In a letter dated February 25, 1847, the greater part of which was published in the last Periodical, Bro. Ranney thus expresses the views of the missionaries regarding the employment of colpor

teurs.

"With regard to colporteurs, it is believed that several might be employ ed with advantage. There are few people unwilling to hear, and there can be no doubt that intelligent colporteurs, such as may be selected among the Burmese, Karens, and Peguans, would, under the divine blessing, do much good. The number of from six to eight is recommended for your support at a salary from Rupees 7 to Rupees 15 per month, $3 18 to $6.82."

Since the last anniversary the Board have appropriated $2000 for the Peguan scriptures, and $1000 for the Karen.

TAVOY.

A highly interesting letter, upon bible operations, from Bro. Mason, dated Tavoy, December 23d, 1847, was published in the Periodical for October. We extract two or three sentences.

"When we turn to the Church, however, we see clear enough that the Bible, and the Bible interpreted, with God's blessing, is the only means for the advancement of its members in the christian graces. In this respect there has been a wonderful improvement since the New Testament has been printed, and yet I cannot lay hold of any thing that would appear striking or wonderful in a report.

"Our best assistants are those that understand the Bible best,-our best christians those that pore most over its sacred pages."

Most of the printing for Tavoy is now done at Maulmain, and is comprised in the statistics furnished by Bro. Ranney. But we have a printed report of the Tavoy Missionary Society, for July 15th, 1846, in which mention is made of their distinct printing department to which they still pay considerable attention. One remark contained in this report we regard as full of meaning.

"Another way in which we are slowly preparing the way for the Karen churches to support themselves, is the selling to them, in part, their books. No great sums have as yet been realized from this source, but we are bring. ing the people to recognize particularly the principle, that they must ul· timately pay for all."

The Board believe that in almost all cases in which a full or partial return for scriptures distributed, can be obtained, there is great

er probability that the books will be valued and read. This remark applies both to domestic and foreign distribution.

ASAM.

In the report of the American Baptist Mission in Asam it is stated that

All translations of scripture have been published at the expense of the American and Foreign Bible Society.

"Tracts and portions of scripture have been largely distributed during the year, and in this department there is a wide and open field for usefulness. *The truth of God thus communicated, though silent and unseen, is operative, and its influence we believe will at length appear." We make the following extract from the

STATEMENT OF PRINTING

Executed at the Mission Press, from 1836, to December, 1845.

The sum of $1000 has been appropriated this year for Asamese scriptures.

SIAM.

It was confidently expected that Bro. Goddard would long ere this, have removed to China and devoted himself exclusively to

But in this

the translation of the sacred scriptures into Chinese. expectation your Board have again been disappointed. Bro. Goddard writes in reference to this subject under date of Bangkok, June 16th, 1847.

MY DEAR SIR,

In my last, of Oct. 19th, in reply to yours of May 25th, 1846, I expressed an expectation of soon being able, in accordance with your wishes and to some extent in accordance with my own views of duty, to remove to China and devote myself chiefly to the translation of the scriptures. I regret to say that the way does not yet seem opened by providence. The circumstances of this Mission are such that it does not seem at all proper for me to leave. Brother and Sister Jencks suffer considerably from feeble health, and doubtless will continue to suffer until further acclimated. I am however happy to add that Brother Chandler and wife are enjoying better health than at some former time and the prospect of their continuance is more favorable. I am trying to do a little here in the line of translation. I still feel an unabated interest in the work and desire to have a standard version for the use of our missions. I shall do what I can in present circumstances, but it will be far less than I desiré, and I fear less than others expect. I sometimes feel borne down with the multiplicity of my caresnot that they are so numerous or trying as that they would be burdensome with the health, spirits, and encouragement which I used to enjoy in my native land. But under the long influence of this tropical sun I am too much unstrung to bear a great multiplicity of cares without confusion. It is to me a source of regret and sometimes discouragement, that I am able to accomplish so little, while using up so much of the charities of the churches. I have not been able to satisfy my mind nor my conscience as to the amount of labor which I accomplish. I trust we shall share your prayers, both that we may know the path of duty and be enabled to walk therein. Mrs. Goddard often suffers from ill health. We have just been spending three weeks on board ship at anchor in the harbor, for her health and also for my own relaxation, and have returned considerably invigorated by the cool sea breezes. I may add that our chief native assistant is now about to leave for China, and in consequence more of my time will be required for direct missionary work. We desired to retain him, but having been long absent he could not feel satisfied not to go.

Please give my christian regards to the Society, and let me hear from you as often as convenient.

With kind regards I remain,

Yours truly,

J. GODDARD.

Bro. Goddard also wrote to the Missionary Union, under date

of July 1st, 1848:

"In the translation of the scriptures, considerable has been done in the investigation and settlement of difficult questions relative to the usage of important words. The gospel by John has been thoroughly revised and is now ready to be printed. Matthew and part of Luke have also been carefully revised, but need still another examination before publication. Two of the native assistants, who are good scholars, rendered much assistance in the work of revision. They have gone over a considerable portion of the New Testament, and noted alterations which they judged necessary to render the style plain and idiomatic, leaving it to me to compare it with the original; after which we unitedly endeavored to render the whole both idiomatic and literal.

"A Chinese and English vocabulary in the Tie Chiu dialect has been prepared during the past year, to meet the urgent necessities of missionaries engaged in that dialect. About half of it [94 pages] has been printed; a large portion of the type has been set by Bro. Jencks and myself, for want of a person who could be spared from other work capable of composing English.

CHINA.

In conformity with the wishes of the Missionary Union the colporteurs supported at your expense under the direction of its missionaries in China, have been transferred to that body. Early in the year, Bro. Devan, who had been so efficient and successful in the work of scripture distribution, was obliged by the declining state of his health to leave that field of his labors, and to return to this country, from which he has been sent by the Union as a missionary to France. Bro. Clopton, who gave promise of great usefulness in the missionary field, and was deeply interested in bible operations, has been summoned from his work to receive his reward. His colleagues at Canton, in the employ of the Southern Baptist Triennial Convention, have received from this Society all the scriptures for which they have applied. From the annual report received within the year from Chow, a colporteur sustained at your expense under the direction of Bro. Roberts, we make a brief extract.

"During the past year I have distributed scripture portions 7,868 volumes. Thanks to the true God for His grace, and to the Savior for His merits, who have added to my life one more peaceful year: also grateful acknowledgments to the Bible Society for granting me one more year's allowance."

Bro. Dean wrote Dec. 29th, 1847:-"A revised copy of the Acts of the Apostles, with references has been prepared, of which the blocks are cut,

and it is now being printed. We are now employed in a revision of Matthew with explanatory notes, somewhat after the manner of Ripley's notes. The work is about half done. We have in employ, a Sew Chae, or literary graduate, to aid in correcting the style of the notes, and feel encouraged to believe that they may afford important aid to the Chinese reader in understanding the scriptures. We were induced to commence this work chiefly on account of the extreme difficulty in understanding the scriptures by the Chinese, without explanations either written or oral: the latter of course the best.

Bro. Dean appears to have in mind to carry out this plan for the entire New Testament, devoting some portion of each week to the preparation of notes; to which he is the more inclined from inability to preach continually on account of an affection of the throat.

Brethren Hudson and Jarrom, missionaries at Ningpo, of the General Baptist Missionary Society, appear to be very anxious to enter upon the work of scripture distribution. Brother Hudson writes: "The Old Testament is exceedingly scarce, and it is difficult to obtain a complete copy of the sacred scriptures in the Chinese language."

An extract from his appeal for aid, addressed to this Society through the Secretary, may be seen in the Correspondence. Of the appropriation of $1000 to the General Baptist Missionary Society, the Board have designated "at least $500 for the use of its Missionaries at Ningpo."

Your Board have also appropriated $1000 to the Missionary Union for Chinese scriptures.

CHEROKEE SCRIPTURES.

The portions of the bible in Cherokee, translated by Baptist Missionaries and printed by Bro. Upham, are-Genesis, Luke, Mark, 1st and 2d Thessalonians, Philemon, Titus and Jude. these, were printed in 1847,

Tract form of Thessalonians, Philemon, Titus, and Jude, 2d edition,

Of

The translation of the Cherokee New Testament, by Bro. E. Jones and son, was completed last year.