From the Religious Monitor. Account of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge.

(Concluded from p. 240)
O one other object, which at

solicitude to our Society, I beg leave for a moment to call the attention of this large and most respectable company; and that is, a proposed new edition of the Bible in the Gaelic language.

Gentlemen, I will not enter

comprehend a book written, or a continued discourse spoken in any other.

Gentlemen, I speak not upon mere information: I have travelled in the service of the Society through every part of the Highlands and Islands, and have preached to congregations consisting of many hundreds, who, from curiosity, flocked together to see and hear a strange minis

What benevolent heart would not rejoice to be instrumental in sending to so numerous a people, and these our fellow citizens, the Word of God in their native language, and at such a rate, as the poorest among them can afford? Who that is guided by a spark of humanity, would not wish to convey to successive generations of many thousands of children, this best and most effectual means of instruction and improvement in every thing valuable and important, whether regarding man as a member of human society, or a being destined for inmortality?

In 1796, the first edition of the New Testament being exhausted, they published another, consisting of twenty thousand copies. And now, some of the first printed volumes of the Old Testament are so much reduced in number, that they will scarcely supply the urgent demands of the Highlands in general, and of our own schools in particular, till a new edition can be printed. The Society have it much atter; but of whom perhaps not heart to furnish to their country- above a dozen in each, undermen in the Highlands this much stood what he said. desired work: but their own funds, as may easily be collected from what I have already said, are utterly inadequate to the expense. The new impression, it is proposed, shall consist of twenty thousand copies: the calculation of the expense of which, in printing and paper, given in by the Printer, amounts to 22841. 168. The Members and Officers of the Society have contributed according to their ability, and were their subscriptions to be made known, there are few who would not deem them liberal. Many among the opulent and well disposed of their countrymen, have joined them in this good work. Near one half of the sum required, is now subscribed for, but above eleven hundred pounds are still wanting. Yet, notwithstanding, the Society with that trust in Providence and in the benevolence of the Public, in which they have never been deceived, have begun the work. They feel the importance of hastening it forward for the accommodation of no less than three hundred and thirty-five thousand persons, of whom it is computed that three hundred thousand un-position remain, these countries derstand no other language than will, ere many years elapse, be the Gaelic, or at least cannot deprived of their native inhabi

One circumstance claims particular attention at present. From a variety of combined causes, unnecessary to be enumerated, a rage for emigration to America has for some years prevailed through the Highlands and Islands. Instead of diminishing, it continues to increase. It is computed by those who have best access to information, that at least twenty thousand people are engaged to cross the Atlantic during the course of the present season. Should this dis

tants; and surely the climate and soil contain few attractions to strangers to come to supply their place. A few solitary shepherds and their dogs will constitute the inhabitants of the Highlands and Islands. The mischief which, from this unhappy change, will result to the empire at large, is obvious to every man of the least reflection.

Are not the Highlands and Islands the nursery of our army? From their health-covered mountains, have not a multitude of our most gallant defenders sprung? Men, who in every field, and in every climate, have covered themselves with glory? And does our country stand in less need of their assistance now, when a proud and violent Foe threatens to invade our coasts, and deprive us of every thing dear and valuable to us, as men and as Christians as citizens of the happiest country, blessed with the noblest constitution of any on the face of the earth?

schools, think only of what the Highlanders were, and what they now are. I will not resume the sad description of what they formerly were; but I assert from personal knowledge and experience, that there is not now upon the face of the earth, a people more peaceable, more honest, or more attached to the king and constitution of their country.

Compare their character with that of the peasantry of a neighboring island. It is needless to descend into particulars: the broad facts which constitute the difference, are well known, and the contrast is distressing. What is the cause? Is it not, that the inhabitants of the one country are blessed with the means of education and instruction, while those of the other, uneducated, and uninstructed, are left to all the dismal effects which ignorance and superstition combined, produce upon the mind and character of man?

From the schools of the SociGentlemen, is not this a time ety, besides their happy effects when such a people should be upon the civilization and imsoothed, and by every possible provement of the inhabitants at means encouraged in their an- large, have issued numbers qualcient and well known attachment ified by their knowledge of letto their native country? Much Iters, and still more by their good trust the wisdom of Government principles and sober and regular will see it necessary for them to habits, to rise in the army thro' do, for this most important pur-all subordinate gradations to even pose. And ought not we in our the highests ranks, as many of several stations, to do all in our them have actually done. power to promote the same valuable end? And I affirm from a thorough knowledge of these people, that we can do nothing more grateful to them than to send to them the Scriptures in their native language, and schools to teach their children to read them.

Gentlemen, to be sensible of the value and importance of these

From the schools of the Society have issued many, who in consequence of the first principles of literature imbibed in them, have been enabled to prosecute their studies, and to become qualified for the places of trust and consequence in civil life which they now occupy. There are present some, who from their own experience cal

with me it is in some measure a personal cause; because during the best part of my life I have been intimately connected with this Society; for ten years as a

bear testimony to the truth of these observations. And there are now in heaven thousands who give glory to God in the highest, that by the Society, schools were erected in the High-Director, and for fourteen more lands and Islands of Scotland.

Need I say more, Gentlemen, to prove the importance of these seminaries to individuals and to the Public at large? I appeal to the understanding of every man who hears me, whether there can be a better directed charity than to contribute to their support and to the increase of their number?

I have spoken perhaps too long, and with too much earnestness, but your good nature will find an apology for me in the interesting nature of the subject-in this perhaps too, that

as its Secretary ;-that I have travelled much and labored much in its service, and that still the largest portion of my time and attention is devoted to it.

The kindly expressed sentiments of approbation by the Gentlemen in the Direction, and the Members of the Society at large, have all along animated my exertions; and together with the consciousness of endeavoring to promote the best interests of re ligion, and of a large body of my countrymen, have proved a high reward of my otherwise gratuitous services.

To the above general Account of the Society, we beg leave to subjoin the following particular Statement of its Expenditure, extracted from the Appendix to Dr. OGILVr's Anniversary Sermon, published in February last (1802.).

THERE are upon their establishment above 300 teachers of both sexes, who give education to 15,719 children, whose salaries amount annually to

Thirteen missionary ministers and catechists in various remote districts of the Highlands and Islands; their salaries amount to

To the aged and superannuated, among the teachers upon their establishment, is paid, in annual pensions, a considerable sum, necessarily various, but which, at an average, is computed at

To six students in divinity having the Gaelic language, bursaries or annual pensions of L.15 to each,

The Society defray the expense of candidates coming from remote distances to Edinburgh, for examination as to their fitness for being employed as teachers, and often of their residence for some time for their improvement. The amount cannot but be various, but may safely be estimated at

The expense of the books which they send to their schools for the use of the poor scholars, viz. Bibles, New Testaments, catechisms, spelling-books, and various elementary tracts, both of religion and literature, amount at an average taken from different years, to

L.3,015

326

150

90

60

167

The salaries of three of the office-bearers of the Society (and none of the other officers enjoy any emolument whatever,) viz. the Treasurer, Book-holder, and Clerk, fixed many years ago, the smallest perhaps ever given for such services, L.25 each, and that of the beadle or servant, L.12. In all

Repairs, taxes, and public burdens upon the houses of the Society, postages, stationary, and other casual expenses, averaged at

87

180

L.. 4,075

Explanation of Scriptural Types.
NO. IX.

kingdom? And are not all the promises of God in him, yea, and in him, amen?

2. Isaac was a son of faith and patient expectation. Abra ham believed that he who had promised was able also to per form, who also would do it; but long was the accomplishment of the promise delayed, many and insuperable to nature were the trials and discouragements

ISAAC a type of CHRIST. Fall the eminent characters which have appeared on the stage of human life, few have been introduced with so many marks of consideration, as the patriarch Isaac. While others have been generally introduced without any premonitions, of him so much was predicted, of his faith; but he staggered that long before his birth, he be- not at the promise of God, came an object of ardent ex- through unbelief, but was strong pectation. How obvious in this in faith giving glory to God respect, the parallel between Much longer was the birth of him and his great antitype the promised Saviour deferred, Christ Jesus?-Of the particu- more numerous, obstinate and lars in which Isaac typified absolutely insuperable to reason Christ, the following are select and nature were the obstacles to ed as the most important. an accomplishment of it, yet judging him faithful who had promised, in hope and patience, did the Church wait for the consolation of Israel, until the desire of all nations entered into

1. Isaac was a promised son, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son. He was a promised son in such a peculiar manner, that this was a mark of distinction, and he was called the son of the promise--his temple. and how soon after the apostacy was Christ promised to the sinning parents of mankind? The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head. How many and illustrious were the promises which went before his birth, concerning his person, work, and his glorious and eternal

3. The conception, and the birth of Isaac, were attended with remarkable circumstances; and eminently so were the conception and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Before the birth of the promised son his parents were directed to call his name ISAAC;