THE friends of this Establishment have observed with much pleasure the liberal and cordial feeling which since its formation has been manifseted in its favour by a large portion of the wise and good in our land. Of an extensive and growing interest in its prosperity an unequivocal evidence is daily afforded by the alacrity and unanimity with which Bible Institutions in almost every part of the Union are progressively declaring themselves auxiliary to the National Society, as well as by the pecuniary contributions to its funds, from societies and individuals, which are copiously flowing into its Treasury.

In our former Numbers we gave an account of the proceedings of the citizens of Boston and its vicinity in relation to the American Bible Society, which resulted in the most decided expressions of approbation of its objects and plan, and in the Massachusetts Bible Society's becoming its auxiliary.

The following public measure recently adopted in the same metropolis, sanctioned by the presence and countenance of some of the most distinguished characters of that state, is calculated to give still greater extent, respectability and tone to the public feeling in behalf of the National Institution. We have reason to expect it will be attended with the most bene ficial consequences in advancing its interests in that populous and wealthy section of our country; and we hope this respectable example will be suitably improved in other sister states.

It is truly delightful to behold men of high consideration in society employing their talents and their influence to promote a cause which so emię nently tends to glorify God and benefit mankind.

Massachusetts Meeting.

Ar a meeting of members of the Legislature, and other gentlemen from different parts of the commonwealth, convened in the Representatives room at the State House, on Friday evening, December 6, for the purpose of adopting measures for recommending the American Bible Society to the patronage and support of the public; his Excellency the GOVERNOR in the Chair; the Constitution of the American Bible Society having been read; the subse VOL. II.-No. 14.

quent resolutions, with the preamble, after a debate of some length, were unanimously adopted.

PREAMBLE.

Having witnessed the unparalleled exertions which have been made within a few years past, to distribute the Holy Scriptures in many languages among the poor and destitute throughout several great and populous nations; having seen a great multitude of Christians of all denominations, and scattered over both continents, embarking in the sublime enterprise of giving to every individual of the human race the Bible in his own language; and having recently beheld in our own country the institution of a national Society which, from its suitableness to awaken public attention by the magnitude of its plans and operations; from the ease and efficiency with which it can print and distribute large editions of the Scriptures; from the facilities which it will possess for ascertaining the wants of the Bible in different and remote parts of our widely extended territory; from the resources which it may ultimately enjoy for the dissemination of the Scriptures through the whole American continent, and in other parts of the world; and from its tendency to unite the truly benevolent among us in the pursuit of a great common object, and to harmonize Christians of various denominations in one grand labour of love, seems destined to receive, as it well deserves, the good wishes, the prayers, and the warm support of all the friends of the Bible and of human happiness :

1. Resolved, That we regard these exertions with lively interest and devout thankfulness; that we most cordially approve of the formation of the American Bible Society, and that we will gladly co-operate, as we have opportunity, in all such measures as may tend to increase and extend its usefulness.

2. Resolved, That we consider it as an auspicious circumstance, that the Massachusetts Bible Society, and other Bible Societies in this Commonwealth, have connected themselves with the National Society upon the terms proposed in its Constitution, and have thus become in an important sense, its Auxiliaries; that these local Societies afford the readiest method of remitting funds to the general Society, and in their turn are the most effectual distributors of the Bible to the destitute within their respective spheres of actiou; and that it appears to us highly desirable, that Bible Societies, which have not yet connected themselves with the National Institution, should place themselves in a condition to confer and receive the benefits of this relation.

3. Resolved, That we earnestly recommend the formation of Bible Societies in counties or other convenient Districts of this Commonwealth, where such Institutions do not already exist, with the intention that these Societies, hereafter to be formed, shall connect themselves with the National Institution.

4. Resolved, That we recommend the establishment of a Branch Society, in every town, and of a Bible Association in every neigh

bourhood, to which persons in moderate circumstances may contribute a small sum periodically so that these channels of beneficence may afford to every man a regular conveyance for his charity to the treasury of some Auxiliary Society, and thus may be exhibited the imposing spectacle of a whole community engaged, with one heart and one mind, in the same exalted work of bene. volence.

5. Resolved, That we recommend to the Clergy, and to all others, who may have the opportunity and the means to diffuse as widely as possible, information on this important subject, that the great want of Bibles may be known, proper measures be taken to supply these wants, and the public be excited to exertions corresponding to the exigency of the case and the value of the gift intended to be bestowed.

After the adoption of these resolutions, the following votes were passed unanimously:

Voted, That Alden Bradford, Esq. Rev. Wm. E. Channing, Jonathan H. Lyman, Esq. the Secretary, and Gen. John Whiting, be a committee to adopt such measures as they may deem proper for carrying these resolutions into effect.

Voted, That the Secretary be requested to cause the proceedings of this meeting to be published in the several newspapers in this town, and that he transmit an attested copy to the Secretary of the American Bible Society.

Voted, That the thanks of the meeting be given to his Excellency the Governor, for consenting to preside on this occasion. The meeting was then dissolved. Attest,

CHARLES LOWELL,
Secretary of the Meeting.

The committee above named, have thought best to subjoin the plan of a Branch Society and a Bible Association, such as is recommended in the above resolutions, with a few remarks.

BRANCH SOCIETY.

Introductory Remarks.-The present age is distinguished by a truly Christian zeal to distribute the Holy Scriptures. Never before, were so many nations and so many hearts united in a work of benevolence. Christians in every quarter of the globe are now offering their prayers and contributing their substance, for the extension of the Bible to every tribe, and every family under heaven. The friends of this design will learn with pleasure, that during the last year a National Bible Society has been instituted in this country, and they are requested to avail themselves of the attention and interest which this measure has excited, for the purpose of securing a more extensive patronage to this godlike charity. It is recommended that Bible Societies be formed in counties where none at present exist, and that Branch Societies be formed in towns where their operations will be thought useful. The plan of a Branch Society is subjoined to these remarks. In such a work, who will not bear a part? Who that has drunk into the spi

rit of Jesus Christ, will not bless God for an opportunity of com municating the Bible, that inestimable treasure, to his destitute fellow beings?

BIBLE ASSOCIATION.

It is the excellence of institutions for distributing the Scriptures, that they are more extensive bonds of Union, than ever before subsisted. Not only Christians of different dénominations, but Christians of every rank and condition, have met on this common ground. The sovereigns of Europe claim the honour of patronizing Bible Societies, whilst the labouring classes, by combining their efforts, are promoting, even more than sovereigns, this cause of God and mankind. It is an important fact that the most opulent and efficient Bible Society in the world, derives a considerable part of its resources from individuals, whose annual subscriptions do not exceed a dollar. Thus Christians whose circumstances are narrow may bear an important part in spreading the Gospel through the earth. To give to such Christians this privilege, it is proposed that Bible Associations be formed in this Commonwealth, on the plan which has been found most successful in Europe. The constitution of such an association is annexed, and the friends of the Bible are desired to circulate and recommend it, so that this whole community may participate in the honour and happiness of diffusing that blessed volume which is able to make men wise unto salvation.

[Here follows the detail of a plan for a Bible Association.]

101

[We have the satisfaction to present to our readers the following official statement of the BOARD of MANAGERS of the AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, which will give a general idea of the progress which that Institution is making in the good work confided to its management.]

The favourable circumstances under which the American Bible Society was formed, are well known to the public. High expectations of its ultimate success were cherished by its friends, in consequence of these circumstances. Nor have these expectations been disappointed. On the contrary, thus far, they have been exceeded. In the short space of six months, from Georgia to Maine, the impulse given by the National Institution has been felt. Its formation has been hailed as a great and glorious era in the history of our country, and its means of accomplishing the allimportant end of its formation, have been increased with more than ordinary rapidity.

To gratify a laudable curiosity, expressed in communications from different parts of the United States, the Managers feel it a duty incumbent on them to publish the following brief account of the present state of the society.

Of the Managers chosen by the Convention for the current year, he following have accepted the trust, yiz.-Henry Rutgers, John

Bingham, Richard Varick, Samuel Boyd, George Suckley, Divie Bethune, William Bayard, Peter M'Cartee, John R. B. Rodgers, M. D., Dr. Peter Wilson, John Watts, M. D., Andrew Gifford, Thomas Eddy, Ebenezer Burrill, George Gosman, Thomas Car penter, Leonard Bleecker, John Cauldwell, Thomas Stokes, George Warner, De Witt Clinton, Duncan P. Campbell, John Aspinwall, John Murray, junr. and Cornelius Heyer, of New-York; Joshua Sands and Charles Wright of Long Island; Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany; Robert Ralston, Thomas Shields and John Warder of Philadelphia; Jeremiah Evarts of Boston; Samuel Bayard of Princeton.

The following persons, elected by the Managers, have accepted their offices:

PRESIDENT, Hon. ELIAS BOUDINOT, New-Jersey. VICE-PRESIDENTS-Hon. John Jay, New-York; Matthew Clarkson, Esq. do.; Hon. Smith Thompson, do.; John Langdon, NewHampshire; Caleb Strong, Massachusetts; J. Cotton Smith, Connecticut; W. Tilghman, Pennsylvania; B. Washington, Virginia; C. C. Pinckney, South Carolina; T. Worthington, Ohio; John Bolton, Esq. Georgia; Hon. Felix Grundy, Tennessee; Joseph Nourse, Esq. District of Columbia.

Rev. Dr. J. M. Mason, Secretary for Foreign Correspondence. J. B. Romeyn do. Domestic do.

Richard Varick, Esq. Treasurer.

The following Societies have become Auxiliary :---

Societies formed before the American B. S.

New-York Bible Society, May 15th; Newark do. 21st; NewYork Auxiliary do. 24th; Westchester county do. 27th; Albany do. 27th; Rensselaer county do. 29th; Orange do. do. June 11th; Ostego do. do. 13th; Norfolk do. (Virginia) 18th; Delaware county do. (N. Y.) July 10th; Saratoga do. do. 10th; Bible Society of Delaware (state of Del.) 25th; Union College Bible Society, 29th ; Georgia do. August 3d; Virginia do. 6th; Petersburgh do. (Vır.) 16th; Burlington Female do. (N. J.) 19th ; Beaufort do. (S. C.) 21st; Female Bible Society of Mill Creek (Ohio) 25th; New-Jersey Bible Society 28th; Bible Society of Greene county (N. Y.) September 10th; Fairfield County Bible Society (Conn.) 17th; New-Hampshire do. 18th; Bible Society of Massachusetts 26th; Female Bible Society of Poughkeepsie (N. Y.) October 1st; Female Bible Society of Boston and its vicinity 24th; Female Bible Society of Newark, (N. J.) November 7th; Bible Society of Maine 24th; Bible Society of District of lumbia 25th.

Societies formed since the American B. S.

New-York Female Auxiliary Bible Society, May 11th; Albany do. do. June 3d; Rockland (N. Y.) do. 4th; American Bible Society of Young Men, New Brunswick, July 4th; Juvenile Fe anale Bible Society of Elizabethtown, 6th; Female Auxiliary do. do. 8th; Elizabethtown Aux. Bible Society, 8th; Hampshire Bible