BIBLE SOCIETY MEETING.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 532, 21 May 1851, Page 3

BIBLE SOCIETY MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Auckland Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society (which had been postponed from last week in consequence of the inclemency of the weather) was held on Thursday evening, the 15th inst., in the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. J. Inglis commenced by giving out the 13th part of the 119 th Psalm, which having been sung and a portion of the Scriptures read, the Itev. T. Buddlc engaged in prayer. Alexander Shepherd, Esq., Colonial Treasurer, was called to take the Chair, and, after a few preliminary remarks, requested the Secretary to read the Report. The Rev. J. H. Fi.etciieu read the Report of the Society for the past year, as follows :

REPORT. The ercat Society of which this Auxiliary is an off-sJ)Oot, [,ai now tciminatcd foity-six years of its beneficent agency. Its sup P o»te.i tluougUout the woild have gic.it reason to .ejo.ee and to praise God tlut it does not present any symptom, of decrepitude, or threaten any signal* of rcticaf, but moves on with 5 le firm otep of manh«od,--wlth a calm and equal eneigy which 11 the suicst symptom of strength and foretoken of pioSrted c"Senee. It bu alieady been concerned in the transftrion of the one mf.ilhblc reco.d, in whole o, in part, into one bandied and fmty-four languages or dialect., and 23, 1050 cop.es of these veisions have been scattered East and West, and South and Noith; to the peasants and the artisans, the bauacks and the battle-fields, the seamen and the cmig.ants, the poor, the sick the deeiaded, the impusoned, and the dying of PiolesUnt land*- to the piofeisoisot Christianity as held by the Roman, Armenian, Coptic, G»«ck, Syuan and Abyssinian churches; to tJ,e Jews of England, Germany, Poland, Tuikcy, the Ci mica, Eavpt, Mesopotamia ai.d Persia; to the bigotted and benighted votaries of Muhomet and of Zoioastw, of Confucius and of laou, of Boodh and of Brahm; to the loving Ta.ta., the rude Esquimaux, the treacheious Kafln, the putvuesque and diminished aboricines of Northe.n Amenca, the piialical Ma ay, the »dnm.inirv Feeiean, and Hunieiotia otlieis among the imbiii|ed nitionb of the nwny-isled Pacfic But no veibal descuption "an adequately exhibit the ample and iar extended dispeision of Bine Sciiptuie effected by the agents and the allies of this .Society. 'I'l i* then forty-six \eaiV ■rto.k has been accomplislied with the outlay ot £J,MB,OIV-a sum which » a mcic unit compaied wi . the eo^t of a war foi one-fomth oi the peuwl, or with the annual e»pcnditme in Great Butain toi ai tides ot luxuiy alone, 1 "1 which a do^en English meichants oi noblemen might have contiibuted in the time, without any senuble abiidginent of their com 0 5 0 , abatement of the., style. To Bmope it has I yen nmvards ot sixty vcijioiw, to Asia upwa.ds of f.tty and about tlmty to Afnci, Amnica and Polynesia. In Cie.it But m t ha, lanni.cd iiuo th.cc thousand one handled and 5d itv-two Associations; in licland, the Colonies, and othci Denem enues mto nine hnndicd and uinety-five, ululc six ytwof Foreign Soc.eties have spurns; up under . , patronage, lhc last eenc.al repo.t of the Society is full ot valuable fac s which ust.fy heh hopes and mgent endeavoins. Evciywheic the Word of Go 1 has piovcd Its adaptation to the intellectual and spir tnal wan t. of men and it, efficacy to u-novatc then chaiactosthea fives, and then laws. Eve.ywhe.e it has shown its power to speak the same blessed and holy truths ,n all lanSJes and to fulfil «* coinm.M.on as the aut hen t.c teache. of that Gospel winch is stveu to be preached to .ill nations.

Austria, Sp.iin and Portugal and South Amcnc.i are still iionboiind. In Belgium there is yet only paitial success, and the tin 11 of ajl.ins in Italy has closed it once more against the discomfiting intmsum of tiuth and daylight, not, ho\\e\er, beloie 12,000 copies of the Scriptuiev had been en ciliated, and not befoie an Aichbishop had "with e\ti erne guef of spirit" been moicd to remind hi 1 ! clingy that the faithful in that part of the world woe not allowed to choose for themsehes, and mu~l not possess a copy of the Scuptmci as supplied by the Bible Society " nndei pain ot the heaviest ecclesiastical punishment ;" nor befoie the Pope, ptobably as much m feai as. in ire, had fulminated fioin Naples asj.imst those who "have the h.udiliood to cany on the distiibution ot the Sacied Scuptuics, tianslated, contiai'y to the mlci ot the Chuich, into the yulgai tongue, and most wietchedly perverted." lij Fiance, on the contraiy, as also in Switzerland, Germany, Huugaiy, Sweden, Unasia, Tnikey, India, America, and almost all the oilier fields occupied by this Society, the prospect is most animating, and the system ot Colpoitage especially, is rapidly ensnonins; ciroi with a wall of Bibles which it can ncithti oveileap noi ovcituin, hemming it in foi pcihaps its last conflict with the " swoid ot the Spirit, which is the Woid of God." Both the Income .mil the Issues of the Society during the past jear exhibit a large inciease over those of the pievious one, and it is worthy ot notice that the year has been maiked by angmented conti ibntioiiij fiom abroad to the amount of £2,500, and by a conesponrimg niciease of the foieign issues to the extent ol Hcaily 50,000 copies. With lefeience to the opeiations of the Auckland Branch duungthe past jeat, the Town hai been canvas-sed foi contubutnra, and geneially the applications have been received with kindness and good will. In se\eial instances wheie one copy had sufheed <i ianuly, the youngci blanches ot it purchased foi themselves. It is matter ot legiet that some have been met wilh who weie without Bibles, having leit them in their native land as palling gifts to fuends. The lesidents in the Bush and on the Coast have not received so much ot the Committee's attention as they hope yet to afford them, but it has been noted that a few peisons fiom the ianmug districts have purchased copies, and have expressed a deep sense of their value, especially when sanctuaries aie distant or the weather unfavorable tor reaching them. Since the foimation of this Auxiliaiy, one hundred and sixty-six Bibles and one hundred and eighty Testaments have been supplied fioin the Depository ; some of these have been for giatuitons distiibution through the libei ality of pi ivate individuals, but none at the cost ot the Society. A icmittance of £'50 has been made to the Paient Society during the ycai, and a large supply of Bibles and Testaments is expected shoitly to anive. It is hoped that theie will be a sleady inciease of cordial and zealous co-operation, and an liicieasc especially of ieivent prjyei tor the sanction and blcismg of that Holy Spirit without whom even the seed of the Divine Word w ill be sown in vain.

The Rev. John Inglis moved tbc first resolation, That the Report be received, and that this Meeting expresses its gratitude to the God of the Bible for the continued progress and eihcieney of this great Society. lie said the Meeting bad heard from the Secretary a very clear and succinct Report of the Society's operations, and, considering the small beginnings of that noble association, it was encouraging to see how steadily it had been progressing for half a century. It had sent the Word of Truth into nearly every part of the habitable globe, and the hearts of all who properly valued the blessings of the Bible were glad that still this institution was going on to circulate the Sciiptures to the remotest of the earth's places, the darkness of which could only be dispelled by the light of the Word of God. And such efforts would have Heaven's aid — the God of the Bible will acknowledge the exertions of His servants to carry out His own intentions. God is known as the God of the Bible. Tins term may seem strange to some. The God of the Bible ! What kind of a book must it be that we may call the Most High the God of it. Would we speak of God by Hts other works : then why not by this. We call God the God of the world — why not then the God of the Bible, of which He is also the author. And this volume is well worthy of such an author. Of all the books in the world it is the most remarkable ! It is remarkable for its antiquity. We live in days when the works of early ages are sought out to be admired — when everything ancient is thought highly of; — but the Bible has the greatest claim to antiquity. The oldest Greek historians that we are acquainted with only existed long after a greater part of the Old Testament had been written— their writings only carry us back eight or nine hundred years before the birth of Christ. Herodotus was contemporary with the prophets Nehemiah and Malacbi, about four hundred years before our Lord's birth. Nearly one half, then, of the histoiy of the human race would have been lost had there been no Bible. By means of this blessed record the whole history ot man comes down to us with all the force of truth ; — the curtain is lifted and the eternal councils of Jehovah concerning our redemption are made known to us. But this book is remarkable also for its excellence. It is as good as it is old. It is the best book — and hence it is termed the book, the Bible, the Scriptures, the first book, because there is no other book to be compared with it. Sir William Jones has well said of the Bible, u I have regularly and attentively perused these Holy Scriptures, and am of opinion that the volume, independently of its Divine origin, contains more true sublimity, more exquisite beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence, than can be collected from all other books, in whatever age or language they may have been written." It is the best of books in time of health, in the time of distress, and the best at the hour of death. It is also remarkable for its originality. All other books have copied, but the Bible is original throughout. There are some good things in, the Koran, but whatever good is in it has been copied from the Bible. It is remarkable too, as being suited to men in all circumstances from the beginning to the present. It is — like everything else that comes from God — always fresh. Like' the seasons, every time they return they are new, bringing with them fresh enjoyments and delights, scattering their flowers and balms around, or exercising their influences always anew for good. So it is with this 800k — as good for this generation as the last ; for all tbat is to come, as for all that has gone by. It is remarkable in its preservation. It lias been a proscribed book. Princes and priests have used their influence to repress it. It has passed up to us through many hands unfriendly to it. When we think of it as the oldest book do we not see the finger of God in its remarkable preservation. Tt has been written at different periods, and by different men, but all the writings agree. It is remarkable in its results. The effect that it produces is like a little leaven thrown into the meal. Look on its results upon individuals and communities. Observe an aged monk, living in the austerities of his cell, the gloominess of uncertainty resting on his soul, turning to an old Latin Bible. He reads it, and it discovers to him his true condition. The chains that have fetteied his spirit tall off, and the light of truth that shone upon his mind soon darted forth through him to enlighten nations tbat were hitherto enshrouded in darkness. It has surely been woll termed God's 800k — it leaves all other books in the shade. The appiopiiate terms once applied to the Bible has been assented to so as almost to have become a proverb, " It has God for Us author, Balration for its end, and the truth, without any mixtuie of error, for its matter." This is the book on account of which we are met together this evening, and was it not a pleasing and delightful thought to dwell upon that it has been tianslated into so many as one hundred and forty- four languages, and that 50,000,000 copies of that blessed book had been &ent into various parts of the world. It

is a great thing that has been accomplished, but boy. little when compared with what has yet to be done ' Yet we are not to despise the day of small things. It is characteristic of all God's works. The grain of mustard seed became a great tree. There is one feature of this Society singular to itself — it is peculiarly a translating Society. In this particular a great deal of its efficacy rests. Other Societies circulate tbe Scriptures, but what could the missionary have done without tbe aid of tbe British and Foreign Bible Society in tin's respect. To the missionary field of New Zealand the Society has sent out 90,000 copies of the Scriptures, and to Samoa 15,000 copies. This Society then has strong claims on all who have the interest of this part of the world at heart. Thousands of our fellow - creatures into whose neighbourhood we have come are yet without the word of truth. Three weeks sail north from us there are 100,000 natives, who are calling to us to go over and help them. Should we not then gladly co-operate with this -Society that has already done so much to help tbe nations to tbe bread of life, and is still scattering blessings liberally. Our gratitude is surely due to the God of tbe Bible, for His inestimable gift ; and our thanks are due to the Society for its exertions to diffuse tbe knowledge of it through tbe earth. The Rev. A, Reid rose to second the resolution. He felt inclined to make an addition to it, and propose that the Report should be printed for circulation. It contained so much that was valuable that it deserved to be widely spread. The meeting could wdl a^ree to a lesolution expressing its gratitude to the God of tbe Bible. We all owe much to that blessed book, as regards ourselves ; and were we fully imbued with its spirit we would feel grateful for what it has done for mankind. It was a high and glorious privilege to be called on to tarke part in giving thanks to God for the gift of this great blessing to ourselves, and to assist in sending it to others ; and those who had assembled for such a purpose, would participate in solid enjoyments, unknown to tbe pleasure-seekers who on that evening were elsewhere spending their time in quest of illusory happiness. True pleasure can only be enjoyed in the waja of God. He gives a peaceful and delightful pleasure to those who do His will and seek to advance His glory. Much has been said of tbe excellence and value of the Bible. He (Mr. Reid) liked to regard it as a letter sent to us by our Heavenly Father, signed with his own signature. We have read it, and delighted in its perusal. Have not all the children of tbe whole family as good a right to peruse it as we have, and is it not then our duty to send a copy of this our Father's letter to every brother and sister in the world 1 You who have enjoyed its blessingt, would you not like to send it far and wide that all might be blessed by jt as you are ? Be energetic then in your efforts to spread it widely, for there are many, very many, of,' your fellows still destitute of it. Despotb aim at keeping their subjects in ignoiance, they will not permit them to come to the light lest their own deeds should be reproved. Satan is a despot in this respect ; we must do battle with him. Satan keeps the world in darkness, but this book lets in light, and this Society tells the prince of this world that it is its determination to send light to those whom be would fain keep bound up in impenetrable night. This is no small undertaking ; prayer to God for aid is very necessary that it may be accomplished. God has given lhs Word to enlighten the world. Can anything e'se benefit the nations but that which God has supplied. Education may be tried, and to some extent it may do good j but if you keep tbe Bible out of the schools the effects will be but very superficial. Sin and vice are developed, with but little difference of character, both in the savage and tbe polished, so long as the heart remains unchanged. The outside garb may be either the mat of native flax, or tbe robe of silk, but the same disposition to evil will be seen unless God's truth be lodged within. Civilization and the arts belonging thereto may be tried to elevate the human race, but all that i£' unaccompanied by God's own word must fail, no other lerer than this can lift man up to God. By giving tbe Bible to our brethren we confer upon them the greatest boon. Let the Bible be first introduced among benighted people, and everything else that is good will follow. And if we are satisfied of this, what remains for us to do but to help on the will of God in this way. Mr. Inglis has told us that the Bible is the Slriptures, the best book ; and if Christians have found it the best book, then it should be the work of the Christian, to spread it — all our works should tend to */n $ 5 one work of disseminating the Scriptures, where Christ is brought to light. Much has been done in this way by the instrumentality of the Society we advocate, but much remains to be done. Look at the destitution of Asia, of China, of the islands of these seas, and of many other parts of the globe. These multitudes must be fed. While we have great cause for thankfulness on one hand, there is much to arouse us to energetic action on the other ; we, Christians, should exhibit more of the self-denying spirit of our Master. There is no difficulty in the way so great as our own inertness, and our own self-indulgence. What does the report that has been read this evening say? Twelve merchants or noblemen of England might have contributed all that has been put into the hands of the Society since its beginning, without any curtailment of their enjoyments. If this statement be true, as a nation we ought to be ashamed; if it is not true let us strike it out of our report lest it should stand recorded against us. But it is true, and we cannot get rid of the fact. We of this place ought to take sb.une to ourselves that we make so little sacrifice for tbe spiead of the Bible. Enterprise is not wanting in Auckland when commercial advantages promise ; only the other week three hundred pounds were supplied in a few days to test a seam of coals. But where is there to be seen amongst us anything like a corresponding effort to spread the light of truth in the world. It is a great wonder that God blesses us at all. Look at India, where millions of men exist who have not yet heard of the true God nor of Jesus Christ. England pours forth her armies upon that land at immense cost to keep it in subjection to her sway, but she only sends out about a dozen missionaries and a few thousand copies of the Scriptures to supply tbe bread of life to its myriads of inhabitants. Our sovereign's troops are plentiful in India to fight our country's battles, but there are few to assert the dominion of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is certainly a gieat work given us to do ; oh, that our exertions weie commensurate to the importance of the undertaking. Still it is gratifying to think that God continues to use our country as an instrument in His hands for the spread of His truth. Britain has been highly honoured in being allowed such a prominent part in this great work, and every Britain should feel the sbare that he enjoys in tbe glorious privilege by his relation to bis country. lie (Mr. Reid) had heaid of some men's folly in these parts of our empire in proposing to break off connection with Britain and to govern these colonies independent of her. He would like to know were those men ready to take upon themselves the support of the machinery even now in operation for caiiylng on tbe evangelization of teeming Polynesia. Were they prepared to say that in this respect they were ready to teceive the transfer fto/n the hands of our mother country, and covenant to carry on the mighty work that the 1 Lord has put into her hands to do. Until they are sufficient to these things, let us have no more of their empty boasting of qualifications to stand independent of their parent trunk,

The Rev. Thomas Buddle moved the second Resolution : That this Meeting recognizes the obligation of the Christian Church in all its sections to seek the diffusion of the inspired scriptures throughout the world as. the only efficient remedy against the errors of Infidelity on the one hand and of Supeistition on the other. He said that in connexion with this great Society tbere is much demanding gratitude, much to afford pleasure to Christian minds. It is a pleasing thought that so many copies and editions of the Holy Scriptuies have been published. Fifty million copies estimated in round numbers. Yet what are those among so many? It is true that the world contains from eight to ten millions of inhabitants ; take the least, say eight, then some seven hundred and fifty millions of human beings are without a knowledge of the Word dC Ood. This is a solemn thought that should impress our minds and stimulate our exertions. He had sometimes thought that lie should like to be in London just now and pay a visit to the Great Exhibition. Pie understood that one specimen of England's industry is to be a copy of the Scriptures in each of the dialects in which they are published. One hundred and forty-four copies of the Word of God in as many dialects ! What a pleasing sight to a Christian. There may he in that immense pile of building many an interesting specimen of human ingenuity and art, but these will form an exhibition of England's industry, learning, piety, and benevolence, exceeding in interest all the rest. It is « pleasing fact that the Bible is now published at a price which places it within reach of all who wish to posseis it, even of the poorest. How much otherwise was it some six hundred years a^o. In 1274 an abbot of Croxton bequeathed to his abbey a Bible that cost 50 markes (£23 6s. Bd. sterling), at a time when labour only brought l£d. per day. At this rate it would have taken the earnings of fourteen or fifteen years to purchase one copy of the Scriptures ; and in. 1429 a copy of Wicklift's Testament cost £2 6s. Bd., (equal to £20 of our money) ; »nd when Dr. Faustus first printed the Bible in Paris they were sold for 60 crowns; but now the price is so small that the Book of God is within reach of all who wish to read it. We cannot but feel thankful, too, for the wide and extensive circulation obtained by the sacred volume. It is no longer a proscribed book except in countries still in error. In Henry V.'s time it was prohibited from being lead in England { * in the mother tongue" on pain of forfeiting " land, cattle, life and goods for ever," and of being " condemned as heretics to God, enemies to the crown, and most arrant traitors to the land." Now, thank God, kings and governments favour its distribution, and it is being spread abroad in all lands. He (Mr. Buddie) could not but feel especially thankful for the circulation it has obtninpd among the natives of this land. When he first leached New Zealand there were few Testaments in the native tongue. One of the first New Zealanders he ever saw was a man who came on board the vessel at the beads of Hokianga, who had travelled overland fiom Kawhia to seek a New Testament. Now, thank God, through, the British and Foreign Bible Society the l*id has been well stocked with New Testaments. This great work has oftpn been opposed; it has had many a struggle ; but how remarkable has God overruled opposition for the spread of Divine truth. When Tindal printed the first English translation of the New Testament it was printed abroad. When it appeared in England the Popish bishops and clergy obtained a royal proclamation prohibiting the purchase or readingof it. This only excited enquiry. The Bishop of London employed a person to purchase the whole impression that he might burn them at St. Paul's Cross. What was the result ? Why Tindal was enabled to publish a large and more correct edition. "So that they came over," says Fox, " thick and threefold into England to the great mortification of the Bishop and his Popish friends." Sir Thomas Mooxe was Lord Chancellor at that time, and having several persons accused of heresy and ready for execution he offered to compound with one of them for his life on condition he would tell who they were in London that maintained Tindal beyond the sea- George Constantine having obtained security for his life said he would tell— it was the Bishop of London who maintained him by purchasing the first impression of his Testaments. And it is said that the very press that vras employed by Voltaire and Ferney m printing infidelity was afterwards employed m printing the Word of God. The God of the Bible makes the wrath of man to praisa Him, Thi3 cause has encountered many a storm but the result has been a wider spread. Like stormy winds on forest trees, some are uptorn by the tempest, but the same blast that tears them up scatters their seed to distant places, and other plants arise. The resolution refers to our obligations. That all sections of the church of Christ are bound by these obligations is obvious, He never could uuderstand the opposite doctrine. He never could find an apology for those who would withhold the word of God from their fellow-men. God has placed the sun in the heavens that it should give light and heat to all his creatureswould it be right to say to any one of them, you shall neither see its light nor feel its warmth. He has smitten the rock and caused the waters to flow that He might supply the wants of eaith's inhabitants— would it be light to roll a stone on the well's mouth and to say to any creature, you shall not drink ;— would it not be quite as justifiable tcdo this as to deny God's word to any who are entitled to read it. A father has left any of us an estate, his wishes and legacy are bequeathed in a will and testament. Have we not a right to read it for ourselves? Ought we to be satisfied when told that a lawyer must read it for us and explain it to us ? Certainly not. And has any man a right, or any number of men, either bishops or priests or councils, to say we shall not read for ourselves the Book of God? It is our Heavenly Father's will, we must know what it contains ; it is the title deeds of our inheritance, we must examine them, and what we desire for oui selves, it certainty m this matter is our duty to accord to others. Is the Bible true? We know it is; essential truth, pure, unmixed truth. Shall we not spread it? Is it not adapted to universal man? Does i» meet his judicial circumstances? Does it provide for his moial destitution ? It does. He is guilty, it proclaims an atoning Saviour. He is depraved and helpless, it offers the aid and influence of the Holy Spirit. He is dying-, it brings life and immortality to light. Shall we withhold it 1 Have we felt its power ? Is it the power of God to our salvation ? If it is not, it ought to be. Oh ! let us take care that while we break the bread of life to others we eat for ourselves. Have we tasted of the good word 1 then our obligations are increased. Has the Saviour commanded us to spread it? then the obligations it imperative.. But the resolution lefeis to the Bible being atagonistic to infidelity and supeistition. It is to be regretted that any infidelity has been imported ; we could have done well without it ; we should hare colonized the country quite as well, and have been more prosperous and happy if it had been left behind. Theie was enough befoie. Pagan infidelity was already here, and we needed none from England ; but here it is, and, thank God, heie is the antidote for th» poison. Let us distribute it. And as to superstition, we have need to be on the alert. It is to be feared that our Protestant feeling has been slumbering ; we are hardly awake to what is doing to spread a form of religion which is eminently superstitious — to the attempts of certain individuals to spread what we deem en or at our own doors. We are in danger of treating

the great controversy of the day rather softly and tenderly. Let us be faithful to our principles, true to colours, and spread the word of God to the ends of the earth. It is the only remedy for the world's evils, the only antidote for infidelity and superstition in all their forms. The reverend gpntleman referred to the late attempt at proselytism in the Colonial Hospital, as a sign of what might be expected in the colony unless Bible christians were active to counteract and to arrast such proceedings. The Rev. A. McDonald seconded the Resolution, and observed that he felt at a loss what to say, as he had been anticipated by the previous speakers in many of the remarks that he might have made. The resolution, however, contained a very great and important principle, that the Church of Christ, in its various sections, should, as a combined whole, unite for one common purpose, to spread the Scriptures of everlasting truth. That meeting, composed of members of many sections of the Church, represented the Church of Christ ; and while they delighted to co-operate togatber as a whole, and bring their united efforts to bear upon the work that belonged to the Society, they must remember individual duty, and each one strive to fulfil that duty 'as became his responsibility. As mdi Tiduals we owe much to the Bible. When we look at our national position as Britons, to what do we owe it? Our country seems to be an honoured land, in being chosen out of other lands to send the Word of God to the most distant parts of the earth. Her name has been identified with the Word as the bearer of it to many a benighted land, and her sons have gained a footing there as firm as if they stood on her own happy shores'; and while the nationsjihave been convulsed in strifes, religious and political, her empire ba9 stood firm, and will stand firm so long as the fabric of her constitution is based upon the eternal Word of God, As Britons, then, we owe much to the Bible. But, as Christians, also, we owe very much to the Bible. This blessed book has been brought to us, and its truths have been made plain and impressed upon our minds by the Spirit of God, its author. We have known the truth as it is in Jesus by the Bible. Should we not then in deep gratitude acknowledge our obligations to the Bible in doing our very utmost to assist the Bible Society. It is in God's hand a blessed institution. Eternity will only reveal what good this Society has effected. Many a missionary's heart has been gladdened and his hands strengthened by this Society. It has not been niggardly in its grants to the missionary, but has sent the book of God to wherever thpre were labourers employed ; it has been found the best book to dispel the darkness of error, and vain would be every attempt to enlighten the dark places of the earth without it. Civilized lands, too, have not been forgotten, for there also the Bible lias been widely spread. The polished and highly cultivated mind can only be reached by the sword of the Spirit, — the Bible &has been found the best book to handle in contending with the infidel. God's own truth cnnnot be overcome ; it has stood fast for agps, and the Word of the Lord will endure for erer. But while we afford the means that God has given us to enable the Society to persevere in its great undertaking, let Christians never forget to supplicate the throne of grace for Divine assistance to the Society and to pray God to cause st'll a wider diffusion of his truth until all mankind shall know it. It was the firat time that he (Mr. McDonald) had an opportunity on a Bible Society's platform, to acknowledge his own, and on behalf of his brethren of the Samoan mission, their gratitude for what the British and Foreign Bible Society had done for Samoa. The Society had sent out to those islands 15,000 copies of the New Testament, and 2,300 of them were now in the hands of the natives. Translations of other portions of the Scriptures were being made at the islands by the missionaries, and they were expecting about 500 reams of paper from the Society to enable them to print their translations on the islands. He could not sit down without making this public acknowledgment of his gratitude to the Society, and he prayed that God's blessings might rest on all who were engaged in it. The Rev. R. Wabo on moving the third Resolution remarked that the house in which they were now met associated in his mind a pleasing recollection of John Knox who had said that the Bible, thp whole Bible, should be the ground work of the religion of that Church to which he was attached. He (Mr. Ward) wished that every Protestant denomination had acted upon that principle and kept more closely to the Bible. It was very gratifying, however, to think that so many were still found in the Protestant churches to unite in the Bible Society, and so many also who co-operated with that Society, the aims of which were so high and so holy that the stamp of Heaven itself was visible upon it. He was pleased that a branch of the Society had been formed in New Zealand ; it was well that wo should be joined to England by such a link. The Word of God could not be too widely spread ; but in those eventful times it behoved Protestanta not only to assist in its wide dissemination, but to stand firm to its principles, to read it constantly and prayerfully, else during the momentous times of the present day, men who think they stand may be carried away still further into folly. The resolution he had to propose was as follows : That the thanks of this Meeting be presented to the Treasurer, Secretaries Collectors and Committee for their services during the past year, and that the following Gentlemen be the Officer* and Committee for the ensuing year, with power to add to their number. Treasurer— A. Shepheid, Esq. Secretaries— Rev. J. H. Fletcher, and Mr. J. Rout. Committee : Rev. W. Lawry Mr. William Gorrie " T. Buddie Dr. Bennett " A.Reid Mr. W. Hay ° G. Kisslin" " Richaad Matthews *' A. McDonald " Samuel Forsaith 41 R. Ward " Joieph Newman " J. Ingln " Henry While Mr. Wellesley Hughe* " Henry Hadlow. " John Williamson The Rev. J. H. Fletcher seconded the resolution, and it was carried. Mr. John Rout in moving the thanks of the meeting to the Chairman, took occasion to observe that there had been a good deal heard of late about the setting up of new dioceses. It was his opinion that the attempt would prove abortive in Protestant England. There were too many Bibles in circulation there for such a thing to succeed. He believed that the old dioceses would kick down the new ones ; that is, if they kept fast hold of the pure Word of God, which would be made strong in their hands to overcome that which was diluted with error and supertition. After a few further remarks, Mr. Rout moved the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Shepherd for his conduct in the chair that evening, and for the services he had always been ready to render the Auckland Branch of the Bible Society. Mr. Samuel Fohsaith seconded the motion, and the meeting earned it unanimously, Devotional exercises were then engaged in, and the benediction having; been pronounced by Mr. Inglis, the meeting; broke up. A collection was made in the meeting which amounted to £7 Is. sd. The Rev. T. Buddie handed in one pouud that had been forwarded to him as a donation to the Society's funds by Dr. Foid, of the Bay of Islands ; and another pound enclosed to him from "A Friend."

Receipts. £ #. d. subscriptions .... 43 19 0 Collected at Public meeting, Febtuaiy 1850 10 11 3 2!.isti icevd. foi sales 14 14 10 Disbursements. £ i. d. Parent Society on purchase account 50 0 0 Sundry expenses . . 2 0 8 Balance 16 15 5 £G0 5 1 £80 5 1

Mr. Rout then read the following financial statement.