rose.

Whatever be the toil, the self-denial, and the perseverance which this work may demand, our proclamation has gone forth-we stand pledged before the whole intelligent universe— angels and men expect us to redeem that pledge, by moving forward to the rescue of a perishing world. Your Board of Managers rejoice in the conviction, that the objects contemplated in the formation of this Society, will all be accomplished; and that, union in our councils, with fortitude and perseverance in our labours, cannot fail to be crowned with triumphant success; until every island and continent from east to west, and from pole to pole, shall receive the law of the Lord, and God be glorified upon earth from the rising to the setting sun.

In closing their report, the Board of the American and Foreign Bible Society, would render thanks unto God, for the origin and the success of this institution. But they desire to feel, that if to promote the glory of God and the salvation of men, be indeed the highest aim and paramount duty of every Christian, then does no common responsibility devolve upon this Society. Composed of hundreds of thousands of the followers of Christinhabiting a country extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean-living under a free and happy government-possessing the wonderful aid of the press with which to multiply copies of the Bible, and all the advantages of international communication by which to send them to the remotest parts of the earth;-let every talent be brought into solemn requisition, and let us resolve in the strength of the Lord never to cease from our work, until all nations "read in their own tongue the wonderful works of God."

On motion of B. T. Welch, of Albany, N. Y., seconded by John Culpepper, of N. Carolina, it was unanimously

Resolved, That the Report, an abstract of which has now been read, be published and extensively circulated, under the direction of the Board of Managers.

Brother Welch sustained the resolution by a most interesting and argumentative address.

On Motion of Baron Stow, of Boston, seconded by John Booth, of Michigan, it was unanimously

Resolved, That in the history of this Society, as furnished by the

Reports of the Treasurer and the Corresponding Secretary, there is abundant proof that the Institution has enjoyed in a large degree, the approbation of God, and the favour of the Baptist churches.

On motion of Rufus Babcock, Jr. President of the Philadelphia Bible Convention, seconded by Nathaniel Kendrick, President of Hamilton Baptist Theological Institution, N. Y. it was unanimously

Resolved, That the Society formed in New-York, May 13, 1836, as a provisional organization, together with all its funds, interests, and responsibilities, be now merged in the American and Foreign Bible Society, organized by the Bible Convention which met in Philadelphia, April 26, 1837.

Brother Babcock accompanied the Resolution with the following remarks

I offer this resolution, Mr. President, with peculiar feelings, because it is the last, It redeems, nobly and triumphantly redeems, the pledge originally, made by your Society at its formation, and guaranteed by the assurance of the Committee appointed at Hartford, against the mistrust and insinuation, which in some quarters were cherished, that your organization at New-York last May was not merely "provisional”— intended only to serve the necessity of the case, until a Society could here be matured by the united wisdom of delegates from the whole denomination. To you and to me, and I trust to every member of that Committee, this prompt redemption of that pledge is most welcome: indeed I cannot but hail it as an auspicious omen of the cordial union of all hearts and hands among us, for the promotion of the glorious work of sending abroad through the whole world God's holy word.

In this view, and for this end, the dissolution of your incipient organization may be contemplated with unmingled satisfaction. I trust it is no unworthy perversion to say of it, in the words of a Christian poet,

You" set as sets the morning star, which goes

Not down behind the darken'd west, nor hides
Obscured among the tempests of the sky,

But melts away into the light of heaven."

The light into which you now melt and mingle is of the same character with that which has hitherto shone; only, as we trust, to become hereafter more extensively effulgent. With what delight, too, must your success the past year be witnessed! Means have been secured and appropriated to give to twenty thousand heathen families in whole or in part, the word of God: to give this faithfully translated, as I bless God all Baptists have ever most conscientiously believed is the duty of those to whom the LIVELY ORACLES have been committed. Who can dwell on this thought without the most grateful emotions. Twenty thousand families, embracing not less than one hundred thousand immortal souls in heathenish darkness, thus provided with the permanent possession of the lamp of life! May the Society just formed, which rejoices to recognise you, Sir, as its head-not more the place of honour than of toil and anxious devotedness-O Sir, may your new Society, when one year hence the first chapter of its history shall be written, be able to evince an enlargedness of accomplishment, proportioned to the increasing numbers and influence which are now rallying around its standard!

The exercises of the evening were closed with prayer by Thomas Meredith of North Carolina, and the Society adjourned.

MEETING OF THE BOARD,

NEW-YORK, MAY 3, 1837.

The Board of Managers of the new Society met in Oliver-street at 4 o'clock, P. M. The President in the Chair.

Prayer by Nathaniel Kendrick, of Hamilton.

On motion, duly made and seconded, it was unanimously

Resolved, That this Board recognise, with great satisfaction, the act of the American and Foreign Bible Society, provisionally formed in New-York in May, 1836, and that we cheerfully accept all the funds and interests, and assume all the responsibilities of the same. The following were adopted as the

BY-LAWS AND ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.

1. All meetings shall be opened with prayer,

2. All Committees shall be nominated by the presiding officer, and approved by the Board, unless otherwise specially ordered.

3. No moneys shall be paid out of the Treasury but by order of the Board. 4. All resolutions, if required, shall be presented in writing.

APPENDIX.

1.

LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT.

AVA, MAY 17, 1836.

MY DEAR BROTHER-Yours, in behalf of the Bible Society, dated Sept. 22, 1835, came to hand a few days since, and I have read it, together with the circular and the printed letters, with the greatest interest. Most happily shall I do any thing in my power to aid the Bible Society in the sublime and holy work of circulating the word of God.

We will, in the first place, survey the field. Ava, Umerapoora, and Sagoing, three cities hardly separated from each other, contain at least half a million of people; then for 200 miles in every direction are large towns and villages. West of Ava about 200 miles, is the small kingdom of Kathay; east of Ava, about 200 miles, you enter the country of the Shyans, nine principalities of which are tributary to the court of Ava, besides several independent princes, and all speaking one language. Shyan is an extensive country, and is supposed to be more populous than Burmah. About 200 or 250 miles north of Ava you enter the frontiers of China. Take Burmah, Kathay, Shyan, and a few provinces of China bordering upon Burmah, and we have a population of one hundred and fifty millions, of which this city is the centre. Here is a field which loudly calls for Christian effort. In the immediate neigbbourhood of this city are several thousands of Kathayans, but no part of the Scriptures has yet been translated into their language. Some of the more learned understand Bengalee, and I have received from Rev. Wm. Pearce, of Calcutta, 50 Testaments, 25 of which were bound, and 25 were done up in parcels; also several hundred tracts in the Bengalee language. These were distributed at once, and I have reason to think are still read with interest. Great numbers of Shyans visit this city for purposes of trade. Occasionally I find persons who can read Burman, and these I supply with books. I hope before long some portions of the word of God will be translated into the Shyan language.

In Umerapoora are several thousand Chinese, besides large caravans come in from Yunnam every season; frequently two journeys are made in one cold season. Hitherto I have had no means of doing any thing for this people, as not one in 500 is able to read Burman. I have spent some days among them at different times, conversing

with those who have some knowledge of Burman, and have always found them ready to listen. I have no doubt but they would take the Scriptures if I had them to give, and that thousands of copies might be sent into the provinces bordering upon Burmah and Thibet.

As far as I am able to judge, all Burmah, Kathay, Shyan, and China, are ready to receive the Word of God, and read it, if we can only find men and means to take hold of the work. Difficulties are great when looked at from a distance, but when we encounter them they vanish. I have distributed a great number of Luke and John, the Epistles, Acts, and some copies of Matthew and Mark; also the Psalms and Old Testament Extracts to a large amount, and some entire copies of the New Testament. Two years ago I gave a New Testament to Prince Mekara, and some months after he sent to me for books for his two sons and seven daughters. Two other princes have asked for books, and I have no doubt but they are read. Bramins and Musselmen, as well as Burmans, call for books.

I have just returned from a tour through the country, preaching and distributing tracts and portions of the word of God. I was absent three months and three days, visited a great number of cities and villages, and though sometimes repulsed, yet in many places I found much to encourage me in the work. This is a barren land, yet God has promised to water it, and will, through the instrumentality of his own blessed word. We need a press here very much to give efficiency to our operations, and the Board will doubtless place one here before long. Nothing but the doctrines of the Bible can enlighten this nation, and deliver its millions from the dominion of slavery.

I should be glad to mention three or four facts which have come under my notice in this city, as inducements to diligence in distributing the word of God, but an opportunity now offering for sending direct to Bengal, I shall send you off this sheet without transcribing, and will write you again before the close of the year.

Yours ever affectionately,

II.

EUGENIO KINCAID.

RANGOON, JUNE 13, 1836.

DEAR BROTHER,-I am at length able to answer your inquiries respecting our Mission Press, &c.

The building stands in the mission compound, in the heart of the city of Maulmein, built of brick and mortar in the best manner, two stories high, in the form of an L, 56 feet wide, and 78 feet long each way-that is, in fact, 156 long. The lower floor is brick covered with plaster, and is divided into two large, and four small rooms. One of the large rooms is occupied by the case-work, and the other by the presses. The smaller ones are for counting-room, storage of paper, machine-shop, &c. The upper story is in two large rooms, one for the binders, the other for prints, books, and tracts.