soon as possible; selection of individuals to translate the Scriptures into those languages in which a version has not as yet been made. If none can be found prepared for the work, let some persons acquire forthwith the knowledge needed; arrangements should immediately be made for printing the Bible in large numbers of copies in all those languages into which it has already been translated; appointment of agents to address the community and collect funds. Appeals, too, should be made from the press. One hundred millions of dollars would probably provide the Bibles required. Many individuals may be found who would contribute a hundred thousand dollars each, were they satisfied that this work could and would be accomplished; and agents should be appointed, whose special business it should be, to see the Bible disseminated among all people, that they may be able to read in their own tongues the wonderful works of God.

Appendix A.

DISSERTATION II.

DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTS.

THE benevolent Creator has endued man with rational and moral powers, and made him capable of endless progression in knowledge, holiness and happiness. He has furnished him with the means of knowledge, and presented before him the most weighty motives to its attainment. Knowledge is desirable, as conducive to usefulness and enjoyment. Of this opinion was Solomon. He says, "that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good." Knowledge is valuable, as it expands, strengthens, and ennobles the mind, and prepares it for successful effort. This is true of knowledge in medicine, law, politics, philosophy and divinity; in all the arts and sciences. But man is a moral, responsible, and immortal being. Most of all, therefore, is knowledge valuable, on moral and divine subjects. It would be important were our existence measured only by time. How greatly, then, is its importance magnified, when we view our existence as commensurate with eternity! Great happiness in the life that now is, and all the happiness in that which is to come, depends on our acquaintance with true vital godliness. How important, then, that all men should have, not only a speculative, but also an experimental, knowledge of the

religion of Jesus Christ! "Yea, doubtless," said Paul, " and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." And why? Because this alone could save his soul. Some knowledge of

divinity may be obtained from the works of creation and providence, or from the light of nature; but the chief source of divine knowledge is the Bible. This is the great magazine or storehouse of religious truth, and "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,"" able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." The writings also of the pious and good, though not inspired, serve to illustrate, enforce and apply the truths of God's word. They are happily instrumental in awakening, converting, and saving perishing souls. Of this nature are the evangelical Tracts, published and distributed by the various societies which are formed for the express purpose of thus promoting the glory of God, and the salvation of apostate man.

Tracts, those little harbingers of light and life, are peculiarly adapted to usefulness, from the nature of their contents; their suitableness to all ranks and conditions of persons; the ease with which they are distributed; and the small expense, comparatively, attending their distribution. They are faithful too. They will not flatter, nor can they be intimidated. They are, also, as safe as they are faithful. Drawn from an incorruptible fountain, they inculcate, not the impure and impious doctrines of Voltaire and his associates, but the pure and heavenly principles of Christ and his apostles. They glory in shining with a borrowed light. The Bible Society is often and appropriately compared to the sun. But if the Bible Society is the sun, the Tract Society is the atmospheric medium that reflects the glorious rays, and throws them into every dark corner of the earth." Tracts impart pious

instruction in a perspicuous, concise, and interesting manner. They must, therefore, be productive of very happy effects. In these unassuming advocates of the cross, may be found a word in season, for the intemperate, the profane, and the Sabbath breaker; for parents and children; for the high and low, the rich and poor, the righteous and unrighteous, the learned and unlearned, the civilized and uncivilized. "A tract is a missile weapon, which the Spirit of God may direct to the conviction and conversion of a sinner, unassailable from any other quarter." While they are highly interesting and edifying to Christians, and those in the higher walks of life, they are peculiarly adapted to persons in humble circumstances, and to the impenitent, generally, whether in Christian or heathen lands. The greater part of mankind are in a state neither of affluence, nor of freedom even from laborious and constant employment. Large volumes are not, therefore, suited to their use, as they have neither money to buy, nor time to read them. Among the heathen, Tracts are more profitable than larger works. The missionaries tell us, that the natives, not being accustomed to reading, will despair of perusing large books, and so never begin; or should they begin, they will read but here and there, and to little benefit. But a Tract is easily read, and is generally read with avidity and profit. The title attracts his eye, the brevity tempts his indolence. In favor of thus publishing the proclamations of divine love and mercy to the heathen, we have the repeated testimony of Drs. Morrison and Carey; Drs. Henderson and Pinkerton, and other missionaries to the heathen. They view them as most valuable accompaniments to the Bible, and as peculiarly useful in this connection to lead wandering souls to God.

The following are the opinions and declarations of some of the heralds of salvation, now laboring in pagan lands.

"Greece," says the Rev. Dr. Robertson, "offers now more than ever an extensive field for the distribution of the word of God, and of religious Tracts gratuitously. At Samos, when I was there with the Rev. Dr. King, I never witnessed any thing more astonishing than the eagerness of the people to obtain a Tract." Says the Rev. Mr. Winslow of Ceylon, in a communication to the American Tract Society, "Could you provide the means of supplying not only the tens of thousands in Jaffna, but some of the millions on the continent with Tamul Tracts, we have only to say the field is large enough for your benevolence." The Rev. Dr. Judson at Rangoon in his journal writes "The great annual festival of Shway Dagong is just past, during which I have distributed nearly ten thousand Tracts, giving to none but those who ask. Priest and people, from the remotest regions, are alike eager to get our writings." The Rev. Dr. Milne's testimony to the value of Tracts in heathen lands, is, "The Tract Society is a most important auxiliary in the work of converting the heathen to Christ, and though in comparison with Missionary and Bible Societies, it holds in some respects a lower place, in other respects, its utility is more immediate, more extensive, and more apparent." "A Tract distributer, at some great festival in China, where men of different tongues throughout that vast empire are congregated, like the Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and dwellers in Mesopotamia' on the day of Pentecost, might speak through these Chinese Tracts, to every one in the language in which he was born." In this way great multitudes of these heralds of mercy might be sent abroad, among the 300 millions of China, who might hereby become acquainted with that Saviour, through whom alone light and immortality are brought to light.

Tracts are easily distributed. The pastor in his parochial visits, as he goes from house to house, warning