earth, and the tian people.

communication of Christianity amongst unchris

In these endeavours, which are forwarded by so many thousands in all countries, partly by the most charitable contributions, to which regents on their thrones, as well as the poor in their huts, offer either large sums or humble mites, a greater part of the Christian world, view the finest character of the times, the commencement of the fulfilment of the command of Christ,-"There shall be but one shepherd, and but one flock." But they are attended, in England as well as with us, not only by good, but also by bad consequences. To the man to whom religion and Christianity is all a dream and nonsense, to the unbeliever, they are only vexation and folly; the indifferent man, to whom the transition from one religion to another appears only an exchange of errors, considers them as an useless waste of inportant powers, for vain enterprizes. But many too, who have the highest respect for religion and the holy Book, are tempted at times to doubt of the purity of the intent, and to think they only wish to move God thereby to bless men, temporally, who do so much for his honour: at times they are uncertain whether rude nations by civilization gain any thing in happiness and morality, or at least, whether, by this way and by this means, the end can be best attained, viz. that of making knowledge and virtue more general.

Who would deny his respect to that man who makes it the business of his life to bring light into the understanding, and tranquillity into the heart of his fellow creatures, however different he may think of his person, his direct, or indirect calling, and the means he chooses to produce that effect? In truth, the most inimical incredulity, and the most immoral neglect of religion, can alone disavow the holy Being after whose name we are called, whilst the modest doubter at least allows him the merit of an honest enthusiasm, highly honourable to him, from the greatness of his plan, and the sanctity of his purpose. Let persons therefore decide for themselves whether their reproach, of such large sums being dedicated to this purpose, is just. If it is considered munificent in a sovereign to devote half a million to the decoration of his palace, to sumptuous edifices, to play-houses, shall it be called less munificent in a nation which applies similar, and far larger sums, to human improvement, and the felicity of mankind?

But abstracting ourselves from the influence of religion, and the Bible as its document upon the superior illumination, instruction, and the consolation of the human heart, is not the simple civilization of rude nations, and the salvation of the same from heathen unbelief, from the most cruel and revolting

customs, something highly benevolent? and which even the wisdom of the Bramins in India, among whom there are certainly many learned and very respectable persons, cannot or will not destroy. But what an important step is already gained as soon as we succeed in making even the elements of all higher knowledge more general amongst them. Ulphilas, bishop of the Goths in the fourth century, lives continually in the respectful remembrance of all succeeding ages, because he it was who translated the New Testament into his language for his rude tribe, and taught them at the same time to know and read the alphabet. Through the zeal of the English Bible Society, the Bible however becomes a book which, from the great variety of its contents, and whilst it represents man in all the degrees of his civilization, gives the translator so much opportunity for the formation and enrichment of language, since it is given in the tongues of twenty-five Asiatic nations, and as many in North America, who never had the least idea of writing and letters. In Scrampore, too, the greatest activity reigns in this branch of literature. Moreover, the higher cultivation of the mind has always been in close connexion with the culture of languages.

We may, therefore, well ask the bitter reproachers and mockers of the Missionary and Bible Societies, whether they should not highly prize every attempt to extend the empire of human knowledge, and to make rude nations by degrees susceptible of it, as it cannot be unknown to them, that those nations also, amongst whom arts, knowledge, and learning have attained the highest point, were originally rude barbarians; and that the holy Bonifacius found our German forefathers quite upon a lower scale of civilization than, thanks to God, we stand upon at present? Or are they really so little disposed to be citizens of the world, that they can only grant light to a small part of the inhabitants of the earth; and give themselves no concern whether or not an innumerable host of rational beings, who are as susceptible as themselves of spiritual improvement and moral dignity, wander for ever in darkness, and are sacrificed to all the errors and degeneration produced by their rude and beastial inclination to sensuality? Have they no sense of the raptures of the friend of humanity and the true christian, when he reflects that, by his participation in the union of religious persons, one tribe after another, enlightened and improved by a truly humane religion like our own, not only abrogate the foolish and senseless, but also the murderous part of idolatry; no longer kneel before altars which reek with the blood of innocent children, youths, and maidens; no longer VOYAGES and TRAVELS, NO. XLIX, VOL. IX.

F

consider the millions born to slavery as only half human, over whom power is given to be free?

66

Or is this picture somewhat exaggerated? Let those who probably think so read what Mr. Bowdich has detailed to us, who, in the year 1817, visited the State of Ashantee, upon the gold-coast of Africa, as English ambassador. He was eyewitness, at the death of one of their princesses, of three young girls, and immediately after them of 13 men, who had their arms and heads slowly taken off, in order to send a train after the princess. Infinitely greater cruelties," says he, "occur at the death of a king, as every family then must repeat the human sacrifices for those who died under his government. The orans, or gentlemen of the chamber, to the amount of more than one hundred, are sacrificed together upon his grave, besides a large number of women. At the funeral celebration of the mother of the present king, her son offered up only three thousand human sacritices, among which were two thousand prisoners. The large towns sent each 100, the smaller 10 persons, to slaughter."

If we rejoiced generally that, upon the appearance of the Saviour of the world, light was spread over the nations to which we belong; if we have rejoiced at the spirit of reformation, that the night which had obscured it was obliged to give place to the day,-shall we not wish success and the happiest consequences to that enterprise whereby the same blessing may be extended to nations which now wander in darkness?

Much time will still be necessary before the religious wishes for a general civilization and moralization of the human race, as they are now promised in a number of writings, which have issued forth in England and her colonies, can be fulfilled. We may, however, cherish more ardent hopes, since at no period has so much been done in a spirit at once so dignified and forbearing as in ours, (resembling the endeavours made by the Roman propaganda) both by the Bible Societies and the Missionaries.

The British and Foreign Bible Society.

It is well known that, since the year 1804, another society has connected itself with those which have long existed in England, for the advancement of the knowledge of christiauity, both in Great Britain as well as in the whole of Europe, and the most remote parts of the world, the principal endeavours of which are almost exclusively directed to the extension of the Holy Scriptures. As together with many English, who were warmed with the interests of religion, both of secular and ecclesiastical conditious, foreigners living in London, and

amongst them particularly the preacher at the German congregation in the Savoy, Dr. Steinkopf, participated in the interest, the same soon became extended on the continent, and there is scarce a province at present of any importance, wherein Sister Societies, which stand in the closest connexion with the British, are not to be found. The society is of the persuasion that, as the Holy Scriptures have ever been one of the principal means of extending the true knowledge of God and devotion amongst mankind, this religious disposition can be animated amongst christians by nothing better than by assisting all in the use of the Bible, nay, that even amongst heathen nations, nothing can so certainly open the road to christianity, as by making it possible to deliver the holy document to each of them in their native language.

The centre of this society, from which, in the whole of England, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as in all celebrated countries of the old and modern world, similar societies have arisen, is in London. Perhaps in no empire of the world are so many religious parties to be found as in Great Britain, which differ so greatly in their opinions and views, and a part of which are very disinclined, even one towards the other. It is, therefore, the more remarkable, that almost all are united in the advancement of this purpose. The Bible Societies, like the Missionary, reckon among them both Evangelical and Presbyterians, Dissenters, Methodists and Quakers, and I heard even the little party of the Unitarians, which departs from the church in some of its principal doctrines, speak with respect of the endeavours which had been made, although they did not approve of all the measures which were taken. Even this speaks of the goodness of the purpose, for whatever is acknowledged by so many parties to be salutary, and against which even partyspirit has nothing to declaim, must certainly possess an intrinsic merit and value.

So great an undertaking could not be supported without various economical and technical arrangements, and soon formed itself into a large mercantile establishment. With regard to the house in Essex Street, purchased for this purpose, the regulation and general order deserve my highest praise.—I looked with astonishment upon the vast supplies, and thespaces which are daily exhausted and filled up again. The attention is not less riveted by the superb mechanism whereby the bales and boxes, destined for all the countries of the earth, are carefully packed, weighed, bound and unbound, for their journey through one half of the world. The number of hands daily employed in the manufacture of paper, in printing, &c. &c. are incalculable,

and the happy effects, produced by the employment of so man workmen of every kind, are indescribable.

On the 5th July I was introduced to the weekly assemblage of the Society. A place was offered me, (as is usual with strangers,) by the side of the President, Lord Teignmouth. This highly respectable veteran, who was many years GovernorGeneral in India, introduced, at the same time with me, a Supreme Judge to the assemblage, Mr. Harrison, who had just arrived from Calcutta, and had been at the head of the Bible Society of that country. This gentleman gave an account of the astonishing progress the same made in Bengal. One of the British Secretaries, Mr. Owen, afterwards communicated Letters he had received from Switzerland and France, upon the same subject, and which countries he had shortly before travelled through. I was now formally addressed, and requested by Dr. Steinkopf, Secretary for the Society in Foreign parts, to give an account of the progress of the Bible Society of Halle, the founders of which, Canstein and Franke, belong to the few persons of my native country whose names are well known, and even celebrated, in certain circles. Although I was not entirely ignorant of the language, still I was not a little surprised at the commission; nevertheless, my courage increased during the address, by a benevolent participation taken in my feelings, and even when I wanted the proper term of expression, I was assisted by the friendly assistance of the surrounding assemblage. I then endeavoured to satisfy them as well as I was able. When I reported that the Canstein Bible press had increased in modern times from 6 to 12 presses; that these presses daily issued at least 12,000 sheets, printed on both sides, and were, at the same time, unable to answer the demand; that the great augmentation in the price of paper, and all materials for the press, and even the high duties upon paper, made it almost impossible to continue the old price of sale, without loss ;-when I reported all this, the words Hear, Hear! failed not to fall from their lips, which is a token, with the English, of any thing which appears to them important. This gave me greater courage, partly to solicit the support from this Institution, by a press of English manufacture, as some of our own were grown very old; and partly to propose that copies of all the bibles hitherto printed in foreign languages, might be sent to our Library.

I cannot reflect without emotion upon those solemn hours, and particularly upon the excellent replies with which Mr. Owen, one of the most animated speakers I have heard in England, replied to my wishes, which were, indeed, not uttered without diffidence. We have perceived," said he, “with