that country, is highly gratifying; and the zeal which animates the Swedish Bible Society has been imparted, in a considerable degree, to the public at large. The plan of the Bible Associations, recommended by the Rev. Mr. Henderson, has been adopted, and attended with the happiest effects. The Committee of the Gothenburg Auxiliary Society, of which the pious and venerable Bishop Wingard is president, display the same zeal for which they have ever been distinguished. They have supplied all the workhouses, prisons, houses of charity, and hospitals, within their district, with copies of the Sacred Volume. Their funds, indeed, have been devoted to the benefit of the poor; and, on this account, although their subscriptions are considerable, they are far from being ade. quate to the demands upon them, The Committee still, however, proceed in the gratuitous distribution of the Scriptures to the necessitous; "confident" (to use their own words)" that Divine Providence will not permit the good work to be interrupted, for want of means to carry it on."

The circulation of the Scrip tures, by the Arosian Auxiliary Society at Westeras, has been considerable; but the poverty of the people is so great, that the annual income of the Society is not equal to a third of the value of the copies gratuitously distributed. A parochial inquiry has been instituted, to ascertain the spiritual wants of the inhabitants of this province. -The Gothland Auxiliary Society, continues its exertions.

The following are new institutions:

The Upsala Bible Society; to the formation of which, the clergy of the diocese were urgently invited, by a truly pastoral address from its president, the Archbishop of Sweden, from which the fol. lowing is a quotation: "The door CHRIST. OBSERV. App.

is opened, my brethren, to promote the increase of Christ's kingdom; and who ought to have this more at heart than ourselves, who are called to spread the saving knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent ?" The Archbishop has declared his determination to establish Bible Associations in every part of his jurisdiction.-By the pious benevolence of a young nobleman, Chamberlain Henck, a society has been formed, under his presidency, for the Province of Neviké, and meets with great encouragement and support.-Another society has been instituted for the diocese of Skara, one of the most populous provinces in Sweden.-At Carlstadt, also, a Bible Society has been established for the government and diocese of Vermeland, under the patronage and direction of the Bishop, and the Lord Lieutenant of the county. The population of this district is estimated at 140,000. The want of the Scriptures in Vermeland is great, as well as the desire to possess them.

The Bishop of Hernosand has also instituted a Bible Society for his extensive diocese; and there are only three dioceses in Sweden in which societies remain to be instituted. Bible Associations are forming in different parts of the kingdom.

A proposal has been made from the Swedish Bible Society to that of St. Petersburg, for opening a correspondence between them on the object of their respective institutions, with a view to their mutual information and benefit, and has been accepted.

For the deep interest which has been excited in Sweden to circulate the holy Scriptures, that country is greatly indebted to the pious zeal and energy of the highly respectable president of the Swedish Bible Society, his excellency Count Rosenblad, who, in the midst of his laborious" official

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joint labours of the late Mr. Martyn, and Mirza Fitret, in the Nagree, its proper character. This version was originally published by the Corresponding Committee in the Persian character, for the use of another class of readers, at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society. It is further proper to add, that by the assistance of the Auxiliary Society at Calcutta, Europeans and Natives, speaking the English and Portuguese languages, are supplied with Bibles and Testaments respectively.

The New Testament in the vernacular Arabic is in circulation; and the style of the version, for correctness and fidelity, is highly approved by the best Arabic scholars in Bengal, European and Na tive, whose opinions have been consulted. The Persian version of the New Testament, by Mr. Martyn, is by this time in circulation in India.

The whole Scriptures have been published in the Bengalee and Orissa dialects; and the Pentateuch, Historical Books of the Old Testament, and the New Testament, in Sanscrit. The Hagio grapha are in the press, and the translation of the Prophetic Books nearly completed. The Pentateuch and the Historical Books, in the Mahratta language, have been long in circulation: other parts were nearly printed. The Sikh New Testament has been published. The Pentateuch in Chinese is in the press. Besides the above, the Gospels have been translated into seventeen different dialects, of which some are now printing.

The attention of the Auxiliary Society at Colombo, in Ceylon, is closely directed to the publication of the version of the Cingalese New Testament; and, according to the last accounts, the printing was advanced nearly to the end of St, John's Gospel.

A letter from the Honourable Sir Alexander Johnston, chief justice of Ceylon, gives an interesting ac

count of the conversion of a priest of Buddhoo, as "one of the many proofs" which occur daily, of the effect produced among the natives by the circulation of the holy Scriptures. A diligent perusal of the Gospel in Cingalese convinced him of the vast difference between the fabulous confusion of the Buddish mythology, and the simple impressive truths of Divine Revelation. The above-mentioned priest is now engaged in assisting to translate the holy Scriptures.

The Second Report of the Bombay Auxiliary Society mentions the successful endeavours of the Society to distribute the Scriptures, in Portuguese, among the native Christians speaking that language; that a considerable number of copies had been dispersed in the islands of Bombay and Salsette; and that 500 copies had been forwarded to Goa, at the particular request of the British Envoy, who describes the natives, and even some priests, as anxious to receive them.

The Committee of the Bombay Society have availed themselves of a very liberal offer from Dr. John Taylor, of Bombay, to superintend the translation of any part of the Scriptures into the Mahratta and Guzerattee languages; and have proposed, in the first instance, the translation of the Gospel of St. Matthew into each. It is to be hoped, that these beginnings will be followed by other attempts for communicating the holy Scriptures to the natives within the proper sphere of the Bombay Auxiliary Society. Supplies of the Syriac Testament have been sent to India, for the benefit of the Christians of the Syrian Church.

The Java Auxiliary Bible Society has the assurance, that it may expect the most decided support and co-operation from the new Dutch governor-general, his Excellency Baron van der Capellen. The intelligence from Java respecting the acceptance of the Chinese New

Testament by the Chinese settled in that island, is highly encouraging and interesting. It appears that many of them not only read the New Testament, but are anxious to obtain explanations of passages which they do not understand. "These Chinese,” adds Mr. Supper, the secretary," have already turned their idols out of their houses, and are desirous of becoming Christians." One of the most opulent of the Chinese in Java observed: "I have read Mr. Morrison's New Testament with pleasure: it is very fine; and it would be well if every one led such a life as Jesus Christ has taught him to lead." This introduced a conversation, the result of which was, "that the Chinese, on his return to his home, tore all the painted images from the wall, and threw them into the fire." He has never since frequented the Chinese temples.

Mr. Supper has also communicated some very pleasing intelligence of the effects produced by the perusal of the Arabic Bible on the followers of Mohammed. One of his pupils reads the holy Scriptures with Mohammedans three times a week, converses with them on what they have read, and they afterwards join in prayer with him in his own house. Some of the priests have applied to Mr. Supper, through the same pupil, for an Arabic Bible. The solicitation is never acquiesced in until the repetition of it proves an anxiety to obtain the favour solicited.

The Rev. Mr. Morrison was pursuing his importunate labours of translating the Old Testament into Chinese, and had advanced as far as the Book of Psalms, when he was called upon to attend the em. bassy to Pekin. He had also entered into an engagement for printing an edition of 8000 copies of the duodecimo Chinese New Testament, and 1500 of the octavo edition, at Malacca. The Committee have assisted the important work in which Mr. Morrison is en

gaged, by a further donation of 10007.

The formation of an Auxiliary Society at Amboyna, which has for its object the diffusion of the Scriptures among the numerous inhabitants of that and the adjacent islands, is a new and interesting event. The letter, communicating the intelligence of its establishment, was accompanied by a remittance of 3467. which has since been augmented to the sum of 9687, sterling, as the first year's contributions of this Society to the Parent Institution.

Branch Bible Societies have been formed at Malacca and Prince of Wales's Island, in connexion with the Calcutta Auxiliary Society, under the patronage of the governor and commandant respectively.

In short, the general result of the intelligence from the East shews a progressive activity in promoting the circulation of the Scriptures, both among Christians and Heathens; and the success which has attended these exertions, affords an encouraging hope, that they will in time produce the most beneficial effects.

Indeed, the effects of these great exertions throughout the world, we rejoice to say, are by no means doubtful.

"Many, who never acknowledged the real value of this blessed volume," observes the noble Presi dent of the Swedish Bible Society, "have been enlightened by the Spirit of God, and look upon the holy Scriptures with a more pious regard. The spirit of levity and mockery that prevailed as to the doctrines of Revelation, has considerably given way to a more serious and devout attention to their more important concerns." This testimony is strengthened by that of a correspondent in Swabia, who asserts, that "a growth in Divine knowledge, and an increase in faith and love to Jesus Christ, are already visible in many thou sand souls."