CHAPTER XIX.

BIBLE IN CANADA.

THROUGH the Vermont Bible Society the managers forwarded a lot of Bibles for distribution in Canada.

In 1822, the want of Bibles was found to be very great, and, at the request of the above-named efficient auxiliary, another supply of French Bibles was sent to that country for sale and gratuitous distribution.

In 1828, on the solicitation of the Rev. Thaddeus Osgood, a distinguished philanthropist, the board presented to the Bible Society of Montreal a supply of Bibles for the use of the poor in that region.

During the year 1834, one thousand Bibles and Testaments were intrusted to Mr. Hoyt for distribution in Canada. The wishes of the Montreal Bible Society were fully met in this matter, and it was by their direction the distribution was effected.

The corresponding secretary of the above society, the year following, remarks as follows in regard to the distribution: "We have reason to believe that the distribution made through Mr. Hoyt has been faithful. The people seem very thankful for the kindness shown them. It is evident, from Mr. Hoyt's report, that the destitution is still very great, and prompt measures should be taken to supply the destitute. In several of the letters which have been received, the demand borders on the clamorous.'

"

In the annual report of the same society, speaking of the section of country where Mr. Hoyt has been laboring, it is stated that, although many books have been distributed, there will be required, according to

estimate, an additional supply of more than two thousand.

To Sanstead was sent, in 1836, three hundred Bibles and Testaments. These were presented through the Vermont Bible Society.

During the same year a supply of Bibles was sent, on the request of Archdeacon Wix, of Newfoundland, for the use of fishermen on the coast of Labrador.

A similar request was made by the same person for the use of the destitute of Newfoundland. The The population of this island, which was estimated at sixty thousand, were represented as being very poor, and in great spiritual destitution: as an instance, it was stated that some of them had been on the island seventy years, and in all that time had not heard one Gospel The emissaries of the Church of Rome take advantage of their ignorance of the Word of God, and are active in instilling the superstitions of their Church.

To supply the wants of the settlers between St. John's and the Bay of Islands, near the Straits of Belle Isle, the board sent to the archdeacon four hundred Bibles and Testaments.

In 1837, the board made a grant of one thousand dollars to the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to aid the work of foreign distribution at their several missionary stations in Canada, South America, and Africa.

In the year following a grant of three hundred Bibles and Testaments was made to the American Baptist Home Missionary Society, for distribution by their missionaries in Canada.

The same year, the Montreal Bible Society having resolved, in the shortest period practicable, to place a copy of the Bible in the hands of all the destitute in the province willing to receive it, the board, for the purpose of assisting them in this benevolent work,

made a grant, at two different periods, of six thousand four hundred Bibles and Testaments.

The report of the Montreal Bible Society for 1839 contained encouraging statements of the progress of the work of Bible distribution. Two causes operated unfavorably to the enterprise: the first was the politi cal agitations in the country, and the second the opposition from the Roman Catholic priesthood.

An agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society has been laboring in the provinces, and established a depository at Montreal. A correspondent of the board, in describing the condition of the country, makes the following remarks:

"God only knows what awaits this guilty land, but light kept back for two centuries begins to break in upon papacy, the dark cloud is turning a brighter side on the Egyptian host, there is increasing evidence that the day-star is rising in Catholic Canada, that her long and dreary night is giving the missionary and the traveler tokens of dawn, and the blessings appointed for her make haste. The Scriptures are distributed there with a facility, and received and read with gratitude and tears hitherto unknown. The papal clergy hate and oppose. The Bible burns the priest, and the priest burns the Bible; but this only increases the light, and people inquire, and run together, and read more than if he had not laid his forbidden hand upon the sacred Volume."

The next year five hundred French Testaments were sent to the Montreal Society for distribution and sale. In 1842, one hundred and fifty Bibles and Testaments were granted to Madame Feller, of the Swiss mission in Canada.

The following year, to the same lady, for the same object, four hundred and fifty French Bibles and Testaments were granted.

During the year 1845, to the French Canadian Missionary Society, on application of the Rev. Caleb Strong, of Montreal, were granted one hundred French Testaments.

During the year 1848, on application of the Rev. Mr. Wolf, there were granted to the French Canadian Missionary Society two hundred and fifty French Bibles and Testaments. For the use of the schools and destitute families at Grand Ligne, on request of Madame Feller, were granted three hundred Bibles and Testaments in the French language.

The previous year, on application of the Rev. H. Wilson, of Canada, for the use of a colony of colored persons, the board granted seven hundred and fifty Bibles and Testaments.

CHAPTER XX.

BIBLE IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA.

In presenting to the reader a view of the operations of the society in the countries named at the head of this article, we shall avail ourselves of all the information within our reach which may serve to throw light upon the interesting subject of the introduction of the Bible into these countries, and the extent of its diffusion among the inhabitants.

From an American gentleman residing in Mexico, the managers received information, in 1826, that the Scriptures which had been sent there were gladly received by all classes of people. A correspondence, by the foreign secretary, was immediately opened with an intelligent person in the city of Mexico in relation