Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-04-10

and increasing it's resources so as to enable Il
meet every demand which this extended system
~ education may cause to he made.
The Managers take this opportunity of congra
tu'ating the members on the progress and sue
cess of Bible Societies, as well in the United
States, as in foreign countries
From the eleventh report of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, it appears that this grand
national Institution cons ists oftbe parent Society
and at least foe. ..indred and sixty seven branch
and auxiliary Societies besides almost innumer.
able Bible Associations, of which the object is
to aid, within their districts, the circulation of
the Scriptures. The funds of this Society a.
mounted, during the year for which the report
was made, to within fraction of 100000 l. ster.
ling. or nearly S450,0O0 which were distribut-
ed with exemplary liberality both at home and a.
broad.-The whole amount of Bibles and Tesla
ments issued by the Society since its organiza-
ton is 1,s9o,282 beside 198,600, printed on the
continent of Europe with the aid of donations
from this Society.-The number of languages, in
which this institution has printed. or aided in
printing, the Scriptures, Is fifty five among
| these, il is the most important to notice the
translation of the Bible into the Chinese langu-
age because ofits beng used by nearly one third
part of the human family The Society has also
directed to be printed translation Of the Scrip
| lures made, about the year 1866, into the Turk.
Mahomet the fourth the manuscript copy of
which has been preserved in the libary of the u
University Of Leyden. This translation is regard
ed as most valuable acquisition, for the promo
ton of the designs OF the British and foreign BIZ
| BILE Society.
On the contipent of Europe, there were, year
ago, forty Bible Societies, many of which are ma
tonal Institutions, patronized by the ruling pow .
ers, and conducted by those who take the lead in
their respective Countries.-Of these that which
IS most worthy OF particular notice is the Russi-
An Bible Society This may justly be consider
ed as one of the most important institutions in
the world on account of it's resources, the ex-
tensive field of labour opened before it, and the
opportunity of doing good, not only in that vast
| empire, but among the nations which surround
Iit.-The latest accounts received inform us that
this Society has printed, or is printing the holy
Scriptures in sixteen different languages, among
which may be specified, for their novelty, the
Calmuc, the Persian, the Georgian, and the Sam
ogitian. 1t is also worthy of being mentioned
that branch Society has lately been formed at
Astrachan, composed of East Indians, PRINCIPAL
ly Bramins, for the distribution of the Scriptures.
And even the poor peasants from the Desarts of
Siberia have recently sent four thousand rubles
as a contribution to the Bible Society of Moscow
The Bible Society of the Netherlands consists
OF the parent Society, and about thirty auxliaries
which, it is understood, are most actively employ
ed in promoting the great objects Of tlier nsti
luton. The zeal Of the people of this country
is worthy of their ancient fame for piety and love
lof the truth.
In Switzerland, this labour of love is carried oil
with most exemplary activity, and every pros
Ipect of success.
. AT Stockholm, four presses are constantly EN-
lployed in printing the Bible, and cannot supply
half the demand.
In Asia, there were, as long ago as June 1914
four Bible SOcietiee- and IN H.,
parts of the British dominions not yet mentioned
there are about thirteen other Societies
In the United States, there are, at present, III
; institutions of this kind ; many indeed, vet il
their infancy, but all it is hoped, actively EN-
ployed in promoting the knowledge of divine
truth, by circulating the word of life among thu
, IPeople. The Managers are unable TO speak witt
certainty on this subject; but when they consi
der that, during the lest year, there were ISSUED
from the Stereotype press in Philadelphia alon
, upwards OF 10000 Bibles, and 5000 Testaments
they cannot suppose that they go beyond the lin
ITS OF moderate calculation when they state tn
; number of Bibles probably issued in the Unhet
states at twenty five thousand, and the Tesla
ments at 10000; making, according to this sup
position, an annual distribution of $4,000 Bible
and Testaments. The Managers think it worth,
oil remark thai Notwithstanding this amount O
distributions in our country, there is q reason 4
believe that the demand for the Bible from tn
Booksellersis annually increasing, and that TO
considerable extent so that this is now one O
the most saleable books brought into the market
Fl from the statements. here given, it appear
there are now in the christian world six hundret
and fifty Bible Societies, all engaged in one gran,
2, object. and allied for one holy purpose, that O
Idiffusing the light of Heaven through this be
Inlghted world. 1t might seem, perhaps, at frs
view, that their work would soon be accomplish
ed and that no more would remain for them to do
But a little examination wall shew that, unless tn
: christian world should be reused II exertion
= never yet made, ages must eapse before tn
saving health of he Gospel will be sent to al
nations" This will appear by cons .dering tina
the distribution of 10000 Bibles annually wou,t
not supply four hundred millions of people in les
than thousand years. But there is reason 4
believe thar, at least that number, probably man,
more, of our fellow creatures are in an heather
ish darkness, or bowed down under MahometaI
superstitions, besides the myriads of nomina
Christians, in almost all quarters of the world
who have never yet seen bible. Information
that may be relied OIL assures us, that this las
assertion is no less true, than it is strange.
This calculation in which precision is not ne
> cessary) is made toshew how loud the call IS fol
all who love the Bible TO exert themselves to tn,
uttermost to supply the wants of those who ar,
ready TO perish. Surely the finger of HEAVIER
points out to us the path of duty and every prin
cple OF humanity requires US TO be diligent and
: active in doing good. In such cause as that O
Chrstianizing the world, the sentiment of Casa,
: ought to be that of every disciple of Christ
nothing is done, while any thing remains un
done" At any rate, this is no time to Stacker
: our exertions, or intermit our labours.
But it deserves serious enquiry, whether som,
more efficient mode of spreading the knowledge
OF divine truth may not be devised, than any that
: has yet been adopted in the United States The
/ Society has already been informed that there are
10 Bible Societies in the United States and the
! probable amount o. distributions of the bolv
2 scriptures made m has been stated. Bu, i
> ought to be consi,. that these are for tbe