those who already profess the Saviour's Name throughout Hindoostan and the Indian Archipelago; and are, therefore, intended to preserve those conquests of the Redeemer over the kingdom of darkness which have been already made-a work no less necessary, and which we, therefore, no less rejoice to forward, than those which are intended to push his conquests farther, by pouring light on those who have hitherto sat wholly in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death; which we now proceed to mention, beginning with the Scriptures as printed in

Sanscrit.

The venerable origin, and the wide extent of this language, induce us to give it the pre-eminence in this place, although it was not the first Translation which we began, nor is the edition by any means the largest. Although, strictly speaking, it is not the colloquial language of any part of India, many circumstances combine to render this Version of the Scriptures highly useful.

Hence, with mingled pleasure and gratitude we add, that not only are the whole of the Scriptures translated into this venerable language, but that the whole of the Sacred Volume will be printed off before this can reach you.

The distribution of these, though made with a sparing hand, has been so wide, particularly in Hindoostan, that we shall require a second edition of the New Testament before the Old Testament is completely finished.

Bengalee.

In this language, the vehicle of ideas to probably sixteen millions of souls, the whole of the Sacred Volume has been long published. The last edition of the New Testament consisted of 5000 copies; which, however, as the expense may possibly lie on the Christian Public for some time to come, we have endeavoured to reduce as much as possible, and have succeeded so far as to bring it to a rupee for each copy, though it contains above seven hundred pages.

The 5000 copies, however, as the object, at present, is that of diffusing the light of the Sacred Word as widely as possible, we have separated into smaller portions, by printing the Gospels so as for each of them to make, if necessary, a separate book for distribution; and thus the 5000 have been increased to

nearly 20,000 volumes, each of them capable of communicating, to an attentive reader, the joyful tidings that there is a Saviour for men. Although one of these Gospels may appear a trifle as matter of perusal to those accustomed to the European mode of devouring volume after volume, it is not so to a Hindoo Reader, whose whole library, hitherto, has not, perhaps, greatly exceeded the portion of matter contained in this little volume, and to whom, therefore, it appears quite large enough to interest, though not to terrify from perusal. And one of these, read in a village circle, often diffuses a degree of light among them, that both stirs them up and directs them in their search after further knowledge of these things, and leads to obtaining the whole of the New Testament.

The second edition of the Old Testament is now in the press; and the fourth edition of the New is so far exhausted, that we must commence a fifth long before it comes in the regular course of printing. For this edition we have now completed a reduced type in this character, begun by Brother Lawson, while at Serampore, and since finished by our native artists; which is allowed, by all who have seen it, to be highly beautiful, and which will comprise the whole of the Scriptures in one octavo volume of less than a thousand pages. This, while it will admit of the New Testament's being printed on superior paper in a neat duodecimo, will still keep the expense within a rupee for each copy.

Hindee.

In this language, which, as derived more immediately from the Sanscrit than from the Persian and Arabic, and printed in the Nagree Character, is read by multitudes in Hindoostan, the whole of the Old Testament will be printed off before this can reach you. A second edition of the New Testament, containing 4000 copies, has also been printed, and the same precaution adopted, relative to printing the Gospels, so as to admit of being distributed separately.

This has enabled us not only to circulate them widely, by means of our Brethren residing in Hindoostan; but to gratify a great number in Bengal, and even around us, who, born in Hindoostan, are more familiar with that language and the Nagree Character, than with the Bengalee. Among these, we have

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often with pleasure noticed some of those brave men in the Native Army, who have so nobly fought the battles of the British; some of whom, deeming such a step requisite to their obtaining a Book of the Scriptures, have brought us a note from their British Commanding Officer, requesting that they might be thus favoured.

Mahratta.

We have now added to the New Testament, the Pentateuch and the Historical Books; and have advanced so far in printing the Hagiographa, that little remains to be printed of the Sacred Volume, beside the Prophets, which have been long translated.

This language, extending as it does from the borders of Bengal to Bombay, may be well supposed to include a certain variety of dialect, as spoken in its different provinces. Thus, that which borders on Bengal differs somewhat from that near Bombay; the distance of nearly a thousand miles causing some kind of variation, even while the same terminations are used.

On the Bengal side, opportunities for distributing the Scriptures in the dialect best understood there, often occur, as the Mahrattas travel in every part of Hindoostan; and hence, the Mahratta Scriptures are required at most of the Stations there. Of the distribution of them in the country itself, by our worthy friend and brother Moxon, stationed at Nagpore, we have formerly spoken; and the changes which Providence is now bringing about in that part of the country, cannot but open a wide field for the dissemination of the Word of God in future. The first edition of the Mahratta New Testament is, however, nearly exhausted already,

by the labours of Brethren John Peter and Krishna-dass, will by no means be lost. Fruit has been already gathered; and in the methods of God's gracious Providence relative to His church, we are never to interpret a delay into a denial.

Telinga.

Bordering on Orissa, southward, is the Telinga Country, the inhabitants of which continually maintain intercourse with those of Orissa, and are constantly to be found there.

In this language, the New Testament, which has been in the press above two years, is printed as far as the Epistles to the Thessalonians; and a few months will see the whole of that volume of Scripture finished at press, as it has long been translated.

Copies of what has been printed, particularly the Gospels, have been occasionally put into the hands of Natives of that country; and have, in consequence, found their way thither.

Kunkuna.

In this language, spoken along the south-west coast of India, the New Tes-. tament is brought so far, that we expect it will be completely printed off in a few weeks; the version being already advanced, at press, nearly to the end of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Of dispersing the Divine Word in this language also, Brother Carapeit has already had opportunity, which we expect will, in future, greatly increase.

Sikh.

In the western part of Hindoostan, intersected by the five rivers which run into the Indus, the Sikh Language is

current.

In this, the New Testament has been long published; and numerous copies of it have been distributed, from time to time, among that warlike race, who are found in most parts of Hindoostan, and not unfrequently in Bengal. In their distribution, Brother Thompson has been particularly useful, in his various journeys through Hindoostan. The Pentateuch has long been printed off and published in this language, and the Historical Books are put to press.

Wuch.

To suit the language of the Wuch Province, we have had a new fount of

types cut in the character current there, and the better part of the New Testament is now printed off therein; the version being advanced at press to the end of the Epistle to the Romaus.

In this language, the activity of our Brother Carapeit has found the means of distributing a number of copies already; and, in his present journey through the various provinces, opportunity will prohably offer for doing this to a greater extent.

Pushtoo, or Afghan.

On the other side of the Indus lies the Pushtoo or Affghan Country, whose inhabitants are, by some, supposed to be the descendants of Abraham, in whose seed, the promised Messiah, all the nations of the earth will eventually be blessed.

The New Testament is printed so far in this language, that the ensuing year will see the whole completed and published.

As yet, no opportunity has offered for sending a Brother into the country; but, as the inhabitants are constantly to be found in Hindoostan, opportunities have been embraced of putting the Word of Life into their hands; and, in some instances, we have reason to hope it may have found its way into Affghanistan.

Bruj.

In the Bruj, also, which is indigenous to a considerable portion of the population in Upper Hindoostan, we have printed the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, the effect of Brother Chamberlain's labours.

These, in single Gospels, form a part of the Scriptures sent for distribution to several of our Brethren in Hindoostan; and they are received with great readiness by those to whom this language is more familiar and pleasant than the common Hindee.

Kashmeer.

In this language, too, spoken in the delightful valley of that name, in the north-west of Hindoostan, opportunities have offered of distributing the Gospels printed in that language. Natives of this province, in the general intercourse which the security for person and property enjoyed under British Rule invites throughout the country, are continually found in various parts of it, travelling either for the purposes of business or of devotion: among these, a considerable

number of the Gospels, in this language, have been from time to time distributed; and we would hope that, in some instances at least, they have been taken home, by some of those who have thus received them.

Assam.

For the more eastern part of Hindoostan, the Assam Version, in the Bengalee Character, happily augments the supply. This kingdom being near Silhet, and all its ideas of devotion being directed toward those places esteemed sacred in Hindoostan, the influx of inhabitants from it is continual. Some of them, moreover, reside at Nudeeya, for the sake of studying the Shasters, in that celebrated seat of Hindoo Literature. Of this Version, therefore, copies are occasionally distributed, which, under the Divine Blessing, may prove the means, in some future day, of introducing the Gospel into that part of Hindoostan.

Khassia.

Even in the Khassia Language, that of the mountaineers to the east of Ben

gal, a few of the Gospel of St. Matthew have been distributed among those who, living nearest the Bengal Territory, have acquired a knowledge of the character; although much remains to be done in the way of Schools in that part of the country, before the Scriptures can be read among them in any great degree.

Burman.

But the Gospels in the Burman Language have been distributed with much greater effect. Our highly-esteemed brethren Judson and Hough are vigorously pursuing the study of this language at Rangoon. The Gospels which had been previously printed, however, we found highly acceptable to our Mug Brethren, when the Lord was pleased to work among them; as they assisted them much in realizing the truths which they had already heard from Brother De Bruyn, in the Hindee and Bengalee Languages. We have, therefore, sent, at different times, nearly a thousand copies for distribution among them.

Chinese.

We are now led to the Chinese; the most important, in point of extent, among all these languages; as, when every deduction is made, there is reason to suppose that it is the medium for

conveying ideas to a hundred and fifty millions of men-to at least a FIFTH part of the fallen race of Adam.

In this language, though we have been hitherto occupied chiefly in preparations for future operation, we have been enabled to bring through the press an edition of the New Testament, with the exception of the two works of Luke, (taken up in the second edition now in the press,) and the whole of the Pentateuch, with the metallic moveable characters, which have brought the whole of the Pentateuch into 290 octavo pages; and have further admitted these pages on BOTH SIDES OF THE LEAF, on even common Chinese paper, without the least injury to the legibility or beauty of the cha

racter.

The effect of this, in reducing the inconvenient size and the expense of the book, will be best appreciated in future years, when the numerous millions of China will require a constant supply of the Sacred Oracles.

The demand for the Scriptures we have already found so great, from the Chinese scattered in the various isles and in almost every part of India, that our edition of the New Testament, of 2000 copies, is almost exhausted; and so many of the former part of the Pentateuch distributed, that we begin already to find a difficulty in making up complete sets of the Five Books, though the edition exceeded a thousand. These opportunities for distribution, indeed, increase so much upon us, that, in its present incipient state, our Chinese Press will scarcely allow us to supply the demand till we have brought the first edition of the Scriptures wholly through the press; in which work, as the translation of the Old Testament has been long completed, we are, of course, at present, all engaged.

Thus, then, in Sixteen of the Languages of India, are the Holy Scriptures brought into circulation, in a greater or less degree in some of them, merely the Gospels are proclaiming the Redeemer's Name; while in others, the whole Book of Revelation is laid open to view.

These Versions, if the Reader examine the situation of Hindoostan, will be found to include nearly all those countries which are most populous. Of the two hundred millions which, we ready to think, Eastern Asia, exclusive of China, contains, (as we are convinced

are

it has been hitherto greatly underrated,) these Versions will be found to include the languages of the greater part.

Respecting the other Translations which are in a state of preparation, it is not necessary to mention any thing here, as this more properly belongs to a Report of the progress of Translations.

We only add, that our opportunities for distribution have not been confined to the Versions already mentioned. They have embraced our beloved friend the late Henry Martyn's Hindee Version of the New Testament, printed in the Persian character, and both his and Sebastiani's Persian Gospels. We have, indeed, in some cases, found an Arabic Bible a highly acceptable present to a learned inquirer.

SCRIPTURE TRACTS.

But it is not to Translations that we are to confine our view, relative to the diffusion of light throughout India. Assistance, of the most valuable nature, has been derived from Tracts; either containing a view of doctrines in the very words of Scripture, or an illustration of them suited to the circumstances of those for whom they are intended.

These have been circulated, not only in most of the languages mentioned, but in several others. Thus we have printed a number in Cingalese and Portuguese, for Brother Chater; others in Malay, for Brethren Robinson at Java, and Jabez Carey at Amboyna: besides a number in Persian, Portuguese, and Armenian, for distribution around ourselves; and editions of nearly twenty in English, selected chiefly from those published by that excellent Society in London, which has, in this way, deserved so well of the Christian World. Among these were, "Jesus Christ the only Refuge " Am I a Christian ?""The Christian Soldier "-"The Sin and Danger of neglecting the Saviour and various others.

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Among those which we have printed in the other languages is, an Epitome of Scripture Doctrine, in Chinese, drawn up in the words of Scripture, describing the nature and perfections of God-the creation of man-the entrance and the evil of sin-the moral Law and its sanctions-the Gospel method of reconciliation with God-the nature of conversion-the various duties of the Christian Life-death-judgment-the resurrection-eternal happiness and mi

sery. Of this we have printed, with the metallic characters, ten thousand copies, in a neat duodecimo size; and they have been distributed so widely, that we have now little more than a third of that number left.

Thus, then, in full Twenty Languages, has the press been brought to bear, in these last three years, on the great work of illuminating India with the light of Revelation.

Of the NUMBER of Tracts thus printed and circulated within this period, we cannot speak precisely: but, if we take the year 1815 for a specimen, (and our

opportunities of distribution are enlarging continually,) the number cannot fall far short of Three Hundred Thousand; and it may, possibly, exceed that number, as those printed and distributed in the course of this year far exceed a Hundred Thousand.

It is not here, however, that the utility of the press has terminated. The last two years, particularly, have found it employment of the most important nature, in preparing Elementary Tables and Compendiums for the Native Schools, to which department we now proceed.

On this subject, we can only drop a few hints as bearing on Missionary Objects; and, indeed, more is not necessary here, the plan for Native Schools being detailed in the "Hints" on that subject; and the present state of the Schools in the "First Report of the Institution for Native Schools."

As a means of introducing the Gospel, we have had our thoughts on Schools for many years; but the obstacles in the way of rendering them efficient, appeared such as almost to render the attempt hopeless.

Christian Schoolmasters we could not procure, in sufficient number; and could we have procured them, it would have been madness to expect that Idolaters, so firmly attached to their paternal customs as are the Hindoos, would send their children to be educated by Christian Teachers. It struck us, however, while revolving the subject, that, even though Heathen Masters were employed, much, very much, might be done, which would tend to enlighten the minds of the rising generation. We saw that the New System of Dictation, applied so successfully in England to give an accurate knowledge of spelling, could be applied with as much ease to sentences and propositions, as to single words; and that nothing more was necessary, therefore, than to select, for this purpose, such ideas as tended most fully to enlighten the mind.

Schools for mere Children, however, did not include the whole of our object: while these were not to be neglected, mental food was to be provided for Youths of fourteen or sixteen years of aze, who are precocious far beyond those of that age in Britain; and whose minds, as yet scarcely imbued with the

madness of idolatry, were in a better state for receiving ideas than the minds of their parents. Hence, while we provided such Elementary Tables of the Alphabet and its numerous combinations of Orthography in a method new to them, and of Arithmetic on the British Plan, as should render the instruction imparted superior to any thing yet seen in their own Schools, and, therefore, attract even the children of the rich; we had to select those accurate ideas of the Solar System,Geography, and General History, as well as respecting their Creator and Redeemer, and the human soul, which should enlighten their understandings, enlarge their views, and render it impossible that they should continue to hold, with these just ideas of the heavenly bodies, the earth, the nature of God, &c. that baseless system of idolatry which they had received from their ancestors.

The mode of applying these Compendiums, so as to secure their being more than perused, has succeeded beyond expectation. Our prevailing on Youths thus to write from dictation the various ideas contained in them is, in reality, the same thing as getting them to sit down at home, and not only read with attention, but even copy repeatedly, till understood and fixed in the mind, ideas calculated, in a high degree, to enlighten their understandings, with the superior advantage of its being done in regular order, for a long season, and in company with others, to take off all the tedium of the employ. Meanwhile, they are called on to do nothing, in the least degree, contrary to their caste : they feel themselves, while thus engaged, in the road to improvement, approved by their friends and by their own minds; and