jects for which it was instituted, so as to avail themselves of the aid, co-operation, and interference of the Society at home, if necessary"-an arrangement in which the Committee were induced to acquiesce, rather than prolong discussions which promised no beneficial result. Since the date of that memorandum, no information has been received on the subject; nor has it been formally resumed, though the Committee have subsequently deemed it right to intimate that their opinion on the case has undergone no alteration.

While these discussions were in progress, another subject was brought forward, which eventually affected, in an equal degree, the connexion between the Society and the Missionaries at Serampore. This was the establishment of the Serampore College, in 1818.

Upon this undertaking the advice of the Committee was not solicited, nor was it ever considered as connected with the Society: but the expense thus incurred absorbed the funds, which had been previously devoted by the Serampore Brethren to Missionary Efforts; and it became necessary for them to solicit British aid even for the maintenance of the College itself. Application being made to the Committee for this object, although they could not consider the funds entrusted to them as generally available for such a purpose, yet, in order to meet the wishes of their Brethren as far as they could with propriety, they engaged to relieve them from the expenses attending the preparation of pious Natives for the Christian Ministry.

Six months afterward, Mr. John Marshman applied for pecuniary aid toward the Missionary Stations also; the support of which the Serampore Brethren had formerly taken upon themselves, and which they now regarded as their own, exclusive of the Society, but which, for the reason already stated, they were no longer able to maintain. Upon this occasion it was resolved, "That, on being furnished with a statement of the Stations and Missionaries, for whom support was needed, the Committee would take such part of the same on themselves as their resources would allow." Without waiting, however, for a formal reply, a grant of 1000l. was voted; and two other donations, each of an equal amount, have since been made.

In addition to this, at the request of

their Serampore Brethren, Mr. Robinson, still supported by the Society, was permitted to occupy the station at the Lall Bazar Chapel in Calcutta: Mr. Williamson, also, another European Labourer, was, on a similar application, taken on its funds. By these two arrangements, an expenditure of nearly 600%. per annum was transferred from the Serampore Missionaries to the Society.

On the arrival of Dr. Marshman, the subject of pecuniary contribution was again urged on the Committee, with a view to render the arrangement as permanent as the nature of the Society would admit. It was felt objectionable, indeed, that the Stations had been, and all their contemplated Missionary Ef forts were to remain, identified with the College; but, waiving this, it was agreed, at the proposal of Dr. Marshman, that one-tenth of the general receipts of the Society should be remitted to Serampore

it being stipulated at the same time, on the part of the Committee, that regular information should be given of the mode in which the money so voted was expended.

In less than three months, Dr. Marshman informed the Committee that the expenses of the Serampore Stations had materially increased; and requested that a Special Meeting might be convened, to consider of allowing to Serampore a sixth part of the Society's income, intimating also that even a larger sum might hereafter be solicited.

A few days before the Committee met to consider this question, which was delayed, to suit Dr. Marshman's convenience, till the 15th of March last, a paper, intitled a Confidential Statement, was forwarded by him to every member of the Committee. It contained a new proposal. On the ground that 2400l. per annum was indispensably necessary for the Missionary Efforts either made or contemplated at Serampore, Dr. Marshman relinquished his intention of asking for any definite proportion of the Society's funds; and wished to learn what sum the Committee would engage to remit annually, that he might supply any deficiency by bringing before the public a distinct claim for the remainder.

On the day already mentioned, a very numerous attendance of the Committee took place, when Dr. Marshman laid this document before them. It was followed by the introduction of a Letter, which had just arrived from Dr. Carey

and Mr. J. Marshman, stating, that, in consequence of the inadequacy of their resources, they had placed upon the funds of the Society four of the Stations, for which aid had been required, the cost of which would be nearly 600l. per annum.

As this measure precisely coincided with the arrangement proposed so long before by the Committee, and as it appeared likely to restore unity in our Missionary Operations, the Committee readily agreed to it; and proposed to Dr. Marshman to extend the same principle, so as to include the remaining Stations, on account of which expense was incurred by their Serampore Brethren. To provide for their management, it was suggested that the whole of the Missionary Brethren in Bengal might form a Corresponding Committee, under the presidency of Dr. Carey; and, as the latter part of this arrangement appeared objectionable to Dr. Marshman, it was subsequently proposed to leave the superintendence of the Stations to Drs. Carey and Marshman during their lives, reserving to the Society only the nomination of their successors.

The consideration of this proposal, and of the general subject, occupied several days of most anxious deliberation; and repeated efforts were made to prevent the painful issue to which the discussions were apparently tending. But, as every proposal made by the Committee was declined by Dr. Marshman, upon grounds which he declared to be imperative, they were constrained to yield to a separation, which their present communications with Dr. Marshman convinced them had actually been made, and which it was manifestly determined to maintain.

In admitting the conviction that it had become expedient for the Society and the Serampore Brethren henceforth to act altogether separately, the Committee were fully aware of the unfavourable impression which might be produced, and deeply sympathized in the painful feelings which the event might occasion: but they also felt that they could not consistently continue to vote the funds with which they were entrusted, to a body asserting entire independence who would still appeal to the public by a separate agency-whose demands were continually rising-and for the support of Stations which were to be governed by the irresponsible Council of a College.

While the Committee are conscious of having fulfilled the trust reposed in them

with the utmost tenderness toward their Brethren at Serampore, they entertain no doubt that their constituents will feel the force of the reasons under which they have acted. May it please God to overrule this event, however undesirable in itself, to the furtherance of the Go. spel of His Son!

Continent.

BIBLE Societies.

Progress of the Paris Society in its Eighth Year.

THE Committee, in addressing the British and Foreign Bible Society, in May last, give the following view of the growing influence of their Society

The result of our proceedings this year, throughout the whole extent of our country, is well calculated to animate our hearts with gratitude to the Author of every perfect gift: our Society has extation; and we are already reaping the perienced a very considerable augmenfruits of that holy seed which we have scattered abroad and watered, and to which the Lord has given the increase: various parts of France bear testimony to our Institution, as to a powerful means of effecting the religious improvement of all classes of society; so that we cannot but bless God for having called us to become the instruments, in His hand, of labouring for the salvation of our breHim from whom all good thoughts do thren. But, while returning thanks to proceed and who gives the needful strength to carry them into effect, we do not forget that He has made use of you to lead us into the cause which we are now pursuing; and we feel ourselves always animated with those sentiments of gratitude and Christian affection toward your Society, which we owe to it in so great a measure.

Zeal of Roman Catholics in the Distribution of the Scriptures.

From the correspondence of various persons, chiefly Roman-Catholic Clergymen, with Dr. Leander Van Ess, we extract some passages which indicate great zeal in the circulation of the Scriptures. One Clergyman writes, in September, in reference to his own sphere of labour

The immorality which prevails among

great and small is indescribable. I have been doing duty for the last four weeks here, without, however, having a Church to preach the Gospel and catechize in: the building assigned for Divine Service is a miserable small wooden barrack, scarcely able to contain a third part of my parishioners: at present, I preach and catechize in the fields and in the open air.

Oh that I could obtain some New Testaments to distribute in the desert surrounding me! For two yearsand-a-half there had absolutely been no preaching in the place. In the whole parish I have been unable to discover either a Bible or a New Testament: many have not even a notion of them. I have not so much as a horn-book in my school, and still less the Word of God or the Bible. There are, likewise, very few books of devotion to be met with, and none at all that are in strict conformity with the Gospel. In fine, the distress everywhere among us is past conception. And yet, my Dear Friend, these poor degenerated people have been redeemed through Christ, and are the costly purchase of His death. I reside and labour among them; but, at times, can scarcely contain my feelings. Indeed, if the Lord does not bestow upon me an extraordinary portion of His Spirit, every thing will be lost. Let me entreat you, most pressingly, to send me as many of your New Testaments for my poor congregation as you think proper: the Lord will reward you a thousandfold. I would likewise gladly receive some Bibles for distribution among Protestants, if they could be sent to me.

In November, the same Clergyman writes

You may easily suppose that your present of a few New Testaments, for which I thank you with tears of gratitude, appeared to me as a boon from Heaven as far as I had opportunities of distributing them, (which, however, were very limited,) I believe I may assert that they have produced' manifest and abundant blessing. I preach on Sundays both in the morning and after. noon may the Lord shed His blessing on the proclamation of His Word! In my discourses I adhere strictly to the Bible; and find that this mode of proceeding is beneficial both for myself and my congregation. The Word of God will ultimately penetrate everywhere, and change the heart of man: it resem

bles a hammer, that breaks the stony heart; and is like a fire, that melts the heart of iron: this I have already seen and experienced here: many appear to have been led by my sermons to reconsider their past conduct. Sundry books of devotion, which I have received through another channel, have also contributed greatly to rouse them: I quote them in my public discourses, so that they are frequently referred to: in this respect, your New Testament (for some additional copies of which I earnestly entreat you) would be of great benefit. After the conclusion of the usual Service on Sundays, I address a discourse more particularly to the youth of both sexes, at which many adult and married persons attend. I avail myself of this opportunity to read the accounts of persons who have been awakened; and to explain various narratives contained in the New Testament. What an abundant blessing might I not expect from these my labours, could I but be enabled to put a New Testament into the hands of each of my parishioners!

A Roman-Catholic Dean thus speaks

We return you, for ourselves and in the name of our congregations, the warmest thanks for the cases of New Testaments so kindly transmitted to us. As the poverty of the inhabitants of our district, respecting which we made mention, by occasion of praying for Testaments in their behalf, exceeds all conception, and we ourselves have barely a sufficient maintenance allowed us, we could scarcely obtain any thing in return; and had we actually insisted on being paid, we should have had the mortification of seeing many, who are desirous of possessing the Word of God, leave us with tears in their eyes. The Clergymen who are subordinate to us report precisely the same thing. You would greatly rejoice us by a fresh supply of New Testaments: the more abundantly you furnish us with them, the more abundantly can we in turn supply the Word of God to those who labour under us in our Deanery. We have no fear of Rome; for, in the enlightened persons who compose our Vicar's Council, we have a strong phalanx. Incalculable good may be done in these agitated times, when the circulation of the Word of God is so greatly wanted.

Another Clergyman says

It is with the most unfeigned joy that I am able to state to you, that, in this neighbourhood, very many Young Clergymen and Schoolmasters are employed in carefully circulating your New Testament among old and young. We follow your advice: all take their New Testaments with them to Church; and there we carefully, and in connexion, read it through, conformably to the judicious custom of the Holy Fathers. On these occasions, how still, how attentive, how affected, is the congregation! Their language is very different from that of the Pharisees. A short time ago, an old Capuchin Monk thought proper to raise his voice against reading the Bible: it is the same whose pulpit the good parishioners long wanted to sell to the highest bidder, because he made no use of it: I remonstrated with him on his absurd conduct, applying to him the severe words of Christ addressed to the Pharisees (Matt. xxiii. 13.); and advised him in future to shew his zeal in a more becoming manner: since this occurrence he has become more tractable. We are here in no dread of damnatory verdicts from the higher powers; for what has once for all been acknowledged and adopted as being really good, must remain such.

gladly have roused Pius the VIIth from his'grave, to have given him an opportunity of convincing himself of the good use which the poorest Christian may make of the Sacred Scriptures. Your pamphlet (on the Necessity of giving the Bible to the Laity) has been circulated by me among my brother Clergymen in the upper district; and I doubt not but it will have the desired effect. Accept, once more, the warmest thanks, not only of myself, but of all my parishioners who have participated in your valuable present. I conclude, with the confident hope that you will not forget my good parishioners; but that, as soon as possible, you will forward to me a considerable supply of Testameuts, chiefly in large print, and, if possible, free of expense: the desire to obtain them is indeed inexpressibly great.

Of another Clergyman a Correspondent says

He has received no less than 500 Testaments from me: he is so bent on distributing Testaments, as well as other good books, among his parishioners, that he denies himself a dinner of meat and a glass of wine; and lives solely on vegetables and water, in order to be able to purchase books, and to be able to distribute them gratuitously among his

I am scarcely able to express the grateful emotions of my heart; but I comfort myself with the cheering reflection that we have One in heaven who will reward every benevolent action; and to Him I confidently pray-“ Lord, recompense Thou those, who feed the hungry souls seeking after truth, with the bread of the Word of God!" You

can hardly conceive the joy which manifested itself throughout my parish on our learning the arrival of the New Testaments which you sent to us. From the time of their reaching us in the evening, till ten o'clock the next morning, I was so overrun with applications for them, that I could only with difficulty keep back a few copies, which had long before been promised. What rendered your present the more valuable, was the precise period at which the Testaments arrived here: we received them during the Jubilee; and my parishioners were very glad to read the texts from which I preached, in connexion with the passages from which they were taken. I would

South Africa.

HEMEL EN AARDE. UNITED BRETHREN. Some Account of the Lazarus Sickness or Leprosy.

BR. J. M. P. Leitner makes the following remarks on the disease for the relief of which the Hospital at this place is established: :

The leprosy of this country differs materially from that mentioned in Holy Writ; being, according to the most accurate observations hitherto made, either not at all, or in a very slight degree, infectious. On the other hand, it is correctly ascertained that it may be inherited; children of leprous parents being always more or less liable to take the disorder.

The medical practitioners in these parts mention three distinct varieties of the disease-Elephantiasis, Leontiasis, and Leprosy.