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LONDON:

PRINTED BY C. F. HODGSON,

GOUGH SQUARE, FLEET STREET.

OF THE

British & Foreign Bible

Society.

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Demand for the Scriptures in Naples.

A BRIEF sketch of operations among the Neapolitans, prepared by the Society's Agent amid his active labours in this new field, is presented. It will be seen that the Agent and Colporteur sold 3400 copies of Scripture in Naples between the 22d of September and the 30th of October:

"When the word of God was first offered for sale in the city of Naples, the people seemed slow to realise the liberty which the overthrow of the oppressive Government had accorded to them, and many hesitated to purchase it. for, they said, it was a prohibited book. This feeling of reluctance soon yielded to a desire to possess the sacred volume, and the sudden appearance of a bock, which so very few had ever seen, in one of the busiest streets of this populous city, caused no little excitement, and soon became a general subject of conversation. "The book seemed almost as new to the priests as it was to the people, and some of the former were among the first to buy it. One did so with many misgivings, for the only Bible he had ever seen was in several quarto volumes (Martini, with notes), and he could not believe that the little book which he held in his hand contained the entire word of God. He was assured that the book was complete, minus, of course, the Apocrypha. He made his purchase, but took down the address of the Colporteur, lest his suspicions should prove correct. Another priest not only purchased a Bible, but expressed a wish to procure any Protestant books which explained it. He has since bought elsewhere M'Cree's

Spirit. Let us pray, that in the same way, by the circulation of God's word,
He may call many to His knowledge, and by His strength enable us, weak
worms as we are, to labour for Him by word and walk. That grant, Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost!"

IRELAND.

Increased demand for the Scriptures in Sunday Schools. THE Revival of religion in some parts of Ireland has created a considerable desire for Scriptural instruction. The Sunday School Society has just made application for supplies of the word of life, and the Secretary of that Society, when making the application, shows briefly the effect of the Revival upon the Schools:

"The religious awakening which took place last year in the north of Ireland continues to exercise a most beneficial effect on the Sunday Schools, which is evinced by the increased attendance of the teachers and scholars, and also by their serious attention and desire for scriptural instruction. As might be expected, the demand for the Scriptures is very great, and the pressure on this Society so heavy and continuous, that our Committee are impelled to appeal again to your Christian liberality.

"We would earnestly solicit a grant of the following Bibles and Testaments, which are absolutely necessary to continue our issues to the Schools :-As a grant, 3500 Bibles, 12mo., 2500 Bibles, 24mo., plain; 500 Testaments, Pica. As a purchase, 2000 Bibles, Diamond, roan, gilt edges. We would remark that the Bibles and Testaments applied for as a grant are issued almost exclusively to the poorer classes of scholars, who do not attend daily Schools, many of whom learn to read at the Sunday Schools from our elementary books, and, as they advance, are instructed in the word of God.

"We annex a few sentences from the report of a correspondent, received a few days ago, to show what is the present feeling as to Sunday School instruction in the north of Ireland.

"We desire always to acknowledge the cordial assistance so readily given by your Committee."

The testimony of a correspondent, to which reference has been made, is as follows:

"... Since the religious awakening it (the Sunday School system) has progressed with almost incredible rapidity. The houses in which Schools were held before proved quite inadequate to accommodate the increased attendances, and many new Schools were organized in consequence. Not a few young people, who were themselves awakened from spiritual unconcern, have come forward and rendered valuable aid in the capacity of teachers.

"While there never has been such a number of Bibles purchased here in the same time as during the last eighteen months or so, we have never made any thing like the same number of applications to your Society within a similar period."

DOMESTIC.

Jubilee Proceedings of Auxiliaries.

A SKETCH of the proceedings on the occasion of the celebration of a joint Jubilee by the friends of the Liverpool and Manchester Auxiliary Societies, is furnished by Mr. C. Swallow :—

"The Jubilee Meetings of the Liverpool and Manchester Auxiliaries were held at the close of last month, and proved occasions of deep interest to the friends of the Society in these two important centres of population.

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BIBLE SOCIETY MONTHLY REPORTER.

"The Manchester Auxiliary was one of the earliest of those established to co449 operate with the Parent Society, having been formed on the 4th of January 1810, and its Public Meeting held on 21st of April following. The Liverpool Auxiliary was formed rather later, but I took the liberty of suggesting to the Secretaries of both Societies the desirableness of a joint celebration of the Jubilee. This was warmly accepted by the Committees of both Auxiliaries, and the three last days of October, the usual period of the Annual Meetings, were determined upon. The Noble President of the Parent Society kindly consented to preside, the Secretaries of the two Auxiliaries agreed to be present at both Meetings, and the speakers at both to be the same, as far as possible.

"The Liverpool Jubilee Meeting, on the Monday evening, was held in the Philharmonic Hall, which was crowded in every part. In the course of the day a telegram had announced, that owing to domestic affliction, the Earl of Shaftesbury was reluctantly prevented from paying his promised visit; but the Lord Bishop of Chester, with his wonted consideration for the interests of the Society, at once consented to preside, and the manner in which he conducted the proceedings won the good opinion of all. In the course of his opening remarks, his Lordship referred to the gift by the Bible Society of a set of its various versions to the magnificent Free Library, which had lately been presented to the town by William Brown, Esq., and the reference was hardly made when the Bishop discovered Mr. Brown seated among the audience. The Society was ably represented by one of its Secretaries, the Rev. S. B. Bergne, and the Rev. George Smith of Poplar; the Rev. Canon Stowell and others also spoke, and the proceedings were of an interesting character. The Mayor of Liverpool, T. D. Anderson, Esq., who was not able to be present, sent a Donation of 501. to the Jubilee Fund. One of the Resolutions was moved by Adam Hodgson, Esq., the only survivor of those who formed the Auxiliary; though the venerable Secretary, Dr. Raffles, was present at its first Public Meeting, and on this occasion, though feeling the infirmities of age, gave out the hymns with almost the vigour of his early days.

"The following morning a public breakfast was held in St. George's Hall, which was well attended, and presided over by Adam Hodgson, Esq. The Rev. James Bardsley, Secretary of the Manchester Auxiliary, the Rev. W. Shaw, of South Africa, and others, addressed the Meeting.

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"The Manchester Meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the Free Trade Hall, was attended by 4000 persons, and in the absence of the Earl of Shaftesbury, the chair was taken by E. R. Le Mare, Esq., and the Rev. S. B. Bergne attended as the representative of the Parent Society. A Donation of 50l. was offered anonymously by an old and very active member of the Manchester Committee, to any fund that might be raised for sending the Bible to Italy. The following morning a public breakfast was held in the Assembly Room of the Free Trade Hall. The chair was taken by Samuel Fletcher, Esq., whose praise is in all the Churches, and who, as well as John Burton, Esq. and George Hadfield, Esq.; M.P., has been a continuous subscriber for fifty years. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. H. Marlen, Secretary of the Liverpool Auxiliary, and others. I announced a Donation of 50l. from Robert Gardner, Esq., who has for twentynine years been the esteemed Treasurer of the Auxiliary. The Chairman expressed his intention of giving 107. to the Jubilee Fund, and to double his Annual Subscription. I regret to state that Mr. Fletcher has since had a very severe attack of illness, so that it is feared by his friends this may be the last Public Meeting at which he will preside. I trust he may yet be spared to continue his philanthropic efforts in behalf, not only of this Society, but of the Manchester City Mission and others, with which his name has been so long and honourably connected.

"On Wednesday, Oct. 31, a second Meeting was held in the Free Trade Hall for the Teachers and elder scholars of Sunday Schools, and was attended by upwards of 5000; indeed, one of the newspapers estimated them at 6000. Mr. John Griffiths, of the Roby School, was called upon to preside. The Rev. George Smith represented the Parent Society, and the Meeting was addressed

by two Clergymen and two Nonconformist Ministers of the city. When it is remembered that it was known that Lord Shaftesbury could not preside at the Manchester Meeting, we cannot but infer from the immense gatherings a deep and continued attachment to our noble Society.

"One part of the Jubilee plans was the issue of 10,000 copies of five of the editions of the Bible, with a Jubilee stamp, bearing the shields of the arms of Manchester and Liverpool, the coronet of the duchy, and the quotation-Thy word is truth,' These have proved very acceptable; and it may be interesting to record the fact, that of every thirty-two Sunday scholars of Liverpool and Manchester who can read the Bible, twenty possess their own copy of the word of Life, and the proportion is daily increasing.

"The prevailing characteristic of the Jubilee Meetings was a feeling of devout gratitude to Almighty God, who has so marvellously blessed the efforts of the Parent Society to give the bread of life to the world, and has also enabled these, two of its principal Auxiliaries, to aid it to no inconsiderable extent. At the same time it was felt, that, considering the vast increase in the wealth of the two places, the Free Contributions are quite disproportionate to the importance and extent of the Society's work. Nevertheless, let us with thankfulness record the fact, that these two Auxiliaries have sent to the Parent Society in Free Contributions alone, above 60,000l., besides about 4000l. of Special Contributions; in addition to which, large sums have been expended in supplying local destitution; and they have, by God's blessing, been enabled to put into circulation no fewer than 1,368,390 copies of the Scriptures. The Committee are adopting plans whereby the Jubilee may be made the starting-point for more ample resources, and still wider distribution of the Book, convinced that the Bible is for the world, and that your Society's labours are destined never to cease, so long as there remains one dreary spot of earth's barren wilderness uncheered by the lamp of life, or one wretched wanderer pining for a guide to lead his footsteps into the way of peace."

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CHINA.

Views of Christian truth held in the Insurgent Army.

COMMUNICATIONS have lately been opened with some of the commanders of the revolutionary forces in China, and there seems reason to believe that the leading doctrines of Christianity are propagated as well as recognised by some who possess influence and authority. The Rev. W. Muirhead, Secretary to the Corresponding Committee at Shanghae, thus narrates the present prospects of Christianity in connection with the

rebel movement:

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"I doubt not you are interested in the aspect of affairs in this country. By a previous mail I informed you of the rebel movement, and since that time various matters have come up of especial value. Several Missionary brethren and others went to Su-chow on hearing the results of the first expedition, and had a pleasing interview with the chief men in command. Inquiry was made by our brethren in reference to a native Christian, a relative of Tai-ping-wang, who had gone to Nankin about two years ago. It was stated that he was now next to Tai-ping-wang in the new government, and was very much esteemed for his religious qualities. A letter was sent to him forthwith by our Missionary friends, on the main articles of our faith, and exhorting him to hold fast his profession without wavering. The epistle was sent on to Naukin, and the brethren returned. A few days after, a merchant was at Su-chow, and saw the military officer, who stated that Kan-wang, the person above alluded to, had received the letter that was sent him, and had come from Nankin to see the parties who wrote it. The merchant subsequently saw the Kan-wang, who conducted himself in a very unassuming, unpretending style. His whole concern, it appears, was about Christianity, which he was anxious to promote among his

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