the last Report, and a slight reference was made to them : the remainder have since been forwarded, and have been followed by the writer himself, with whom your Committee have had several interviews. They regret that he does not return to South America as your Agent; every assurance, however, has been afforded by him of his readiness to cooperate in every way in his power.

The following is an outline of his journey and operations between Lima and Bogotá:-He quitted Lima with a stock of 800 Testaments, which was augmented at Guayaquil, by several packages sent to meet him. He stopped at Truxillo, where he found an individual promoting the distribution of the New Testament in a prudent manner, and who had, before his arrival, disposed of 100 copies. He there also formed a connexion with a clergyman of considerable influence, and of whom he observes: "No individual I have yet met with in these countries has offered himself for the work so decidedly and so heartily as this Gentleman.' In his way from Truxillo to Guayaquil, he stopped for a short time at a place called Paita, where he had the happiness of distributing, by sale, 27 copies of the New Testament; and having touched at a small island, where three more were eagerly bought, he reached Guayaquil. Hither he had, a short time previously, sent 20 copies, which had all been dispersed, and prepared the way for a speedy circulation of 168 others, and these were followed in four days by 570 more, and nearly the whole of them were sold, and the proceeds remitted to Lima, for the purpose of printing the Peruvian version of the New Testament, of which mention was made in the last Report. His next advance was to Babahoya, where he disposed of 51 copies in the few hours that he stopped. In the Governor of Guaranda, which he reached after a tedious journey, he found a kind friend his success was, however, comparatively small, owing principally to the inhabitants being, for the most part, Indians, and not understanding Spanish. The 13 copies which he sold, and the 50 which he left for distribution by the Governor, will, it is trusted, serve as a foundation on which future labourers will hereafter build with advantage. In his way to Riobamba he met with a proof of the utility of the Quichua version, discovering, in conversation with the peasantry, that the population

who speak this language was far greater than had been at first supposed; and in the Governor of Riobamba he found another zealous supporter, and during his short stay disposed of 35 copies, and left behind 50 others. The ministers of religion likewise expressed their readiness to assist. At Ambato, the Governor offered his own house as the place of sale, and 47 copies were disposed of in the two days that he staid. The kindness of these three individuals has not terminated with Mr. Thomson's visit: they have each offered their services to receive and dispose of consignments of the sacred Scriptures which may be forwarded to them.

The single Bible which Mr. Thomson had with him would have found many an eager purchaser, could he have parted with it, so great was the desire which the sight of it excited in the minds of many to possess it. He could only console them by assurances that abundant supplies would in process of time be sent. At Tacunga he unexpectedly fell into the company of the Prior of the convent, and was most agreeably surprised by the readiness of the Prior and friars to aid in the sale of the Scriptures; and within the walls of the convent 104 copies were disposed of: the Prior stating, that he should, upon any future occasion, be glad to forward the views of the Society, and would most readily take charge of any copies that might be destined for Tacunga. Arrived at Quito, new friends seemed to be waiting for him; and at the very first announcement of his treasures 137 Testaments were presently bought; these were quickly followed by 80 more, and before he quitted, the number amounted to 360, and arrangements were made for forwarding Bibles, which were much in demand, from Lima. From the Marquess de San Jose, of Quito, and his lady, he met with a hospitable reception, both warmly entering into the views of the Bible Society, when explained to them. His distributory labours were brought to a close before he reached Bogotá, because he had no more copies of the Scriptures with him, having disposed of 1473.

At BOGOTA, he had the unspeakable satisfaction of witnessing the formation of a National Bible Society, which was almost unanimously resolved upon, after considerable and interesting discussions had taken place.

Colonel Hamilton, and Mr. Henderson, His Britannic Majesty's Consul, were present, and assisted on the occasion. Individuals, high in civil and ecclesiastical appointments, have accepted various offices in this new Institution; and the President, Mr. Gual, has addressed a letter to your own President, announcing the formation of the Society. Its second rule is worthy of being recorded. "Its sole object shall be to print the text of the Holy Scriptures, and to promote their circulation, in the first place, in Colombia; in the second place, in South America; and in the third place, throughout the world, as far as its means will reach." On the receipt of this intelligence, your Committee immediately voted 10,000 Testaments in aid of these noble purposes, together with copies of different versions, for the use of the library which the Society purposes immediately to form.

Reviewing the whole of Mr. Thomson's operations, and the evident openings thus created, your Committee thought it proper to direct that 5000 Testaments should be sent to Lima, to be dispatched to the various stations pointed out by him; together with 500 Bibles and 1000 Testaments to Mr. Henderson at Bogotá.

Mr. Thomson arrived in London in August, and has kindly presented to the Society some works in the Peruvian and other South American languages; and he has had the happiness of meeting with a South American Spanish gentleman, well versed in the Aimara language, and whom, upon his recommendation, your Committee have engaged to prepare a version of the New Testament proposed to be made into that tongue. Much valuable information has been imparted by Mr. Thomson, which will materially aid, in the event of other Agents being engaged in the same quarter of the world.

Your Committee have been advised of the formation of a Bible Society in La Guayra; but, as their correspondent is well supplied with copies of the Scriptures, no assistance has as yet been required. To a Gentleman at Choco, in Colombia, on the application of Mr. Thomson, 100 Bibles and 100 Testaments have been granted.

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Surveying these proceedings in South America, the words of Mr. Thomson may well be adopted. Is it not most gratifying to see so many seeds sown in this

country? Let us join together in prayer, that He who causeth the rain to descend to fertilise the ground, and to raise to fruit the puny efforts of man, may cause his blessing to rest upon the seed scattered in this land."

To the island of JAMAICA two grants have been made, amounting to 150. Bibles and 200 Testaments. Your Committee have to regret that the affairs of the Jamaica Eastern Auxiliary are in a very declining state, though there are in that district still some sincere friends to the cause.

In BARBADOES, also, some difficulties seem to have been experienced; but," writes the Secretary, “we are endeavouring to labour in the vineyard, and to fulfil, as far as in us lies, the part we have to sustain, which, we trust, under the fostering hand of the divine head of the Church, will be attended with a blessing.'

From ANTIGUA an application has been made for 500 copies of the Abstract of the last Report, a circumstance which augurs well. Here, too, they have their discouragements; but, as the Secretary observes, "Attachment to the cause, and confidence in the support which we do receive and still hope for, will, we trust, through divine help, sustain our spirits and encourage us to perseverance. Your last grant has proved particularly acceptable, and has enabled the Antigua Committee to meet important applications for help from the following islands, viz. Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, Anguilla, Tortola, St. Bartholomew's, St. Eustatius, and St. Martin's.

From BERMUDA, the President of the Society, the Hon. J. C. Esten, appeared as a representative at your last anniversary, and was the bearer of the sum of £91. 1s. ld., the half of which he was instructed to present as a free contribution to the Parent Society. He came also charged with good tidings of the prosperity of the Bermuda Auxiliary. The formation of Ladies' Bible Associations had been attended with a success far surpassing the most sanguine expectations. In six out of the nine parishes, they had been regularly organised; and there were symptoms that this example would be followed by some, if not all the rest.

A renewed opportunity has been afforded of aiding the translators in the SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. Messrs. Bennett and Tyerman, Directors of the London Missionary Society, while in New South Wales, on their return to this country, addressed a letter to the Committee, reporting the progress which had been made in printing and circulating the Taheitan Scriptures. The Acts of the Apostles had been finished; and they had had the pleasure of witnessing the avidity with which the several portions of the New Testament, prepared up to that time, were received by the natives. They further observe, respecting the fidelity of the translations which have already been made: "It may be gratifying to know that we have read and compared them with the original Greek, and can assure the Society that they are done with great skill and judgment."

It will also be pleasing to learn, that the whole population of these Islands may be regarded as under school instruction, having the Scriptures as their great class book. The Epistles of St. Paul are now completed, and several books of the Old Testament. 500 reams of paper have been given for printing the work as it advances.

The issues of Bibles and Testaments from the depository of the AMERICAN Bible Society, and the receipts into their treasury, exceeded those of any former year, as the Secretary, Dr. Milnor, informed your Committee, in writing to them shortly after the anniversary. That meeting, but for the gloom cast over it by the loss of some valued members of the Society, equalled any preceding. Numbers attended from distant places; from Maine to Georgia, and even from Kentucky and Indiana, evincing the growing interest which this national institution excites throughout the country.

Though the funds have exceeded those of former years, it is stated, 'in the printed Report: "If the Society had tenfold the amount of its present income, its operations could be proportionably increased." The issues have been 63,851 copies, making the total since the commencement 372,913. The American army and navy are tolerably well supplied with the Scriptures,