed eight on missionary ground in the North-eastern part of the state; the Secretary had given nine to poor persons in Pelham and Nottingham-West; and Rev. Mr. Rolfe had given away nine in the vicinity of Groton. Eighteen hundred copies of the Bible were purchased this year for $768.00, and sixteen hundred copies were distributed in the state. At a meeting of the Board of Directors it was voted: "That Five Hundred Dollars be appropriated, as soon as the funds of the Society shall admit, to aid the distribution of the Scriptures in Asia, or in some other place, as Divine Providence shall appear to direct." A Bible Society was established in St. Petersburg, in Russia during the year. At the third annual meeting held in Hanover on September 21, 1814, the Society received a letter from its President enclosing one hundred dollars and declining to be a candidate for re- election. The following vote was passed: "That the Society express to the Hon. John Langdon the grateful sense which the Society entertains of the services he has rendered the cause of the Redeemer, as President of this Society, and by his generous 8 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE donations in aid of its funds." The Hon. Timothy Farrar, of New Ipswich, was elected President, and George Hough, of Concord, Treasurer. The following item of interest is found in the report for this year: "The Bible Society of Massachusetts distributed last year 78 minion Bibles, 743 common Bibles, and 226 Testaments. They have also refunded to the British and Foreign Bible Society the sum of £157:2:9 sterling, being the amount of an invoice of Bibles and Testaments shipped by said Society, for charitable distribution in North America, but taken by one of our privateers and sold at auction. They have more recently purchased 900 Bibles and 300 Testaments, which had been likewise shipped by said Society for distribution at the Cape of Good Hope, but taken by a privateer and sent into Bath, in the district of Maine. By the liberality of the captors, these were purchased on very low terms, and will be forwarded by the Massachusetts Society to the place of their original destination." "It was voted to remit the sum of Five Hundred Dollars to the Bible Society of Philadelphia to aid in printing an edition of fifty thousand copies of the French New Testament for chari- table distribution among the Catholics in Louisiana. Also Two Hundred Dollars were sent to the New York Bible Society to aid in printing six thousand copies of the Bible in French for work in the southwest of our country." In the four years from the formation of the Society, with a membership of 710, 4,600 copies of the Bible and 1,500 copies of the New Testament were placed in the famihes of the state. The Society being unable to make the needful supply in all parts of the state, the Connecticut Bible Society generously forwarded five hundred copies of the Bible, with the request that two hun- dred copies be sent to the "district of Maine for charitable dis- tribution." The following was received from the Philadelphia Bible Society, " Resolved, That the thanks of the managers be presented to the Bible Society of New Hampshire for Five Hundred Dollars liberally granted in aid of printing the French New Testament." The fourth annual meeting was held at Keene, September 20, 1815, and Rev. Fred Paige was elected Vice-President. Rev. Osman C. Baker, D.D. Director, 1852-1855. Vice-President, 1855-1872. NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. • 9 In acknowledging a donation from this Society to the Connec- ticut Reserve Bible Society for work at New Orleans, the fol- lowing action was taken: "This seasonable and generous dona- tion ($200) from the New Hampshire Bil^le Society fills our hearts with joy, and merits a return of our most cordial thanks." Also this year one hundred Bibles were sent to Huron and two hundred and fift}'- copies to Michigan Territory, The President of this Society received a letter from Hon. Elias Boudinot, President of the Bible Society of New Jersey, making a proposal for the formation of a National Bible Society in the United States, and gave notice of a general meeting to be held in the city of New York, on the 8th day of May 1816. There were then one hundred and thirty local societies. This meeting was made up of sixty men of different religious denominations, and from widely different parts of the country. The constitution which was adopted stated that "the sole object of the Society is to encourage the wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment"; and the American Bible Society, of New York, a national interdenominational Bible Society, was organized. Of this meeting the Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, in his recollec- tions of it years after, says "it was a meeting of selected hearts, and talents and influence, and of sublime humility, wisdom and prayer. We felt that the place where we stood was Holy ground — that God was there — and although the delegates were from various religious denominations, yet they were of one heart and of one mind as to the grand object of the convention. Such was the harmony of the proceedings with which they adopted the constitution of a National Society, as to inspire the livliest emo- tions of gratitude, and elicit tears of joy from many eyes." A powerful appeal to the "Christians of America" in behalf of the American Bible Society was issued from the press. The rich poured their offerings into its treasury; the poor gave freely and with self-sacrificing liberality; the churches made generous donations, and in four months' time the National Society received more money than the British and Foreign Bible Society received during the first two years of its existence. A large number of state and local Bible Societies became its auxiliaries. During this year the few Bible Societies existing in the country were so embarrassed that it was with difficulty that Bibles and 10 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE Testaments could be obtained. Such was the want in the state that Simeon Ide, a young man twenty-two years of age of New Ispwich, printed an edition of the New Testament. He went to Boston with a team, bought a hand printing press and a font of type, brought them home and set up his press in his father's blacksmith shop. He succeeded in getting paper, and he and his sister, twelve years of age, set up the type and struck off an edition of five thousand New Testaments of four hundred pages in six months. That the edition might be as free from errors as possible, he engaged Rev. Seth Payson, D.D., of Rindge, to read the proof sheets, and as there was only type enough to set twelve pages at a time, he walked to Payson's home in Rindge twice a week to read proof with him. Mr. Ide inserted on the title page of the New Testament, "Carefully examined and corrected by Rev. S. Payson, D.D." Some of the Doctor's friends having got the impression that he had been making a new translation of the Testament, it gave him no little uneasiness. To relieve him of this, Mr. Ide printed the words "First New Ipswich Edition," and pasted the strip over the obnoxious line (see page 78). The edition bore the imprint of 1815. In 1817 Mr. Ide removed from New Ipswich and subsequently settled in Claremont where he continued the use of his press for the printing of the Scriptures until 1865. The New Hampshire Bible Society purchased one thousand copies of the first edition in 1815 and several thousand copies of the editions of 1861 and 1865. George Hough, treasurer of the Bible Society, also printed an edition of the New Testament dur- ing 1815. At the fifth annual meeting held at Concord, September 18^ 1816, Rev. John Kelley was elected a Vice-President, and the following resolution was adopted: "That the sum of Five Hun- dred Dollars be remitted by the Treasurer of the New Hampshire Bible Society to the Treasurer of the American Bible Society, one half of said sum to be considered as a donation to that Insti- tution, the other moiety to be repaid in Bibles. "And that, as the state of our resources may from time to time permit, we will pour of our gold and of our silver into this treasury of our Lord; and that we shall rejoice to be enrolled NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. 11 among the number of those societies who may annually con- tribute in aid of that noble Institution." The Board of Directors voted, That the Prudential Committee direct the Treasurer to pay the money which had been appro- priated for foreign translation of the Scriptures (Five Hundred Dollars) as they shall judge most advantageous in conformity with the wishes of the donors, and to pay such farther sums to the Treasurer of the American Bible Society as the state of, our funds may admit. State and local Bible Societies and Missionary Societies of every denomination, at home and in foreign lands, were then dependent upon the American Bible Society for their supply of the Scriptures so necessary to their work. The New Hampshire Bible Society soon began to purchase Bibles of the American Bible Society and to make liberal dona- tions to it. A Bible Society was formed at Dartmouth College, in 1815 — in a time of great rehgious interest, when the Holy Spirit was specially present, and the importance of the Word of God was deeply felt. A dslegate was appointed by it to attend the formation of the American Bible Society. He failed to do so, but contributions for several years were made to that Institu- tion, and afterward to the New Hampshire Bible Society, of which it become an auxiliary. The whole number of Bibles and Testaments purchased by the New Hampshire Bible Society to date was 6,200 copies. This year $400 was appropriated for Bible distribution in the South-western portions of the United States. One half of this sum was sent to the Louisiana Bible Society and the other half to the Connecticut Reserve Bible Society. Also seven hundred copies of the Bible were purchased in Philadelphia for distribution in other remote parts of our country. At the sixth annual meeting held at Exeter, September 17, 1817, the Hon. Timothy Farrar declined re-election, and it was voted that the thanks of the Society be presented to him "for the interest he has taken in this object, and the aid which he had afforded in promoting the design of this Society." The Hon. Robert Means, of Amherst, was elected President, — the other officers remaining the same. The membership of the Society was 793. 12 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE During this year a donation of five hundred dollars was sent to the American Bible Society, and one hundred twenty-two dollars to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, "for pubHshing the Scriptures in the languages of the heathen." The seventh annual meeting was hald at Dover, September 16, 1818. Prof. Ebenezer Adams, of Dartmouth College, was elected President, and Dea. Amos Tappan, a Vice-President. During the six years of the Society's existence, $7,746.32 was raised and expended in Bible distribution in this state, Maine, Ohio, Michigan, Louisiana and Canada. The eighth annual meeting was held at Hanover, September 22, 1819. During this year special attention was given to the supply of the state prison and jails of the state with Bibles, and also of Forts Constitution and McClary, in the vicinity of the Harbor at Portsmouth, and provisions were made for the supply of seamen at that port. The Society this year received a legacy of one thousand dol- lars from Mrs. Thankful Shepard, of Alstead. The records of the Board of Directors for the year 1817 show that a legacy was expected and the following action was taken: Voted, "That the legacy, when received, be funded." The next year, 1818, this vote was reconsidered and annulled. The Treasurer's report for the year 1819 shows that the legacy when received was expended, — part as a donation to the American Bible Society and part in payment for Bibles. The following inscription appears on the head stone at Mrs. Shepard's grave in Alstead : Erected to the memory of Mrs. Thankful Shepard, who died June 7, A. D. 1817. Age 71 years. ReUct of the late Hon. Amos Shepard, Esq. Not merely in honor of the deceased, but as an example to survivers, it ia here recorded that in her last will she gave one thousand dollars to the New Hampshire Bible Society, and the same sum to the Congregational Church in Alstead, of which she was a member. NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. 13 Quit the ills of earth and rise, Sister Spirit, to the skies; Here behold thy Saviour's face, Laud his love and sing his praise, And see on earth thy bounty spread the truth, Counsel the aged and enlighten the youth, And as successive crowds of souls appear. To meet and thank their Benefactor there. If God should bless my mite To raise one soul to Heaven, To Him be all the gratitude And glory given. The ninth annual meeting was held at Portsmouth, September 20, 1820. Hon. David L. Morrill and Joseph Haven were elected Vice-Presidents. This meeting was saddened by the notice of the death of the Hon. John Langdon, the first President of the Society, and also the death of Rev. Seth Payson, D.D., the first Vice-President. Gov. John Langdon held the office of President of the Society until he declined re-election, and was the Society's largest bene- factor. "Knowing," as the report of the year states, "by happy experience the preciousness of the Gospel, he was desirous that his fellowmen should enjoy the same blessing." He was also Vice-President of the American Bible Society and a liberal sup- porter of its work. Rev. Dr. Payson continued in office to the time of his death and was an efficient promoter of the interests of the Society. It was voted that the annual meeting be held during the first week of September, provided that the General Association and Missionary Society concur in the change. It was also voted "to request the Trustees of the New Hampshire Missionary Society to let their missionaries distribute Bibles and Testaments for this Society." Three young men from the seminary at Andover, Mass. were employed in canvass work and the collection of funds. Also Dea. Nathaniel Cross, from Portland, Me., was employed in the eastern and northern parts of the state. The tenth annual meeting was held at New Ipswich, September 29, 1821. Hon. Edmund Parker was elected Vice-President and Nathaniel Abbott, of Concord, Treasurer. 14 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE During the year of 1822 the Society received a donation of five hundred dollars from Samuel Hutchinson, of Alstead. The amount of donations received during the year was $732.00, seven hundred dollars of which was sent as a donation to the American Bible Society. The twelfth annual meeting was held at Ac worth, September 3, 1823. Rev. Daniel Dana, D.D., was elected a Vice-President. The thirteenth annual meeting was held at Londonderry, September 8, 1824. Rev. Nathan Lord, D.D., pastor of the Congregational Church at Amherst, N. H., and afterward Presi- dent of Dartmouth College, was elected Secretary. In an address at the meeting, he urged the organization of Ladies' Bible Asso- ciations, and the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That this Society hears with pecuUar pleasure of the formation and utility of Bible Associations, expecially among females, and earnestly hopes that they may be formed in every town in New Hampshire, and be the means of promoting the circulation of the Bible extensively throughout the state, through- out the country and throughout the world. At a meeting of the Board of Directors held immediately following the adjournment of the annual meeting, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That it is expedient to take some more efficient measures than have been taken to increase the funds of this Society; and that the Prudential Committee of this Board be requested by agent or otherwise, to open a subscription in each town in this state, to form as extensively as may be Ladies' Aux- iliary Bible Associations, and to adopt such other measures as in their discretion shall judg3 suitable to secure the above object. This resolution was immediately carried into effect and two years later there were fifty-one female Bible Associations in the state auxihary to the New Hampshire Bible Society. In 1828, there were 138 societies, and 122 local agents working in the state. County Bible Societies were also organized, in Cheshire, Strafford, Grafton and Sullivan Counties* The towns of New Hampshire were divided into fifty-one districts and to each district was assigned a clergyman who was to visit the churches in the interest of Bible work, to assemble and encourage Ladies' NEW HAMPSHIRE BIBLE SOCIETY. 15 Associations, to revive languished ones, to organize new ones, and to ascertain whether the destitute had in all cases besn searched out and supplied. At the fifteenth annual meeting held at Durham, September 26, 1826, Rev. Charles Burroughs was elected Vice-President. The sixteenth annual meeting was held at Rindge, September 5, 1827, and we find the following record. "Paid post riders and stage drivers for distributing Bibles and Testaments, $9.12," At the seventeenth annual meeting held at Salisbury, Septem- ber 3, 1828, Rev. Daniel Lancaster, of Gilmanton, was elected Secretary of the Society, and the following resolution was adopted : Resolved, That this Society entertains a very grateful sense of the distinguished zeal and assiduity with which the Female Auxiliary Associations have engaged in the work of supplying the destitute poor with the Word of God. At the annual meeting held at Newport, September 2, 1829, Rev. John H. Church, D.D., was elected a Vice-President. The Society voted to approve the resolution of the American Bible Society to furnish every destitute family in the United States with a copy of the Bible within two years, and also voted to give that Society a pledge of twelve thousand dollars to aid in carry- ing the above resolution into effect. At this meeting a number of persons became life members by the payment of thirty dol- lars. A collection of $204.78 was taken, and with pledges, a total of $1,075.00 was received. In 1830 Mr. Asaph Evans was elected Treasurer of this Society, and County Bible Societies were organized in Rockingham and Grafton Counties. The Twentieth Annive rsary of the New Hampshire Bible Society was held at Concord, N. H., September 7, 1831, and furnished opportunity for pleasing congratulations and joyful retrospect. The Secretary says, "The history of the first twenty years of our labors exhibits many luminous pages, which, like those of the sacred volume we are engaged in circulating, cheer 16 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE and animate us with brighter and more exalted hopes. Few, comparatively, are the mournful shades cast over the picture. While Langdon and Means, among its Presidents, and Payson, Tappan and Haven, among its Vice-Presidents, have gone to receive their reward, a large proportion of the early friends and supporters of this Society still survive to witness its prosperity, and anticipate the consummation of its designs." The report of the year has this interesting paragraph, "In all parts of the state the unusual attention to -protracted meetin