124 Auxiliaries within the limits of England. By its influence and aid, it has been instrumental of forming, in various parts of Europe, many Societies on principles similar to its own; making them fountains, from which small streams might receive a constant supply. Such are the Societies in Stockholm, Hanover, Berlin, Sleswick, Holstein, Elberfield, Stutgard, Nurenberg, Frankfort, Neuwied, Koenigsfeld, Basle, Zurich, Berne, St. Gall, Scaffhausen, Lausanne, and Piedmont among the Waldenses; also at different places in Italy, Russia, and Finland. Some of the smallest of these Societies have publishedfrom fifty to one hundred thousand Tracts. Others have done much more. The Society at Stockholm, which was established in 1809, during the four first-years from its formation, printed Tracts in the Swedish, Finnish, and Lapanese languages; and circulated, in the same period, upwards of 400,000. It has since circulated several times that number. The Church of England Tract Society, established at Bristol, in 1811, promises much for the cause. It has Auxiliaries in different parts of England and Ireland, and in several of the British Provinces. The Liverpool Religious Tract Society has distributed, in two years and a half, upwards of 622,000 Tracts. In the United States, there is a sister Society, whose exertions in the common cause are highly commendable. This is the New York Tract Society. It was formed in 1810. During the year 1815, it distributed 35,600 Tracts, including the number sold to other Societies. According to the sixth annual Report, the whole number of Tracts then published was 493,586. During every succeeding year, the number of 'Tracts published, has increased; and the prospect is, that in a few years, some hundred thousands will be annually published by this Society. Some of their Tracts are in the Spanish and French languages. Their English series contains 62 numbers; the Spanish four; and the French one. These have been distributed among the French and Spanish in our own country; in the West Indies; and some in South America. The Committee believe that many thousands of Tracts have been published, in the United Siates, by smaller So cieties and benevolent individuals; but they are not able to specify particulars. How many are engaged in this noble enterprise! And how cheering is the prospect of success! Shall not your breasts glow with love and zeal; and your hands abound in liberality? The good effected is another animating consideration. The beneficial effects of circulating Tracts can be known but very imperfectly in this world. The light of eternity must show how many have been converted from the error of their ways, or have been quickened in their christian course, or edified in the faith of the Gospel, by these silent monitors. They have vast influence where saving ef fects are not produced, in ameliorating the condition of families and nations. Mrs. Hannah More, it is supposed, has done more for the preservation of England, by her Cheap Repository Tracts, than did the celebrated Nelson, as a naval Commander, by all his splendid achievements. "No works tended more to counteract the delusive and irreligious spirit of the French revolution," than these above mentioned from her pen. And wherever her Tracts and others of a similar kind are circulated, they must tend to check the progress of error, to suppress vice and irreligion, and to counteract efforts to destroy civil and religous order. Their influence on the rising generation is incalculable. They take the attention and guide the youthful mind to a profitable course of reflection. They both amuse and instruct. Divine truth, when conveyed by interesting narrative or striking incidents, takes faster hold of the mind, is more easily retained, and has greater effect. We have many accounts of hopeful conversions, which are to be traced to these small vehicles of truth as the means. A relation of them would much enrich the present Report. But your Committee will content themselves with relating only one instance, which has lately occurred in New England, and which, it is believed, has not been published. As a respectable Physician, who had long been an avowed infidel, was reading the Tract entitled The Praying Negro, he was led to reflect that he possessed a very different temper from this pious person. When he was injured, he was disposed to seek revenge; but this pious person, when injured, found relief in prayer to God. This produced a conviction of his sinfulness, guilt and danger. He saw no hope of salvation by his own works; but felt himself a lost sinner. What then could he do, but look to that Saviour, whom he had so long rejected, as not worthy his regard. By faith in him, he obtained peace and comfort. He then collected his deistical books at home, and those which he had lent to his neighbours, and committed them to the flames. He found the Bible infinitely better. Recollecting one night that one of these books was lent to his Minister, he knew not how to sleep till it was burned; but as the night was dark and stormy he concluded to wait till morning. Then neither the severity of the storm, nor the infirmities of his age, prevented the execution of his purpose. When he asked for the book, the Minister was fearful that he might still doubt the truth and inspiration of the Scriptures, and so wish to read this book again. This had been his favourite author. But no sooner was it returned, than with much emphasis, he said, "In the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and these witnesses, I now solemnly renounce all the errors contained in this book." He then cast it into the fire.-He since warns, with much affection and faithfulness, those whom he had before led astray, and entreats them to renounce their errors and embrace the Saviour. His exertions are not in vain. Christians are animated, and sinners alarmed. Does a single Tract produce such effects? Who then is willing to be inactive? Who can withhold his aid? Much remains to be done. This is another motive to liberal exertion. The work is still in its commencement; but little of its blessed fruits is yet seen. Still it is seed time; and the full harvest is yet to come. But the field is large; and with due cultivation, it promises a very rich harvest. He that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bounti fully. Lift up your eyes and behold the prospect before you. See the thousands and millions that need to be enlightened and turned to the Lord. Let their condition awaken your compassion, and rouse you to action. Never relax, but rather increase your exertions, until the whole land is filled with Divine knowledge, and righteousness, and peace. OFFICERS, ELECTED, MAY 26, 1819. HON. WILLIAM REED, President. REV. JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. Vice President. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. REV. JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. REV. JUSTIN EDWARDS, REV. JOHN CODMAN, AMOS BLANCHARD, Esq. STATE OF THE SOCIETY'S FUNDS. BALANCE due from the Society, May 27, 1818, Expenses of paper, printing, &c. from May 27, 1818, to May 26, 1819, Donations Loan 1,088,51 1818, 1,619,44 RECEIVED, from May 27, 1818, to May 26, From the Agents of the General Depository for Tracts sold, &c. $2,707,95 1819. 22,13 1,000,00 696,73 $1,718,86 Balance due from the Society May 26, 1819, for print-} 1,989,09 ing, &c. and for Loan AMOS BLANCHARD, Treasurer. SIXTH REPORT. MAY 31, 1820. THE race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The Lord, in many instances, accomplishes important purposes by humble instruments and feeble means. This secures the glory of his name, and increases the admiration and joy of those, who love him in sincerity. The happy subjects of his grace have likewise a more lively sense of their immense obligations of love and obedience to him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. It is no disparagement to the more splendid operations of Missionary and Bible Societies, that so much good is effected by the circulation of Religious Tracts. Nor can it diminish those operations. It must greatly increase and strengthen them. Tract Societies are also aided in return. There is a reciprocal and combined influence, which will be mighty through God to the pulling down of the strong holds of sin and Satan, and the universal establishment of the kingdom of truth and righteousness. The first projectors and liberal founders of this establishment must witness, with no ordinary satisfaction, its rising prosperity. Each revolving year brings fresh and augmented evidence of its vast utility. And who can doubt but that this Society may be regarded with peculiar interest, by future generations, as one of the means of evangelizing and saving the world. The Executive Committee indulge the hope that a brief view of what has been done the past year, will animate the members and patrons of this Society to renew their zeal, and increase their exertions in the cause. The Society are sensible that the plans and efforts of the Committee are chiefly directed to one point-the publishing of Tracts to such amount, and in such variety, that Societies and individuals in all parts of our widely extend |