weekly donation in aid of the society. And various legacies have been bequeathed to the society in the course of the year. There is also a prospect of further additions to the funds by the active zeal of its friends in Scotland. The Presbytery of Glasgow have unanimously appointed an annual collection to be made at all the churches and chapels within their bounds. The Presbytery of Paisley have unanimously adopted a similar resolution. The committee nevertheless wish to guard against an impression, that the funds of the society are more than adequate to its exigencies.

The liberality of individuals has made a very valuable addition to the library of the society.

The committee conclude with expressing their confi dence, that the liberal support, which has enabled the society to make such exertions, will still be continued. Every annual report has verified the prospects held out of the increasing utility of the institution. Its example still continues to stimulate zeal, and to excite emulation; and when the editions of the Scriptures now in the press, shall be completed, they will, directly or mediately, have produced or assisted in producing, editions of the Bible, either in whole or in part, in not less than twenty-six languages and dialects. The field for exertion is still ample; and the society will not consider it exhausted, while the inhabitants of any part of the globe are in want of its assistance.

"The Gospel of Salvation," adds the Report, "was a free, unmerited boon to mankind; let us therefore rejoice, that, under Providence, we are become the honoured instruments of its dispersion. It must be most gratifying to the members of the society, to receive applications for its aid and support, dictated by a spirit of Christian confidence and unity, from their fellow-labourers in the same cause, dispersed through various parts of the world: but it is still more gratifying to possess the disposition to comply with them, and the means of indulging that disposition to the most liberal extent. Let us therefore hope, that neither will ever be wanting. Five years only have elapsed, since the British and Foreign Bible Society was established; and, during that period, the calamities of war, from which providence has mercifully protected Vol. III.-No. I.

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our country, have been more or less felt in every kingdom of the continent. But these calamities, even when they have operated with the greatest pressure, have not been able to extinguish that zeal, which the society had either kindled, or promoted, for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures: insomuch that its institution has become a central point of union for individuals and societies animated with the same spirit, however variously circumstanced, or widely dispersed. Like a city set on a hill, it has become conspicuous; and the rays of light which have flowed from it, have been reflected with undiminished lustre. What success may attend its operations, for improving the religious and moral state of mankind, cannot be ascertained. For surely it may be permitted to hope, that the blessing of God will not be wanting to an institution, which has for its single object, to promote his glory by the circulation of the Holy Scriptures; nor its endeavours in this line of duty be unattended with correspondent success. At present the members of the society may be allowed to enjoy the gratification of knowing, that it has been the instrument of communicating the words of eternal life to cottages and prisons, to kindred and aliens, to the poor and the afflicted in our own and foreign countries; and that, through its means, the people which sat in darkness have seen a great light, and to them which sat in the shadow of death, light is sprung up.

"Many tracts are yet unexplored; and it may be necessary to retrace some which have been already pursued: but, whatever the variety or extent of them may be, your committee have the fullest reliance, that the zeal of the friends of religion will supply means adequate to increasing exigencies. Nor can any inducement be wanting to those who remember the words of the Prophet, peculiarly styled Evangelical:- How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth the good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion,-Thy God reigneth!-Isaiah lii. 7."

OBITUARY.

DIED, October 21, R- R

the 26th year of his age*,

of this city, in

For several years preceding his death, he passed his time in thoughtless levity and dissipation. From his childhood he had seldom been seen in the house of God, and was very ignorant of the truths contained in the Scriptures. In the early part of his sickness, which was a consumption of the lungs, he was extremely averse to hear of the subject of death. He could hardly be persuaded of his danger until a few days before he died, when he consented to see a minister. The minister who was sent for, in the short time he spent with him, stated to him plainly and explicitly the cause of all our distresses the improvement we ought to make of them-the awful nature of sin-our total apostasy-the fulness and freeness of salvation through the Lord Jesus-and the necessity of a thorough change of heart to be acceptable to God here, and obtain eternal life hereafter. Mr. R. confessed his former sinful life-his abuse of past merciesand appeared to be filled with sorrow at the recollection of what he had been in his conduct, as well as what he was by nature. The minister directed the 51st Psalm, the 3d chapter of the Gospel of John, the 3, 4, 5, and 6th chapters of the Romans, and the 2d of Ephesians, to be read to him, and having prayed with him, left him. He was much affected and agitated after this, and expressed a wish not to be spoken to at that time.

On the day following he was more indisposed than before, and very weak, so that he could speak but little, and could not bear even to hear reading. There is reason to believe he was much engaged in prayer and in meditation, as he called fervently on Jesus to have mercy on him. The minister visited him again this day, and finding him so low, merely directed his attention to

* The name is not given at the request of a near relation.

the simple truths of the Gospel in very few words, and prayed with him. After he was gone, Mr. R. expressed some doubts that he could not be saved if he was not one of the elect; but was quieted on this head, when told, that he had reason to think himself of that number, "if the Lord made him willing to seek for salvation through Christ." The day following he grew feebler, but expressed his willingness to depart. He was much engaged in prayer, crying fervently at intervals for

mercy.

On Wednesday his sister read to him the 51st Psalm, and 3d of the Gospel of John. He was frequent in ejaculatory petitions for mercy, and prayed to be brought to the throne of grace, and taught to pray. He seemed to be much delighted with the loveliness of a Saviour, as his exclamations were, Sweet Jesus!-Noble Jesus! and these often repeated.

On Thursday he was restless; and when he could speak, called on Sweet Jesus to have mercy on him. His lips were continually moving in prayer; but few words were distinctly articulated. There is reason to believe, from his engagedness in prayer and his subsequent conduct, that the Lord made some great manifestation of his glory. He begged not to be spoken to or disturbed till the following day. Towards the evening he seemed inclined to talk, and calling his sister to his bed, told her he was happy, he had made his peace with God, and was happy.

The day following the Lord strengthened him to speak in a remarkable manner. He indeed put a new song in his mouth, and left him without a wish to live. He expressed much desire to see some pious friends of the family, and spake with confidence of meeting them in heaven. He reasoned much with his parents on the necessity of a speedy repentance. He called his father to the bed-side, and warned him in these words: "Father, I am but twenty-six years old, and the Lord has afflicted me, and is about to remove me to heaven. I hope I shall see you there. You are now eighty years old, and have not called on Jesus as you ought to do. I beg you will give up the world, and seek for sweet JeHe has spared you to this hour; but do not put off

sus.

your repentance to a death bed, as I have done; for you may be afflicted with the loss of reason, or pain which will disable you from calling on him." To his mother he gave a similar exhortation. His brother-in-law sat up with him a great part of the night. He spoke with coolness of his approaching dissolution, and repeated with fervency after his brother-in-law, various verses from the Psalms, and other short ejaculations. He also repeated the Lord's Prayer-after which, in answer to an inquiry on that subject, he replied, he was not at variance with any person. Rapturous expressions of love to Christ, and hope of glory, frequently burst from his lips.

On Saturday, the minister who had twice visited him, called again, and though he rejoiced in the change he found in Mr. R's state, deemed it his duty to warn him of the deceitfulness of the heart of the wiles of Satan of the awful consequences of a mistake-urging upon him the necessity of strict self-examination, as far as his feeble state of body would permit. He told the minister he was happy-expressed his sense of his own unworthiness-and declared all his hopes rested on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before prayer he was asked if he had any thing particular to solicit at the throne of grace. He requested that his parents might be remembered; and added, but in so low a voice, that the minister did not hear it, or know what it was till afterwards, "Pray that I may again see what I have seen." At eight o'clock that night he told his brotherin-law he would depart before morning, and called on Jesus to receive his soul. He said his breath came from his heart, and he felt the stroke of death upon him. His cheeks, he said, were already stiff and cold, which was the case! and his cough which had not intermitted for two minutes a-time for a week before, now entirely ceased, and seemed to give him repose in death. He took leave of his father and mother, and all in the room, in the most affectionate manner, and called on Jesus several times. At 10 o'clock he asked if his feet were not cold, and expressing a wish not to be disturbed, he breathed his last, without a struggle, in a sigh scarcely audible, about an hour before morning.