the reviving prospect of eternal felicity in another life, since their fate has been so unfortunate in this. This will be an act of kindness, of benevolence, of charity in its highest and sublimest form, and productive of the most extensive and substantial good. It is a boon which, comparatively speaking, will cost you nothing, but to the objects of it will be invaluable. It will be a cordial to their hearts, and a support under their toils; it will sooth their minds with all the consolations of religion; it will make even servitude itself sit light upon them, and cheer their souls with the hope of eternal freedom and felicity in another world. Instead of lessening their inclination to labour, it will increase their industry and their desire (in conformity to the commands of the religion they have embraced) to please their masters in all things. It will redouble their attachment to those masters, and bind them down to the performance of all their duties by the strongest ties of affection and gratitude. Nor will you, Gentlemen, be without your reward, and that the highest and most gratifying that a human being can receive, the approbation of God, and the applause of the whole world. You will have the immortal honour of founding a new school for piety and virtue in the bosom of the Atlantic Ocean, of erecting a noble structure of religion and morality in the Western world, of exhibiting to mankind the interesting spectacle of a very large community of truly Christian negroes, and of leading the way to the salvation of more than 500,000 human beings, (immersed before in the grossest ignorance, superstition, wickedness, and idolatry) with all their countless descendants to the end of time. Looking forwards, then, as I do, with some confidence to the accomplishment of this great event, it does, I confess, in some degree, console and sustain my mind, amidst those frightful scenes that are now passing on every side of us, and those tremendous commotions which are convulsing to its centre almost the whole habitable globe. It will be one proof more, added to many others, of the high and exalted character of the British nation, and of the extent and grandeur VOL. I. Z of its views, beyond any other nation upon earth. While one immense gigantic power is spreading ruin, devastation, and the most complicated misery over the world, subverting kingdoms, empires, and long established governments, and bursting asunder all the most sacred bonds of civil and political society; we see this small island, not only exerting itself with vigour in its own defence, and standing up single against the torrent that is overwhelming the whole continent of Europe, but at the same time silently and quickly providing for the future happiness of the human race, by diffusing every where the holy scriptures, and thereby sowing the seeds of christianity over every quarter of the globe. I allude to the society formed in Bengal for the translation of the scriptures into no less than ten oriental languages, and the dispersion of them through the vast continent of India; and to a similar institution lately formed in this country, called The British and Foreign Bible Society, whose principal object is the version of the scriptures into foreign languages, and the dissemination of them in Pagan and Mahometan countries. Both these societies, though but recently instituted, have made considerable progress in their benevolent undertakings. The Asiatic Society has already translated several parts of scripture into the oriental languages most common in India. The two first gospels in the Shanscrit language were to be ready by the end of the last year, 1806; and an edition of all the four gospels in that language will be published with the Greek on the opposite page (with which it perfectly harmonizes), as soon as Greek types can be procured. In the Bengalee there is a new and admirable translation of the whole scripture completed. In the Mahratta the four gospels are printed off. The Orissa translation is in great forwardness. In the Persic the book of Psalms is finished. It is intended to commence the translation of the scriptures into the Tibet, Bootan, Burmah, Assan, Malay, Orissa, Telinga, and Chinese languages, as soon as the funds of the society will enable them to undertake them. And the very curious discoveries lately made by the indefatigable and pious Dr. Buchanan, afford the best grounded hopes of all those versions being well received, and producing the best effects throughout the greatest part of the Indian peninsula. The same success seems likely to attend The British and Foreign Bible Society, instituted for the same purpose in England. It has already, in the short space of three years, extended its operations into almost every quarter of the globe. It has, by its aid, produced and encouraged institutions similar to its own in Germany and Prussia. By the former of these, 5000 copies of a German Protestant New Testament have been printed; by the latter, an edition of the Bohemian Bible is in a course of printing, for the use of the protestants in Bohemia, Berlin, and elsewhere. Two thousand copies of St. John's Gospel in the Mohawk language, have been printed in London at the society's expence, and distributed among the Mohawks on the great river, and 500 more will soon be sent to the Mohawks lower down on the river St. Lawrence. Of the Icelandic New Testament, 2000 copies have been printed at Copenhagen, at the society's expence, and forwarded to Iceland. Two separate sums of 1000/. each have been granted by the society towards the translation of the scriptures now going on in Bengal, into ten oriental languages. Of these translations I have myself seen specimens. Arabic types, and paper, have been granted by the society, for the purpose of printing 5000 copies of the Turkish Testament at Karas, on the borders of the Caspian Sea; an elegant specimen of this Turkish translation I have also seen. New Testaments have been sent to Ireland; and 20,000 copies of a neat Gaelic Bible is now passing through the press. The English and Welsh Bibles are all printed under the direction of the university at Cambridge. Copies of the New Testament have also been furnished to the convicts at Woolwich; the prisoners in Newgate, and other jails; the German soldiers and seamen at Margate, Gosport, Guildford, Dublin, and other places; the sea fencibles on the Essex coast, and the French and Spanish prisoners of war. Abroad, to the British soldiers at the Cape of Good Hope; the inhabitants of Newfoundland, Halifax, and Nova Scotia; the settlers at Van Dieman's Land; the French at St. Domingo; the Spaniards at Buenos Ayres; the colonists of New South Wales, to different parts of France, Switzerland, and Germany. In short, whether the sphere of its operations be measured from north to south, that is, from Iceland to the Cape of Good Hope, and Van Dieman's Land; or from east to west, that is, from Hindostan and the shores of the Caspian to Buenos Ayres and the lakes of North America, the range is of vast extent; and there seems to be no other limits to the beneficial operation of the institution than the amount of its funds, which, from the constant accession of new subscribers both at home and abroad (for it is well known and highly approved in almost every part of Europe) appear, at present, to promise an abundant supply.* These successful exertions, under the direction of its vigilant and highly respectable president, Lord Teignmouth, have secured to the society the support and countenance of some of the most exalted characters in this kingdom;† and it reflects the highest honour on this nation, that those who have most eminently distinguished themselves in the service of their country, have shewn an equal zeal and ardour in promoting the cause of religion and the diffusion of christianity through every region of the globe. To these two kindred societies we must add the recently established African Institution for the civilization and improvement of that vast continent, which is also supported by many of the most distinguished men of this country, though differing widely in their political and religious sentiments; and which, though its immediate object is not the introduction of christianity into Africa, yet if it should succeed in its primary view, the civilization of the natives will undoubtedly lead in the end to their conversion. If to these noble efforts for the dissemination of the gospel in Europe, Asia, and Africa, you, Gentlemen, will have the goodness to add your assistance towards introducing it among your negro slaves in the West India islands, there will then be a foundation laid for the establishment of christianity in every * See the Third Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The Archbishop of Cashel, Lord Barham, and Lord Gambier, have recently been added to the list of the Vice-Presidents. quarter of the globe. You will, I think, feel a generous pride in following the example of every other branch of the British empire, and in concurring with them in the comprehensive and noble plan which they have adopted. These are truly imperial works, and worthy of the British name. These will immortalize it to the latest posterity, and distinguish it most honourably from every other nation in the world. Let these, then, be the characteristic features of the English nation. Let the great enemy of the repose and comfort of mankind place his glory in universal dominion: let Britain place it in universal benevolence; and while he is subjugating the world by his arms, let Britain be employed in repelling him from her own coasts, in assisting and protecting the distressed, and meliorating the condition of distant countries, by communicating to them in various ways, the blessings of the Christian Revelation. The final result of all this is in the hands of the Almighty. But whatever that may be, whatever future calamities may await us, we shall have the consolation of having discharged our duty, in this instance at least, as men and as Christians. And we may reasonably hope that such a conduct will have its due weight in recommending us and our cause to the favour of heaven, and in obtaining for us the protection of that gracious Providence, which has hitherto preserved us amidst the dissolution of kingdoms, and the wreck of empires, and has rescued us from dangers not less formidable, in my apprehension, than even those which now apparently surround us. I am, Gentlemen, With very sincere regard, Your faithful and affectionate Fulham House, Jan. 1, 1808. [This excellent letter has produced the following corres pondence.] MY LORD, Jamaica, June 25, 1808. Your benevolent and pious design, I consider as a licence to the individual, who comports with your sentiments, |