rately wicked. Undoubtedly some have suffered martyrdom, who were not real Christians. Remember your conduct will be narrowly watched by the world, and under God you may be the means of the salvation, or the damnation, of many souls. Imitate your Lord, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. Let your great object be his glory. Ever manifest in your conduct towards each other, such a disposition, as to constrain the world to say of you, as it did of the pilgrims of old, "How these Christians love one another!" Should you ever be so unhappy as to see any of your company wander from the right path, wait not till he is out of sight or hearing, before you call him back; this is far from being consistent with Christian affec tion. Manifest so much love and affection towards your brethren and sisters while you are travelling on together, that if any one should depart, your attempts to reclaim him may be known to proceed from love. If the persons you attempt to reclaim, think you as blameable as themselves, or that you are influenced by improper motives, you can do them no good; they will not receive reproof from you; all you say, instead of reclaiming them, will only tend to make them worse. This is one of the causes of pain in attempts to reclaim offenders. Manifest the same solicitude for the reputation and happiness of each other, that you feel for the nearest and dearest friend. The ties that bind you, are stronger than any earthly ties. If pilgrims, you are heirs of God; joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Conduct thus, ye beloved of God, and your little band will be as a light shining in a dark place, by which others may discover their errors and learn the way which leads to happiness and glory. Thus conducting, dear young pilgrims, I bid you God speed. I assure you from the declarations of my Lord and Master, that you shall arrive at the Paradise of God. Never be discouraged. Thousands have gone before you, and the promise of God standeth sure, that multitudes which no man can number shall follow you. "Wherefore, seeing you are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset you, and run with patience the race set before you, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith."

Ar the convention of the Protestant Episc at Richmond, in May last, "Mr. Benjamin Alle proposition, which was accepted, for forming a Tract Society, for the diocese of Virginia.

hurch in Virginia, held Jun. brought forward a Common Prayer-Book anti

Constitution of the New-York Union Bible Society, instituted June 27, 1816.

ART. I. This Society shall be known and distinguished by the name of the "NEW-YORK UNION BIBLE SOCIETY." The sole object of which shall be to encourage a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment: and that shall be the version now in common use.

11. Any person wishing to attach himself to this Society, must produce a written recommendation from one of the members, which must be given to the managers and if admissible, shall, upon signing his name, and comply ing with this Constitution, be considered a member.

Ill. Every member must, upon signing this Constitution, pay a sum not less than fifty cents; and a further sum of two dollars a year, payable quarterly.

IV. A person paying fifteen dollars at one time, shall be a member for life. V. A Board of Managers shall be appointed to conduct the business of this Society. They shall be elected annually..

VI. The Board of Managers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Clerk, and a Board of seven Directors, who shall direct the affairs of this Society on an ph

VII. No sum above one hundred dollars shall be expended at one time, by the Board of Managers, without the permission of this Society.

VIII. The Board of Managers shall meet once each month, or oftener if necessary.

IX. This Society shall have a regular meeting quarterly.

X. At the annual meeting, a Statement or Report of the proceedings shall be read by the President for approval.

XI. The minutes of every meeting shall be signed by the President and Secretary.

XII. The Board of Managers shall have power to elect any officers which may be needful, and tend to the interest of this Society, from among their number.

. XIII. No alteration shall be made to this Constitution, except at the recommendation of the Board of Managers, either at an annual meeting, or one called expressly for that purpose.

Officers.-John Scudder, M. D. President, Jared B. Waterbury, Corresponding Secretary; Thomas B. Parsil, Treasurer.

Prayer Book and Homily Society.

Ir appears from the Christian Observer, that this Society which was established in 1812, distributed, in the three first years of its operation, 20,191 Prayer Books, and 192,347 copies of Homilies as Tracts.

The Society consists of members of the Church of England, and was formed, and is principally supported, by such members of that Church, as unite with other denominations, in the Bible Society, in distributing the Scriptures. Lord Teignmouth, the President; and Lord, Gambier, Sir Wm. Pepperel, Mr. Vansittart, and Mr. Wilberforce, Vice-Presidents of the British and Foreign Bible Society, are all Vice-Presidents of the Prayer Book and Homily Society. The Society is now preparing an edition of the Prayer Book in Hindustanee, for the use of the natives of India.

1090

THE Orange Bible and Tract Society met the 18th June, and altered their Constitution, so as not to make the distribution of Tracts any part of their business; and have changed their former designation to that of the Orange Bible Society: They have also become auxiliary to the American Bible Society, and have contributed 100 dollars to its funds.

This makes twelve Bible Societies known to have become auxiliaries to the National Institution. Many more are expected to take that course, as soon as they can conveniently meet for the purpose; and there is no doubt but the measure will become general, in relation to the Bible Societies in this country, whenever the nature and utility of the American Bible Society shall be more extensively known and understood.

THE

VOL. (.]

Saturday, July 13, 1816.

[No. 16.

Appendix to the Second Report of the Board of Managers of the Louisiana Bible Society.

No. I.

Copy of the letter of instructions given to the Rev. Benjamin Davis.

NEW-ORLEANS, FEBRUARY 15, 1816. SIR-The managers of the Louisiana Bible Society having chosen you 66 an agent to visit the different counties of the state, to distribute Bibles, to find proper persons to become agents for distributing the Scriptures, to solicit subscriptions and donations in favour of the society, and to promote its interest generally"—you will proceed on your mission without delay, up the country by Baton Rouge, pursuing your journey in such manner and direction as your own judgment may dictate. The object of the institution of the Louisiana Bible Society, you will see clearly defined in its constitution, and the address of the society, a copy of which is herewith handed you. You will use your best endeavours to distinctly explain to all denominations of Christians the plan of gratuitously distributing the Scriptures, without note or comment; a plan which has been found most extensively beneficial to the interest of the Redeemer's Kingdom, throughout the United States, Europe, and other countries. You will particularly urge the advantage which such societies afford, of uniting all denominations of Christians in the bonds of love, without distinction of name or party; and also give information of the pleasing and wonderful effects already produced by them. Among those that you may find willing and able, you will endeavour to procure donations and subscriptions for the society, in order to promote a more general and full circulation of the Sacred Scriptures throughout the state, until there shall not be found a family within its bounds, where there is any one able to read, without being supplied with that book, which all have united to reverence, admire, and love.

You will use your best endeavours to circulate gratuitously among the poor and destitute, as many copies of the Bible às possible; and to obtain the aid of every person who, by his VOL. I.-No. 16. Q

influence, example, or otherwise, is likely to promote the object of the society. You will rigidly restrict yourself to the sole purpose of distributing the Scriptures, and promoting the interest of the society alone: and without interfering in politics, or shocking the prejudice of Catholics or Protestants of any denomination, you will, abstaining from all religious disputations, consider yourself authorized only to promote, by the distribution of the Bible itself, the morality and religion of the Bible; endeavouring to unite all in the one magnificent purpose of diffusing universally the glorious Gospel of the Blessed GOD, until all shall know him, from the least to the greatest.-Joke

You will, from time to time, report to the managers the progress you make, and the success attending your mission in which you will endeavour to be as minute and circumstantial as possible; indicating who will co-operate with most cheerfulness in the honourable employment of circulating the -Word of God; the number of Bibles requisite to supply the wants of different sections of the country; the manner in which the Bible will be received; the effect which it will probably produce.; the possibility of forming Bible Societies the donations and subscriptions you receive: in short, you will collect, and communicate to the managers, all the information in your power, which you many deem useful for promoting the end for which alone Bible Societies have been instituted and supported.

990 No. II.

In November last, the Rev. DANIEL SMITH arrived in this city, having in charge near 3000 English Bibles, intrusted to his care, for distribution, by various Bible Societies and charitable individuals in the New-England states.

made the following disposal:

Of which he

His Excellency Thomas Posey, Jeffersonville, Indiana territory, 100; Mr. Joseph M. Street, Shawenee-Town, Illinois territory, 100; Rev. Samuel T. Scott, Vincennes, Indiana Territory, 100; Rev. Jas. M'Gready, Red-Banks, Kentucky, 100; Rev. William Dickey, mouth of the Cumberland, Kentucky, 100; Rev. Gideon Blackburn, Nashville, Tennessee, 108; Rev. John Ford, Pearl river, Mississippi territory, 123; Amite and West-Florida Bible Society, 105; Captain Moses Hook, Pinckneyville, Missisippi territory, 88; Hon. J. Dutton, Plaquemine, Louisiana, 50; Hon. G. King, Oppelousas, Louisiana, 105; Rev. Carter Tarrant, chaplain for the military in New-Orleans, 225; Custom-House in New-Orleans,

25; Dr. Goforth, do. 10; Hon. R. Easton, Attakapas, Louisiana, 60; Natchez, Mississippi territory, 200; distributed otherwise, 100.

1

Among these were 500 Bibles purchased by an individual in Boston; and 50 large 8vo. Bibles designed exclusively for aged people and others whose sight is defective, furnished by a lady.

First Report of the Board of Managers of the Bible Society of Rensselaer County, (N.Y.) made at the anniversary meeting of the Society, held at Troy, the 29th day of May, 1816.

IN obedience to the resolution of the Society at the time of its organization, the Committee appointed for that purpose addressed a Circular letter, accompanied by the Constitution, to a number of persons in each town in the county, requesting them to use their influence to procure subscribers and organize departments. The Board have the satisfaction to state, that a department has been formed in Troy, consisting of 164 members; one in Lansingburgh, whose numbers have not been reported; one in Greenbush consisting of 35 members; one in Nassau of 30; one in Schaghticoke of 30; one in Sandlake of 33; one in Pittstown of 30; and one in Brunswick, but the report from that Department does not state the number of members. In some towns inquiries have been made to ascertain what persons are destitute of Bibles. In the Department of Troy committees were appointed to go through the town, and make very particular inquiry. By this means it was ascertained that not less than 100 familles and individuals, who were deemed proper objects of charity, were destitute of Bibles. Measures have been adopted to furnish most of those destitute in that Department with Bibles. The Managers have reason to believe that if equally strict inquiry were made, a proportionable number of persons at least would be found in the other towns in the same destitute condition. It is to be regretted that only eight out of the fourteen towns in this county have hitherto taken measures to form Departments. It is impossible for the Board effectually to supply the deficiency of Bibles without the aid of persons living in the several towns, to make the necessary inquiries. The operation of the Society must be very partial and limited until Departments shall be organized in all the towns, and active measures taken to ascertain the condition of the inhabitants. It is feared that many hundreds of families in this county have lived for years without a