The New York herald., 1868-05-04

the streets and churches were presently filed In part
by those OF the more fashionable classes, who were
uesirous OF listening 10 good sermons on the beauty
of humility and exhibiting their bonnets Of the latest
and most orthodox fashion. The edinces were also
well attended by the devout in heart, and thus the
Sabbath was what 1t imports-one OF rest from
physical and mental toll.
The New York Bible Society,"
The forty-fourth annual anniversary OF the New
York Bible Society celebrated last evening at ST.
Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, corner of Twen-
ty-second street and Fourth avenue. The church
was well filled with an attentive auditory, and after
the usual evening exercises the pastor introduced
Mr.. Alfred l.. Edwards, the corresponding secretary
Of the Bible Society, who read interesting and ex
haustive report OF the transactions OF the institution
during the past year and its prospect in the present.
Mr.. Edwards commenced by observing that the
labors OF the American Bible Society during the past
year. both at home and abroad, are marked with in
creased interest, and the most gratifying results have
attended an effort made to extend u knowledge Of
the Scriptures. In Europe, South America and Asia
more has been effected within the last few months
than has resulted from previous years of labor and
hundreds OF copies OF Bibles in every foreign
language are now distributed in nearly every habta-
bile quarter of the globe. Regarding, in the first
place, the agency of The American Bible Society in
Europe, the most gratifying results have been OBJ
tained, especially In Austria. Previous to the
battle OF Sadowa the Scriptures had no freedom in
that empires since then, however, vast change has
ceve that pOpery has had tendency enervate the
people, and a principle of religious liberation has
been established which will eventually result in the
spread OF true religion. AT the present time the col
pOrteurS OF the Bible are authorized to pass freely
through every town and village IN the Austrian en-
pre; but year or two back lin 1859 and they were
stopped on the frontier at the point OF the
bayonet In siberia also fresh fields have
been thrown open, and thousands OF copies OF
the Testament have been already translated into new
Russ and distributed all along the banks of the
AmoOr and the furthest extremity of Northern
Asia. In south America there Is growing demand
Tor Bibles and 1t has been observed in Chile and Peru
that, similar to the case OF Austria greater pro.
gress has been made within the past wear than mad
previously ensued from years OF hard labor. Looking
to CHINA and Japan we will hnd the prospect there
equally encouraging Hundreds OF copies Of the Bible
have been distributed, and many Japanese students
are now engaged translating the Word of God INTO
their native language, and these TRANSACTIONS will in
q few years penetrate through every part OF that
hitherto unknown and sealed country. Perhaps the
New York and American Bible Society was to be seen
last year at the Paris Universal Exhibition. Here
and English society at the very gates of the Exhibit
tiOn, and coporteuTs attended to furnish every
visitor to the Worlds Fair with copy of the
Bible in his native language. over the door Of the
society's office the well known text, believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ aud thou shalt be saved thou and
thine house." was inscribed in different Dialects and
small volumes containing the four Gospels, the
Acts OF the Apostles the Epistes to the Romans and
the book of Revelations were 10 be obtained in every
European tongue. 1t is strange to note the
march OF progress and civiization-how IN
q country country where Romanism Prevails such
the Protestant Bible should have been granted.
Within a month of the opening of this depot OF the
society nve thousand copies OF the Scriptures
distributed, and by the time the Paris Exhibition
closed three million copies mad been sown broadcast
over the world by this means TO penetrate remote
regious where the Bible had never previously been
but where was at present impossible for Bible dis
tributors TO CO. The secretary then spoke OF the
results which had attended the labors Of the home
mission IN New York. During the past year sixteen
wards had been systematically visited regularly, and
siXty-three thousand two hundred and eighty three
iaes seen ana conversed with by the agents of the
New YORK Bible Society In the same space OF time
ll,3o7 BlDes ana Testanents were distributes and
II must be borne In mind tnat the occupation OF the
agent did not merely consist in distributing copies OF
the scriptures. He had often an opportunity by this
means OF introduction to exhort and advise the fam
1ies ne visited, and could thus put them in the way
OF salvation. The Marine Committee furnish a
very satisfactory report OF their proceedings
for the year.. In the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which
Of the American Bible Society, no less than
30. 2S7 volumes OF Bibles and Testaments and rel
gious works have been distributed. The abors of the
Marine Committee were very extended. Every kind
Of vessels, sailing vessels and steamers alike 10 and
fon every foreign port are visited both on their ar
rival and departure by the agents Of the MISSION be-
sides all the hundreds Of ships belonging to the
American mercantile marine. IL was unknown what
vast results attended their efforts and the number OF
souls led TO Cod which, but for the of the soce
~, would perhaps be lost forever Every ship gong
10 sea has always been supplied with box contain
ing volumes Of the scripture, and the crew generally
expressed eagerness To possess themselves OF copies
IL was found however that the word made greater
progress on board those ships which had some Of
ncers who were religously inclined on board
some one who, While before the mast, had,
perhaps, been converted by the perusal OF
some tracts published and distributed by the
Bible Society. Mr.. Edwards then detailed an
anecdote of the influence OF the eject OF the society
on board emigrant ships by reading an extract
from a letter written by the Rev. J. G. Abbott,
board the steamship Celia, last Aprl. while on a
voyage from New York to Loncon, when tt is re-
marked that five hundred passengers board,
ald most OF them eagerly took advantage of the
volumes offered them. During the year 1867 five
hundred and seven ships were thus supplied with
Bibles and tracts. The Committee on Public Insti-
.Ign fas.pfn nNal.ly fhafs
landed eingrants were all supplied with Bible To
take with them TO their Western homes 10 recall tue
teachings OF their childhood for most of these
aliens to our shores were instructed at one time
otner in the scriptures, particularly IN the case OF
those irom Germany, the old iatherland. II had been
observed by those agents who visited the TOnbs and
other prisons aud Charitable institutions that copy
o the Bible was eagerly coured by those with whom
the missionaries spoke. AT the Tomos, cOnvicts,
when leaving for sing sing, frequently asked to be
allowed 70 take that We'll worn little Bible with them
win which they had IN the first instance been FUR
nished by The New ork Bible society. Mr.. Edwards
concluded his report by stating that during the past
year the society had distributed sG043 COPIES N the
scnptufes, aud its Income from January to Decem.
Der 81 1907, has been $500 while It's expenditure
within the same dates was about s3l, 500.
Tie Reverend Mr. Jackson for many years mis-
siohal IN lnua, thcn spoke Of The spread OF Chris
ilanty ana knowledge Of the Word OF God in Hin.
Bible Society, urged the claims Of the New YORK So.
cety on the ssmpaihies of the congregation. after
doAoogy sung.
Annual Serm0p IN Behalf of the Prcsbvtrrian
Board OF Foreign MissioHs mt the Filth Ave-
nue. Presbyterian Caurch-Intcrestirg STA
iistics.
There assembled at this church last evening 20 hear
ihe annual SERMON by rev. Dr. all In behalf OF Che
Presbyterian Board OF Foreign Missions a brilliant
congregation that thronged every part of the ediGce
many standing during the entire service. The ru..
pit was occupied by Drs. Hail. Beatty Murray ana
Irwin the latter the jealous secretary Of he Board
Following the opening services incident 10 evening
worship, Dr. Irwin arose and presented an interest.
ing abstract OF the forthcoming ihiry-irst annual
report OF the Board soon To be laid before the Gen.
efal Assembly. lie said 10 difficult To set f0rtl
~ figures, or even by facts TO exhibit, what has
been done for the 1frfua1 rpnn tho