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consider, whether it is expedient for this Convention to adopt any measure, or measures, and, if any, what, to correct the publick mind on the subject of war, made a report, and read an address to the publick, which the Committee recommended to be published.-Whereupon voted,

That this Address to the community, on the subject of war, be recommitted to Dr. Worcester, Mr. Packard, of Marlborough, and President Kirkland, to be by them revised and published, as containing the sentiments of this Convention. A true copy from the records, JOHN PIERCE, Scribe.

Report of the Executive Committee of the Bible Society of Massachusetts, prepared for the Anniversary of the Society, June 6, 1816.

THE Executive Committee of the Bible Society of Massachusetts respectfully report, that their operations during the last year have been as extensive as the funds of the Society will permit. A larger number of Bibles has been distributed than in any preceding year; and as a proof that this charity is needed, your Committee would observe, that they have not been compelled to seek opportunities of distribution, but have continually received application in behalf of the destitute, from individuals, whose characters afford every security of a faithful and judicious attention to the objects of the Society. Your Committee have distributed during the last year,

186 large Bibles, 2475 Common Bibles, 556 Testaments.

(

3217 whole number.

Of this number, seven hundred have been committed by special order of the Trustees to Messrs. Daniel Smith and Cyrus Kingsbury, missionaries, to be distributed in the western states, where a deplorable want of Bibles still Vol. IV. No. 7.

26

exists. There is reason to hope, that the benevolent concern which has been expressed for the destitute condition of these extensive and newly settled regions is awakening in the inhabitants a solicitude and zeal for the supply of their own spiritual necessities; and a more animating reward cannot be desired.

The remainder of the Bibles have been distributed chiefly within the limits of this Commonwealth, and generally by the agency of the ministers of religion.

Your Committee have every reason for believing, that proper objects have been selected for your bounty. They have understood, however, that in some instances poor families, by making application to different individuals, have received a greater number of Bibles than they needed; and this inconvenience has been particularly experienced in this metropolis, where the distribution is neces sarily made by numerous hands. Whilst it is earnestly desired that liberal principles may be adopted in communicating the Word of God to the poor, it is also hoped

that this charity may not be brought into discredit by any abuses, which a proper care may prevent.

In some towns of the District of Maine, associations have been formed for the purpose of ascertaining the number of families destitute of the scriptures, and of making joint application for their relief. A similar method might usefully be extended to other parts of the Commonwealth. Christians should every where remember, that their Master preached his gospel to the poor, and has particularly committed this suffering class of fellow-beings to their kindness and

care.

The members of this Society will expect no recital of any sudden or astonishing effects produced by the Bibles which they have distributed. The influence of the scriptures is seen among the poor as among the rich, not in a miraculous transformation, but in a silent and gradual improvement of the character. It is enough to know, that a Bible has been thankfully received by a destitute family. The precious gift can hardly be unavailing. In hours of leisure, and especially on the Christian sabbath, its pages will be opened. It will be a resource in trouble and in deelining life. It will attract the attention of the child; and we trust that, though often disregarded, it will plead successfully, with some who read it, the cause of God and eternity.

We continue to receive assurances of the very grateful ac

ceptance of the Bible by the poor. In a letter from the District of Maine, it is observed, "The Massachusetts Bible Society has added much to the triumphs of the gospel, carrying the word of life to the dwellings of the poor. Some who had lived for years without a Bible in their families, have become, as I have reason to believe, fond of reading it, and make it a book for family use. A number of aged people have been peculiarly benefitted by the large octavo Bibles. Many, in this part of the country, have expressed to me their gratitude to heaven for your bounty." In another letter from Plymouth county, it is observed, "The large Bibles were given to the aged poor, whose hearts appeared to be made glad on receiving the invaluable treasure. It has been gratifying, to convey the Bible, containing divine consolation, to a number of poor afflicted widows, left with a number of fatherless children. The consideration that others have had new Bibles has induced some who were able, but had neglected it, to purchase a large family Bible." Thus the benefits of our Institution extend to those who are not the immediate objects of its bounty. A deeper sense of the importance of the Scriptures is communicated to many by whom our efforts are observed. It should be a subject of sincere gratitude, that we are permitted to contribute to the noblest and most benevolent purposes of God, to participate in the work of enlightening the world, and of car

rying to the obscure retreats of want and wo the glad tidings of forgiveness and immortality.

rated by language, climate, manners, and oceans, forgetting their distinctions, and conspiring as brethren in the work of illuminating the world. Perhaps human history affords no example of such extensive co-operation for the good of mankind.

From such institutions, found ed by the most illustrious men, patronized by sovereigns, endow

sanctified by ardent love of God and mankind, are we not authorized to hope a melioration of the moral and religious condition of society? May we not anticipate a more extensive and glorious manifestation of the power of Christianity on the hearts of men? May we not especially hope, that Christian nations, being thus united under the peaceful standard of the cross, and labouring and triumphing together in the cause of their common Lord, will drink more largely into his spirit, will exchange their animosities for love, and will shrink with horrour from the thought of devoting each other to slaughter and desolation.

The institution of Bible Soeieties forms an era in the history of the church. It is the chief glory of our age; and it sheds a purer and more enduring splendour on the nation in which it originated, than all her victories. We rejoice in being able to report to you the continued and increased by opulence, and inspired and ing efforts of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to which the honour belongs, of leading the way in this career of godlike philanthropy. It is not the least of the merits of that Institution, that, by awakening inquiry, it has discovered the great and almost incredible want of Bibles in the Christian world. Who among us had imagined, that, in extensive districts of Europe, scarcely a copy of the Scriptures could be found, and that to some who bore the name of Christians, the meaning of the word Bible was unknown? The dishonour which these facts have thrown on Christians, has been, in some measure, effaced by the zeal which has every where been kindled to scatter this darkness, and to supply the destitute of all nations with the word of God. This spirit is not confined to the country in which it first broke forth. The flame has spread over Europe. Never before was so generous an impulse communicated to so many hearts. Never 'since the first promulgation of Christianity, has so sublime a spectacle been exhibited, as that which we now witness, of Christians, in both hemispheres, sepa

In contributing to the great object, which is interesting to so many hearts, it is hoped that we of this Society shall not be unfaithful. Belonging as we do to a growing and prosperous community, it will be no light reproach if we withhold our support from a work, which will associate us with the best men who have lived before us, and with the purest and most illustrious characters of the present age.

By the Executive Committee.

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Statement of receipts and expenditures of the Massachusetts Bible Sqciety, from June, 1815, to June, 1816.

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Paid expenses of ship-
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To balance in the Trea-
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BOSTON, June 6, 1816.

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3280 92

365 61

titute widows and children of Congregational Ministers, held their annual meeting, and chose officers. His Hon. William Phillips, Pres. David Osgood, D. D. Vice-Pres. Eliphalet Porter, D. D. Treas. Rev. Jos. M Kean, L L. D. Sec. Council. Hon. George Cabot, Rev. Joseph Dana, D. D. Rev. Abiel 3646 53 Holmes, D. D. Rev. William Shaw, D. D. Rev. John Prince, LL. D. Rev. Henry Ware, D. D. Samuel Parkman, Esq. The Rev. Dr. Pearson was elected member of the Society, in the place of Dr. Lathrop, and Hon. Josiah Quincy, in the place of Hon. Stephen Choate.

Errours Excepted,
JOHN TAPPAN, Treasurer.
JOHN GREW, As. Treas.

RECENT ANNUAL MEETINGS IN BOSTON.

The Humane Society of Massăchusetts held their Annual Meeting on Tuesday, the 14th of May. The annual discourse was delivered by John Gorham, M. D. The officers for the present year are, Aaron Dexter, M. D. President, Hon. Thomas Dawes, 1st Vice-President, William Spooner, M. D. 2d VicePresident, Samuel Cobb, Esq. Freasurer, Rev. Charles Lowell, Corresponding Secretary, Chas. Davis, Esq. Recording Secretary.

Trus

tees, Samuel Parkman, Esq. Joseph
Coolidge, Esq. Samuel Bradford,
Esq. Benjamin Rich, Esq. Ephraim
Eliot, Esq. Jonathan Amory, Jun.
Esq.

The annual meeting of the Society for the religious and moral improvement of Seamen was held on Wednesday, the 15th of May. The officers chosen for the present year, are Gamaliel Bradford, Esq. Pres. William Ropes, Esq. Treasurer. Rev. Jos. Tuckerman, Sec'ry. Rev. William E. Channing, Rev. Charles Lowell, Rev. Samuel C. Thacher, Rev. Francis Parkman, Hon. Richard Sullivan, and Henderson Inches, Esq. Executive Committee. (For the An. Report, see p. 190.)

On Monday, the 27th of May, The Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society, for the relief of des

elected its officers the same day.
The New-England Tract Society
Wm. Bartlett, Esq. President,
Jed. Morse, D. D. Vice-President,
Rev. John Codman, Cor. Sec'ry.
Rev. Joshua Huntington, R, Sec.
Jeremiah Evarts, Esq. Treasurer.
Henry Homes, Auditor.

Jedediah Morse, D. D. Rev. Jnq.
H. Church, Rev. Leo. Woods, D. D.
Saml. Farrar, Esq. Mr. John Adams,
Executive Committee.

On Tuesday, 28th of May, the Episcopal Convention met in Trinity Church. The Rev. Titus Strong, of Greenfield, preached the annual sermon from Exodus iii. 2. "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush," &c.

At four o'clock, P. M. the Rev. Charles Lowell delivered the ninth annual sermon before The Society for promoting Christian knowledge, piety, and charity, in the First Church, from Deut. i. 27, and part of the three following verses.

Officers of the Society. Eliphalet Porter, D. D. Pres. Samuel Parkman, Esq. V. Pres

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