.*"% V.^'^ ^^o^ ^«!i" ^, -^^i^*" A^""^. ^■WMW." ^5.""^-. .I....I....I.... •■■iliiiiliiiilllll iiiilu .♦^"V -v ^ 4 .^_^ PREFACE. THE Author respectfully submits th€ 'ollowing Letters to the candid perusal of d British Puhlick. He has printed them at the request oj several highly esteemed Jriends to whose wishes he felt the more disposed to accede^ as various extravagant and erroneous reports had been circulated concerning his jour neif^^ They are addressed to his respected colleagues% the Rev. John Owen^ of Fulham^ and the Rev^ Joseph Hughes^ ofBattersea^ with whom he has * The Author, deviating for a moment from the subject mmediately before him, embraces this opportunity of de= daring, that he cannot consider himself responsible for the accuracy of any statements which appear in printed report! of his speeches delivered at the formation of bible societiesf^ unless they have been previously submitted to his revision and correction. IV had the honour and happiness of labouring in the cause of the society from its commencement to this dayy with a degree ofregardy harmony^ and affection^ which he has always considered a pe- culiar blessing from God. Their contents are al- most entirely confined to facts connectedwith the great objectjfor the furtherance of which, the author was induced to undertake this journey^ fiamely^ the diffusion of the holy Scriptures in different parts of the continent. His state- ments willi of course, principally regard the wants which it is the design of the British and Foreign Bible Society to ascertain, in order to their being supplied. The representa- tions therefore contained in the following pages, will no more justify a sweeping conclusion against the fitate of the countries to -ivhich they refer, than the recent discoveries made of simi- lar wants in Great Britain woula, against the benevolent character^ and religious condition, cf this happy and highly favoured land^ Should these pages in the smallest degree contribute to the promotion of the glory of Gody and the advancement of the interests of the British and Foreign Bible Society; should they tend to strengthen the delightful bond of union which subsists between British and Continental christiaiis^ the author would most sincerely rejoice^ and consider himself amply compensated for any trouble and anxiety which attended his late journey. LETTERS, LETTER I. Gothenburgv June 22, 1812. MY DEAR FRIENDS, Thus far the kind Providence of God has led me, not without some trials and dangers, but still in as easy a manner as I could expect, considering the present state of affairs. I met with a very kind reception from the Rev. Mssrs. Stahre and Henderson and other friends in Gothenburg, and was also intro- duced to the Governour, who, in consequence of Baron de Rehausen's letter of recommenda- tion, treated me with great kindness^ and af- 8 forded me every assistance for facilitating my journey • My passport from Copenhagen, foi^ which Mr. Horneman a member of our com- mittee had the goodness to apply, is not yet arrived; but the Danish Consul at this place told me that 1 need not wait for it. I there- fore intend, with Mr. Henderson, to set out on thursday for Helsingburg, where we hope to meet with Mr. Paterson. This gentleman has been very successful in the establishment of a Finnish Bible Society at Abo, as you wdll learn from the inclosed documents, which I am confident will fill your hearts, and those of all the members of the committee, with lively emotions of joy and gratitude. I met here with two pious Swedish clergymen from Skane, father and son. When I inquired into the state of their parishes with regard to the Bible, both agreed that a considerable want existed among their poor. ^^ I have'^ said the younger Clergyman, "about 300 families in *' my parish, most of them in needy ciraim- " stances, and I really believe scarcely 20 pes^ " sess a Bible." — ^' Here/' I said secretly to myself, %the Providence of God presents you " with a fair opportunity, of making the first " use of the means intrusted to you by the ^'British and Foreign Bible Society." I therefore presented them with the gift of 20/. to enable them to supply part of this want; at the same time, I stirred them up to use all their influence with the w^ealthier members of their congregations and vicinities, that not one of their indigent families might be left without a Bible. Their surprise, joy, and gratitude, at my unexpected offer, were very great; they blessed God, they admired the benevolence of the Society, they seemed to regard me as a messenger from Heaven. I requested them to institute a more general inquiry into the want of the Scriptures, not only in their own pa- rishes, but in others too; and to inform me of the result. I also agreed with Mr. Henderson to solicit the Committee for a supply of Bibles 10 and testaments in the English, Fi-ench, Ger- man, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, and Danish languages, for sale, or gtetuitous distribution among the numerous merchants, captains and sailors, who visit this port. My worthy friend, Dr. Brunnmark, will have the goodness to consult Mr. Tottie about the best means of conveying them free of ex- pense, to the Rev. Mr. Stahre and Mr. Jonas Keilberg, who, with some other friends, will charge themselves with the disposal of them. And now, farewell, my dear friends. Thank God for the perfect safety which you enjoy in your travels; and pray for your friend, who will soon come to countries where he will indeed want all the simplicity of the dove, and all the wisdom of the serpent. Present my kindest respects to the whole of our bible committee, with its excellent Pre- sident and Vice-presidents. Next week I ex- 11 pect to be in Copenhagen, if it be the will of God. Yours very respectfully, St. The documents referred to in the letter, are the following: TranslatioTi of an Article inserted in the Aho Gazette March 24^ylSi2. ABO. «^ The following extract, from the circular letter issued by the ecclesiastical Consistory of this place to the clergy in the diocese of Abo, certainly deserves to be made publickfor the more general information of our fellow-citizens. ** The edition of the Finnish bible which was printed in the year 1776, having long ago been completely ex- haustedj, and such copies as were at times to be pro- cured hearing consequently the exorbitantly high price of from fifteen to twenty rix-doUars, it was contemplated as a desirable measure, that steps should be taken for printing anew edition of the holy Scriptures. In the mean time the following unexpected occurrence took place. A worthy member of the British and Foreign Bible Society in London, the Rev. John Paterson (who still resides for the present in Stockhohn, with a view to assist in the execution of an edition of the Swedish bible on standing types, through the generous contribution of the above- mentioned Society), came to Abo, with the offer of 500L 12 sterling, in aid of a similar edition of the Bible in the lan- guage of Finland. The matter was immediately reported to his Excellency Baron Steinheil, the Governour-general, who, with his wonted attention to, and zeal for every thing good and noble, was pleased without delay, to give a favourable representation of the above offer to his Ma- jesty the Emperour; to which his Excellency shortly after received the following answer from his Excellency Mr. Speransky, Secretary of State and Privy Counsellor, dated Petersburg. Got. 20, 1811; a translation of which he h^as communicated to the Consistory:" •^Having, in consequence of your Excellency's letter, ^ had the honour, with all due submission, to lay before * his Imperial Majesty the proposition made by the Rev. * John Paterson, with a view to the printing of the Bible in « the Finnish language; his Imperial Majesty has not only ^ been graciously pleased to signify his approbation of the « offer, but also, desirous himself to contribute to the dis- ^ tribution of the Holy Scriptures, has granted from his f own private purse the sum of five thousand rubles to be * applied by your Excellency to this object, respecting t the remittance of which to your Excellency I have written to Privy Counsellor Gurjew," ** Where is the good and well-disposed Finnish citizen, who does not gratefully bless this fresh proof of the zealous soli* citude of his Imperial Majesty for the real and supreme welfare of his Finnish subjects; as well as the indefatigable and benevolent care of a foreign nation to disseminate and perpetuate to the latest age, even in these distant regions, the true knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, by means of that Word which he )iath revealed for our Ulummation and salvatioj?? IB ,"Bj this generous assistance, to which we hope soon to add the equally noble contributions of our own feliow« citizens, the foundation is laid of an undertaking whiclx cattimot but be crowned with success and the richest bles- m^: inasmuch as an edition of the Bible on standing types not only supplies the present generation, but at the same tim© furnishes the surest means of putting the Scriptures into the hands of the most remote posterity, at a moderate price, without any further expenses than what the paper and print =- ing necessarily require." LeUm'' of the Emperor ofBusszay to the Governour -general of Finland. Wilna, May 13, 1812. «* Being persuaded that religion is the most powerful instru- ' ment for raising the morals of a people, and that, wheu * maintained in purity, it is the strongest band of support * to the state; and having taken into consideration the neces- * sity, of increasing the means of enabling our faithful Finnish * subjects to gain a right knowledge of the Supreme Being, * and of the excellency of their religion; we have accord- * ingly, in agree i.ient with what a number of respectable Finnish citizens of all classes have proposed, been gra- « ciously pleased to approve oi the printing of the Finnish « Bible with standing types, as tending, in a high degree, to * promote this end. As the expense of such an undertaking * must necessarily exceed what could be collected among the * inhabitants themselves, we have therefore in compliance * with your humble request, been graciously pleased to grant * that part of corn tithes which was originally appropriated to « printing the Holy Scriptures, but which in latter times has B 1^ * been used for state purposes, to be applied foi^ftrc years, ^ beginning with the year 1812, in aid of printing the above- * mentioned edition of tlie Finiiish bible: and will beg you to * communicate this resolution, in the usual manner, to thft ^ parties concerned. (Signed) ALEXANDER.'' Fv67u Baron Amiiioff to the Governoiir-general of Finland, Petersburg^ May 27, 1812. * SiH, * At the same time that I have the honour to transmit * you his Majesty's letter, in which you are made acquainted ® with his resolution to grant the Finnish Bible Society the ^ quantity of corn they have required, I have also to inform * you, that his Majesty has been graciously pleased to permit * them to open a subscription over all his Majesty's dominions ^ where the Finnish language is spoken; as also to import, * duty-tree, all the articles necessary for the proposed edition ' •» of the Finnish bible." lb LETTER II. Helsingburgj June, SO, !ai2. MY DEAR FRIENDS, I DOUBT not but you have received my letter from Gothenburg. I left that town on Thursday (the 20th inst.) accompanied by Mr. Henderson, who, from his knowledge of the country and language, proved very useful tome. Our journey was attended with trouble and difficulty: pouring rains had swelled the rivers; our carriage had repeatedly to pass through very deep water, which at one time even entered into it, and completely wetted our feet. On the evening of thursday, we came to a small town and fortress called Warberg, where a pious clergyman resides. He is the curate of a populous parish for which he receives only 201. per annum, and has a large family; he is therefore under the necessity of keeping a school, which, in addition to the great atten- 16 tion he pays to the discharge of his ministerial duties, renders his hfe very laborious. He is indefatigable in doing good; and enjoys the great satisfactlfen of seeing the work of the Lord prosper in his hands. He is a member of the Evangelical Society at Stockholm, fmm which he received several new testaments for the supply of his poor parishioners. Among the rest he gave a copy to a woman, who has now read it five times with such attention and delight, that she has made rapid progress in divine knowledge, and makes very sensible re- marks even on difficult passages. There is one rich, active, and charitable Lady in his parish, who assists him greatly in his acts of benevo- lence; yet there still remain 300 poor families destitute pf the Scriptures. Having heard this excellent man relate all these circumstances, I felt truly happy, as an almoner of the so- ciety's bounty, to relieve the want of some of his poor people; and presented him with 10/. to purchase a number of the Stockholm so- 1^. ir ciety^s bibles and testaments, for sale, or gra- tuitous distribution, at his discretion- The good man (who reminded me of Goldsmith's country clergyman) looked at me with an air of grateful surprise, which no words can de« scribe. In the morning of the 27th we visited Dean Alsing, whose parish contains a popula- tion of about 1700 souls. He showed me a paper, from which I saw with astonishment and pleasure, that he had ordered no less than 1258 bibles and testaments from the Stock- holm society, for the benefit of his own pa- rishioners and those of the adjoining villages, who had cheerfully subscribed ^for copies. " Still," added he, " there are perhaps 100 poor " families in my own parish, and as many in ^^ each of the 11 other parishes that belong to « my deanery, who are unable to pay for them." This at once proved the real want which sub- sisted previous to the establishment of the evangelical society; the great attention of the dean to these wants, the moment he saw he B 2 18 could supply them; and the ileed of further assistance. I left him the sum of 12/. Last Sunday we spent with another Swedish Clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Thulin, who resides about four English miles from this place, and has about 2000 people under his care. He is so active in promoting the benevolent views of the Stockholm society, that he has procured about 800 subscribers, for their first edition of the Swedish bible, in his parish and its vicinity. He possesses the advantage of having some rich and benevolent individuals in it, who lay them- selves out for the good of their fellow-creatures; but, considering the extent of his parish, and the oportunities he enjoys of distributing the Scriptures among the poor in neighbouring parishes, I agreed with Mr. Henderson to pre- sent him with 10/. The same sum I granted to the Rev. Mr. Wick, a Moravian minister who resides in Carlscrona, and in his annual visits through several Swedish provinces re- 19 ceives frequent applications for Bibles. The assistant Minister of Mr. Thulin is the Rev* Mr. Sundius, an excellent old man of 73, whom I heard address a number of pious Swedish pea- sants of both sexes. My mind was deeply affect- ed by this interesting scene. On monday morn- ing Mr. Paterson arrived from Stockholm, af- ter a fatiguing journey of four days and nights. We have since spent most of our time in a close review of all the past operations of our society in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Lapland. I rejoice to hear of the great activity of the Stockholm society, and of the peculiar atten« tion which its committee had bestowed in pre- senting the publick with as correct a copy of the bible as they possibly could. No less than six correctors were employed; among whom their venerable President, the Right Hon. G.Leyon- mark. Knight of the Order of the Polar Star, Vasa,&c.|particularly distinguished himself, by discovering errors of the press which had es^ caped younger eyes. 20 Tlie Stockholm society becomes more gene- rally known in Sweden, and has already afford- ed many important advantages to the inhabit- ants of that country. The Finnish Bible Socie- ty is composed of most respectable characters, and promises, extensive and lasting usefulness. As it is probable that the Finnish octavo bible on standing types will be printed at Peters- burg, and Mr. Paterson has been requested to superintend the printing of the same, a door of entrance into that important city seems to be opened to him. He intends immediately to proceed thither by way of Stockholm and Abo. Mr. Henderson is to go to Copenhagen, to as- sist. in the execution of the Icelandic bible, of which twenty sheets have left the press; and to proceed thence to Iceland, in order to see them properly distributed, provided he can obtain a passport from the Danish government. We are now looking forward to our different desti- nations: we inform, advise, strengthen, cheer and encourage each other; and I am fully per- 21 suaded, that our meeting and consulting toge- ther will, under the blessing of God, conduce to the best interests of our society. ' July 1. —To-morrow morning, (God will- ing) I shall set my foot on Danish territory: I see it before me from the heights of this town. Strange feelings arise in my breast, but I trust in God! to Him I commit myself and my fellow^ labourers. Their deeds are their best praise ; they have done much for the dissemination of the holy scriptures in the northern parts of Eu- rope, and if God spare their lives, and continue to prosper their way, they are likely to do still more. I recommend them, as well as myself, to the affectionate remembrance, and the united prayers of all the members of the society. I request Mr. Paterson to send you at the expense of our societ}^, ten Lapland bibles and as many testaments, (in addition to the six copies which are on their way to our library,) 22 as I think a good use may be made of them for the benefit of our society, by making a present of them to publick libraries in England and in foreign parts. I also desired Mr. Paterson to inquire, whether one or two hundred copies of the Lapland bible published by the late Bish- op Nordin, for sale among the laplanders, can- not be purchased by our society at a moderate price, for gratuitous distribution among the most needy of that interesting peoplf . The gospel of St. Mark in the Chinese, the Pentateuch in Bengalee, and the Hagiographa in the Orissa, are very serviceable to me: wherever I show them, they are looked at with high interest and delight. Farewell, my dear friends. Will you remem- ber me in the most respectful manner to our excellent President, to Lord Gambier, to Mr* Vansittart, Mr. Wilberforce, and all the mem- bers of our Bible committee? To serve my God aiid my generation, and to be employed by such men as these, I count an honour and happmess. Yours most aiFectionately, etc* LETTER Ill- Copenhagen, July 7j 1812, MJ DEAR FRIENDS, You have, I trust, duly received my letters from Gothenburg and Helsingburg, I caia now inform you, that, by the goodness of God, I am arrived in safety at this capital. I first visited Mr. Thorkelin, counsellor of state, and one of the Knights of the Danebrug order who is a native of Iceland, a gentleman of taste and learningjand busily engaged in revising and cor- £4* recting the Icelandic bible now printing in this place. He has just completed the 20th sheet, and will do every thing to expedite the business. At the same time I cannot but earnestly wish, that God may incline the heart of his Danish Majesty'^5to permit Mr. Henderson to spend the winter in Copenhagen; as his resi- dence on the spot would in every way be con- ducive to the accomplishment of the work, and the best interests of our society. Mr. Thorke- lin tells me, that only four editions of the whole Icelandic bible have been published, namely: 1 in the year 1584?, folio, (1000 copies. 1 - - 164^, ditto, (1000 ditto.) 1 - - 1728, ditto, (very faulty.) 1 1747, quarto, (500 copies. of all which he thinks scarcely one hundred copies remain in the whole island. * I am happy to state, that his Danish Majesty has gra- ciously complied with Mr. Heuder^ou's re« the Danish new testament, kindly given me " by the British and Foreign Bible Society, to *^ some clergymen; but they received my offer " with such coldness and indifference, that I " felt no inclination to repeat it. My own ** private conviction is, that, on an average, four i' out of five persons in Denmark are without a ** bible. In my own parish, which is not one " of the poorest,.I found a greater want of the ^^ scriptures than I supposed, and am deter- *' mined to do every thing in my power to re- ** lieve it." I authorized him to purchase from the bible depository at Copenhagen, 300 co- pies of the Danish bible, which he did; and he had already begun the distribution of them when I returned. At Christiansfield, a Moravian settlement on the confines of Jutland and Sleswick, I met with several clergymen belonging to the Fuhnen Society, which by its own laudable exertions had sold at a low price, or gratuitously distributed, many hundred Danish testaments. 1 o encourage this small, but excellent body of men, and to increase their means of doing good, I left with the Rev. Mr. Balsley, their treasurer, the sum of 120/. which was received by all present with the most lively emotions of joy and gratitude, and will enable them to dis- tribute several hundred copies of the Danish bible, as well as a large number of testaments, to the many needy persons and families in their parishes and vicinities. One of them, the Rev. Mr. Ebbesen, pastor of a congregation in the duchy of Skswick, when lately visiting his S6 parish from house to house, found, among 120 families, 70 who were without bibles. Another clergyman who did the same, found among 200 families, 150 who had not a copy of the bible* Some parishes, it is true, are better provided for, butothers are still more deficient. I cannot describe In terms sufficiently strong, the lively and deep interest which many of the good people in Christiansfield are taking,in the exertions of the British and Foreign bible So- ciety. I could scarcely tell them enough. Some literally wept for joy; they praised God; and a widow (her name is unknown to me, but well known in heaven) sent me four Frederick d'ors, (about four guineas) with the following lines, which deeply affected me. — " Please to *' accept this mite from a widow, as a small ** contribution to the bible Society. May the " Lord abundantly bless it! This is the cordial ** wish of a lover of Christ, who highly esteems " the bible Society, and prays that it may be ^ rewarded a thousand fold." In the Dutchies of Sleswick and Holstein the with some of the villages through which I had passed before. I am truly happy to hear, that Leander VanEess, a learned and pious Roman Catholick Clergyman, has lately been appointed Professor of Divinity at the University of Mar- burg; as I trust he will direct his attention to Mainz and Fulda, and send thousands of his German Testaments to those places^ which are now involved in all the mists and errours of Popish ignorance and superstition. TO liETTER XL Helsingburg, Nov. If, Uli. MY DEAR FRIENDS, On my way to Leipsick, the poatillioa pointed out to me the village of Auerstadt, memorable on account of the battle fought there between the Prussians and French, which ended in the almost total destruction of the Prussian power. A host of gloomy reflections crowded on my mind, which were not lessened by the sight of so many of my poor countrymen, whom I saw marched off to Russia, and could view it in no other light than as sheep carried to the slaughter. Not far from the town of Lut- zen a plain stone is erected to the memory of the immortal Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, who nobly fell fighting for the cause of reli- gious truth and liberty. Leipsick is celebrated for Its annual fairs, its extensive trade, particu« larly in books, the reputation of its University, and the refined manners of its inhabitants. On my way to this town I met a Polish Jew^, in an inn where I stopped to change horses. It was midnight, and he told me he had travelled ten successive days and nights, in order to reach Leipsick by the commencement of the fain " Well," said I to myself, ^^ if this man ** can do and endure so much for the sake of ** earthly gain, ought I to mind any little incon- ** venience or difficulty in pursuing far more " important and beneficial objccts?'^ A Clergyman, much respected in Leipsick^ signified in strong terms his admiration of the labours of the British and Foreign Bible So- ciety, of which he had been informed by the honourable mention made of it in some literary publications; and expressed his conviction, that both among children and servants, but chiefly G 2 78 among the latter, hundreds, and perhaps thou- sands, were to be found without a bible, many of whom would receive it with the most unfeigned joy and gratitude. In consequence of this representation, I requested the Rev. Dr. Knapp to send 300 bibles and 200 testa- ments to this worthy Pastor, who seems much disposed, with some other gentlemen, to aid the benevolent exertions of the Society. ^rom Leipsick I went to Dresden. I had much wished to become personally acquainted with the celebrated Reinhardt, first Chaplain to the Court of Saxony, who was considered one of the greatest divines and pulpit oratours of his time; and had sustained many a noble conflict with the legions of infidelity, triumph-^ antly vindicating the sacred cause of divine Truth and christian Revelation. But, alas! I was disappointed— ^Reinhardt is no more in the land of the living. He died on the 6th of 79 September, lamented by thousands, not only in Saxony but in all parts of Germany. Instead of Reinhardt, I visited the Rev. Mr. Doering, who is likewise one of the Chaplains to the Court, and a man firmly adhering to the Truth as it is in Jesus. He takes a lively inte- rest in the cause of the Bible Society; strongly represented to me the want of the Scriptures among numbers of the poor in Dresden, and most heartily concurred with my wish, that something might be done for theii- relief in this respect I placed 500 Canstein Bibles and Testaments at his disposal, and urged his uniting with some other respectable characters, for the purpose of establishing a regular and permanent Bible Committee^ At his request I visited Count de Hohenthal, one of the mi- nisters of State, and chief, or president, of the ecclesiastical department; who fully con- firmed the above statement* His late exceU lent father, he told me, had entertained the highest veneratian for the Holy Scriptures, and printed, at his own private expense, three editions for the benefit of the poor. When a boy, his father had sent him with his tutor into the houses of the poor, to inquire after both their bodily and their spiritual wants* At that time, (1760,) they had met almost in every house with three books, a Bible, a hymn-book, and Arndt's True Christianity. About twenty years after, being himself ap- pointed to an office connected with the care of the poor, he had again personally visited their abodes, but found them greatly altered for the worse; discovering scarcely any where a Bible or Testament. This he could not but ascribe to a growing indifference to religion, which he considered most dangerous in its consequences to the security and v/elfare of the state. He had already distributed several hundred copies of the Scriptures among the poor on his own estates, and would gladly support a judicious plan for a more general dispersion of that Sa- 81 ered book among the lower classes of the people* I left him with humble gratitude to God, that Saxony wa3 still favoured with men of such sentiments, and imploring His bles- sing on my feeble endeavours. O, may His word have free course, and be glorified! LETTER XII. Helsingburg, Nov. 18, 1812, MY DEAR FRIENDS, My intention was to have gone from Dresden to Berlin by way of Herrnhut. The latter place I visited; but was prevented from going to the former, by circumstances which it was out of my power to control. 82 Some of the roads in Upper Lusatia are m a dreadful condition: in the winter Season they are scarcely passable^ and they are gene- rally so rough, that the traveller will not easily forget the inconveniences which he has suffered in journeying along them. Herrnhut lies be- tween the two towns of Lobau and Zittau. About 90 years ago the place where it now staiads was a natural and moral desert. But what a change has taken place! Where no- thing but swamps and morasses were to be seen, a town has sprung up, which is the picture of neatness, the seat of piety and industry, the centre of an active religious people called the Moravians, or the United Brethren, who have proved an ornament to the christia^ Church, and a blessing to the world. When I consider the many important meet- ings of excellent people, from various parts of the world, held in this place, (among which, the Ministers' Conference an annu?il assembly 8S 0fabout7Oor 80 Protestant Clei-gymen, for promoting each others usefulness in the minis- try, deserves particular notice); when I recol« lect the many useful missionaries going forth from this spot almost in every direction, and behold the thousands of benighted Heathens converted by the ministry of these feeble but sincere sevants of Christ; I am reminded of the grain of mustard-seed grown up to a fruit- ful tree, in whose branches, the birds of the air find shelter and repose; and feel con« strained at the same time to adopt the lan- guage of our blessed Lord: " I thank Thee? " Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because " Thou hast hid these things from the wise and " prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes*'^ I visited the Unity's Elders* Conference,which is the supreme directory of all the Moravian settlements and societies among christians and Heathens; and was truly gratified to find mea of primitive simplicity, faith, and love. They all assembled to hear me relate the work of 8lf God in Great Britain, more especially the proceedings of the British and Foreign Bible Society. They felt most grateful for the kind attention of the Society to the spiritual wants of their christain Esquimaux in Labrador, their converted Negroes in the West Indies, their enlightened Hottentots in Africa, and the Calmuck tribes under their instruction. They cheerfully promised to encourage their mis- sionaries, diligently to persevere in the work of translating the Scriptures, into the various lan- guages of the nations among whom they arc labouring. They mentioned, the great good which was now doing among the poor people in Esthonia and Livonia; represented their great want of the Scriptures, and their very earnest desire to obtain them; expressed high satisfaction at the grants the Society had made for printing the Lettish and Esthonian Testa- ments; and declared, they would gladly pro- mote this excellent design by all means in their power. They lamented the breaking out of the war in these quarters, which would prove a great obstacle to the workj but still Aey con- fidently hoped, that with the blessing of God all difficulties would be overcome. I was also informed that, in many places of Upper Lusatia, the Scriptures were greatly needed among the poor. Several worthy pa- rish ministers made applications for a supply* Among the number, the Rev. Mr. Heinrich, a most active and useful Clergyman, thus ex- pressed himself in a letter, dated Reibersdorf, Sep. 1, 1812. •' With us, and around us, (in Lusatia,) many ** hands would gladly be stretched out to receive " a Bible. If the friends of the Bible would '^ turn their attention to my parish, and to other ** parishes still more destitute, and favour us " with a number of bibles for distribution, the *' heart of an aged Pastor of 73 would be filled '' with joy. I subscribed for 113 copies of the 96 ^ ^^ Basle Bible; but the expense of camage> *' (amounting to upwards of 10/.) and the bind- " mg^ made the Bibles dearer than the poor ** people could pay fon'* I had also a conversation with a Moravian minister, whose office is to visit the dispersed children of God in Poland, particularly those belonging to the German colonies in that coun- try. "The latter," said he, "suffer greatly: " they want both ministers and Bibles; among " the Polish Jews," he added, " there Is a great " stir." Induced by these representations, I deposited 200/. with the Unity's Elders' Con- ference, to be employed according to their dis- cretion, for the dispersion of the Holy Scrip- tures in Lusatia, and other provinces, through the instrumentality of the many pious minis- ters with whom they stand connected. Previous to my leaving Herrnhut, I paid a visit to the Hutberg, a hill from which there is ia most extensive and delightful prospect. A number of populous villages, with well-cultiva- ted fields and gardens, lie before and around it<^ from which hills and small woods gently rise; and at the extremity of the horizon the eye is charmed with the distant view of the Saxon, Bohemian, and Silesian mountainst the whole forms a sublime spectacle. On the Hutberg is the burial-ground of the Herrnhut Congregation, intersected by several rows of trees^ and kept in very nice order. Some of the wisest and best men sleep there until the morning of the resurrection; I wandered about among the dead, and felt inexpressibly serene and happy. My spirit joined the spirits of just men made perfect, and the words of Christ seemed to sound in my ears; " Be thou faith- " ful unto death, and I will give thee a crowa "oflife*'^ S8 LETTERXIIL Helsingburg, Nov. IS, 1812. MY DEAR FRIENDS, After a short stay at Hermhut, I re- turned to Leipsick; where I parted with a dear brother, who is a merchant in that city; the last of my family whom I had an oportunity of seeing during my continental tour. I then proceeded to Halle, The very sight of this town excites in the breast of the Christian, feelings of joy, admiration, and gratitude. There the immortal Franke preached and lived; there many excellent Ministers of Christ have been educated; there the Hallish Orphan- house, the Canstein Bible Institution, the East India Missions, were established. I had long wished to see Dr. Knapp, professor of divini- ty at the University of Halle, one of the direc- tors of the Orphan-house: he is a son worthy of an excellent fatherland justly considered one of the greatest Divines of our age. With the ut- most kindness he conducted me to the Orphan- house. Without visiting this sublime monument of Franke's faith and charity, it is not possible to form any adequate conception of the great- ness and firmness of that good man; who with only seven florins commenced a building, or rather a series of buildings, which now occupies a large proportion of the town; contains many of Its best houses; has opened its friendly gates for the destitute and forlorn; supported thousands of orphans, and afforded employment and in- struction to tens of thousands. No wonder that Frederick the Great of Prussia, when viewing it, exclaimed with enthusiasm: " Truly Frankc " was a great man!^' and that the Emperour Napoleon was directed to show mercy to its helpless inhabitants: for the protection and bles- sing of God rest upon it, and in the midst of the ruin of palaces and cottages it is still preserved. H 2 I felt a peculiar interest in visitiog the depo- sitory of the Canstein Bible Institution, which in the course of a century has printed nearly three millions of German Bibles and Testa- ments. Its benevolent design is, by selling the Scriptures at a low rate, to enable the poor to purchase them. And indeed from this cheap depository of the oracles of truth, many thou- sands of my poor countrymen, not only in Ger- many, but also in Prussia, Poland, Switzerland, the Russian Empire, and even in America, have been most liberally supplied. But while I bear this willing testimony to the excellence and usefulness of this institution, let it be recollec- ted, that (not to mention the constant loss of copies by their very use and a variety of acci- dents,) upwards of thirty millions of people speak the German language^ and that the Can- stein Bibles, cheap as they are in Halle, become proportionally dear when sent to great dis- tances; that they cannot be introduced into tl several states and provinces without paying very high duties^ and that the ruinous effects of a long-protracted war are such,as to disable many of the poor from paying any thing at all. Dr. Knapp, who is intimately acquainted with all the concerns of this Institution, stated, that even in Halle itself and its immediate vicinity, many of the poor would be found destitute of the Scriptures J and expressed a wish, that some be- nevolent persons would unite to purchase a number of Canstein Bibles for gratuitous dis* tribution; offering himself, with some friends^ to form a Bible Committee, that it might be done in the most judicious and effectual manner. In addition to this, let it be observed, that in the course of this summer, (1812,) the northern union was formed in Saxony, the members of which, having publickly avowed the want of the Scriptures in several parts of Saxony, have pled- ged themselves to remedy this evil as far as lies in their power; but their means are small. I therefore left Dr. Knapp and his friends the 92 sum of 50/. to enable them immediately to com- mence the distribution which he himself had desired; and also purchased several thousand Canstein Bibles and Testaments, for dispersion in different parts of Saxony, Brandenburg, and Hanover. May God in his infinite mercy grant, that the seed, thus sown in a variety of directions, may be watered with the dew from heaven; spring up, and bring forth fruit unto everlasting life. LETTER XIV- Helsingburg, Nov. 18, 1812, MY DEAR FRIENDS, I left Halle on the 8th of October on my return to Altona; the road led me through Wolfenbuttel and Brunswick. It is easy to perceive that these towns were formerly the re- sidence of sovereign Princes; their palaces are still to be seen — ^but how changed the aspect of things! The old Duke of Brunswick killed in battle, his son driven from his countrj^, their splendid apartments standing almost empty, their dominions given to another! What lessons for the great of this worldl I^any an ancient princely house has stood the shock of ages; it might trace its possessors through centuries past; but Ichabod!-— where is its former glory? It is vanished: it is departed. The yoke of op- pression is severely felt; strangers consume the fiat of the land. O my native country! how fallen art thou from thy former greatness and prosperity! Humble thyself under the mighty hand of God, acknowledge thy transgressions, return to thy Maker, take refuge in thy blessed Redeemer, embrace the Friend of thy youth whom thou hast forsaken, kiss the rod of His dicipline, implore His forgiveness, and seek His mercy*. •Since the above was written, an unexpected and mast important change has taken place. Germany is restored t<& 94* Between Brunswick and Hamburg lies the Luneburg Heath. No wonder travellers feel such a dislike to it; for indeed it is a dreary de- sert, like the land of the shadow of death: for miles, scarcely a living creature is to be seen. Occasionally a green bush or small tree makes its appearance; no regular road leads through it; a multitude of tracks and paths appear; the poor horses have often to drag through a thick heavy sand, and if the postillions were not well acquainted with their way the traveller would soon be lost. After having wandered about in this wilderness, a cottage, a few dispersed houses, or a flock ©f little black sheep, quite gladden the heart: the least progress towards cultivation in this desert seemed delightful to me; and I thanked God, when at last I had safely got out of it. its former independence. The author would not deserve the aame of a German, did he not most sincerely rejoice in this «vent with millions of his countrymen. I will say nothing of Hamburg; its formt r and present state form a powerful contrast. I cannot express my gratitude to God, when^ Per varies casus, per tot discrimina rerumj> I found myself In Altona, safely lodged in the house of Messrs, Van der Smissen, and most cordially welcomed by all the members of this excellent family. They know no party; but show christian love, kindness, and hospitality, to every servant of God, to good men of all na- tions and denominations. Mav God pour down upon them His richest blessings, and may His heavenly benediction rest upon them all! They assisted me with their counsel, their credit, their mercantile knowledge and experience; and their warmest recommendations, to the many friends and connexions whom they have in almost ev- ery part of the continents They had opened a correspondence with christian friends in Osna- bruck, Lubeck, Bremen, Mecklenburg, and 96 Swedish Pomerania, advising them to form small Bible Committees; some of which, after a due inspection of the correspondence, and mature deliberation, I felt it to be my duty and happiness, to assist with a donation in the So- ciety's name, of 50l. In the house of this kind family, I had also the pleasure to meet a num- ber of respectable gentlemen, belonging to va- rious Christian denominations; and consulted with them, on the best means of promoting the cause of the Bible in Altona and its vicinity* I found a general disposition to aid it: one of the company, who is collector of the taxes, assured the rest, " that in his official capacity, he had " ample opportunity to witness the great dis- *' tress of the people, occasioned by the l6ng- ** continuing interruption of commerce. Many <* families, which a few years ago had been in ** a flourishing condition, were now reduced to " poverty and want, and obliged to part with *' one article of clothing or furniture after the other." 9r The same is the case in Hamburgh; it was therefore considered the more desirable to fur- nish these people with that blessed book,which has proved a balm of consolation to millions of the afflicted; and which still proves to be the power and wisdom of God unto the salvation of immortal souls. To enable our Altona friends to begin their benevolent work without delay, I left them SOU I certainly felt strongly inclined to do more, both in this case and in several former instan- ces| but, deeply convinced as I was of the ge- nerous and enlarged views of the British and Foreign Bible Society, I wished not too far t® exceed the limits set me by the wisdom of the Committee, under whose instructions I acted. LETTER XT. Helsingburg, Nov. 18, 1812. MY DEAR FRIENDS, After taking an affectionate leave of my Altona friends, I entered on my journey to Copenhagen. My young friend, James .Van der Smissen, who had spent seven years in Eng- land, and been a member of our Bible Com- mittee, determined to accompany me to Chris- tiansfeld. The first day's journey brought me to Hanerau, alarge estate of 14 villages, belong- ing to Mr. Manhardt; who is now a Danish knight, and fully deserves the Order of merit with which his King has distinguished him j for the improvements he has produced on his estate, in a civil and religious point of view, are very great indeed. He is a father to his t^natts, pro- motes industrvi* establishes manufactories, in- 99 stmcts the children himself; and is assisted ia his exertions by a worthy Pastor, who is as de- sirous as himself, that every peasant and child in their villages should have a Bible of his own, and be able to read it. As these excellent men had done much themselves, I felt the greater freedom in ministering to their aid, as an almo- ner of the Society's bounty. Collecting, there- fore, a number of the children, I addressed them, and presented each with a Hallish Bible. To see them smiling with pleasure, kissing my hands, and otherwise expressing their joy and gratitude in their unaffected childlike manner, was a feast to my mind; and the whole of the scene, at which Mr. Manhardt and family were present, was so impressive and affecting, that I shall long retain the remembrance of it. A few miles from Hanerau lies the neat town of Meldorf, where a small society of pious people are very active and useful. They invited me to visit them; but, being prevented b}^ ^ 100 severe cold, I wrote them a long letter j in which I gave a detailed account of our Society, and directed their attention to the state of their town and vicinity. In reply, they observed, that they were happy to say, that a benevolent in- stitution existed in their town, from which the children of the poor were supplied both with the Scriptures and other religious books. From Hanerau we continued our journey to Emkendorf, the seat of Count Reventlow, a nobleman of fine taste and highly accomplished manners. He had been Danish Ambassador at several Courts, among which was that of St. James. His lady is distinguished by her talents, her unfeigned piety, her active benevolence, and her christian fortitude under a complication of disorders, which few would be able to endure. She has been ill for twenty years; her sufferings are very great; scarcely ever can she leave her bed, but her mind is unconquered by illness; het* zeal in the cause of God continues most 101 lively; and her exertions to promote the inte- rests of his kingdom are indefatigable. Having read in several periodical publications, of the labours of the British and Foreign Bible So- ciety and other benevolent institutions in £ng- land, she wished to hear more, and invited me to spend a few days with her. I accepted the invitafion, and bless God that I did. I found in her a character seldom to be met with; she is a mother to her tenants, furnishes them with Bibles, pays particular attention to th^ schools, provides for orphans, supports the aged, re- lieves the widow, and is ready to every good word and work. When I came to Emkendorf, the Landgrave of Hessen, Stadtholder of the Dutchies of Holstein and Sleswick, and father to the present Queen of Denmark, happened to be there on a visit. He treated me with the ut- most kindness, requested me to give him an ac- count of the Bible Society, approved highly of its exertions, and expressed his best wishes for its continued prosperity. I also met in Emken* I 2 102 dorf, the widow of the late excellent and truly pious Count Bernstorf, who was many years prime ministerof Denmark; also the Count and Countess of Stolberg; besides other ladies and gentlemen, who all expressed their high appro- bation of the plan and proceedings of our Soci- ety, and some of whom promised to send their contributions to our Altona friends. In the further progress of my journey, I vi- sited several active clergymen, merchants, and other pious people, in Rendsburg, Sleswick, Flensburg, and Hadersleben; with whom I had many interesting conversations. The result of my observations and inquiries is, that, notwith- standing the progress which infidelity has made, there are still many enlightened and benevolent characters in the Dutchies of Holstein and Sleswick. Could their intellectual, moral, and spiritual strength be collected into one focus ^ extensive and lasting good might be done* ■ lOS Lord God Almighty! do thou unite the minds, the hearts, the talents, the exertions, of Thy people; that with one accord they may glo- rify Thy name, promote Thy cause, spread Thy word, advance I'hy kingdom, and successfully exert themselves for the salvation of souls. LETTER XVL Gothenburg, Nov. 26, 1812. ?^IY DEAR FRIENDS, Our journey from Emkendorf to Chris- tiansfeld was attended with some trouble and difficultys the rain had fallen in torrents; the roads were in a shocking state; we were more than once in danger of being overturned; but the merciful hand of God preserved us; and we soon forgot our fatigues and anxieties in the friendly receptioii we met at Christiausfeld, 104 where wc rested a few days. This Moravian settlement is a point of rendezvous for pious ministers and people of all descriptions. There the Fuhnen Society^ holds its annual meetings; even the King and the Royal Family have se- veral times honoured it with a visit. Some of the aged experienced ministers make an annual circuit all over the country; visiting the disper- sed people of God, and speaking a word in sea- son to persons of every condition. They enter the palace, and the cottage; and have frequent opportunities of observing the want of the Scriptures. To these good men I intrusted the sum of 25L for the purpose of distributing the Danish and German Scriptures in Jutland and Holstein; being fully persuaded, they would make a prudent and conscientious use of this talent; give away where needful; sell cheaply where they could sell; and employ the returns of sale in the purchase and dispersion ^f other copies, * A Danish Society for distributing bibles and religious books^ 105 Leaving Christiansfeld, I visited some Danish Clergymen in Jutland, whose villages lie near the road; crossed the Little Belt; conversed for an hour with the Rev. Mr. Balslev, treasurer of the Fuhnen Societ}\ and spent an evening with Probst (Dean) Boesen; from whom I received much information respecting the labours, diffi- culties, and persevering exertions of this truly respectable body of men. I encouraged them to a still more extensive circulation of the holy Scriptures. The next day, I reached Nieburg, a small but neat town and fortress on the coast of Fuhnen; hoping that I should be able imme- diately to cross the Great Belt; but it pleased God to exercise my mind with another lesson of faith and patience. I was in haste to proceed? but was obliged to wait three days, the wind being contrary, and English cruisers in the Belt. Unhappy war, when wilt thou cease to divide, to vex, to destroy nations, which, by peaceful intercourse and mutual exchange of their com- modities and kindnesses, might prove the great- 106 est blessing to each other! At last, the hour of release came; the packet sailed, and conveyed us in a few hours to the other side. I took a post- chaise with a fellow-passenger, travelled all night, and was the next morning in Copenhagen* Here another delay occurred. Owing to the dis- covery of some spies, new arrangements had been made in Sweden since I had left it; no traveller being now allowed to go from Helsing- burg to Gothenburg without a passport from Stockholm. I applied to the Swedish ambassador at Copenhagen, who received me with the utmost kindness, and procured me the passport within the shortest time possible; yet it detained me ten days. In this interval I renewed the ac- quaintances I had made in this city; and formed tome new ones which were very valuable. Among the rest I was introduced to Count Schimmelman, (Minister of Finance to his Danish Majesty,) and his lady; to the Countess of Munster, governess to the Crown Princess,^ and to several other highly distinguished cha^ ractcrs. I gave them an account of the Bible Society; recommended Mr. Henderson to their kind attention and patronage; and respectfully invited them, both personally and by letters, actively to promote the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures among the poor in the Danish dominions, I also communicated to the Bish- op of Zealand, the resolution of our Society to assist a Danish Bible Society with the sum of 500/. in case such an institution should actually be formed. The more I saw and heard of the Bishop, the greater respect and affection I felt for him, both on account of his learning, and his ardent desire to promote every good and truly christian undertaking, I cannot thank God sufficiently, for all the kindness and attention which I met with in the Danish dominions. A Danish passport con- veyed me to and from Germany; and every fa-» cility,both on the part of the government and o£ individuals, was afforded me to enable me to pursue my journey. A similar kind treatment I experienced in Sweden. I feel under particu- lar obligations to the commander of Helsing- burg (who had the politeness personally to de- liver to me the passport, the moment it arrived from Stockholm,) and to the Governour of Gothenburg, who facilitated my journey in ev- ery way. On my return to the latter city, I met also with a very kind reception from the Bish- op; who freely and liberally conversed with me, on the subject of the British and Foreign Bible Society ; to which his attention had been directed byaletter from my respected friend the Rev.Dr, Brunmark, I had also a very pleasing interview with one of the Swedish Clergymen, whom I had authorized to order a number of Bibles from the Stockholm Society. He met me with a most cheerful countenance. **Sir," said he, " I have now received those Bibles for my poor *^ people, and I shall immediately distribute 109 ** them. May God abundantly bless our British ^^ friends and benefactors! Their prosperity is *^ our prosperity, and their happiness is our ** happiness.'* LETTER XVII. London, Dec. 9, 1812. Thank God, here I am, restored to my family, congregation, and friends. Our voyage from Gothenburg to Harwich was rather te. dious, it lasted nine days? the wind was often contrary and the sea boisterous; at other times almost a perfect calm prevailed, and we scarcely perceived the motion of the vessel. The appear- ance of every strange sail occasioned us some uneasiness, till it was ascertained to be a friend. Thus our patience was exercised, and our faith put to the trial; but at last a favourable breeze K no sprung up, and on Sunday morning, the 6th of December, we got sight of the British shores^ I went early on deck; the sun rose majcstick: my inmost soul bowed down before God,whilst looking back on all the way which His kind pro- vidence had led me; reflecting on the merciful preservations I had experienced, and recollec- ting the numberless pleasures I had enjoyed in the circle of an affectionate family, and the vari- ous interviews and interesting conversations with so many excellent and benevolent charac- ters* I could not sufficiently bless His sacred name for having privileged me to minister the bread of life to so many hungry souls, to put that blessed book, the Bible, into the hands of thousands of the poor in various countries and languages, to encourage the Bible Societies and Bible Committees already established, to add others to their number, and to return laden with the benedictions of the Gospel of peace. Nor was I less sensible of His goodness in making me the bearer of so many good wishes and bles- Ill sings in behalf of those British friends and ben- efactors, who had employed me in this service of Christian charity. As I approached the shore, the ringing of the bells announced the solemnity of the day. After having safely landed at Har- wich, I hastened to a retired spot, to give vent to my feelings, fell on my knees, and, with many tears, devoted myself anew to the service of my God, my congregation, and the Society. Then going to church, I mingled my praises with those of my English fellow-christians, imploring the blessing of God both on my native land, and on the country which I had just re-entered, and in which, during a residence of eleven years I had enjoyed numberless blessings. On monday morning I proceeded to Colchester, and arrived just in time to attend the annual meeting of the auxiliary Bible Society in that town, when I was received in a manner, which, I trust, will always be deeply impressed on a grateful heart. I conclude with that beautiful passage of the Psalmist, which forcibly struck me on the daj- af my landing: — ^^'JThey that go down to the sea in ships, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep; for he maketh the storm a calm, so thatthe waves thereof are still. Then they are glad, because they be quiet, so he bringeth them unto the desired haven. Oh! that men would praise the Lord for his good- ness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Let them also exalt him in the con- gregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders." Yours most affectionately, Ch. Fr. a. Steinkopff. 113 THE ADVANTAGES OF DISTRIBUTING THE HOLY SCRIPTtFRE AHONG THE LOWER ORDER OF SOCIETY, CHIEFLY BY THEIR OWN AGENCY. Whoever is acquainted with the history of the Re formation J cannot fail to have observed the extreme anxiety displayed by our Martyrs and Reformers for the free circulation of the Bible. The same feeling has been found to animate wise and good men in every age, since the promulga- tion of the Gospel; and some of the charitable institutions which have arisen in modern times, holciout the pleasing assurance, that this Chris- tian principle still survives; that irvany are still emulous to follow the example before them, and are in some degree influenced by the spirit of those who have long since gone to the resting- place of the just. ' One of the most important and effective institu- tions which the world has ever seen, is the Bri- tish and Foreign Bible Society. Its means are great, but its projects are magnificent. It proposes to do nothing less than to diffuse the blessings of Re- K 2 114 velation to all men. Its operations must be con- sidered in a twofold view: as a British Society, it directs its first regards to the wants at home; and as a Foreign Society, it encourages the re- printing and dissemination of acknowledged ver- sions, where they already exist; and promotes translations and the circulationof the Scriptures, where they are wholly unknown. The efforts and utility of such an institution can be limited only by its means; and in propor- tion to the augmentation of its funds, will it ex- tend the empire of knowledge and of truth. The assistance which has been afforded by auxiliary societies in many parts of the country, can hard- ly be estimated at too high a rate. By calling the attention of the opulent to the want of Bibles in their own vicinity, they have contributed very essentially to the benefit of thousands, who might otherwise have remained in ignorance; and by aiding the funds of the parent institution, they have enabled it to carry on its foreign operations with great and increasing success. Many are the pi'ayers which have ascended from distant lands on behalf of their benefactors in Britain, and many are the blessings which have been invoked on their heads. That a project of this godlike tendency, so full of mercy, and so abundant in reward, should be checked or narrowed by the want of resources, is a circumstance deeply to be lamented. Yet nothing is more certain, than that the efforts al- ready made, however glorious and however unex- ampled, are not commensurate with the magni- tude of the case. Here is a world in ignorance! a world to be enlightened and evangelized! To the reflecting mind it must be obvious, that a plan, wiiich shall at the «ametime adequately supply the 115 demands at home, and effectually meet the hopes and expectations of those myriads of human beings who, in other lands, suffer " a famine of the word of the Lord," must be supported by more general interest, and aided by more extensive means. To complete the system which has commen- ced, and been conducted with such happy results, no measure seems to have occurred of such reasonable promise as Bible Associations*. The contributors to the Institution in London, and to its auxiliaries and branches in different parts of the country, consist in general of that class of persons, who are somewhat elevated in the scale of society. It is the object of Bible Associations to bring into action also the inferiour classes; to collect subscriptions not merely from the opulent, but likewise from that large body of the people^ who are unable to give much, and are yet not un- willing to give a little. If the number of contri- butors be great, the accumulation even of small sums will not be contemptible; and it may be presumed that most persons, who are not al3S0- lutely in the lowest walks of life, can afford a subscription of a penny a week. A series of resolutions, recommended for adoption by Bible Associations, is subjoined to this address. In illustration of that paper it may be proper to observe, that while the committees of such associations are formed from the contri- * Bible Associations have been established in many places. The auxiliary Bible Society for Blackheatli and its neigh- bourhood, has ten within its district; and one, within the town of Darlington, produces after the rate of 701. a year, beins^ more than adequate to supph^ the deticiency of the Scriptures amongst the poor of that town; thereby completely liberating the funds of the auxiliary Bible Society for Darlington and its vicinity (so far as relates to the town ©f Darlington itself) for the supply of foreign parts. butors themselves, yet the stimulus must be af- forded by others. On the formation of an Aux- iUary or Branch Society, the members of the committee (under the designation of Sub-corn* mittees,) should select certain districts for their ©wn more immediate exertions, and endeavour to awaken the attention of the inferiour classes to the importance of rendering whatever aid they can afford. It would be expedient to appoint a numerous committee for each association, in or- der that a greater interest may be excited, and that the wants of the poor may be more accurately known. Certain members of the Auxiliary or Branch committees, should also be appointed frequently to sit with the committees of Bible Associations. A proper direction will thus be given to their efforts; a similarity of system will be maintained; and the parent Society, with all its auxiliaries and dependencies, will thus present a perfect whole, correspondent in plan and united in harmony: a noble fab rick, in which all the parts are combined at once for beauty and for strength; whose foundations are laid deep in the ground, but its pillars are seen from afar, and its turrets sparkle in the skies. As the object and tendency of the measure here recommended, is to promote the widest cir- culation of the Scriptures, and to excite the greatest attention to them through the whole mass of the community, it may seem almost su- perfluous to enlarge on the benefits which must result from its adoption. In a land professing to be christian, where is the man who would arrest the free streams of heavenly mercy? Where is the man, who would not rather rejoice to behold every mound and barrier swept away by the am- ple tide?— to see the liberal current " overflow iir and pass over" in all its rich and fertilizing in- fluence? that the soil, ivhich has hitherto been parched and unfruitful, or " fertile only to its own disgrace," may smile in new attraction, and cheer the eye with strange luxuriance. If in these awful times, w^e conceive ourselves to be placed upon an eminence from which we may contemplate the ever-vaiying scenes which are flitting around us, how melancholy is the prospect! The face of nature, indeed, continues the same; the works of creation still reflect the wisdom and goodness of the Creator; seed-time and harvest, and summerand winter, acknowledge their appointed course; the earth expands her beauties to the day, and the lights of heaven still rise and descend obedient to the will that formed them. But the moral world is thrown into con- vulsions; the image of God is defaced; the inn- press of the Divine hand seems to be almost ob- literated; and the best and chiefest of His works —for the sake of which this fair and fertile earth is comfSanded to yield her increase, and the lights of heaven to travel on their destined way — pre- sents little else than the fragments of a mighty wreck. Publick principle has been violated; pub lick order inverted; the fury of the nations has shaken, even to their base, the pillars of civi- lized society; and the stately edifice itself seems tottering to its fall. Long have we remained in tranquillity, spectators of the scene. We have heard, indeed, the rolling of the thunder; but it was a distant sound. We have seen the ter- rours of the lightning; but its violence has been spent upon others. The day seems now to be approaching, when this citadel of libeity itself may have to encounter the storm; to be rocked by the heavings of that earthquake, which has 118 tumbled into ruins so many of the kingdoms around us. The ordinary checks of opinion and of law have been trampled upon with scorn. Plots of misrule, and confederacies strange to English- men, have spread with alarming rapidity, and have been accompanied by atrocities of sad and fearful expectation. Success has given confi- dence to crime: the incendiary hardly waits for the cover of darkness, and the hand of the assas- sin has executed its purpose even in the light of day. These are scenes at which wise men are con- founded, and good men turn pale. Nor will the considerate mind be much eased of its anxiety, by turning to the occurrences of private life; es- pecially among the ignorant and uninstructed. In poverty there is nothing which necessarily tends to debase the character. Many have *' wandered about in sheep -skins and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy:*' " the Son of Man" had " not where to lay his head:" but who can dwell, without emotion, upon the wretched state of the untutored and irreligious poor? It is here that we see human nature in its lowest condition, degraded and sunk in shame. We behold a creature, formed after the Divine resemblance, but without one feature remainin^^ to indicate his heavenly origin. For him there exists no reciprocal charity, no real union of affection, no Christian sentiment of mu- tual regard. To these feelings he is unable to rise; he knows them not, neither does he desire to know them. That state which was intended, by the Giver of every good and perfect gift, to add above all earthly means to the happiness of man, by the society of one who should be at the same time the ornament and the blessing of sq^ 11§ dal life; presents little else than the spectacle of cruelty and of suffering. The wickedness of thcf parent is reflected in his offspring. Scarcely has the infant tongue learned to articulate, before it begins to blaspheme its Maker. The language of cursing and reviling is there; and those who ought to be the pledges of affection, contribute only to exasperate evil and accumulate misery; —the scandal of their neighbours and the dis- grace of their kind; — without comfort in this world; — without hope for the next. Many are the evils, both of a publick and pri- vate nature, to which human legislation can apply no remedy: they are to be removed by that influ- ence alone which can reach the heart; by those sacred principles which are developed and en- forced in the recprds of unerring wisdom. The Scriptures have ever been acknowledged by good men, as the best foundation of morals; and those who labour to give them general circulation, and to excite a general interest for the perusal of them throughout the great body of the people^ must be considered as rendering no common ser- vice both to individuals and to their country. Let it be granted, that by any means the Holy Scripture is perused with diligence by every pcor man who is able to read it; what would be the consequence? Is it too much to hope, that the noise of tumult and disorder may be hushed in peace? that men may be taught to fear God, and to honour the king? to do unto others as they wish that others should do unto them? and to dis- charge with fidelity all the duties and relations of life? Is it an unreasonable expectation, that hus- bands may learn to cherish their wives and to love their children? that woman may rise to her just elevation and legitimate influence; and that 120 the virtues of the parents may shine forth in their offspring? If the blessings of Christianity t^hould be extended to ail according to the mea- sure in which they are enjoyed by many, how would this world of sorrow and of pain be con- verted into a picture of Heavenl Should we refer to past experience, there is no fact more certain, than that the religious and moral state of every country may be fairly estimated by the facility of procuring Bibles, and the disposition to read them. " Appeal to a christian, in any age and in any country, and ask him, what is the greatest benefit which one child of mortality can confer iipon another: will he not refer you to the Bible? He will tell you, that the streams of charity may, indeed, flow in ten thousand channels, and that they will not fail to convey blessings wherever their course can be directed; but that the records of Heaven are calculated, above all other means, to meet the wants, and to diminish the sufferings of man; to point out to him his condition; to point out to him, also, his privileges; to improve his state, and to brighten his prospects; to impart consolation as he proceeds upon his earthly pil- grimage; and to cheer his last hours, even in the agonies of dissolving nature, with a hope full of immortality*." It would seem as if the very touch of the inspired volume had power to com- municate new feelings, and to kindle new desires; to elevate the standard of principle, and to raise the tone of morals; to purify the springs of domes- tick happiness, to tame the fierceness of the pas- sions, to civilize manners, to bind in harmony the various " members of the embodied state,'' and to give to the family on earth some resemblance of * Dealtry's Speech on the formation of the Southwark Auxiliary Bible Society. 121 the family ak)ve^. Whenever Christianity has been permitted to walk forth in the native majesty of her form and the loveliness of her character, a blessed influence has travelled by her side. Her charms have fixed the regards of infancy and of age. The rjfiouth which was once " full of cur- sing, deceit, and fraud,'' has learned to utter the language of sincerity and praise. The feet which were " swift to shed blood,'* have run with alacri- ty in the way ofKjrod's commandments. Mankind have been taught to love one another, and ^ave delighted in the assembling of themselves to- gether: the house of prayer has been crowded with worshippers, and the sentiment of every heart has echoed responsive to the sweet singer of Israel: " How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts 1 my soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee." Let it be granted that the Scriptures are read with assiduity through the whole extent of our population, and results like these may be con- fidently anticipated. " My word shall not return unto me voM, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it." What though the efl'ects are not immediately perceptible; what though the groans of the creation are not at once hushed into repose, or converted into sounds of joys the promise is iiidisputable, and the blessing is sure. The change in the moral world will resemble the change in the natural: the sun arises, and the dews descend; but the rigours of winter do not instantly abate, nor does the face of nature at once resume the gaiety of spring: yet the great prin- ciple of life and fertility is secretly at work; it is L imperceptibly operating in ten thousand channels,, and gradually covers the regions of sterility with luxuriant vegetation and abundant harvests. If this be a just representation of the moral change which a knowledge of the Bible is calcu- lated to produce, and if the system of Bible as- sociations tend, in an especial degree, to the ge- neral diffusion of that knowledge, few arguments can be so powerful as those which recommend their adoption. To the rich and to the middle ranks it may be urged, " You have a deep inter- est in the welfare of the poor. If the security of SI state depend upon the loyalty and morals of its people, by what other means can you contribute so essentially to the preservation of order, to the authority of the law, and the stability of the go- vernment? Among what description of men .will you look for patience and industry, for sobriety and obedience? Who are the persons most decent in their demeanour, most frugal in their habits, and (what is no mean political consideration) most anxious to avoid the necessity of becoming charge- able to their parishes? The answer is obvious. And is it not then, a matter of policy as well as of duty, to create an interest among the lower classes for the possession and perusal of those sa- cred records from which benefits so great and va- rious are acknowledged to flow? " And if ' righteousness exalteth a nation,' if national piety be recompensed by national mer- cies, in what way can you hope so effectually to secure to your native country the protection of Him by whom * kings reign and princes decree judgment,' as by extending the knowledge of his name and the blessings of his religion? By stich means may this emipire be fixed ^deedj upon the Rock of ages, — tranquil amidst general distiir* banco, and safe amidst surrounding ruin, " Your zeal has already been attended by great success. By your liberal exertions, Britain has already become the benefactress of distant lands; and, while the nations are ci^umbling around her, she stands alone and pre-eminent. You have opened many channels through which the streams of mercy and of life may How: but extensive de- serts are stiil to be found, and England itself yet contains many a parched and thirsty waste. If the lower orders be ignorant, it must be yours to instruct them; if they be careless and indifferent in this good cause, it must be yours to rouse them into action. Show them their privileges and their duty: lay before them the benefits which they must tliemselves experience from hearty co-operation in such a service, and appeal to their best feelings by displaying the blessings which they will con- fer upon others. Let a concern for the circulation oftlie Scriptures be thus excited through the great body of our population, and the lapse of a few years will furnish every poor family in the British dominions with the treasnre of a Bible* If the poor can be induced to subscribe, even the smallest weekly sum, for the possession of the Scriptures, and the distribution of them to others still poorer — if they can be led to inquire into the wants of their neighbours, and to arrange the best means of supplying them— an interest will grad- ually be created in their own minds, to which they have hitherto been strangers; and that, which at first was a matter of indifference, will become the object of earnest attention. Such is the nat- ural progress of the human mind. Those who give the Bible will soon find a desire to peruse it; and ■while engaged in recommending it to others, they 124 •will be impelled to examine it for themselves; t^ read it in their houses; to teach it to their ciul- <:lren; and to make it the frequent subject of their thoughts and conversation. " Let ji<^ coldness or timidity suggest, that the attempt will be abortive: if despair of success should be the guide of our counsels, what great project could ever be accomplished? Had this feeling been suffered to damp the ardour of those who first raised the standard of Christianity amon^ our ignorant forefathers, or to depress the spirit of our Reformers, what might have been, at this day, the condition of England! Was it in despair bf success, that the champions of humanity fought for twenty long years, the battles of injured Afri- ca? Was it thus that they rose again and again, after combat and defeat, still fresh for engage- ment? No! confident in their good cause, and ia the approbation of Him who is the friend of the poor and needy, hoping as against hope, they pur- sued with determination their glorious way, till at length they broke her chains, and gave freedom to her sable sons. And why should you doubt of success in attempting to interest the poor upon the most interesting of all subjects? Have they not senses, feelings, affections, passions, like your- selves? Are they not influenced by the ordinary- motives of hope and fear? Shall the ebullitions of folly, and the senseless harangues of democracy, awaken their enthusiasm for earthly liberty, when they can complain of no oppression, and can urge no wrong; and shall they be utterly insensible, when called to contemplate that heavenly liberty which makes them free indeed? which releases them from the dominion of those sordid habits and degrading passions whose tyranny they experi- ence every day? which rescues them from the ±2& bondage of Satan, and converts them into the chil- dren of God? Are they, in so many instances^ ready to confer a trifling benefit upon their poor neighbour, and will they deny him the greatest which a child of mortality can bestow? Shall the motives which direct and govern them in the or- dinary transactions of life, fail in that instance alone from which they derive tenfold force and incalculable importance? Shall the impression be less as the reasons are more powerful? " Will it be insinuated, that the lower orders would rather associate and contribute for a bad purpose than for a benevolent object? The very persuasion of their proneness to associate, should be an argument for attempting, with all your might, to give a right direction to that tendency, and to correct and improve it; if, by thus employing them in a good cause, they can be preserved from base and injurious combinations, you will render, both to them and to society, a double service. In times like the present, these considerations come with peculiar force. " Will it be urged, that we have no encourage- ment to proceed in this work of charity? WhatI when millions are rousing themselves, in different quarters of the world, from the lethargy of ages,^ anxious to behold Hhe Desire of all nations,' can we possibly need any additional encouragement or motive for circulating those inestimable re- cords which testify of Him? " Will it be contended, that no great effect can be produced by small contributions? The contri- bution of an individual to the government is small; but it is by the aggregate of such sums that the state is supported. A ray of light and a drop of rain are small; but it is by the sun and the shower that our harvests wave in the field, and by the ac- u2 126 cumulation of waters that the riches of all lands are transferred to this. " ' Freely ye have received, freely give:' if you acknowledge for yourselves the blessed influence of Divine revelation, invite others to partake of it. The light of Heaven is streaming, in all its effulgence, above and around you: O, let not the beams be interrupted! Open for it a free passage into the dwellings of the poor!" To men of humbler condition it may be observ- ed, in addition to the arguments already adduced: ^' Although, for reasons best known to infinite Wisdom, the Almighty has withheld from you rank and opulence; yet has he given to you the privilege of conferring benefits on others, and of conferring them in the highest degree. The facilities \vhich you possess for discovering the wants of those immediately around you, may be considered as an intimation of Providence that, according to your ability, you should seek to re- lieve them. Silver and gold you may have none to give; but you can give that which is better than rubies. You cannot, indeed, raise your poor neighbour above the pressure of the times, or re- move those afflictions which are especially inci- dent to his condition; but you can furnish him with a remedy for all: you can present him with those oracles of wisdom, which will enlarge his views and brighten his prospects; which will teach him that this scene of trouble is but the pilgrim- sige of a day; that he is but the tenant of an earthlv tabernacle, which shall presently be dissolved; and that the disembodied spirit shall then seek its everlasting home, shall ascend to that ' building of God, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' " Since the beginning of time, no method has ever been devised, by which you might do good 1?7 on so large a scale, and by such easy means. The effects arising from other acts of charity, must often be confined to the immediate object; but the influejice of your liberality will probably be per- manent, and descend with increasing blessings from age to age. It is an enterprize of exalted benevolence, which would become a Sovereign better than his crown, and add a greater lustre to Ms throne than the widest enlargement of domin« ion. This is a work which may bring all classes into action without prejudice to any: here the rich and the poor may meet together in common ex- ertion, for common good; poverty itself may be thus enriched, and the lowest rank ennobled; one generous feeling may animate all the orders of society, may impel them to the same labour of love, and crown them with the same reward. " What pleasure can be derived even from wealth, like the pleasure of doing good? and this is a gratification which, without riches, you may enjoy in its highest measure. Look upon your poorer brethren, and then ask, whether any delight can surpass the enjoyment of charity like this? — of charity, that extends blessings the most pure and exalted, to the humblest of mankind — that produces ' an elevation of mind and of feelings which no poverty but Christian poverty can ex- hibit's—that gives light to the blind, heals the bro* ken in heart, brings life and immortality to light among those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, and renders the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the promises. If the bles- sings of those who are ready to perish be worthy of acceptance, then may you be blessed; if there be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, then may the angels of God rejoice even in your labours, and the Father of mercies Himself look. 128 down with approbation upon you. Abote all other considerations, let this be supreme; — if by enga- ging in these acts of benevolence, you are induced to read your Bibles with more earnestness for yourselves, you may become Christians indeed; and, howev€;r low your situation in this life, the treasures of that better world will be your rich and eternal repayment." And is it not a recommendation to men of all classes, that this system will soon carry the ti- dings of salvation into the most distant lands? When the demands at home shall have been satisfied by the contributions of the poor, the subscriptions of the more opulent to the parent Society and all the Auxiliaries may be wholly converted into fo- reign channels. Thus will the lower orders, by their exertions at home, greatly contribute to the increase of the supply abroad; and, in this view, may even they be considered as elevating on high the standard of Christianity — as becoming "he- ralds of salvation to the ends of the earth." They will share in the services and in the tri- umphs of those who, by the blessings of the Al- mighty, shall be made the instruments of" shewing his glory" to the millions of their fellow-creatures that sit in utter darkness, or that hitherto have only caught glimpses of the light of Revelation, like interrupted flashes distantly shooting across a gloomy sky. They will march, if we may so speak, in the retinue of Him who shall come forth " conquering and to conquer." They will add wings, as it were, to that angel of mercy, •who shall fly into all lands, bearing the everlast- ing Gospel. Their hearts will be gladdened by the gratitude of those whom, under God, they shall have assisted to save; and they will re- ceive yet a far ampler reward in that place^ where 120 « THEY THAT BE WISE SHALL SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRMAMENT, AND THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AS THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER.'* jResolutions recommended for adofition at Mee^ tings asseinbiedfor the formation of Bible A^^ iociations. At a Meeting of several Friend* to the British and Foreign Bible Society^ in the Chair, liesolyed, 1. That we form ourselvt^s into an Association for the pur- pose of contributing toward the circulation of the Holy Scrip- tures, without note or comment, particularly among the poor of this n^ghbourhood, and that it be denominated the Bible Association of 2. That every member of this Association subscribe not less than one penny a week. 3. That for every fifteen or twenty members, the commit- tee shall appoint a gratuitous Collector (or that office may be filled by the subscribers in rotation, each for a certain period), to receive tlie contributions, who shall pay the same to the Treasurer on the first day of every month. 4. That the business of the Association be under the man- agement of a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Committee con- sisting of other members; and that the Treasurer, Secretary, and three fourths of the other mem- bers who have most frequently attended the Committee, shall be eligible for the ensuing year. 5. That the Committee shall meet once every month, or oftener, OJi some day to be fixed by themselves, and that shall form a quorum. 6. That the Committee divide this neighbourhood into districts, and appoint a Sub-Committee for each district, for the purpose of soliciting Subscriptions from the inhabitants thereof 7. That tlie Committee shall make it their business to in- quire, by the appointment of Sub-Committees, whether any families or indi\iduals, residing within its sphere, are in want of Bibles or Testaments, and unable to procure them: in which case it shall be the duty of the Committee to furnish them therewith at reduced prices, or gratis, according to their cir- cumstances. 130 8. That the whole of the Funds of this Association, whetheif arising from subscriptions, donations, or the sale of Bibles oi^ Testaments, at prime cost or reduced pricfes; shall, from time to time, be expended in the purchase of Bibles and Testa- ments, to be sold or given among the poor of this neighbour- hood, as before directed, until they shall be adequately sup- plied with the Holy Scriptures; in which case, the amount of future subscriptions and donations shall be remitted to the auxiliary Bible Society at , or the branch Bible Society at , in aid of its benev- olent designs. 9. That application be made by the committee to the com- mittee of the auxiliary Bible Society at , or to the branch Bible Society at , for permission to lay out the funds of this Association, in pur- chasing, at the depository of the said Society, Bibles and Tes- taments at the cost prices. 10. That a general meeting of the Subscribers be held at the in each year, whea the accounts (as audited by the Committee), shall be presen- tedj the proceedings of the past year reported, and aTreasur- er. Secretary, and Committee-men appointed. 11. That be Treasurer, Secretary, and Members of the Committee for the year ensuing. 12. That subscriptions and donations be now entered into, and that they be also received by the Treasurer, Secretary, and the Members of the Committee. The Sub-Committees should inquire of the poor, firsf, whether they possess copies of the Scriptures, and in what condition; secondly, if not, and yet are desirous of possessing them, whether they have the means, in whole or in part, at once, or by degrees, of purchasing copies; thirdly, if any, and how many, of the family can read: and enter such informatioa in separate columns. The plan of selling the Scriptures to the poor has been tri- ed, and has been found to possess several important advantages (where practicable), over gratuitous distribution. When pur- chased, even at a low rate, they are generally held in higher estimation, and more carefully preserved, than when given. The expediency of extending this mode of supply as widely as possible, is forcibly urged by the consideration, that, if sold at an average but of one half of the cost price, and the money so received invested in the purchase of more books, and this rc- peate4 tiU the whole fund and stock be exhausted, the num- 131 ber of copies thus circulated, will be nearly double that whieli °-%.