New Bibles and Testaments ordered. The Board have recently ordered plates to be prepared for a new pocket French Bible and French Testament; for an English pocket Bible of small diamond type, for a German pocket Testament, and a Spanish Testament of the same size, and also for a large pica Testament with the book of Psalms appended to it. The latter is designed for the aged, and for such as have imperfect vision. Most of these books are objects of frequent demand, and all are, in the judgment of the Board, such as should be put in extensive circulation. Some months must elapse before these books are prepared and ready for distribution, though it is hoped they will be completed in the course of the coming year. Books ordered from Abroad. From the miscellaneous character of our population, and from a desire that all may be furnished with the sacred volume in their own tongue, your Board have frequently ordered from the British and Foreign Bible Society such Bibles and Testaments as they do not yet prepare themselves. As this foreign stock is now nearly exhausted, the General Agent has, the last month, ordered a supply of the Scriptures in Italian, Portuguese, Welch, Swedish, Danish, and Dutch tongues. These books will probably arrive in the coming July or August. It is requested that those connected with the Auxiliary Societies may inquire for those around them who speak the above tongues, and see that copies are procured and distributed. As they are generally expensive books, they should be purchased when practicable—yet, when necessary, they should be solicited as a gratuity, and be presented with kind exhortation and prayer. Your Board cannot but reiterate the request which they have often made, that every family within the limits of our country, native or foreign, may be kept in possession of the sacred oracles. In the thorough perfor mance of this duty depends in no small measure the perpetuity of our social institutions as well as the future salvation of millions who are here to pass their season of probation. Change of Officers, New Appointments, &c. Near the close of the year, Hubert Van Wagenen, Esq. who has held the office of treasurer for the last four years, resigned his station. The Managers cannot but record an expression of their gratitude for his cheerful gratuitous services, and express their hope that they shall still be fa vored with his counsel and assistance in the Board, as they have been for many years past. In the place of Mr. Van Wagenen, John Nitchie, Esq. has been ap pointed Treasurer, and has consequently resigned the agency depart ment, which he has occupied since 1819. The present and prospective enlargement of their operations require, in view of the Board, the continual service of a Treasurer, and of one connected with the Society's house. Mr. Nitchie, in addition to his financial duties, is still to receive and execute orders for books on the General Depository. Mr. Robert F. Winslow, who has held the office of Recording Secretary and Accountant for the last four years, has also resigned his of fice, and engaged in private employment. As a testimony of the respect and satisfaction of the Board in regard to his services, they presented him, on retiring, with one of their best bound Bibles. In connection with the above changes, a new office has been created, namely, that of General Agent, Recording Secretary, and Accountant. This office is not yet filled, although a committee of nomination has the subject in charge, and will soon report to the Board. This officer, in addition to keeping the Society's accounts, and the minutes of the Board and standing committees, is to contract for printing paper and stereotype plates, and to have a general charge of the buildings and property of the Institution. As the Managers are about to prepare plates for several new Bibles and Testaments in various tongues, and as they feel deeply impressed with the importance of preserving the purity of the sacred text in all versions and editions which they may issue, they have been led to appoint an editor of the Society's publications. For the present year, at least, they have appointed to this office the Rev. George Bush, professor in the New-York University, who is to devote the half of his time to the editorial duties assigned him, and to receive a partial compensation. Mr. Bush is to have his office in the Society's buildings, to have charge of its library, to read and correct new plates, to examine with care all editions of the Scriptures issued, and to correspond with translators abroad on subjects pertaining to his department. A new arrangement has also been proposed in regard to agencies, one which it is hoped will give a new impulse to the outward operations of the Society. The Board have resolved to appoint an Assistant Secretary, who shall spend a part of his time in the Corresponding Secretary's office, and the remainder in visiting the Auxiliaries in the eastern and VOL. I. 106 middle states. He is also to procure and confer with local agents within his district, and to attend the anniversaries of the more important Auxiliaries. For the performance of the same supervisory duties in other sections of the country, they have resolved to appoint a General Agent for the southern states, and another for the states in the Mississippi Valley. For the first of these stations, that of the southern states, they have appointed the Rev. William M. Atkinson, of Virginia. This gentleman has for two years past been in the service of the Virginia Bible Society, and is considered peculiarly qualified, by experience, prudence, and activity, for the important duties entrusted to him. A correspondence is instituted in regard to an individual for the western field, to be stationed at Cincinnati, or some other central position. When an appointment is made, notice of the same will be publicly communicated. Precaution against Fire. Several occurrences in the course of the year have admonished the Managers to guard the Society's houses against this furious element. In July last, numerous dwellings in the vicinity, some on the opposite side of the street, were entirely consumed. The cornice of the Society's house was twice ignited, and nothing, apparently, but a sudden change in the course of the wind preserved the establishment from entire destruction. This fearful exposure, in connection with the great conflagration of December last, which prostrated those companies by which your property was insured, have led the Board to adopt several precautionary measures against future dangers. The sides of the building most exposed have been furnished with iron window-shutters and doors, the wooden cornice in front has been removed, and one of copper substituted; the bindery has been wholly transferred to the new building, which is separated from the Depository by a thick unbroken wall. These changes and repairs have been attended with some expense, an expense, however, highly justifiable, considering the amount of Bibles and Testaments put at hazard, and the unhappy condition which Auxiliaries would be in were this stock of books destroyed, and they obliged to suspend their distributions until another stock could be provided. The Managers cannot but record, in this place, an instance of generous sympathy on the part of the committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. On learning of the extensive conflagration in December, and apprehending that your Board might experience a temporary embarrassment in their operations, that committee kindly offered to furnish such aid as might be required. By the blessing of a kind Providence, however, the Board were enabled to meet their engagements without this proffered assistance. Bibles and Testaments Printed. Since the last anniversary there have been printed by your Board, Syriac, Arabic, Swedish, and Dutch Bibles and Testaments, 58 Making in all two hundred and twenty-one thousand six hundred and ninety-four copies, and a total, since the formation of the Society, of one Gratuitous Appropriations. The following is a list of Bibles and Testaments issued gratuitously, |