several because they had none. Others wish to present the invaluable treasure to a child or to children; and one mother says she intends to present one to each of her children, six in number. But a still more interesting fact is furnished by two of the Collectors, who say, "M. P. purchased an octavo Bible for her mother, who received it with tears of joy, saying it was the best gift her child could have bestowed upon her; and the daughter appears equally pleased that by giving a few cents weekly of her earnings, she has been able to present her mother with such an inestimable treasure." The same Collectors express their "gratitude for the goodness of the Lord in preparing the hearts of the people to receive them with so much kindness," and add that they "feel encouraged to go on with the work." One woman procured a Bible by subscription, who had none, but having a prayer-meeting held at her house, was obliged to borrow for the occasion. A number who could not read, have obtained a Bible, saying they had children who could, and they wished to have one in the house for their use. A woman who, on the first application of the Collector, said she "had no Bible-should like one very well, but was too poor to pay for it," was induced to make the effort, with the promise that if she found herself impoverished by the subscription at the end of a month, the money should be returned, and a Bible given her. She cheerfully paid the price of a duodecimo Bible, sometimes giving more than the proposed sum; and soon afterwards voluntarily subscribed for one of larger size. Enough has been stated to shew that in this department, your Managers have not labored in vain. They feel that every motive urges them onward; aud they hope to prosecute the work with increased efficiency and holy devotedness of purpose.-Two objections sometimes advanced against the operations of Bible Societies, so far as a home supply is regarded, are obviated by this mode of procedure. One is, that there are none destitute of the Bible-this is shewn to be erroneous. The other, that if Bibles are given to the destitute, they will probably be sold or destroyed-this is not to be expected where the recipients pay for them.-The Managers, therefore, ask the co-operation of the Association in sustaining this holy enterprize. It will be perceived that for this purpose personal labor, rather than money, is put in requisition. The great majority of those who need Bibles are willing to pay for them in the manner that has been adopted by your Board; and all that is wanting, is suitable individuals to offer them the sacred treasure, and receive their periodical payments; and along with these, the voluntary donations of such as are willing to aid in spreading the knowledge of God's holy word. The section already partially occupied, viz: the Markethouses in Market street, has not been thoroughly visited, and cannot be, without an increase of laborers. The Board would be highly gratified to see the system they have commenced in complete operation, not only in all the markets of the city and its suburbs, but in every street and alley; and would, therefore, recommend it to the attention of other Bible Societies. Such a system constantly sustained, would effect a thorough supply of all the destitute, with very little expense of money, for few would be found who would require the Bible as a gift; and it would collect from those already furnished with the blessed volume, an amount of money for its circulation in other regions, which would send light, and joy, and salvation, to thousands now ignorant of the glorious gospel. This weekly application to persons of every description, would afford various opportunities for doing good, perhaps even greater than those possessed by tract distributors; as the former ensures personal intercourse with the donor, while the latter are not necessarily brought in contact with the objects of their labor. Indeed, the two systems of effort might probably be blended. One subject which has forced itself upon the attention of some of the Collectors serving in the Market, is the fact that not a few to whom they have made application there, are unable to read. Can no method be devised by which such of our fellow beings can be benefitted by those of us who have been more highly favored? As the greatest portion of their time is spent in providing for the bodily wants of their neighbors, shall not we study to promote their interests in more important concerns? It can hardly be expected that, absent from their families as they necessarily are almost the entire day, through the week, they should go in search of instruction, even if it were provided for them at some specified place. The idea has therefore suggested itself to the Collectors, that a plan for visiting these persons at their own dwellings, for the purpose of assisting those who are desirous of learning to read, and perhaps on the Sabbath or at some other time, occasionally collecting them together, might be feasible, and attended with good results. This suggestion is thrown out to draw attention to the subject, and induce deliberation and consultation. Several of those with whom the Collectors have become acquainted, who could not read, have expressed a strong desire to learn; and it is very desirable that some measure for accom plishing this should be devised, acceptable to themselves and practicable to those on whom it would devolve. And here, not to extend this Report to an unreasonable length, your Managers must leave the consideration of this interesting portion of their labors, and pass to other topics. In addition to the Bibles already named as having been gratuitously disposed of in the Market and elsewhere, the Board passed a Resolution to place a Bible in every room of the "Girard Sailor's Home," for the use of lodgers. This has been partially carried into effect, the number of occupants not having rendered it necessary that all the rooms in the house should be furnished, and six Bibles have been deposited there-one royal octavo of good quality for the public dining and reading room, and five duodecimo size for lodging rooms. But it must not be forgotten that while there are hundreds, probably thousands, destitute of the word of God in our own country, there are millions and hundreds of millions scattered over the face of the earth, on whom the light of the gospel shines not-they sit in darkness, darkness that may be felt. If we would furnish them with the Bible, it must be without money, and without price. They cannot know its value till it has been put in their hands. Very many of the heathen nations have a written language into which the Bible can be translated; and it has been translated into a multitude of languages spoken by various nations among whom it has not yet been circulated. And they cannot be favored with this sacred treasure until we in Christian countries are willing to send it to them. To do this, will require large sums of money-hundreds of thousands of copies should this moment be sent abroad to the ends of the earth. But it can easily be accomplished, if those who enjoy the knowledge of the gospel, will contribute, according to the ability which God has given them, for the glorious object. One fact of thrilling interest has been announced to American Christians, since this Society commenced its operations. It is that the translation of the Bible into the Burman language is COMPLeted. The vast empire of BURMAH, containing a population of nearly thirty millions, now has the Bible in her own language. Mr. Judson, who commenced the mission to that country, and has labored there twenty years, has during that period acquired the language, and translated the whole of the sacred volume, besides having accomplished a great amount of labor in other respects, for the salvation of the people. The two last years he has devoted principally to the work of translating. A letter from one of the missionaries, written about six months before its completion, says-"It is affecting to hear his petitions for a long life, to labor among the heathen, mingled as they are with panting aspirations after heaven. He seems uniformly seriously cheerful. He is confining himself as closely as possible to the completion of the translation of the scriptures." Under date of January 31, of the present year, he himself thus announces the accomplishment of the work-"Thanks be to God, I can now say I have attained. I have knelt down before him, with the last leaf in my hand, and, imploring his forgiveness for all the sins which have polluted my labors in this department, and his aid in future efforts to remove the errors and imperfections which necessarily cleave to the work, I have commended it to his mercy and grace: I have dedicated it to his glory. May He make his own inspired word, now complete in the Burman tongue, the grand instrument of filling all Burmah with songs of praises to our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen." In view of this animating fact and others affording additional encouragement-that a very large proportion of the male population of Burmah can read, and that multitudes are continually applying to the missionaries for books, that they may learn what their religion is --and remembering that among three quarters of the inhabitants of our world, the Bible is unknown, your Managers feel themselves called upon to make redoubled efforts, and they trust that their sisters of the Association will also be stimulated to make increased exertions, to obtain augmented funds for sending the word of God to perishing, destitute nations. While personal labor is nearly all that is requisite in supplying those around us with the precious volume, our Lord, who says that the silver and the gold are his, commands us to place a portion of what he has entrusted to us, in his treasury, for the blessed purpose of making his name known in the earth. It is to be hoped that the number of subscribers to the Society, and the amount paid by many already on the list, will be greatly enlarged the coming year, that your executive Board may have the pleasure of transmitting a liberal sum to those who will apply it to the distri bution of the Bible in heathen lands. SUMMARY VIEW OF OPERATIONS. The number of members of the Association at present, is one hundred and twenty-seven, from whom $95 00 has been received. The whole receipts of the Society, including subscriptions, dona tions, weekly collections, and sales of Bibles, is $289 99. The number of Bibles and Testaments sold, is one hundred and fifteen Bibles, of which forty-five were quarto size, forty-five octavo, and twenty-five duodecimo; and nineteen Testaments. The number given away, including those placed in the Girard House to remain there permanently, is eighteen Bibles, and four Testaments. There has been paid to different booksellers for Bibles, $167 08-$40 has been paid over to the Parent Society, and $16 83 for printing.This last item for printing, includes a sufficient supply of the Constitution, Collecting books, blank Orders, and the Circular for general distribution, for several years to come. Balance now remaining in the treasury, $66 08. ELIZA C. ALLEN, Secretary. TREASURER'S REPORT. Sansom Street Female Bible Association, in account with Sarah Robarts, 1834. DR. Treasurer. 1834. CR. April 19, To cash paid to Female Bible Oct. 22, By cash from annual and life Society, Philadelphia, 40 00 Oct. 22, Paid for printing, at sundry times, 16 83 Paid to sundry booksel lers during the year, as per bills on file, 167 08 Balance to new account, 66 08 members during the year, Donations, Weekly collections and 95 00 150 193 49 |