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formation of the actual ftate of religion in that country as may alfift the Society to form a difcreet judgment refpecting the moft eligible means of promoting the interefts of pure Chriftianity therein, have the fatisfaction to fubmit to them the procefs and refult of their miffion.

may calculate on the future services of this gentleman, in any proper measures to promote the Proteftant caufe; and he feels fo much animated by the account of the defign and proceedings of our inftitution, as to have formed the intention of being prefent at our next annual folemnities.

But it is not in the French language only that the Society is likely to be inftrumental in the circulation of the New Teftament and of the Effay :-it is highly probable, that at the prefent moment the latter is under translation into the Italian language, by another individual, whom God has raised up and filled with zeal a

They deem it, however, incumbent on them, in the firft place, to record their grateful teftimony to the goodnefs of God, not only for their fafe prefervation, but alfo for having profpered their way by preparing and difpofing fuitable inftruments to promote their object, whofe friendship has proved of confiderable advantage; particularly, as it has been the me-gainst the errors of the Popish dium of introducing them to per- Communion. The Directors will fons of refpectable ftation and in- learn with pleasure, that an Italifluence, who have received them an Bishop has expreffed his difinwith cordiality, highly approved terefted defire to serve their cause the benevolence and utility of in this way; and it waits only their defign; greatly encouraged their own determination to give them by affurances of its probable full effect to his zealous difpofition. fuccefs, and their co-operation to This dignitary of the Romish See, promote it. in the carly periods of the revolution, directed his enlightened efforts against the pretenfions of the Papacy, and for three years fuffered imprisonment, as well as the lofs of his worldly fubftance. Feeling ftrongly on account of the abominations of Popery, he appears ready to lend his utmost affistance to diffufe the purer principles of the Proteftant faith.

Bearing on their minds the immediate object of their miffion, which was the Tranflation of the Effay, and its Circulation with the New Teftament thro' France, they have taken measures for its accomplishment; and have the pleasure to inform the Directors, that they have fucceeded beyond their expectations. It will afford them fatisfaction to learn, that God has gracioufly difpofed the heart of a refpectable member of the legislative affembly to take a lively intereft in our caufe; in confequence of which he voluntarily offered his fervices to tranflate the Effay; and is now affiduoufly engaged therein, receiving, according to his own declaration, increafing edification as he proceeds. The Society, we believe,

Another member of the legiflative body, a zealous Proteftant, and who appears eminently devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, entered moft cordially into our views. He lamented the want of faithful and zealous minifters; and on our expreffing a hope that our Society might be difpofed to educate fome truly devoted and zealous young men for the exercise of the miniftry in France, faid,

"That he thought he could find out, in the fouth, fix young men, truly devoted and spiritual, whom he would fend over to England, to be trained up there for the fervice of the Proteftants in France;" -and he waits the direction of the Society for the accomplishment of this purpose.

ftated, that it was the Proteftant Scriptures that he wanted, and for the purpose of felling them to the Catholics, who were eager to procure them, in preference to their own.

That the Directors may form a judgment, as to the probable extent in which the Scriptures, and the works of the best Proteftant authors may be circulated, it may be neceffary to state to them the information received from a gen

The refolution of the Society was limited to the New Teftament; because, it was concluded that the addition of the Old, would occafion an inconvenient expendi-tleman who was formerly in one of ture of its funds, it being under flood that they were to be diftributed gratuitoufly: but on this fubject, as well as others, the minds of the deputation were every day receiving more juft and comprehenfive information; and they have now the fatisfaction to fay, that the Directors are likely to have the opportunity of printing and circulating the whole Scrip. tures, as well as the Effay, and other Proteftant works, to a very great extent, without any eventual expence to the Society and although we would not too ftrongly indulge this expectation; yet, the following circumftance, among others, may in fome degree encourage it.

In Paris, it required a search among the book fellers, of four days, to find a fingle Bible :-we fear this is also the awful fituation of the greater part of France, and other countries formerly connected with the See of Rome.-The report of an intention to publish it, produced an application from one bookfeller, for 1500 copies; and we found on calculation, that the fale of 5000 copies on his terms, would leave fome advantage to the Society. This bookfeller being a Catholic, it was fuppofed, that he might be inquiring for their edition of the Scriptures; but he

the highest departments of ftate
in Sardinia.
in Sardinia. Prompted by his
approbation of the object, and de-
firous to promote its fuccefs, he
communicated the following intel-
ligence :-That in Piedmont, and
other Popifh countries, the Bible
was prohibited, under the penalty
of eternal damnation; but that
fince their union with France,
Proteftantifm is not only tolerated,
but its worship is public; and
that the benevolent views of the
Society would meet with the
greateft fuccefs, if profecuted with
order and wifdom. In Piedmont,
and especially at Turin, there are
a confiderable number of Gene-
vans who would affift it, as well as
moft of the literary characters of
the country. Befides books, he
recommends, that well inftructed,
prudent, and difcerning Miffiona-
ries be fent. There will be an e-
qual opportunity of spreading in-
ftruction into the Cifalpine repub-
lic; and from thence into Tufca-
ny. Books and Miffionaries would
alfo, he ftates, be received with
enthufiafm at Naples; and this
would prepare the way to Rome
itfelf.--Without entering into fur-
ther detail of the plan which he
fuggefts, the Directors will per-
ceive the immenfe fcope which
Divine Providence has prepared
for the exertions of Chriftian bene-

remark. They had been informed that, in one of the departments through which they had to pass, there were a number of their Protestant Brethren destitute of a paftor: conceiving it to be their duty to vifit them, in order to rouse and animate them, they staid for one day in that diftrict. The ufeful friend who accompanied them, being acquainted with the prefect, called on him, and informed him of their defign in coming to France this great officer entered with much zeal into the subject,

volence, in the cause of the blessed | the deputation, will illuftrate this Redeemer indeed, the moral effects produced over a very extenfive and populous part of Europe, by the late conflict of the nations, are fo evident and important, as not to be overlooked without impiety; and the facilities for the introduction of the Gofpel, are so greatly increased, as to invite, and even demand, the earneft prayers and unwearied efforts of the difciples of Chrift, to improve to the utmoft fo interefting a difpenfation. It is extremely manifeft, that a wide door is opened for the Gofpel; and it will be a great privi-highly approved of the measure, lege and honor, if the Miffionary ftrongly recommended the ProSociety fhould, in any degree, be- teftants to exert themselves, and come inftrumental in making it an promised them a church and a effectual one. The operations of house, both well repaired, for the Divine Providence, in rendering ufe of the minister whom they the political convulfions of the might get appointed. This cirworld fubfervient to his fuperior cumftance being made known to plan of wisdom and grace, in rela- two of the Proteftants refiding tion to the kingdom of the Mef- there, whofe minds had previouffiah, has feldom been more appa- ly been filled with gloomy apprerent than in the public events henfions as to the state of religion, which have lately occurred; yet, it had fuch an enlivening influit is not by great political arrange- ence upon them, as to induce them ments only, but alfo by moral im- to pledge themselves to furnish a preffions upon the minds of thofe very liberal support to any Prowhofe authority controuls the af- teftant minifter who would settle fairs of nations, that the duty of among them; and expreffed their Christian Societies is pointed out undoubting perfuafion, that the and enforced. This obfervation church would foon be filled with admits of an appropriate applica- fuch Catholics as would willingly contribute to the fupport of a Proteflant miniftry. This laft fentiment, which is of very great importance, appears to be well founded. It is highly probable, that an energetic ministry, in which the great principles of the Gofpel fhould be powerfully inculcated, would be rumerously attended by the Catholics in various, if not in all parts of France. Indeed, the religion of Rome, unfupported by extensive funds, and deftitute of civil power, feems fait

tion.

The Proteftant caufe is confidered by the prefent government of France to be favorable to its ftability the apprehenfion of danger is from the party attached to Popery; the government therefore, is on its guard with refpect to the latter, but is well difpofed to the former: this is demonftrated by its appointments to ftations of political importance, or to offices of magiftracy. An occurrence which happened on the return of

of exciting already a very confiderable impulfe in the minds of many in favor of genuine Chriftianity. The objects of the inftitution, and the difinterested philanthropy, to which they attributed their vifit, had a powerful effect on them, and awakened a train of ideas which were either entirely new, or had long lain dormant in their minds. They foon formed the project of communicating their views and feelings to others; and we believe that, at this time, a correfpondence is opening with the Proteftants in every part of France, with a view to form a general and useful or ganization of the whole body, in order to revive the long-perfecuted interefts of true religion, and extend them on every fide; but they feel their need of the advice and affiftance of the Society in the commencement of their efforts; and are difpofed, in return, to co-operate in all the measures which may be recommended as likely to promote our great object. What these measures ought to be, becomes therefore an important subject to be confidered. Probably the Directors will coincide in the conviction which this vifit to France has produced in our own minds,-That, depending on the bleffing of God, the Bible, and an Evangelical Minitry, are the principal things requi

verging towards its fall: the activity of its priefts, who, by writings and other means, are endeavoring to revive its interefts, may, however, fucceed, if no proper attempts are made to introduce into its place a purer fyftem; because the intellectual principle in man, confcious of its immortal destiny, feels the neceflity of fome religion whereon its anxieties may repofe; and will therefore lean upon a falfe one in the absence of the true. This anxious feeling of the mind after the true religion, feems to be increafing in France. Difgufted with the fuperftitions of Popery, they betook themselves to the principles of infidelity, and have proved them to be infufficient for their happiness, as well as pernicious in their tendency. The day of infidelity and of fuperftition is clofing; and, as foon as the Sun of Righteoufnefs arifes, they will be chafed into eternal darkness, their native region. It may be added also, that the Proteftant religion would be fupported by a confiderable portion of the people, who, being friendly to the principles of civil liberty, conceive that a natural alliance fubfifts between thefe, whilft that of the Papal is supposed to be in hoftility thereto. This is therefore that political and moral state of things in France and its dependencies, which the Directors will probably confider as a diftinguifh-fite to promote the caule of the ing character of a difpenfation favorable to the intereft of true religion; and therefore defigned to be a fignal to Chriftians, and efpecially to Chriftian focieties, in order to engage their utmost energies to improve it.

The Members of the Deputation now proceed to flate, that God has been pleased to render their visit to France the occafion

Redeemer in that country; and it will probably be the diflinguifhed honor of the Miffionary Society to be the means of diftributing the word of God, in a very extenfive degree, through France and its dependencies, which appear to be now nearly deftitute thereof; and this one circumftance will imprefs upon it a character of usefulness, which will

|ciety in England would cheerful. ly extend their liberal aid to fupport it; and on this ground, the Members of the Deputation have inftituted an enquiry concerning the price of one of the churches, well adapted for this purpofe; the refult of which, we expect very shortly to lay before the Direct ors.

Another means for promoting the fuccefs of the Gofpel in France, we conceive would be the circulation of various Protestant works, explaining and impreffing the leading principles, and beneficial ef fects of Chriftianity; and efpecially by a publication of the nature of the Evangelical Magazine; the profits whereof should be applied to the relief of the widows of Proteftant Minifters in that country; or to the education of young men for the miniftry; as may appear beft. On thefe grounds the adoption of the fo lowing Refolutions is recommended to the Directors :

afford to the mind a fource of perpetual joy and thanksgiving. It is alfo hoped, it will be in their power to find out and recommend to the Brethren in France, fome minifters, whofe knowledge of the peculiar doctrines of the Gofpel, and experience of their power, may fit them for eminent usefulnefs; but fo great is the want of fuitable minifters in these populous and extenfive regions, that, without an interpofition of Providence in a way at prefent un known, there muft long remain a great deficiency in this refpect. To lay the foundation of fupplying this, as far as circumftances permit, it may probably be of effential fervice to felect a few young men of the French nation, whofe hearts may be inclined to the fervice of God, for the purpofe of giving them fuch full and appropriate inftructions as may fit them for the Chriftian ministry in their own country. It appears, moreover, to be a matter of great importance, that a member of the Society, or a friend in clofe connexion with it, fhould refide in Paris, for the exercise of his miniftry, among the Proteftants there; whofe number is estimated at from 30 to 40,000; and who it is feared, are deplorably ignorant, as to the nature and effects of the religion which they profefs. It may be neceffary, in the first inftance, to conduct the fervice in the En-ed by fale, for account of the glish language; but the princi- Miffionary Society, viz. pal defign is, to preach eventually in that of the French; not only to Proteftants, but to Catholics

allo. This measure appeared fo important in its nature, fo honorable to the fociety, and fo effential in various views to the interefts of religion throughout France, that the perfuafion has been in dulged, that the friends of the So

1. That the measures already taken for the translation of the Effay, and its circulation by fale, as well as the printing and sale of the New Teftament, be confirmed.

N. B. 2000 of each are ordered; the coft of which will be about 1151.

2. That the Committee be authorized to direct the following books to be printed and circulat

5000 Bibles and Teftaments,

which will cost about

5000 Watts's Ift Catechifms,

which will cost about

5000 do. 2d do.

5000 Affembly's Catechifms
4000 New Teftaments in the
Italian language
2000 of the Effay

do.

£. s. 4.

62500

800 20 0 0 2500

100 0 0 70 0 0

848 0 0

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