Religious Intelligence. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE (Continued from p. 418.) The subject of extending the circulation of the Scriptures among the Roman Catholics of Wurtemberg, formed an important feature in the deliberations held with the friends of the Society in Stuttgard, and Dr. P observes: "I have obtained a list of the names of fourteen pious ministers and laymen, distinguished for their exertions in promoting Christian objects, in the respective districts throughout the kingdom, whom I now intend, if possible, to employ in distributing the New Testament among Roman Catholics. This measure is rendered more necessary, on account of the former grants of our Society for the Catholics in Wurtemburg having been almost exclusively for the use of the schools, so that until now comparatively few copies are to be found in their families." On his way home to Frankfort, PFORTZHEIM was visited, and Dr. P. writes: "There also I visited Pastor Lindenmeyer, who has been engaged for many years past in promoting our object, and he has given me the names of twelve Evangelical ministers throughout the states of Baden, whom I intend, if possible, to engage in a more active distribution of the Scriptures in their respective spheres, as the Baden Bible Society seems to have fallen into a state of inactivity." Your Committee are not without hopes, that as the result of the journey, effective measures will be taken for introducing many copies of the Scriptures into parts of the continent heretofore almost inaccessible to the Society's exertions, and from which the most painful accounts have been received of the extreme difficulty of obtaining the Sacred Scriptures. Of his second journey Dr. P. gives the following account: "I have, during the last month, made a tour of upwards of 500 English miles in the states of Hesse Cassel, Westphalia, the Prussian provinces of the Rhine, and the states of Nassau, during which I have visited more than twenty of our correspondents and Societies, examined into their operations, encouraged them in their benevolent labours, and promised new supplies where these were required. But in this tour-a considerable part of it in places where I had never been before—I have found it no easy task to meet with individuals possessed of a sufficient degree of love and zeal for the Biblical cause to enable them to become efficient labourers in it, in conformity to our rules. However, we have done what we could to warm the zeal of our old friends, engage new ones, and make them all sensible of the great importance of placing the word of God in thousands of families, who are still destitute of this only sure guide to peace and happiness in time and in eternity." Among the new openings that have been formed by Dr. P. during the year, that at HANAU may be mentioned as very interesting. nifested the same activity in a forThe gentleman alluded to had mamer sphere of exertion. "Mr. Wach, provincial secretary, waited upon me some time ago, and expressed his earnest desire to do something for introducing the Scriptures into the schools of that province, which contains a population of 47,000 souls. His influence, as an officer under government, enables him to effect this desirable work the more easily. He is but recently come to Hanau, and had formerly exerted himself, in connexion with Mr. Stockfield, in the province of Fritzlar, in the same cause. I have therefore placed 300 Bibles and 350 Testaments at his disposal to begin with for distribution, upon the general principle of our grants." In HANOVER, also, a pious nobleman has cheerfully promised assistance. The missionaries connected with the Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, have aided in the circulation of the Scriptures, and have been furnished with supplies. A few specimens may now be given of your Agent's correspondence with individual friends of the Society in different quarters of Germany. Bishop Fabricius has been supplied with 1000 English, 250 Bohemian Bibles, and 500 Bohemian Testaments. In BOHEMIA great difficulties exist in the way of circulating the Scriptures; but Bishop Fabricius writes: "The information which has already reached me from Bohemia, and which I continue receiving, is to the following effect, namely, that there is a general desire after the word of God in Bohemia, and that the people are rejoiced whenever they have an opportunity of satisfying it. 'Come over and help us,' is the constant cry from that country; and though we are prohibited from so doing, we endeavour by every means in our power to convey the living word of God into their hands." Mr. Otto, of COSEL, Silesia, has received a considerable number of Catholic Testaments, and writes, "That the circulation of the Polish Testament is going on briskly in Upper Silesia, notwithstanding there are those who use their utmost endeavours to prevent the people from perusing the Scriptures; but it is out of their power: Upper Silesia is now infected, and the reading of the Bible will prosper in it, and bring forth good fruits. This book, which gives the knowledge of salvation, is now introduced into many schools, and the children are actively engaged in committing parts of it to memory." Another nobleman in Silesia has furnished a voluminous account of the distribution of 1500 copies. The good effects arising from the circulation of the Scriptures, is frequently noticed in Dr. Pinkerton's communications, and in those of his correspondents; and your Committee have much pleasure in proceeding to lay before you a few extracts of letters bearing upon this important subject, premising, however, that they feel that the duty of the Society would be the same, were they to receive no such encouragements, but merely to learn that the copies had been received and distributed; that in many instances they had been accepted with gratitude by the poor; and that many of them have prayed for a blessing on the Institution which has supplied them, One correspondent says: larly within the last few years, a greater "If in this district, and more particudegree of hunger after the word of God, than perhaps in most parts of Germany, has been awakened; and if in some individuals belonging to our congregations here, more especially towards the close of the last and the commencement of the present year, such remarkable and cheering fruits of the Divine word, and of an evangelical preaching, have been manifested, as are scarcely elsewhere to be met with on the continent, I feel confident in the faith and love of the members of the British Bible Society, that it will be gratifying to them to learn, that the Lord of the vineyard has also privileged them to contribute towards the advancement of this work." In another letter, after mentionrecently occurred, of evident beneing several instances, which have fit having been derived from the perusal of the Scriptures, Dr. Pinkerton adds: "These are certainly interesting facts, and since the days of the Reformation have seldom occurred; and we have good reason to believe, that the hundreds of thousands of copies of the Scriptures which we have circulated among the Catholics of Germany, will, ere long, produce many such crops as are now being reaped on the fields of Carlshuld." Your Committee do not forget the simple character of the Institution; but as the narrative, from which the following are extracts, is matter of notoriety, the author himself having published a detailed account, they cannot withhold such interesting statements from the Society. "Many adults and married persons learned to read, in order to make themword of God. Very many learned whole selves individually acquainted with the chapters, or such single verses by heart as had proved of great edification to them, and committed the Epistles and Gospels in the church services to memory. The whole day they carried their New Testaments about with them; and whenever they could rest a few moments from their labours, they eagerly took them out, and In most families social worship was introedified themselves in the perusal of them. duced; and on all such occasions a portion, or even whole chapters, of the New Testament were read. In fine, the word of God had acquired a high and divine importance in their eyes, and every one was glad and eager to possess it. "The written word of God, and the preaching of the Gospel, now became of primary importance to them; and they found it to be daily more valuable, more consolatory, and more indispensable to them. The Bible was their favourite book of reading, and their sole guide and director in faith, doctrine, and conduct. They proved every thing by it, and rejected whatever did not accord with it. The number of those who inquired after the word of God daily increased. My stock of Testaments was several times exhausted; but, at my request, the venerable British and Foreign Bible Society always sent me fresh supplies. * * * "This event is mainly and principally the fruit of the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures, and affords a conclusive proof of the blessings which in these days attend the Bible Societies. And, oh! may the friends of the Lord in England regard the result as the most acceptable thanks which we can offer for their generous and benevolent grants of the word of God, so affectionately and so disinterestedly bestowed upon the poor people of Carlshuld. Many were the prayers which were offered up, with tears of gratitude, to the Lord by them in behalf of their generous benefactors; and the Lord will graciously listen to the earnest entreaties of his children, and pour out the choicest blessings of his Divine grace upon our distant friends! "May the friends of the Lord also not be weary in disseminating richly the word of God among the Catholics in Bavaria! I am fully convinced, that in due season, it will, by the blessing of the Lord, produce fruit a thousand fold. By the distribution of the sacred volume in the fens of the Danube alone, and the neighbourhood, you have enabled several hundred persons to attain to the possession and enjoyment of the grace and truth of the Gospel; and there are still some hundreds who are powerfully laid hold of by the same grace and truth, yea, are convinced of the same, but yet do not possess the requisite courage, in spite of ridicule, contumely, and persecution, openly to declare themselves in favour of it. The Lord, however, who has begun the good work in them, will complete it: he will inspire them with courage and cheerfulness, openly and without hesitation to range themselves on his side. Let us, therefore, beloved friends and brethren in the Lord, not desist in our labours in the work of the Lord, but let us * 600 persons in this place have formed themselves into a Protestant church. undauntedly and with alacrity continue to sow the seed of his holy word, wherever we find an opportunity for so doing; and where this is wanting at present, let us not be weary in praying to the Lord that He may himself open new channels for the dissemination of his word! And, O Lord! be pleased to unite thy Spirit with thy word, so that he may accompany it with a vivifying power to the hearts of all who receive it, and so that the whole world may with gratitude know and confess that there is salvation for us in none other save in thee, the Son of God, who wast crucified, dead and buried, but art now risen, and reignest in heaven for evermore!" Your Committee now proceed to a brief notice of the various Bible Societies on the continent with which your Agent has corresponded, and which have been furnished with the Scriptures from Frankfort, or, as in some few instances, direct from London. The Bible Society formed in ALSACE in 1830, have received 500 copies. Its distribution in two years have amounted to 1100. Its friends furnish the Scriptures to Protestants, Roman Catholics, the soldiery, and more particularly travelling mechanics. The CARLSRUHE Ladies' Association is extending its useful labours, according to its means, to the surrounding country. The MARBURG Society has issued, since the time of publishing its last report, 463 copies. The WALDECK Society has distributed about 2000 copies, in a population consisting of 52,000 souls. 200 Bibles have been granted to these friends. The Secretary of the LUBECK Society expresses a confident hope that their operations for the spiritual benefit of others are improving. The Lubeck Society has issued in the whole 5771 copies, and its last report mentions some pleasing evidences of the good resulting from their distributions. At RoSTOCK, a fire having occurred, in which several copies of the Sacred Scrip The BAVARIAN Society states its distributions to have amounted to 3130 Bibles and 374 Testaments. A supply of 500 Testaments has been granted to it. The SAXON Society is carried on with considerable success, having issued during the year 3940 Bibles and 402 Testaments. The NEUWIED Society has issued 814 copies during the year, and showed your Agent a list of 50 families, in a single village, which had been found without the Scriptures. At BONN, Professor Scholtz has taken charge of 400 copies of Van Ess's Testament for distribution among the Catholics, and 100 Hebrew Bibles and 50 Greek Testaments have been voted for the poor students in the university. The COLOGNE Society has received fresh supplies from Frankfort of 500 Bibles and 1570 Testaments, and remitted 50l. There have likewise been forwarded from London, 1000 pocket Testaments, to meet an extraordinary demand which has arisen among the Saxon troops stationed in that city. Of this desire Mr. Stockfield, a missionary residing there, writes: "The desire after the New Testament is, at present, in this country very great among the many thousands of soldiers that are now here, chiefly from countries in which Bible Societies have yet done but very little. Thus the Lord has now opened a door before us for the circulation of his word, even in those countries where till this time but very little or nothing "The word of God is lately desired for all the schools in the Kreis Wolfhagen, and in the Kreis Rotenburg, in the country of Hessen. Now, the Berg Bible Society has sent 700 copies to the Kreis schools (some of them are attended by Wolfhagen for the schools; but for the 62 150 children) in the Kreis Rotenburg, not a copy is yet sent. Besides this, the Rev. Mr. Busch at Lohlback in the Kreis Frankenberg, has requested 540 copies of the word of God for many schools in that district, and to him also not a copy has yet been sent." The BERG Bible Society at ELBERFELD, has been furnished with 450 Bibles and 1998 Testaments, and has remitted 607. Its issues in the year amount to 8624. Colporteurs have been employed with much success. The friends write: "In the mean time, we continue to re ceive, through our colporteur, the most cheering intelligence from the districts of Upper Berg, Nassau, Lugen, Witgenstein, Berlonburg, and other parts, proving to us that the hunger after God's word is very great, while, at the same time a grievous want of Bibles prevails in the Protestant countries. A fresh door has also been opened to us in the district of Treves, on the mountains of the Hundsrücken, bordering on the frontiers of France, for introducing into that benighted country the living word of God which lighteth every man. Professor Tholuck, of HALLE, has received a further supply of 66 Hebrew Bibles, and 100 German Bibles and Testaments. The Bibles formerly granted have been, he says, without exception, sold; nor have they, he adds, been unaccompanied with the blessings of the Lord. The association at BUCHWALD, under the presidency of the Countess of Reden, has been furnished with 250 Bibles. The BUNTZLAU Society has received 100 Van Ess's Testaments. To BRESLAU 500 have been forwarded. The POSEN Society is in a state of considerable activity, and has circulated during the year 1699 copies. They have solicited further help, and 410 Bibles and 1100 Testaments have been granted. The MEMEL Society has applied for and received 400 Lutheran Testaments. A member of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in a letter to the Treasurer of the Philadelphia Bible Society, of the date of 23d July, ult., communicates the following interesting information. "Of the character of the late annual meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society, you will have seen something in the printed sketch of the speeches contained in the monthly extracts: its contrast with that of the preceding year was most striking, affording a delightful manifestation of Christian principle and Christian feeling, on the simple object of Bible circulation, in which the followers of Christ may rejoice to co-operate with the whole family of man. Many wanderers have been brought back, and others that were hesitating, have been confirmed in the great principle of the society, acknowledging the correctness of a steady adherence thereto at all hazards. The good hand of our God has thus mercifully interposed on behalf of the society, in the season of apprehension, and to his name be all the glory. You will be aware of Mr. James Thomson having some time since gone to visit the West Indies on behalf of the Bible Society in Antigua his endeavours have been peculiarly blessed; no less than twenty associations having been established amongst the slaves on different estates, with the full approbation of the proprie tors. In one of the societies are upwards of 500 members, whose united contributions on one occasion were $120, for the benefit of their destitute fellow slaves. In Nevis, St. Kitts and Montserrat, also something has been done to promote Scripture circulation; and even in Guadaloupe and Martinique, to promote the same object, through the booksellers. Dr. Patterson has been for some time past engaged for the Bible Society, on a journey through Sweden and Norway, with a view to reanimate the societies in those parts, and to promote a more extensive circulation of the Scriptures, without the Apocrypha, wherever it could be effected. In parts where the poor are very destitute of the word of God, this is likely to be the case to a considerable extent, at very reduced prices, or gratuitously, where needful; and even amongst the adherents to the Apocrypha there is, in many instances, found a disposition to co-operate for the benefit of the poor and destitute. Amongst the Catholic population in Bavaria, within the last sixteen years, 20 editions of Gosner's New Testament have been printed and circulated, to the extent of 160,000 copies. In France the distribution amongst the Catholicks is still prothe present year the return was 50 copies gressively increasing: the first quarter of of the New Testament, and the second quarter it exceeded 60, with a growing demand from extensive districts throughout that long neglected land, where the moral effects are becoming silently, but powerfully, apparent, to the joy and encouragement of many benevolent persons who are actively devoting themselves to promote the circulation. Some instances of a very affecting character are communicated from time to time. The late appointment of a bishop to India has afforded great satisfaction to the friends of Christianity, the Rev. Daniel Wilson, not only possessing eminent literary attainments, but being an eminently pious and devoted minister of Christ, and active worker with Bible and Missionary societies in his native country, for the last 25 years. He goes out attended by the benedictions and prayers of every denomination; and it is hoped he will be spared for extensive usefulness in India. Mr. Cresson is actively exciting an interest in the American Colonization Society; and by many amongst us it is viewed with much favour. Mr. Clarkson, the great friend of Africa and of the negroes, has addressed to him a most valuable letter on the society, which will no doubt be published with you, and may produce some important effects on the publick mind in forwarding its great object. It also appears from the "Monthly extracts of Correspondence," for August, ult., of this society, that application had been made for 10 Arabic Bibles and 50 Arabic New Testaments, to be sent by the expedition about to proceed up the river Niger, under the direction of the Landers, who have lately returned by that river from the interior of Africa. These Bibles and Testaments are intended for the kings and princes of the Af |