Domestic Memoirs of a Christian Family Resident in the County of Cumberland

the Scriptures, in 162 versions, which it has been the means of putting forth, but must exclaim, with surprise and gratitude, "What hath God wrought!" Yet who can read the accounts which have been given of many towns and districts in our own land-or carry his thoughts to the destitute condition of millions in Pagan or Mahommetan countries-without feeling that we are only at the threshold of the work! And even in many countries nominally Christian, the great mass of the people are but just beginning to learn that there is such a book as the Bible! If it was originally necessary to form such a Society, it has become doubly imperative to perpetuate its labours, and to extend them, if we would realize the expectations that have been raised, and faithfully discharge that trust, which, in the good providence of God, devolves upon us. Christian Ministers at home, and Christian Missionaries abroad, are looking to it for supplies; and all who are engaged in the work of education rest their hopes upon it, as the means of affording religious instruction to the young;-and shall they ask in vain? Never were there such openings for the introduction of the Scriptures, in every part of the world. Never did the Society stand in greater need of the increased exertions of its friends than at the present time, for the accomplishment of its high and sacred purposes. In the emphatic language of the Bishop of Calcutta, it may still be said, that "India, with its 134 millions, waits for our labours." The events which have recently taken place in China, with her 360 millions of inhabitants, speak the same language. The extraordinary openings for the circulation of the Scriptures on the Continent require a corresponding effort, and will involve a large expenditure. And in other countries a wide and effectual door has been opened for the entrance of the word of life, which may become, too soon, either partially or entirely closed. Who, then, can think of the past labours or present prospects of the

Society, and at the same time remember his own fleeting opportunities for usefulness, without hearing the divine injunction, which says,-" Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might?" "Work while it is called to-day: the night cometh, wherein no man can work."

RECAPITULATION.

Of 140 Languages or Dialects, the Distribution, Printing, or Translation of the Scriptures, in whole or in part, has been promoted by the Society,

The Number of Versions (omitting those which are printed in different Characters only) is 162. Of these, 110 are Translations never before printed.

SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1847.

From the commencement of the Society, £3,356,892 2 0

ENGAGEMENTS-On the 5th of April, 1847, exceeded

FORM OF A BEQUEST TO THE SOCIETY.

I give and bequeath to "The British and Foreign Bible Society," instituted in London, in the year 1804, the sum of Pounds Sterling, to be paid

to their Treasurer for the time being, whose Receipt shall be a sufficient discharge for the same. And I direct the said Legacy to be paid out of my pure personal Estate, applicable by Law to the payment of Charitable Bequests. And I further direct, that, if necessary, my Assets shall be marshalled, so as to leave such pure personal Estate, or a sufficient part thereof, applicable to the payment of the said Legacy, and any other Charitable Bequests I may give. And I hereby charge all my personal Estate not applicable to Charitable Bequests, and in aid thereof, my real Estate, with the payment of my Funeral and Testamentary Expenses and Debts, and all Legacies and Payments given or directed by this my Will, or consequent thereon, (except Charitable Legacies,) in express exoneration of my aforesaid pure personal Estate, so far as may be necessary for securing the payment in full of the said Legacy to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and of any other Charitable Bequest, but not further or otherwise.*

*The above form is also applicable to all similar Institutions.

Of these Associations, the far greater part are conducted by Ladies.

IN THE COLONIES AND OTHER DEPENDENCIES: AUXILIARIES, 66.

BRANCHES, 253.
TOTAL, 492.

ASSOCIATIONS, 173.

BIBLE SOCIETIES CONNECTED WITH THE HIBERNIAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Auxiliary and Branch Societies and Associations, in 1843, in the Four Provinces, 521.

FOREIGN AGENCIES CONNECTED WITH THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY,

Which have the superintendence of Dépôts of the Holy Scriptures:

I. In FRANCE, at Paris.

II. In BELGIUM, at Brussels.

III. In HOLLAND, at Amsterdam and Breda.

IV. In GERMANY, at Frankfort.

V. In SWEDEN, at Stockholm.

VI. In NORWAY, at Christiania, Christiansand, Stavanger, Bergen, and

Drontheim.

VII. In RUSSIA, at St. Petersburgh.

The BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY has also Dépôts of Bibles and Testaments in the following places: viz. Constantinople, Smyrna, Athens, Corfu, Malta, Gibraltar, Sleswick, &c.