and they have, in not a few instances, admitted the Bible, without the Apocrypha, into their schools.

At Schleswig, your valuable colporteur, bro. Schlesier, continued to meet with success. This brother sells a large number of bibles, and is very precise in rendering a quarterly account. During the late war, he disposed of many copies of the Scriptures in Danish, among the troops. His labors in preaching at Schleswig and several villages, has been blessed to the conversion of sinners, and at present, there are six persons at Schleswig, who have applied for admission to the small branch church there. We are now sending large supplies of the Danish New Testament, that has lately left the press.

In the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, bro. Behrend Fellange has circulated the Word of God both among Romanists and Protestants, and spread the truth by personal intercourse among the people. He is one of the few colporteurs who has, as yet, met with no difficulties from the authorities. He has also rendered valuable aid to bro. Haese, having frequently accompanied him on preaching excursions, when he has-as he is a strong, robust man-brought together congregations, by inviting people from house to house, in the villages, to attend. Bro. Cramme, at Sabzgitter, in Hanover, one of the Society's most devoted and zealous laborers, has continued his important work, not only in various parts of that kingdom, but has extended it to other distant parts of Germany. He has labored much in the Lord, nor has this been done in vain. On the Lord's day he generally preaches three times, and at different places. He is, however, not unmindful of the primary object to be kept in view as a colporteur of your Society, and at all times is well supplied with Bibles, &c., which he offers whenever he can.

Bro. Grotefeud, at Spsangenberg, in Hesse Cassel, has not been permitted to effect much, owing to the sad state of the country, and for some time to come. his labors must, I fear, be effected by stealth. Independent of his labors as a colporteur, he has been useful to the little band of believers in Hesse, whom he has regularly visited and served with the word of life. At present, all the assemblies of our brethren in that part of Germany are interdicted, and when they meet it is at the risk of being exposed to heavy penalties.

Bro. Beyebach at Hersfeldt, in Hesse Cassel, has been placed in the same position as the former brother; but has, notwithstanding restrictions and threats, continued, to the best of his ability, to circulate the Scriptures, and to spread the gospel generally. Though both these brethren may not attempt much at present, they should be retained as colporteurs, for even the little they still can effect, is of much importance, especially their visits among the scattered members in that country.

I now turn to Prussia, where the labors of colporteurs are much hindered by government-for while the colporteurs of the Innere Mission, and of such Societies as circulate the Bible and Apocrypha together are countenanced, the colporteurs of your Society have been prohibited to sell the Scriptures, nor have their applications to have this command rescinded, proved effectual.

But in spite of these obstacles, our brethren have remained steadfast, and continued labors which they deem a holy duty. Where it has been impossible to offer Bibles from house to house, they have gathered a small congregation, and after holding a service, have frequently disposed of more copies, than they could have expected.

The foregoing remarks are applicable to brethren Fasching at Breslau, Ehlert at Elbing, Klimber at Liegnitz, Altenstein at Seehausen, and Zeschbre at Neustadt.

It appears as if bro. Fasching would soon be banished from Prussia, and as he cannot possibly return to his native country, Austria, he will probably be compelled to emigrate to America.

The labors of bro. Engel, colporteur of the Society, at Stebbin, ceased from January 1st, 1852.

Dr. Brose, at Göttingen, continues to circulate a large number of Bibles, &c., among the students at the University, and among the peasants in the sur

rounding villages-and he being our only agent in that district, we highly prize his labors. The support Dr. Brose received from the Society is so small, that it cannot be a burthen.

Bro. Wolf, our oldest colporteur, and one who has been instrumental in the conversion of many sinners, is still very usefully employed in Back Pomerania, in circulating the word of God, and preaching the gospel in numerous villages. He only receives a trifling remuneration-thirty Prussian dollars per annum.

I have, from Jan. 1st, added another to the list of your colporteurs in Holstein, in the person of our zealous bro. Bettfreund. He had a flourishing business at Rendsburg, but the cause of Christ is so dear to him, that he has given up his former occupation, in order to devote himself to the spread of the truth. As this brother has some property himself, he will require only one hundred Prussian dollars for his support.

I trust that your Board will permit me to fill up the vacancies at Hamburg and Verden, as soon as suitable brethren can be found.

The very fact that persecutions are, at present, everywhere renewed against us, is a proof that the influence of our efforts is felt, and this is a strong inducement for us, not merely to maintain the ground gained, but to press forward in a cause that must ultimately triumph over the errors of mankind. That the A. and F. Bible Society has, from the commencement of our mission, rendered us most essential aid, is a fact so well known, that I need not attempt to demonstrate it. All I ask in the name of our common Lord, and on behalf of the perishing millions in Germany, who live either in the delusion of Baptismal Regeneration, or the soul-destroying errors of Rationalism, Infidelity or Popery, is a continuance of your generous aid for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and the support of your colporteurs.

It is a source of regret to me, that we have, hitherto, been unable to show our attachment to your Society, by contributing to its funds, but the poverty of our churches, and the many urgent calls for home-aid, are the causes of this apparent want of interest in an institution to which we are not only firmly attached, but to which, till our latest day, we shall remain debtors. All we can at present do. is to ask the Lord abundantly to reward the love and aid bestowed on the German Mission by you, and that He may cause His richest blessing to rest on the varied labors of your excellent institution. I am, dear brother,

Yours, in the best of bonds,
J. G. ONCKEN.

The last communication received from this beloved brother, adds a few additional items, for which we can make room.

HAMBURG, April 2d, 1852.

Cor. Sec. A. and F. Bible Society :— "I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your favor, dated 5th March. The vote passed by your Board of the munificent grant of $4,000 additional for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures in Germany for the present year, has greatly encouraged me in the work assigned to my hands, and calls forth the warmest emotions of my heart to my Heavenly Father, to the Board, and to all the dear Christians in the United States who contribute toward the Society's funds. How many precious souls will be enriched by the Scriptures, which will be circulated for the above amount. Let us, my dear brother, water the seed which will be scattered in every part of this unhappy country, by fervent supplications at a throne of grace, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to quicken His own word. "Not being able to proceed to Verden, to attend the funeral of your late colporteur, bro. Heldt, I sent my assistant at the depot, bro. Braun. The funeral was attended by many of the brethren from Bremen, as also from the villages, where our late brother had been laboring. The funeral was attended by a large concourse of people, and though the Lutheran clergyman would not permit an address to be given at the grave, bro. Braun spoke to an immense

concourse of people at the father's house of the deceased, who filled not only the dwelling but also the street. The late bro. Heldt's labors were not confined to the circulation of the Scriptures, but he was much engaged in preaching, at a number of villages between Bremen and Verden, where small companies of believers had been formed chiefly through his labors, who greatly deplore his loss, and who are now like sheep without a shepherd.

"It must be a matter of devout gratitude to God, that the late bro. Heldt has not labored in vain. and that not a few sinners have been, through his labors, won to the Saviour."

FRANCE.

Nor more than 500 bibles and testaments have been distributed at our expense-so far as definite returns have reached us-during the year. This is explained by the following statement of one fully conversant with the peculiarity of the circumstances.

Dr. DEVAN thus writes, under date of March 24th, 1852, of bible distribution in Southern France :

"You speak of the smallness of the number of Scriptures placed here during last year. Let me explain this matter. You must not apply to France the standard of Scripture distribution in Asia. In the latter country books are given, and nothing but physical strength is requisite to distribute thousands and tens of thousands of copies. In France the experience of thirty years and upwards, has shown that books should not be donated but sold. Now it so happens that although the books are sold at scarcely 50 per cent of their cost, very few buyers can be found; this fact, perhaps, is mainly to be accounted for by the want of work, and the consequent poverty arising from political and social causes. It not unfrequently happens that a colporteur of the A. & F. B. S. after entering a number of houses in the course of the day, preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, returns to his home at night without having sold a single copy. It is not the want of will, but that of ability, that hinders a larger distribution. It hence arises that the colporteur in his monthly report, announces the sale of sometimes not more than from 4 to 10 copies of the Word. This fact as you rightly say, puts at an enormous cost bible distribution. But what can I do? Will you have me do as in the East, stand in the streets and distribute to every person? This of course would swell the distribution, if the authorities would permit such a course-but I doubt much, whether as much good would be accomplished as by the sale of fewer copies. If your wisdom can suggest to me a better course than that I now pursue, indicate it to me forthwith, for I will do what will be for the best. However small the number of books now actually distributed here, in comparison with those distributed in Asia, I am persuaded that the number of persons who hear the gospel from the colporteur is infinitely greater with us.

IN CONCLUSION, we cannot but advert to the obvious character of our operations, as effectively auxiliary and indispensable to the enlarged success of all our other organizations for the evangelization of our country and the world. The Home Mission, the Tract distribution, the Sunday School enterprize, all require, and in turn will be greatly aided by, and themselves assist in, the more efficient and thorough diffusion of Bibles and Testaments among all classes of the destitute-natives or immigrants-in the almost illimitable extent of our rapidly peopling country. The Board express their own decided conviction, strengthened and confirmed by abundant and daily accumulating testimony from every quarter, that whatever may be the amount of service rendered by other Societies in this department, we cannot, without great injustice to ourselves, and injury

to the cause, excuse ourselves from a fair participation in this work, which our blessed Master has assigned us. Having proper regard to the two-fold object of effecting an earlier supply of the Scriptures to the destitute; and the reflex benefit on those who engage in this labor of love, it is intended by means of all our Life Members and Life Directors who may be willing to engage in this work, and by our Agents, both in their own personal efforts, and by their securing the coöperation of judicious coädjutors among the churches they visit: and more especially by our scores of Home missionaries. and the Colporteurs of the American Baptist Publication Society, and similar bodies, greatly to extend this branch of our operations in the coming years. Why should the thousands of Chinamen, of Sandwich, and other Pagan Islanders from the sea, with multitudes of Mexicans, as ignorant and degraded, who are now thronging our Pacific coast, be overlooked by us, in our endeavors to extend the supplies of the Word of Life.

Then turning our eyes to those foreign departments, where our chief labor has hitherto been expended, how encouraging are the indications of Providence, that the fields are white, ready for the harvest. In British India, cast and idolatry, and polytheism, are nearly worn out, and the alternative now seems more solemnly and urgently than ever, put to those, who more than half a century since, commenced in earnest the work of evangelizing her scores of thousands of millions, will you give them the true shaster-feed them with the bread of life or leave them in this hopeful and inquiring state, to infidelity and starvation.

Forty years ago, the Salem Bible Translation and Foreign Mission Society, the first Baptist organization of this kind in our country, was formed. Shall not its first jubilee be made the fitting occasion for a vast enlargement of our efforts for the accomplishment of this blessed work?

Burmah, Siam, and China, most invitingly open to us facilities for sowing the good seed of the kingdom. While nearer home, the distribution of the Scriptures in Germany Denmark, and even in revolutionary France, seems to present the only feasible means of securing those purblind peoples against the wildest anarchy, or the most degrading despotism. Verily, this is not a fit time to intermit our labors, but every indication demands of us to redouble them. If former beloved associates persist in leaving us the work to do without them, and cannot by our kindest entreaties be won back to our side, having furnished our defence against their unreasonable assaults, we cannot be longer detained. We are doing a great work, and cannot come down. Why should this work cease? It is certainly deserving of consideration, that in none of our denominational organizations. has so much of careful deliberation, and wise, patient, wide-reaching consultation been employed, to fix its foundation aright, as in this. Let us, then, stand in the old ways, and ask for the old paths, that we may walk therein. If innovators require space for their experimenting, let them, at least, be entreated to spare us, and take for their purpose an unoccupied field. In the meantime, we will fervently implore that Spirit, by whom the Scriptures were indited, to give to us, and to all engaged in their circulation, more of His Own holy guidance.

ANNIVERSARY ADDRESSES.

ADDRESS OF REV. MR. CHENEY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

MR. CHENEY in moving the acceptance of the Report said:

MR. PRESIDENT.-In arising to move the acceptance of the Report, portions of which have now been read, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of addressing a word of welcome to those who have Come for the first time to meet in an anniversary of this Society with their brethren in the West. Some of us here have been wont for many years to cross the lake or the mountains to meet you in the East, and now that this favor is reciprocated, we desire to bid you welcome. We have regarded these convocations, which bring together the wide extremes of our country, as well adapted to bind us more closely together as a people, and to bear us up and onward in the great benevolent enterprises in which we are engaged. Hence we hail them with joy and delight, and I doubt not, sir, I express the sentiments of my brethren in this State, and in States beyond this, when I say that we here looked forward to these anniversaries, here upon this threshold of what has been so long and so familiarly called the "Mighty West," with more than ordinary interest. We then bid you welcome, because here in these new and thinly settled States are many warm hearts and strong hands that will move in harmony with yours, in giving to the nations the leaves of the tree of life.' And because here too is an important field to be cultivated. We welcome this anniversary as a renewed pledge of our mutual co-operation in every good work;-that we are a band of brethren and

that one is our Master.

To a single feature of the Report I wish to turn your attention-viz., that which relates to the work of Bible distribution among the foreign population in the home field. The Report recognizes the settled policy of the Society, so well stated in the constitution, "aid in the wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures in all lands." True, the demands from the foreign field are at present so urgent and numerous as to engross well nigh all our energies, nor would we have those demands overlooked; but if we owe duties also to the home field we should carefully look over that field that we may have our whole work distinctly before us.

Our foreign population is becoming exceedingly numerous. They already constitute an important fraction of our whole people. They are arriving at the port of New York alone at the rate of nearly one thousand per day-more than twenty-nine thousand during the past month. And if we take into the account those who reach these States through Canada, at other ports along the Atlantic coast, and through the Gulf of Mexico, we probably would not be unreasonable to say that fully another thousand arrive here daily. But abating the estimate one fourth, making the daily average fifteen hundred, which is without a doubt below the reality, and you have in a single year an aggregate of nearly 550,000, enough to constitute a city numerically larger (certainly with but a single exception) than any now upon the American continent. Nor has this over-sweeping tide been confined to a single year, but has already extended through a series of years. Upon the Southern borders of this State, where sixty years ago the woodman's axe rang in the then almost unbroken forest, there is now a city embracing more than 50,0 0 foreigners. The German population alone is to the native Ohio population as thirty to thirty-three per cent of the whole. And what is true of Cincinnati in this respect is true also of the smaller cities and towns of the West. In Chicago and Milwaukee a stran ger hears the dialects of different nations. Columbus has its "Germany," and Cleveland its "Oregon." From the best data at hand it is believed that of all the inhabitants of the free States of the West, fully one-fourth are foreigners either in the first or second generation, and upon the same basis it is said that there are in the United States fully five millions, or about one-fifth of our entire popula tion. A class of our fellow-citizens so numerous and so rapidly increasing, we surely cannot regard with indifference.

But we must not overlook the fact that taken as a people they are exceedingly destitute of the Bible. The number of evangelical christians or even of believers in evangelical truth among them is small when compared with those who reject the Bible. Of these are two classes. To one class the Bible is forbidden. They are the adherents of Rome-a priest-ridden people. With but few excep tions they have not the Bible in their dwellings, it is not read in their churches, they carry it not even to their secret places. It is with them a contraband book. The other class reject the Bible and the religion of the Bible from choice. They count all religion as priest craft and denounce revelation as a fable. They profane the name of God, and the Sabbath, and all things holy. They circulate the issues of an infidel press, and in our larger towns and cities they not unfrequently maintain mock religious services. They reject the Lord of glory and make reason their god. They are in theory infidels, in practice atheists.

So far as any saving knowledge of the truth of God is concerned, they are as destitute as if they were the inhabitants of the celestial empire instead of free America.

We have been wont to say of the countries of Europe when rocked by the storms of political revolutions, that we must give them the Bible to prepare them for civil and religious liberty. Must we not upon the same principles give the people of our own land the Bible to preserve our liberty, already so dearly purchased The appeals of Oncken have stirred the hearts of the American Baptists, and called forth a generous response, but millions of those for whom he pleads, are now our own fellowcitizens. As lovers of the Bible, we should meet them with the open Bible when they land upon our shores, we should follow them with it to their houses, we should teach its lessons to them and their children, nor should we cease our efforts until they come to love its sacred truths, and the blessed Savior whom it reveals.

Again, we must consider the influence they are exerting, and are destined to exert, upon our civil and religious institutions, in order fully to appreciate the claims of our foreign population upon us.