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MEMOIR 
 
 / 
 
 OF THE 
 
 i^erampore Cransdattons 
 
 1813 : 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED, 
 
 EXTRACT of a LETTER 
 
 FROM 
 
 Dr. MARSHMAN to Dr. RYLAND, 
 
 CONCERNING 
 
 THE CHINESE. 
 
 PRINTED BY J.G. FULLER, KETTERING. 
 
MEMOIR OF TRANSLATIONS, 
 
 4 c. 
 
 Very dear Brethren, 
 
 Called by the return of the season to lay before you 
 and the public an account of our progress in the work 
 of translating and printing the Sacred Scriptures, we 
 feel our minds aft’ected by sensations in some measure 
 new to us. Ten years have elapsed since we were 
 strongly impressed with the importance of attempting to 
 extend the translations of the Scriptures to the various 
 languages of India. We saw, that if ever the gospel 
 took deep root here, it must be through the Sacred 
 Scriptures being translated and put into the hands of the 
 various tribes of India, whose dialects differ so much 
 from each other, (though most of them originate in one 
 common source,) that how'ever laborious any Missionary 
 might be, while the truths he delivered were presented 
 to his hearers merely by the living voice, without being 
 follow'ed up by the words of life in a written form, to 
 
4 
 
 be read and imprinted on the mind at leisure, he would 
 be often misunderstood, even by his well-disposed 
 hearers ; and on his decease, or his departure from the 
 spot, the fruit of his labours might quickly wither, and in 
 a short season leave scarcely a vestige behind to shew 
 that the Word of Life had been made known at all : 
 while on the contrary, we evidently saw that when the 
 Sacred Scriptures were published in any dialect, not 
 only might an European Missionary, animated with love 
 to the souls of men, caiTy among them the Word of 
 Life with the highest effect, if accompanied with the 
 divine blessing ; but, should the Lord be pleased to 
 impress the hearts of natives in reading the Divine Word, 
 (instances of which we have known,) European Mission- 
 aries would not be always necessary for that work ; one 
 native converted thereby might be the means of con- 
 verting others, and these of a still greater number, till 
 the Lord having thus given the Word, great indeed would 
 be the company of publishers. 
 
 But although we saw with what ease multitudes might 
 be raised up to make known the Word when thus 
 translated, we knew, as we had no reason to expect 
 miracles while ordinary means were afforded, that to 
 translate the Sacred Scriptures into any language, would 
 require much time and patient labour. We were indeed 
 sensible that natives, though capable of carrying the 
 Scriptures when translated to any part of India, would 
 never be able of themselves to accomplish the translation 
 of the Word. Having therefore obtained a knowledge 
 of the S?<ngskr(t and Bengalee languages, aud being 
 thence enabled to form some idea of the nature and con- 
 struction of the other languages in India, as well as 
 familiarized in some degree with the difficulties attending 
 the work of translation ; to avail ourselves to the utmost 
 
»f the opportunities for obtaining assistance in the oUfer 
 languages of the country, which our situation near the 
 metropolis of British India afforded us, as well as of 
 the press which Providence had put into our hands, ap- 
 peared an indispensible duty. In resolving to do this, 
 we trust we were not influenced by a vain idea of peculiar 
 fitness for the work, nor had we any wisli to intrude on 
 the labours of others : at this time, indeed, we knew of 
 no other who had engaged therein. But as we saw that 
 this w'ork must be done before the gospel could spread 
 widely in India, and knew that to accomplish it would 
 require many years, we determined to forward it by every 
 means in our own power, and to encourage others uho 
 might hereafter be desirous of engaging in the same 
 important work. This we did in the case of our 
 Brethren Cran and Des Granges, when they came to 
 India, and our beloved friend, the excellent Henry 
 Martyn, all of w’hom have now entered into the joy 
 of their Lord. We did not, it is true, immediately 
 desist from any part of the work we had begun when 
 others entered on the same ; because we did not con- 
 sider the translation of the Word of God as a matter of 
 vain and carnal competition, but as a w^ork essentially 
 necessary to the spread of the gospel and the glory of 
 the Redeemer: and from the uncertainty of human 
 
 life, it was impossible to say whom of those engaged 
 in this important w'ork it might please the Lord to call 
 home first. Nor in case the Lord should be pleased 
 to lengthen the lives of all engaged therein to its com- 
 pletion, did we contemplate it as a misfortune that others 
 had engaged in the work besides ourselves: w’e rather 
 rejoiced in the hope that by mutually availing ourselves of 
 labours carried on independently of each other, the trans- 
 lations of the Scriptures would be more speedily brought 
 to perfection, and the spread of the gospel accelerated. 
 
6 
 
 While we thus contemplated the undertaking, however, 
 we were by no means insensible of the difficulties to be 
 surmounted. Among these, that of obtaining the requisite 
 pecuniary supplies, though great, was by no means the 
 only one. Most of these languages, besides the difficulty 
 of acquisition which they involved, were hitherto destitute 
 of types, and although some of them possessed an 
 alphabet and certain principles of grammar, the ortho- 
 graphy of them was in some instances a perfect chaos : 
 nothing was reduced to order; nothing certain relative 
 to it was to be found in any written work. Divine 
 wisdom had, however, in mercy hidden from us that 
 tremendous misfortune, which, when types were prepared, 
 and every tiring brought to a consider able . degree of 
 perfectioir, threatened to arrrrihilate the whole. 
 
 But now, very dear Brethren, when after a lapse of ten 
 years we find that the Lord, instead of forsaking us, has 
 been with us beyond our highest expectation — has given us 
 natives of the greatest talents to assist us — has mercifully 
 inclined the hearts of his people to furnish us with adequate 
 supplies for this great work — and has graciously stirred 
 up the hearts of his clrildretr to repair the loss which 
 seemed likely to overwhelm the undertaking — in a 
 word, has so blessed us that we see the grand difficulties 
 surmounted, and the way open for the work to be 
 completed; — what shall we say .f’ “The Lord is gracious 
 and merciful, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy!” 
 
 In giving a sketch of the present state of the transla- 
 tions, it may not be improper to follow some kind of 
 geographical order ; and to mention first those which are 
 spoken in the middle part of India, and then advert to 
 those spoken in the south, in the west, in the north, 
 and to the east of India. We begin with those spoken 
 
7 
 
 in the middle part of India ; namely, the Sungskrit, the 
 Hindee, the Brij-bhassa, the Ivlahratta, the Bengalee, 
 and the Orissa. 
 
 1. The Sinigskrit. This language claims the first 
 place, both from its being the parent of most of the 
 other dialects, and because it is understood throughout 
 the whole of India, although at present the colloquial 
 medium of no particular part. In this language the 
 New Testament has been in circulation nearly three 
 years ; and the accounts we have received furnish many 
 instances of its meeting with a cordial reception from 
 Brahmans whose pride would scarcely have suffered 
 them to receive it in a vulgar dialect. The Pentateuch 
 was published alrout two years ago, and the Historical 
 Books were in the press some time before the late fire : 
 they are nearly completed. 
 
 2. Hindee. In this language we mentioned in our 
 Memoir of last year, that we had put to press a second 
 edition of the New Testament. This edition consists of 
 4000 copies. The earnestness with which the first edition 
 was sought seemed to render so large a number necessary, 
 and there is reason to believe that this will scarcely suffice 
 till a third and improved edition can be prepared for the 
 press. I he fact is indeed, that we have been obliged to 
 distribute St. Matthew’s Gospel of this new' edition sepa- 
 rately, to satisfy the desires of the people, while printing 
 tlie remainder of the Testament. We have also been 
 enabled to make some progress with the Old Testament 
 in this language ; the Pentateuch is printed, and the 
 Historical Books are put to press. 
 
 3. The Brij-bhassa. This language is spoken in the 
 upper provinces of Hindoost’llan, and contains perhaps 
 
8 
 
 a greater mixture of S?<ngski7t than most of the other 
 dialects of the Ilindee : it claims the Deva-naguree as 
 its proper character. In this dialect Brother Chamberlain 
 be gan a version of the Scriptures above two years ago, 
 and bad last year tinished the Four Gospels. Since his 
 removal to Sirdhana he has revised them, and the Gospel 
 by St. INIatthew is on the point of being put to press. 
 This version is likely to be more acceptable to the people 
 of the Dooab than either the Hindee or the Hindoost’hanee 
 vei’sions. 
 
 4. The Maliratta. In this language the whole of 
 the Scriptures are translated ; and this year we have been 
 enabled to bring the Pentateuch through the press. The 
 Historical Books are also in the press, and are in 
 considerable forwardness. We have increasing testimony 
 of the utility of this version. We select a remarkable 
 instance from among many lately come to our knowledge* 
 At Nag-pooi'ff, the capital of the Berar Mahratta do- 
 minions, a gentleman friendly to the Scriptures gave a 
 copy of the Testament to a Brahrawn, a man of high 
 estimation. He received and read it; but discovered no 
 peculiar regard to the gospel till about a fortnight before 
 his death. He then openly declared that he gave up all 
 hope in his former religion, and trusted alone in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life a ransom for sinners. 
 His astonished family expostulated with him, and even 
 manifested resentment, but all in vain : the dying man had 
 obtained a view of the Friend of Sinners, and appeared 
 to cleave to him in his last moments. This effect, through 
 the divine blessing, was produced entirely by his perusing 
 the Scriptures : it does not appear that any one ever 
 conversed with him on the subject of Christianity. How 
 wonderful are iJie ways of God ! How does he delight 
 in magnifying his Holy Word ! 
 
9 
 
 5. The Bengalee. In this language the New Tes- 
 tament has gone through three editions. These being 
 quite exhausted, and the desire for the Divine Word in 
 Bengal exceedingly increased, we determined to put 
 to press a fourth edition, to consist of five thousand, the 
 largest number we have ever yet printed. The printing 
 of this edition is in great forwardness ; and we hope a 
 few months ^^ill give it to the desires of the people, 
 whom we have now often the pain of sending aw^ay 
 without a book when they come seeking one, as we have 
 scarcely a single copy of the former editions left. Even 
 this edition will receive many emendations, rendering 
 particular passages more perspicuous. This w'ill be 
 the case in a greater or less degree with all the versions ; 
 and to care respecting this, will, we trust, be our 
 delightful study to the last hour of our lives, and con- 
 stitute one of the chief things we shall recommend to 
 those whom the Lord may raise up to succeed us. A 
 second edition of the Pentateuch in Bengalee is printed 
 off. It consists of a thousand copies. The Hagiographia 
 has been long out of printi 
 
 6. The Orissa. The translation of the whole Scriptures 
 has been long finished in this language. The Historical 
 Books have been in the press the wliole year, and are 
 pearly finished ; these when done, will leave nothing of 
 the Sacred Scriptures unpublished in this language beside 
 the Pentateuch. These six languages include the nations 
 which form die middle part of India, and probably 
 comprise more than fifty millions of people. We now 
 turn to those spoken on the south of India in which we 
 are engaged — the Telaiga and the Kiirnata. 
 
 7. The Telinga. The t\pes in this language, which 
 were entirely destroyed by the late lire, we have been 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 enabled completely to replace ; and have begun to put 
 the New Testament to press : it appeared desirable, 
 however, first to print a Grammar of this language by 
 Brother Carey, which is. now done ; and the Gospel by 
 St. Matthew is also nearly finished. We hope, that as 
 the requisite preparations for proceeding are nearly 
 completed, our progress in printing this version in the 
 course of this year will be considerable. 
 
 8. The Kurmta. This language, as has been already 
 observed, is so nearly allied to the Telinga, as to admit 
 of being printed with the same types, by the help of 
 a few additional letters. These are now all prepared 
 anew', and a Grammar in this language is ready for the 
 press. The New' Testament, the whole of which is 
 translated, is now at press. 
 
 9. Further south, beyond Ceylon, lie the small but 
 numerous Maldivian Isles. These have a language 
 and an alphabet peculiar to themselves. The late Dr. 
 Leyden had made some progress in ascertaining the 
 nature of this language ; and after his death the learned 
 native he employed coming to us, we thought such an* 
 opportunity of giving the Word of Life in the language 
 of these numerous isles ought not to be lost, as it 
 might not occur again for many years : we therefore 
 retained him. He is well acquainted with Hindoost’hanee, 
 which renders the communication with him easy. In this 
 language the Gospels are finished ; and we have nearly 
 completed a fount of types in this alphabet, which in the 
 name and figure of the letters bears a pretty strong 
 resemblance to the Persian alphabet. From the south of 
 India w'e proceed to the languages on the west of India : 
 these are, the GMjMiattee, the Bulochee, and the 
 Pushtoo. 
 
11 
 
 10. The Gujui-attee. A year or two ago we laid 
 aside this version for a season, although few of the dialects 
 originating in the S«ngskr/t are more accessible to us. 
 Circumstances, however, have since concurred to convince 
 us more strongly than ever, of the propriety of persevering 
 in whatever our hands find to do relative to the Sacred 
 AV^ord, however distant the prospect may seem of its being 
 brought into immediate use. Brother Carapiet Aratoon, 
 on going to Bombay in the beginning of this year, by the 
 strict inquiries made by the police officers into the object 
 of his journey, Avas led to conclude that he could not 
 remain with safety at Bombay ; upon which he imme- 
 diately withdrew to Surat, in which city he continues to 
 labour ; and the readiness with which the Scriptures are 
 received there, even in the Mahratta and Persian lan- 
 guages, makes us wish we had them in the vernacular 
 dialect of the province to send thither. AVe have in 
 consequence resumed that translation ; and have begun 
 casting a fount of G?/j«rattee types, to render it still more 
 acceptable. AVe hope, at no distant period to see this 
 province in possession of the Word of Life in a language 
 which the people can readily understand. 
 
 11. The Bulocliee. Above Giijurat to the north-west 
 
 lies JBulochistan ; in Arrowsmith’s map termed the 
 country of the Ballogees. This country lies beyond the 
 Indus to the west : it extends southward to the sea, and 
 
 northw'ard to jJfgJnmistaii, the seat of the Pushtoo, or 
 Afghan nation. The language, although it contains a 
 great number of St^ngskrit words, is still widely difierent 
 from mbst of those already enumerated. The learned 
 men who assist us were long in the service of the late 
 Dr. Leyden, and are thoroughly acquainted with Hin- 
 doost’hanee and Persian, which renders the acquisition 
 of this language easy. The translation is advanced to 
 
12 
 
 the Acts of the Apostles, and the Gospel by St. Matthew 
 is in tlie press. The character is the Persian with no 
 variation. 
 
 12. The Pushtoo. Farther north, but still on the 
 west side of the Indus, is Afghanistan, which forms 
 the eastern part of modern Khorasan. The inhabitants 
 term themselves PuslUoons ; but by others they are called 
 Afghans. Candahar is their chief city, although Cabul 
 is the capital where their present monarchs reside. This 
 is the nation \\hich Sir William Jones, and others on his 
 authority, have conjectured to be the descendants of the 
 ten tribes, carried away captive by Salmanezer, and 
 “ placed in Halah and in Habor, by the river of Gozan, 
 and in the cities of the Medes.” Nor is this conjecture 
 void of probability.* The learned native with us, says 
 that his nation are ‘‘ Beni Israel, but not Yt/hoodi” — sons 
 of Israel, but not Jews. The language contains a 
 greater number of Hebrew words than is found in that 
 of any nation in India : and, indeed, the ancient Media, 
 according to Pomponious Mela and other ancient 
 geographers, was at farthest within a few hundred leagues 
 of this country. The inhabitants are now, however, 
 enveloped in the darkness of Mahometanism. Their 
 alphabet is the Arabic, with such letters added as enable 
 it to express the sounds of the Stmgskrit language. The 
 Bulochee language differs widely from the Pushtoo : but 
 these two countries are under the same monarch, the 
 king of Cabul ; and there is reason to believe that they 
 were formerly one nation. The translation of the New 
 Testament in this language is carried forward as far as 
 the Epistle to the Romans, and the Gospel by St. 
 Matthew is now in the press. 
 
 * See the Note at the end of the Memoir. 
 
13 
 
 13. The Punjahee. More towards the north, but 
 within the Indus, is the nation of the Shikhs, who speak 
 the Punjahee language, in which we several years ago begun 
 a translation of the Sacred Oracles. In this language 
 a fount of types has long been prepared ; it formed one 
 of those destroyed by the fire. We have, however, 
 replaced it, and a Grammar in the Punjahee language 
 ,is published. In this language the New Testament is 
 
 printed as far as the Epistle to the Romans. We hope 
 another six months will give the whole of the Scriptures 
 to this independent nation.* 
 
 14. Farther north-east lies the delightful valley of 
 Kashmeer — once a province of the Mogul empire, 
 but now under the king of Cabul. This nation has 
 an alphabetic character formed from the Deva-nag?/ree. 
 In this character we have prepared a fount of types, and 
 tlie Gospel by St. Matthew is now in the press. The 
 translation is carried forward as far as the First Epistle 
 to the Corinthians. 
 
 These form all the languages of India to the west of 
 the Ganges in which we are engaged. The Maldivian 
 language neither belongs strictly to India, nor does it 
 appear to have any great affinity with the Sungskrit ; but 
 of most of the lest the Sr<ngskr/t is evidently the parent. 
 The Pushtoo, however, with the Bulochee, forms an 
 exception : this language forms the connecting link between 
 those of Srmgskrft and those of Hebrew origin. 
 
 We now turn our attention to the east of India, where 
 we have certain languages presented to our view of quite 
 
 * For a further account of this nation, see a valuable Mem«r 
 by General Malcolm, in Vol, XI. of the Asiatic Researches. 
 
14 
 
 a different origin, but wliicli still so far unite vvilli the 
 Siuigskrff as to make its alphabet the only inediuin by 
 which they are expressed, as well as to admit many 
 S«ngski7t words, and much of the construction common 
 to its vaiious dialects. We must, however, first mention, 
 
 \5. The Assam. North-east of Bengal lies the 
 kingdom of Assam, which extends eastward to the borders 
 of China. In this language a version of the Scriptures 
 was begun above two years ago. When we begun the 
 examination of the language, we were led to suppose 
 that the Bengalee types would fully answer the purpose 
 of printing the Assam version. But on further examin> 
 ation, we perceived, that though the letters of their 
 alphabet have in general the same name and power as 
 those in the Bengalee alphabet, there are yet several 
 which vary a little in their shape ; and in one instance 
 the Assam alphabet is certainly superior, it having two 
 distinct letters to express h and v, for which the Bengalee 
 alphabet preposterously uses the same character. The 
 translation of the New Testament into this language is 
 nearly completed, and in printing we have advanced to 
 the middle of the Gospel by St. Matthew'. 
 
 16. The Barman. Southward of Assam, and sepa- 
 rated from it only by the little kingdom of MMm’-poor«, 
 lies the Burman empire. The basis of the Burman 
 language is supposed, by Brother Felix Carey to be 
 partly Chinese ; but as that language when its characters 
 are disused has no medium through which it can be 
 represented to the eye, the Burman and the other Indo- 
 Chinese dialects which use an alphabet have adopted 
 that of the Swiigskrit; but they have altered the sound 
 of some of its letters, as well as added thereto intonations 
 unknown in the Staigskrit language, and which originate 
 
15 
 
 in the Chinese. In this language such progress has been 
 made, that every thing which remains is perfectly easy. 
 A Grammar of it is now in the press, and Brother 
 Felix Carey is busily employed in preparing a Dictionary. 
 His acquaintance with the language enables him to 
 converse in any circle ; and he is now sent for to Ava 
 on a medical account, by the Prince, the Heir Apparent, 
 who has ordered him a sum to cover his journeying 
 expellees. Relative to the printing of the Scriptures, 
 we have reason to hope that it will be permitted to be 
 done in the country, under Brother Felix Carey’s own 
 inspection ; for which purpose we have prepared a press 
 and a fount of types. These, and the press, with all 
 its apparatus, the Viceroy of Rangoon has ordered the 
 captain of the Burman ship which brought a Burman 
 Ambassador to Calcutta, to take round free of freight. 
 This press our young Brother will be able to apply with 
 great advantage, . as he is thoroughly acquainted with 
 printing, having been brought up in the printing-office 
 under Brother Ward. Should the Lord be pleased 
 therefore to succeed the effort, this press may be the 
 means of diffusing throughout the Burman empire, know- 
 ledge both divine and liuman. 
 
 17. The Pali, or Magudha. This language is in 
 reality SMngskrit, with scarcely any variation. We have 
 had occasion to observe that it is the learned language 
 of the Burman empire, and of Ceylon. With this lan- 
 guage Brother F. Carey’s knowledge of Swugskrit brought 
 him at once acquainted, and his study of it has accom- 
 panied that of the Burman, and often served as a guide 
 therein; as it bears nearly the same relation to that part 
 of the Burman which is not derived from the Chinese, 
 as the S«ngskn’t bears to the Bengalee. How far he has 
 advanced in the translation of the Scriptures into this 
 
16 
 
 language, we are at present unable to say ; but this We 
 know, that nothing is wanting but sufficient time and 
 leisure to complete a version of them therein. 
 
 18. The Chinese. We now come to the last of the 
 languages to the east of India, and to that which is pro- 
 bably the source of all those which begin where the 
 Swiigskrtt ends ; several of which however, unable to 
 retain the Chinese characters, have expressed its colloquial 
 medium in an alphabet formed from that of the S//ngskrft. 
 Tills language in the characters peculiar thereto, is read 
 not only throughout China, but in Cochin-China, 
 Tonquin, and Japan. —It was mentioned in a former 
 Memoir that the translation of the New Testament was 
 finished in this language : we have now to add, that the 
 better half of the Old Testament is also translated ; and 
 we have this year been deligently employed in making 
 preparations for printing both the Old and New Testament 
 w'ith moveable metal types. The same metal types when 
 prepared, will easily print them both, as in every sheet 
 the same types, with the addition of such new ones as the 
 sense requires, are put together afresh ; and thus one type 
 cut in metal may be made to supply the place of a 
 thousand cut on w'ood in tlie ancient Chinese w’ay, their 
 wooden blocks requiring the same character to be cut 
 anew', should it occur a tliousand times. The preparing 
 of these moveable metal types causes the printing of the 
 Scriptures to advance slowly in the beginning ; but as we 
 advance, the number of new' characters will lessen, and 
 the progress of the printing become mucli more rapid. 
 The expense of preparing the metal types for the whole 
 Scriptures will be something below' that of cutting the 
 blocks of wood in China for the N ew 'restament alone ; 
 And when once prepared, new' and improved editions 
 df the Scriptures can be successively printed at will, with 
 
17 
 
 the same types, and with a cheapness and speed scarcely 
 attainable m any other language ; as a Chinese type is not 
 a letter, but a nuun or a verb, and in certain cases, a 
 phrase, or a short sentence. The utility of these types in 
 priming a work like the translation of the Sacred Scrip- 
 tures, which must necessarily be for many years in a state 
 of progressive improvement, is too obvious to need men- 
 tioning : the labour of bringing them to perfection, will 
 therefore be amply repaid by the advantages arising from 
 the use of them in the course of a very few years. There 
 are also certain circumstances in the very nature of metal 
 types, which must ultimately render them superior in 
 beauty to those cut in wood ; the metal admits a much 
 more delicate stroke than wood, and it is at the same time 
 more firm and durable. In w'ood the. very fine strokes, 
 by the pressure of frequent printing, either break in certain 
 places, or wear down before the larger strokes, so as to 
 render the impression less clear and legible ; this incon- 
 venience is obviated by the superior durability of the metal 
 types : wood also naturally absorbs the fluid of the ink in 
 certain places, which necessarily injures the legibility of 
 the impression, unless the characters be cut very large ; 
 from this defect however, the metal types are perfectly 
 free. The cheapness oi printing with them also, through 
 the low price of labour here, will eventually be so great, 
 that when applied to a language in which millions of 
 copies of the Scriptures will ultimately be required, the 
 saving will be such as will not be easily credited. 
 
 Of these languages, eight are spoken within the British 
 dominions in India, and ten out of them. The former 
 are, the Siaigskrit, the Bengalee, the Hindee, the Brij- 
 bhassa, the Orissa, the Teh’nga, the K?<rnata, and the 
 G«j«rattee. The other ten are, Mahratta, (partly current 
 within the British territories,) the Kashineer, the Maldivian, 
 
 c 
 
IS 
 
 the Bulocliee, the Pushtoo, the Slijkh, the Assam, the 
 Magudha, the Burman, and the Chinese. Of the 
 versions of the Scriptures in these eighteen languages, 
 there are only three not in the press ; the Gj/jwrattee, the 
 Maldivian, and the Magudha ; for these three hovi'ever 
 the ty pes are either completed, or in a state of preparation. 
 We formerly began printing the Gospel of St. Matthew in 
 the Gajarattee language with Nagi<ree types; but deeming 
 it well worth the labor to give to the people of this province 
 the Scriptures in their own character, we have deferred 
 the printing till a fount of GigMiattee types shall be 
 prepared. 
 
 In these languages however, the reader will perceive 
 that we have been able this year to bring but few distinct 
 parts of the Scriptures wholly through the press : the 
 Pentateuch in the Bengalee, the Hindee, and Mahratta 
 languages, being almost the only part we have been able 
 to finish. This arises from tw'o causes : after the dreadful 
 fire which destroyed our types, we had of course to 
 prepare all anew ; this year therefore has been chiefly a 
 year of preparation for future labours. But this would 
 not have prevented our making much greater progress 
 had not another intervened, \^hich to us furnishes new 
 matter for gratitude, as it still promotes the grand object 
 in view, the spread of the Divine Word. 
 
 Other Translations of the Scriptures lately printed 
 or 710 W in the press . — Nearly two years ago the Calcutta 
 Auxiliary Dible Society generously resolved to give a 
 Tamul edition of the Scriptures to the Christians on the 
 Coast, the fruit of the labours of Swartz, and Gerricke, 
 and others, whose memories are blessed. Finding after 
 due enquiry that they could not get an edition printed 
 either at Tranquebar or Vepery, without incurring a great 
 
ly 
 
 «xpence, they applied to us, desiring we would cast a 
 fount of Tamul types, and print them an edition of 
 5000 copies of the Tamul New Testament. This 
 we cheerfully undertook, and had completed a Tamul 
 fount of types a few days before the fire happened, in 
 which they were all destroyed. On account of the great 
 desire felt in that part of the country for the Scriptures, 
 we, however, began casting a new fount of l^amul types 
 before we completed any otlier, and so much was this 
 work succeeded, that we were enabled to prepare the 
 types and finish the edition of five thousand copies, (con- 
 taining above 700 8vo. pages,) within ten months after 
 the fire. The price too, at which we were enabled to 
 render this edition when the casting of the types was 
 included, was somewhat less than that at which the Bible 
 Society procure the same quantity of letter-press, in a 
 stereotype edition of the New Testament. Finding that 
 this brought editions of the Scriptures within a moderate 
 expense, the Calcutta Bible Society requested us to cast 
 a fount of Cingalese types without delay, and proceed 
 with the version of the New Testament in that language, 
 which we did ; and it is now more than half finished. 
 Since then they have -employed us to prepare a fount of 
 Armenian types, and to print an edition of the whole 
 Bible in that language ; and last of all, they have desired 
 us to prepare for an edition of the whole Malay Scriptures 
 in the Roman character. The Armenian types are partly 
 cut; and great progress is made in those united and 
 accented letters which are necessary to fit the Roman 
 alphabet for the Malay version. Those who love the 
 sacred word will also rejoice to hear further, that we have 
 since received an order from the Lieutenant-Governor of 
 Java, and the Literary Society established there, to print 
 a version of the Malay Scriptures in the Arabic character, 
 in which character they have sent us a copy of them i« 
 
20 
 
 five volumes 8vo. piinted at Batavia, at the expence of 
 the Dutch Government in the year 1752. The Cor- 
 responding Committee of the British and Foreign Bible 
 Society have also desired us to print the Hmdoost’hanee 
 version of our lamented friend the late Rev. H. 
 Martyn, in the Persian character, which we have begun 
 doing, and have brought the Gospels nearly through the 
 press. Thus while making preparation for printing 
 various new versions of the Scriptures, we cannot but 
 adore the God of mercy who is thus sending forth large 
 editions of the Scriptures in those languages into which 
 they have been long translated. 
 
 New Types in a reduced size . — As the Lord has been 
 pleased thus to bring forward the Translations of the 
 Sacred Word which were formerly made, and so to smile 
 on those now in hand, as to give us hope of their being 
 completed in a few years, should the means be graciously 
 continued, the most effectual way of promoting their 
 diffusion among the nations around when finished, seems 
 an object of great importance, as it is only in proportion 
 to their diffusion that they can produce due fruit. The 
 difficulty herein, however, does not regard their mere 
 distribution ; the scarceness, and in some instances the 
 high price of the copies in the Tamul, Cingalese, Malay, 
 and Armenian versions ; and the speed with which a 
 version of the later translations has been exhausted, form 
 together a most striking proof that men will read the 
 Sacred Scriptures if they can obtain them ; or rather that 
 the care of God over his Word is such as to secure the 
 circulation of the largest edition of it, which those who 
 love the Scriptures are able to prepare. But as gratuitous 
 distribution must perhaps be continued for some time 
 longer, it seems an important question, how the greatest 
 number of clear and legible copies can be furnished at the 
 
21 
 
 least expense to those, whose regard for the souls of men 
 prompts them to this noblest of all charities. A great 
 occasion of expense has hitherto been, the largeness of 
 the oriental types, which is such, that although the low 
 price of labour in Bengal enables us to print the same 
 quantity of letterpress in the Sacred Scriptures cheaper 
 than can be done in any other part of the world, (a 
 blessing for which we can never be sufficiently thankful,) 
 the expense of a whole New Testament amounts to a 
 large sum. The Bengalee New Testament, although 
 the types were the smallest which had ever been seen 
 in that language, sti|l makes nearly nine hundred 8vo. 
 pages. This consumes paper to no valuable purpose. 
 The book is not read with greater ease on this account : 
 on the contrary, its bulk rather discourages than invites 
 perusal. The reducing of the types in size, therefore, 
 BO as fully to preserve their legibility, is now under con- 
 sideration ; and after repeated trials we find that this 
 can be so done that the saving in paper and in press- 
 work shall be nearly sixty pounds in a hundred, and thus 
 10,000 copies be printed for the price which 4,000 cost 
 at present. This, when fully carried into effect, will 
 enable us to give the New Testament in Bengalee, 
 Hindee, Mahratta, and the other languages of the East, 
 at somewhat more than half the price of a copy of the 
 New Testament from England of the stereotype editions. 
 Meanwhile, the types thus improved, will greatly exceed 
 in beauty the large types of the first fabrication : and the 
 reduction in respect of quantity will enable us to print 
 on better paper than formerly ; which, together with 
 the portable size of the volume,, will render them far 
 more convenient for perusal. In Bengalee the whole 
 of the Scriptures can be brought into one large octavo, 
 instead of being divided into five volumes, as in the 
 first edition. 
 
The importance of this to the spread of the Word 
 of God throughout the nations in the East, for which 
 purpose so many lumdred thousand copies will ultimately 
 be requisite, has made us turn our attention to this object 
 in the closest manner, and has determined us to carry it 
 by degrees through all the languages in which we print 
 the Scriptures. For the attainment of this object we ar« 
 endeavouring to avail ourselves of every means with 
 which the Lord has been pleased to furnish us ; and we 
 find the skill of our highly-esteemed Brother Lawson 
 in cutting the types, of peculiar value in this work : 
 Indeed, that we should have a Brother brought out and 
 permitted to remain with us exactly at this period, so 
 eminently skilled in things of this nature, and so willing 
 to devote himself w holly thereto, w'e cannot but regard as 
 one of those tokens for good which the Lord has so often 
 shewn us in the course of this work. 
 
 Relative to the versions of the Scriptures, however, 
 we have another object much at heart — the improvement 
 of the paper of India. It is impossible that the 
 Scriptures can be diffused sufficiently among the nations, 
 if copies are printed only on paper brought from Europe : 
 the high price of it will render this impracticable. The 
 cheapness of the raw material from which paper is 
 manufactured in India, and the low price of labour 
 here, render the improvement of it an object of peculiar 
 importance in the future circulation of the Scriptures, 
 and in the diffusion of general knowledge throughout 
 India — an event, which, if it does not accompany, w'ill 
 be certain speedily to follow, the reception of Christianity. 
 In this we have already so far succeeded, as to com- 
 municate a degree of durability to Indian paper whicli 
 it has not hitherto possessed. It now remains to improve 
 its quality and its colour, w hich we have reason to hope 
 
23 
 
 M'e shall be able finally to do. Should this be accom^y 
 plished, to present the Divine Word to the various 
 nations of India in a type improved in beauty, and on ^ 
 superior paper, can scarcely fail of increasing the desire 
 after it ; and when the very means which increase this 
 desire, will be at the same time the means of gratifying 
 it, by multiplying copies without any additional expense, 
 the consequences must be favourable in a high degree to 
 the spread of true religion throughout the East. And 
 we cannot but esteem it a token for good to India, that, 
 since the circulation of the Divine ^Vord must in all 
 cases be the grand means, and in some peculiar cases 
 almost the only means capable of being used, the Lord 
 should thus be pleased to give opportunity for establishing 
 a press on the very spot where the books are needed, 
 and where the cheapness of labour renders the printing 
 of t^e Sacred Word less expensive than in any other 
 country. Indeed, when we contemplate the prospect 
 presented by the completion of the versions of the 
 Scriptures now in a course of translation, (and of which 
 we hope that, taken as a whole, the work is more than 
 J)alf done ;) and unite with these the versions already 
 made, in the Malay, the Tamul, the Cingalese, the 
 Persian, and Hindoost’hanee languages ; together with 
 the translations which our esteemed Brother Brunton 
 and his companions have probably completed in Tartary ; 
 we perceive that the greater part of the Heathen world 
 will have the Word of God in their own tongue wherein 
 they were born. For although there will then be many 
 languages still left w'ithout it, the popplation through 
 which they extend is so small, that they scarcely amount 
 to a tenth of the supposed population of the earth. 
 What a cheering thought, that in a few years nine-tenths 
 of mankind may probably have in their own language the 
 Word of God, which is able to make them wise unto 
 
24 
 
 salvation ! And we have in some degree seen what God 
 can effect by his Word alone. To a part of his Word 
 contained in a tract w'e owe our late Brother Petumber • 
 to another, our Brother Futika, whose joyful death is 
 well known ; also our Brother Deep-ch«nd, who has long 
 preached the gospel ; and our Brethren Kauai and Kanta, 
 who have long adorned it by their steady w'alk ; — neither 
 of w'hom had we ever seen till the frequent perusal of a 
 tract written by our beloved Brother Petumber had turned 
 their hearts towards the gospel. To a New Testament 
 left at a shop in a village we owe our Brethren Sebuk- 
 rctma and Krfshna-dasa, two of the most acceptable 
 and useful native preachers we have ; as well as several 
 other Brethren from the same village ; and to an English 
 New' Testament we owe Tara-chund and Mut’hoora, 
 two Brethren whom the Lord has given us this year, who 
 several years ago by reading an English Testament were 
 stirred up to inquire about the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 meeting w’itli one in Bengalee about the beginning of this 
 year, found their w'ay to ns, and have since been baptized. 
 Thus what the Lord can, and w'hat he may do, among 
 tlie nations of the earth by means of his Word alone, 
 even where his people may be unable to gain access ilt 
 person, is known only to his ow'ii infinite wisdom. 
 
 Nothing now' remains but the pleasing w'oik of ac- 
 knowledging the supplies we have received during the 
 last year. Among these are a Thousand Pounds from 
 tlie Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, 
 for which we intreat you, very dear Brethren, to offer them 
 our most cordial and grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 We have also to mention with gratitude the kindness 
 of the friends of religion in Anieiica last year, who 
 chiefly in the New England States, furnished for the work 
 
 % 
 
25 
 
 the sum of Four Thousand six hundred and twenty-two 
 Dollars, in the space of about two months. While 
 Brother Johns was waiting to embark, feeling deeply in- 
 terested in the translations, he drew up a faithful statement 
 of the particulars respecting them, and the Lord so in- 
 clined the hearts of the friends of the gospel towards 
 the undertaking, that in the space of two months he 
 collected nearly the sum mentioned. May the God 
 of mercy speedily restore peace between the two countries, 
 that the friends of religion in both may exert all their 
 strength in promoting the Redeemer’s kingdom through- 
 out the world. 
 
 But w'hat shall we say to that tender sympathy, that 
 generous feeling which the friends of religion have ma- 
 nifested throughout Great Britain in repairing the loss 
 which this work sustained by the late fire ! This display 
 of love is beyond any thanks of ours; it is evidently the 
 hand of God inclining his people with one heart to 
 favour his cause and his Word. .Were any inducement 
 wanting to urge us to devote our whole souls to this work, 
 it would be found in the unexampled Christian feeling 
 and kindness manifested in this instance towards us for 
 the sake of his name and his Holy Word. We intreat 
 you, very dear Brethren, to communicate to the friends 
 of religion who have thus helped us in our season of 
 extreme distress, how much their truly Christian sympathy 
 and liberality have encouraged us in the work, and caused 
 us to abound in thanksgiving to the Father of mercies, 
 for the grace thus mauifested in them. 
 
 A word or two relative to the balance in hand shall 
 close this Memoir. It has been our constant practice 
 to carry no version to the account of the public till 
 printed: the outlay of money requsite for preparing 
 
 I) 
 
 
26 
 
 types, purchasing paper, and paying workmen, we have 
 furnished ourselves till the version was printed off, when 
 we have placed it to the account of the public at a certain 
 price for the number of copies mentioned. This way 
 appears to us the most equitable, as it enables all to see 
 how’ the money subscribed is applied, and to judge 
 whether it be applied prudently or not: the expence 
 of each version, and the monthly wages of the various 
 pundits and learned men who assist us in these languages, 
 furnishing every item of expence which we charge on 
 the fund for translations. In this method, therefore, W'C 
 wish to persevere. But one thing results from it, which 
 though inconsiderable while the printing of the Scriptures 
 was confined to two or three founts of types, becomes 
 lieavy now they are extended to fifteen; this is, the 
 previous outlay of money for each version, which renders 
 the balance we really have in hand constantly far less 
 than it appears. Thus according to our present account 
 we appear to have above Fourteen Thousand Rupees 
 in hand, as we have finished and carried to account 
 this year only three versions of the Pentateuch, those 
 in the Hindee, Bengalee, aud Mahratta languages- 
 but in the various versions which are partly through the 
 press, and those for which types and paper are prepared, 
 these Fourteen Thousand Rupees are in reality much more 
 than expended. A balance in hand equal to about a 
 year or eighteen mouth’s expenditure, will indeed be 
 generally needfnl;. otherwise, as we must necessarily lay 
 in paper and pay servants to carry forward the several 
 editions, we must borrow the money necessary for this 
 purpose. Our annual expenditure in these eighteen 
 languages amounts at present to nearly Three Thousand 
 Pounds sterling, of which somewhat less than a Thousand 
 covers the expense of learned natives who assist in the 
 various translations ; and the rest is devoted to printing 
 
 ♦ 
 
27 
 
 the vai ions editions. But as the call for new and larger 
 
 editions of the New Testament will probably increase 
 rather than diminish, we have reason to believe it will 
 in future be somewhat larger. May the Lord increase 
 the desire after his Sacred Word, till there shall not be 
 in India, nor throughout the East, a family or even a 
 single individual who does not possess a copy. 
 
 RECEIVED. 
 
 S, R. A. P. 
 
 By Balance from June 30, 1812 9218 3 5 
 
 From America, by Brother Johns, 4622 Dollars 9576 4 2 
 
 From the Corresponding Committee of the Bible Society 8000 0 0 
 
 By ,=£200. in part of another ,£’1000.* 1600 0 0 
 
 By the Sale of Bibles in various languages 72 0 0 
 
 By a Donation from Brother Carey, towards the 
 
 Gttjwrattee Translation., 50 0 0 
 
 Sicca Rupees, 28516 7 7 
 
 EXPENDED. 
 
 S. R. A. P. 
 
 To learned Natives for their Assistance in the various 
 
 Translations 7903 5 9 
 
 To the Pentateuch in the Mahratta, Hindee, and Ben- 
 galee languages, a thousand copies in each 6000 0 0 
 
 Sicca Rupees, 13905 5 9 , 
 
 STATE OF ACCOMPT. 
 
 S. R. A. P. 
 
 Received 28516 7 7 
 
 Expended 13905 5 9 
 
 Balance in hand Sicca Rupees, 14611 1 10 
 
 • These icoo Rupees, or 2001 , are part of another 10002. voted us by the 
 Corresponding Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society at their last 
 meeting; the remainder of which lies in Bibles sent out, but not yet sold. 
 
28 
 
 Note from page 12. 
 
 The interest which the gracious promises of God rela- 
 tive to his ancient people Israel have happily excited in 
 the minds of those who love the cause of God, seems to 
 demand that every hint relative to their probable situation 
 should be communicated to the public. This induces us 
 to publish the following quotations respecting Afghanistan 
 and Bulochistan, which the kindness of an esteemed friend 
 attached to the late embassy into Cabul has permitted us 
 to extract from a valuable manuscript Memoir of those 
 countries. We will also add an extract or two relating to 
 the same subject from other authors, that those who de- 
 light in these researches may judge for themselves of the 
 degree of probability they possess. 
 
 “ -ffghanistan is bounded on the north by mountains 
 which divide it from Kashkar, (Kashgur,) and Budukshan ; 
 other mountains divide it on the north-west from that part 
 of Toorkistan which lies on this side the Oxus, and that 
 portion of Khoorasan which extends north nearly to that 
 river; on the west it includes a part of that famous 
 geographical division ; w hile beyond in this direction is 
 the Persian Khoorasan : to the south it has deserts and 
 Bulochistan. The Indus from its exit from the lofty 
 mountains in about the latitude of 35 N. sometimes 
 constitutes its eastern boundary, and is sometimes com- 
 prehended in it. The Afghan people and government 
 may be considered, therefore, as included within the 35th 
 and 29lh degrees of north latitude, and the 62d and 73d 
 of east longitude.” 
 
 Bulochistan is so called from two nations named 
 Buloches, who compose the bulk of its population. It 
 has Afghanistan to the north, a desert dividing it in that 
 
29 
 
 quarter from Se.estan, (Sejestan,) which lies on the whole 
 N, W. of Bulochistan. To the west, deserts or very 
 ill-peopled tracts divide it from the Persian province 
 Kirman. To the south is the sea, and to the east Sindh. 
 The government of Sindh possesses the port of Kirachee, 
 w'hich may be considered as locally within Bulochistan. 
 That country is thus included within the 30th and 25th 
 degrees of north latitude, and the 60th and 70th of east 
 longitude.” 
 
 If we examine the ancient geographers relative to this 
 spot, we shall find it termed Ariane. Pomj)onious Mela, 
 in describing the tracts of country betw'een the Indus and 
 Persia, places Ariane next; the Indus : * next to Ariane 
 he places Aria ; and between that and Persia, Cedrosis. 
 Relative to Aria and Ariane, the learned Bochart, in his 
 well-known work on Sacred Geography, observes that 
 HarOf where the Sacred Historian says, (1 Chron. v. 25.) 
 “The children of Israel are [detained in captivity] unto 
 this day,” (probably about the time of Ezra,) is Media ; 
 and that Jerom in his translation, neglecting the aspirate, 
 writes it Am. He then adduces the testimony of 
 Herodotus and Pausanias, to prove that Media was by 
 them termed Aria, and the Medes Arii ; and further 
 quotes a passage from Apollodorus, proving that Ariane 
 was in reality the same with Aria.'f He also observes. 
 
 * “ Indis proxima est Ariane, deinde Aria, et Cedrosis, 
 et Persis ad sinum Persicum.” 
 
 t Pro Media in Esdra est K”in Hara. 1 Paral. 5. 26. 
 Neglecta aspiratione Hieronymus legit Ara. Nempe Media 
 etiam a Graecis alio nomine Aria, et Medi AriJ appellantur. 
 Herodotus in Polymnia : 'Ot Mj/^ot dpyovra Trapeiy^ovro 
 'Ttypayriy, iiylpa. Ai\atpityih]y. tKaXioyro TnxXai irpos 
 
30 
 
 relative to Halah and Habor, that the former Is th« 
 Calachena of Ptolemy, situated iu the northern part of 
 Assyria, and that Habor is the mount Chabor of Ptolemy, 
 situate between Media and Assyria. He adds, that in 
 the mid space between that spot and the Caspian sea, is 
 the city Gauzania, which he deems the Gozan mentioned 
 in scripture.* * If Media be the Ariane of Pomponius 
 Mela, as that lay next the Indus, it must be precisely the 
 country now inhabited by the Afghans and the Bulochees ; 
 and if it be Aria, it is still the country that borders closely 
 upon Afghanistan. Persia, between which and Aria, 
 
 Tcdr-Mv A'pioi Medi autem dzicem habehat Tigranem 
 
 Achctmenidem. Porro quondam ah omnibus Arij ap- 
 
 pellabantur. Pausanias iu Corinthiacis de Medea : 
 Ylapayero/xtvtf Se ig r»/v \eyofj,tvrfv rort A'piay, rolg 
 
 dv^pwTr>fig ro dvofict KaXdabuv M>foote uv avTtjg 
 
 cum in cam regionem venisset quce turn Aria dicebatur, 
 incolis a se Medorum nomen dedit. Eodetn refer quod 
 Appollodoro ajrud Stephanum 'Apidvia est t^vog irpoaef(ig 
 Toig Ka^aaioig gens vicina Cadusiis. Ariania enim idem 
 quod Aria. 
 
 * Maxime cum in Assyria vel Mediae parte illi vicina 
 reperiantur loca quorum sacra historia meminit, nempe 
 nVn Chalach, Chabor et Gozan. Chalach est 
 
 Ptolemaei Calachena ad Aquilonem Assyriae. Chabor est 
 cjusdem Ptolemaei 6 y^ajooipag ro opog mons Chaboras inter 
 Medium et Assyriam, ubi tabulae perperam habent Choatras. 
 A quo monte ad mare Caspium euntibus, medio fere 
 spatio occurrit Gauzania urbs, id est Gozan, inter 
 duos Cyri alueos ; quam regioni et fluuio proximo nomen 
 dedisse verissimile est, autequam ibi locorum Pers« 
 dominarentur, a quibus Cyrus dici ccepit istc amnis, ut 
 vicinus alter Cambyses, in gratiam Cyri et Cymbysis. 
 Vide Bochart, p. 220. 
 
31 
 
 Pomponious Mela places Cedrosis, is scarcely three 
 hundred leagues west of the Indus : and Candahar, the 
 chief city of Afghanistan, lies about a hundred leagues to 
 the west of the Indus. Further, in Bulochistan, or on its 
 western border, there is at this day the city Ghuzni, the 
 only one of that name in that part of the East ; now, 
 indeed, scarcely larger than a village, but eight hundred 
 years ago the capital of a powerful kingdom. Bochart 
 also quotes Strabo, to prove that the northern and 
 mountainous part of IVIedia was the seat of the Cadusians^ 
 and of another nation who zcere strangers; whence 
 Bochart himself thinks it worth the labour to inquire 
 whether or not these are the remains of the Israelites. 
 It is not intended here to infer any thing as certain from 
 these various passages ; but, considering the present state 
 of the public mind respecting the posterity of Abraham, 
 it seemed proper to bring them into one view, that every 
 one might form his own opinion on the subject. And as 
 Bochart’s work is probably scarce, we have given the 
 passages quoted from it. 
 
32 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Dr. Marshnan to Dr. Hyland, 
 dated December, 1813 . 
 
 You inquire why I have not mentioned our distributing 
 Chinese books among the Chinese at Calcutta and else- 
 where? For this, my reasons have been two — First, our 
 editions have hitherto been very small, for want of a suffi- 
 cient stock of paper. Secondly, it appeared to me that 
 for a man out of any country to recount with parade the 
 books he had distributed among such of the inhabitants 
 of it as were near him, would savor so much of ostentation, 
 that I avoided any thing of the kind. 1 may mention that 
 we sent as many copies of the Gospels as we could spare 
 to Java by Brother Robinson, who informs us they were 
 gladly received by the Chinese there. 
 
 “ Having thus mentioned the Chinese, I may remark 
 that the Lord appears to prosper our progress therein. 
 I. scarcely expected to have seen my vvay by this time 
 so clearly as I now do. Within the last year I have been 
 able to read more Chinese than perhaps in the first five, 
 and my desire for it increases with my progress. My hope 
 when I took in hand this translation of the scriptures was, 
 to be able to see my way as clearly therein as I did in 
 SMngskr 2 t. I think I can do this already, but I wish to 
 speak with diffidence as well as gratitude. Perhaps you 
 may be able to judge of this yourself when I tell you, 
 that in a sheet of the New Testament containing five 
 hundred characters, there are seldom thirty, and often not 
 fifteen, with the force of which 1 am not acquainted ; 
 and as I examine all these by the dictionaries I have, 
 this number is gradually lessening. I and n>y eldest son 
 continue to read together their best works constantly : 
 
 1 think, therefore, we must ultimately acquire a thorough 
 knowledge of the language. I understand it has been 
 
33 
 
 queried, whether the translation of Confucius was Mi*. 
 Lassar’s or mine. I may observe in reply, that for these 
 five years past, in translating from the Chinese I have 
 used Mr. L. chiefly as one would use a Dictionary or a 
 Commentator. VVIien I was at Bristol, if you recollect, 
 I was never easy till I could stand on my ow n legs. If 
 I had a translation by me, I preferred sitting lialf an hour 
 weiglmig a sentence to relieving myself by a translation. 
 Of this 1 never repented, and it is now become a liabit. 
 Of course the translation of Confucius, witliin a little 
 time after rny engaging in it, w'ith all its faults, was my 
 own. Relative to the translation of the scriptuies, it is as 
 much our own as that of most other languages. We are 
 uow printing w ith a considerable degree of vigor, and if I 
 detail the method taken with every sheet, it may enable 
 you to answer any questions a friend may put to you, 
 though I fear it will be tiresome. 
 
 “The first step, as I have told you, taken in the trans- 
 lation, is that of Mr. Lassai’s sitting down at my elbow, 
 (where he sits from month to month and year to year,) 
 and translating from the English, assisted by his know- 
 ledge of the Armenian. For a long time he and I read 
 over the assigned portion together, prior to his beginning 
 it, till he found it unnecessary; he now' therefore only 
 consults me respecting particular w'ords and phrases. 
 In due time follows the correcting verse by verse; when, 
 with Greisbach in my hand, I read over every verse in 
 Chinese, and suggest my doubts relative to the force of 
 particular characters, rejecting some and suggesting others. 
 When a whole chapter is thus done, w'hich sometimes 
 takes three or four hours, 1 give him the Chinese and 
 read Greisbach into English very slowly and disfincti}', 
 he the mean while keeping Ins eye on the Chinese version. 
 It is then copied fairly, and sometimes, (that is, when any 
 
 £ 
 
34 
 
 doubt remains,) it is examined thus a second and even a 
 third time. It then goes to press, and here it undergoes 
 a fresh ordeal. A double page being set up with our 
 moveable metal types, I then read it over with another 
 Chinese assistant who is ignorant of English. He suggests 
 such alterations as may seem necessary to render the 
 language perfectly clear. It is then corrected, and a 
 clean proof given, or two or three if they be required, 
 to be read by different persons. This done I sit down 
 alone and read it, comparing it with Greisbach again, 
 and occasiorially consulting all the helps I have. This 
 is to me the most close examination of all. Here, as I 
 have two Latin Chinese Dictionaries by me, I make it a 
 point to examine them for every character of the meaning 
 of which I do not feel quite certain ; and to assist me 
 herein the more effectually, I have a book by me wherein 
 I write down the meaning of every character I examine. 
 These, as I have told you, are seldom more than twenty, 
 and sometimes not so many. In reading the original in 
 Greisbach, I deviate a little from my ffrst method. I 
 then read verse by verse; now I read a small portion of 
 the original, perhaps five or six verses at one time, and 
 then the same portion in Chinese, that I may view the 
 force and connection to greater advantage : this I find 
 profitable. Having w’ritteu in the margin of the sheet 
 every alteration my mind suggests, and every thing that 
 seems a discrepancy, I then consult Mr. Lassar and 
 the Chinese assistant together, sitting with them till 
 every query be solved and every discrepancy adjusted. 
 This done, another clean proof is given, which when read 
 I give to my son John, that he may examine for himself, 
 as his knowledge of the Chinese idiom is perhaps greater 
 than my own. When he has satisfied himself respecting 
 it, another clean proof is given, and then I give one to 
 my Chinese assistant to read alone, and one to Mr. 
 
35 
 
 Lassar, that they may each point out separately whatever 
 they dislike. When this is done, I compare it with 
 Greisbach for the last time, to see if any thing has es- 
 caped us all. 1 then in another clean proof desire the 
 Chinese assistant to add the stops according to his 
 idea of the meaning ; these I then examine, and if his 
 idea of the stops agrees with mine, send it to the press. 
 When on the press a clean proof is brought to me, which 
 I first give to the Chinese assistant to s'ee if all be right, 
 then to Mr. Lassar, and lastly read it myself, and order 
 it to be struck off. Thus you see that after the translation 
 has been corrected for the press, we still have generally 
 ten or twelve proofs of every sheet before we suffer it 
 to be printed off. You may perhaps think it strange 
 that this should be necessary, and that two or three 
 revisions at most do not complete the corrections. It 
 must be remembered however that these frequent revisions 
 involve the judgement of four different persons — Mr. 
 Lassar, the Chinese assistant, myself, and my son; each 
 of whom judges independently of the other three : and I 
 am of opinion that beyond two or three revisions of the 
 same copy there can be little advantage gained; the same 
 ideas will arise the fourth time which arose the third, 
 or even the second, and thus the need of correction does 
 not appear. But when a corrected proof is given 
 for examination, the former chain of ideas is broken, 
 and a new object for criticism is presented. I recollect 
 Dr. Beattie’s observing, that he never could judge of his 
 own style till he saw it in print. It is probable that 
 you yourself have observed a sermon when printed, 
 appear very differently in certain passages from what it did 
 while in manuscript. 
 
 “ By means of this severe scrutiny, I cannot but hope 
 that a faithful version of the holy scriptures in the Chinese 
 
36 
 
 language will at length be produced. The importance of 
 presenting the word of life faithfully and perspicuously 
 expressed to two or three hundred millions of perishing 
 sinneis, when 1 duly realize it, removes all thoughts of the 
 labour, and causes me to feel a joy I cannot describe. 
 i\nd I cannot but view it as a part of divine wisdom, 
 to put it into the hearts of two persons, labouring inde- 
 pendently of each other, (Mr. Morrison and myself,) 
 thus to care for the translation of the sacred scriptures into 
 a language so peculiar in its nature, and understood by 
 such multitudes of men. Should we have wisdom given 
 us rightly to profit by each others’ labours, I suppose 
 that the translation of the scriptures will be brought to 
 as great perfection in tw^enty years as they might been 
 in the hand of one alone in the space of fifty. 
 
 “ I must add a word relative to the moveable types. 
 We have now brought them fully to bear, ^and are there- 
 fore able in some degree to appreciate the value of them. 
 One instance of their utility you have already seen in our 
 being enabled to get and correct ten or twelve proofs of 
 one sheet, before we finally strike it off. This however 
 we could not have done in wood. There all is immove- 
 able : no improvement after the chisel has begun its work, 
 but by means almost equally expensive with cutting a 
 new block: and if we say, ‘correct it ten or twelve 
 times,’ only think of the expence of getting ten or tw'elve 
 fair copies of every sheet. But the moving of a few 
 characters up or down, or the replacing them with others, 
 is the work of a far less number of minutes. Then the 
 h^auty of a character, first neatly drawn and then cut 
 in metal. I do not say that our first essay will exceed 
 in beauty the generality of wood types in China, yet 
 perhaps it will be the case. But succeeding ones certainly 
 will, should our lives be long spared. But the cheapness 
 
37 
 
 of thus printing, and the ultimate saving to the public 
 in the multitude of copies which China will require, are 
 beyond any thing I ever mentioned to you. I thought 
 at one time that the preparing of all the metal types 
 for an edition of the scriptures might perhaps equal the 
 expence of getting them cut in w ood ; although when we 
 cut in wood formerly, by examining the estimate given in 
 the Evangelical Magazine of printing the Acts, (which is, I 
 think, a faithful one, and agrees with what Mr. Lassar and 
 my Chinese assistant tell me of the price of printing in 
 China,) I find we cut much cheaper here from the 
 lowness of wages. This however will not be the case. 
 The expence of the first five or six forms is considerable, 
 but it diminishes as w'e proceed, from the small number 
 of the new characters required. I expect that the first 
 expence of the metal types for the whole scriptures w'ill 
 be scarcely a quarter of that of having them cut in wood, 
 either in China or Bengal. And this once done, we 
 have the types ready for ten succeeding editions, should 
 so many be necessary to the improvement of the trans- 
 lation. The additional expense is scarcely any thing, as it 
 is chiefly a new' arrangement of characters which a second 
 edition requires, the new' characters which will be needed 
 forming but a small number. It may however occur to 
 you, that though while the translation of the scriptures is 
 in a state of improvement this advantage should be so 
 great, it must end there ; and that when it is brought to 
 perfection and fixed, printing on wood, like stereotype, 
 would have the advantage in cheapness. This, however, 
 is not the case. The metal types even then, will be the 
 cheapest. First, because of the cheapness of labour here, 
 owing to the very low price of the necessaries of life. 
 This so materially affects our printing that w'e find that 
 we can print the same quantity of letter-press in an edition 
 of the New Testament at a lower rate than the Bible 
 
58 . 
 
 Society can purchase New Testaments of a stereotype 
 e'htion. This applies to the Chinese printing, and enables 
 us to do the same quantity of work at about a third of the 
 expense it would cost' in China. Another advantage 
 arises from tlie dift'eieuce between metal and wood in 
 j>oint of (hirahinti/. The fine strokes of the wood types 
 necessarily wear down in a short time, and injure the 
 legiifility of the impression ; which any one may per- 
 ceive who considers how much a large edition of any work 
 wears out even metal types. But w'ood wears dowm far 
 quicker, unless the types are made very large, in w'hich 
 case they increase the bulk of the book and the expense of 
 })aper. Thus in every way the metal types will be found, 
 at least in Bengal, far cheaper in execution than wood, 
 even after the blocks are cut. So great indeed will the 
 difference ultimately be found, that in an edition of 10,000 
 copies of the Old and New Testament, if the expense of 
 mere paper and printing from wood were <£ 15 , 000 , w'e 
 should be able to execute the same with our metal types 
 for <£5000 ; if it should cost only <£ 13 , 500 , it would cost 
 iis only <£ 4 , 500 , or 36,000 rupees. To calculations of 
 the cxjrense of printing the scriptures, I have been ac- 
 customed many years, and after calculating the price of 
 paper in China, of which I have accounts perfectly accu- 
 rate, and the price of labour there, where provisions are 
 nearly thrice as dear as in Bengal, I find that our printing 
 an edition of 10,000 with the metal types will be little 
 more than a quarter of the expence of printing the same 
 number with the wood blocks there; and as they print by 
 hand, each double page must in throwing them off 
 require a separate effort of labour. When we realize the 
 sum of £ 10 , 000 , or 80,000 rupees saved to the cause of 
 Christian Benevolence on each 10,000 copies of the 
 whole scriptures, and consider how many myriads of copies 
 will be required in the course of years, the wisdom of God 
 
30 
 
 seems to appear, in thus establishing a pres^ secure fi;om 
 all interruption from all Chinese edicts and mandates, 
 in a place from whence the Chinese scriptures can be 
 continually sent to the Bunnan Empire, Java, Amboyna, 
 Penang, and the Isles of the Sea, and thence find their way 
 into the heart of the Chinese Empire. 
 
 “As to speed in printing them, our progress at first 
 was slow. We were two months in getting ready the first 
 double page : the next two months each produced two 
 double pages ; the next two mouths twelve, or six each ; 
 and so much are we now- improved, that the last week 
 saw three double pages printed off. We shall therefore 
 soon complete what remains of the first edition of the 
 New Testament, and I expect before the end of another 
 year, to have the second edition of Matthew in the press 
 in a completely new type, somewhat smaller ^and much 
 more beautiful, w'hich we are preparing for the Old Tes- 
 tament. In this new' type I expect to have Genesis in 
 the press within a month, the printing of which in that 
 type will go forward while we are finishing the New 
 Testament in the larger type : and as the greater part 
 of the Old Testament is translated, there will be little 
 cause for delay in future. 
 
 “ Meanwhile w'e are able to advance in our other 
 Chinese works as much as my time will permit. jVIy 
 Claris Sinica I find a heavier work than I expected : 
 it will fall little short of 500 pages. At press we are 
 already come into the 400th, but it is a work which cannot 
 be hurried : the supporting of every point in grammar 
 by authorities from the Chinese Classics, which I deem 
 essential to a work of this kind, requires much labour and 
 time ; but is not without its advantages, even to the 
 translation of the scriptures.”