Religious Anniversaries.
American Tract Society.- The eleventh anniversary of this Institution
was celebrated Wednesday last at New York. From an abstract of the annual Report,
we learn that on closing the accounts April 5th, the total receipts were found
to be $105,000 being $12,000 more than the previous year, and nearly $38,000
more than the year preceeding. The amount of volumns printed was 248,000; being
141,000 more than in the previous year; and the prospect of future usefulness
in each department of the Society's operations was apparently greater than ever
before.
American Bible Society.- The annivesary of this Institution was also
celebrated last week at the Broadway Tabernacle, New York. Among the speakers
were Gov. Dunlap of Maine, Reid of Bombay, and Brown of St. Petersburgh, Russia.
From an abstract of the annual report it appears that the receipts of the year
from all Societies amount to $104,899, 45, and were received from the following
sources: In payment for Bibles and Testaments sold, $42, 766, 75; from bequest,
$18, 589, 66; for distribution in foreign counties, $13, 48[],19; unrestricted
contributions, $25,112,07. The expenditures of the year have been $107,910 93,
leaving a balance in the Treasury of $9,265,70. This balance is owing in part
to the fact that a large legacy has been received, and too near the close of
the year to allow of its being wisely expended.
The American Home Missionary Society also held its annual meeting
at New York last week. It appeared from extracts of the annual Report which
were read, that the number of Missionaries and Agents now under the care of
the Society, is 753, more or less of whom have been employed in 25 different
states and territories and in the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. To these
maybe added 17 Pastors and Evangelists in France, making the whole number of
Missionaries, &c. supported and aided by this Society, 770. Of the 753 in
this country, 575 are settled as Pastors; 132 extend their labors; two or three
congregations; and 46 including Agents are employed in larger fields. The amount
of ministerial labor is formed under the commissions of this society the past
year is equal to 54 years of an individual.
The receipts into the Treasury during the past year amounted to $100,565,15,
which added to a balance of $5,468,94 on hand at the beginning of the year makes
an aggregate of $167,039,09. The disbursements have been $92,108,94, leaving
a balance in the Treasury of $14,930,15. This balance is occasioned by the legacy
of the late Joseph Burr, 12.00 of which have been paid into the Treasury of
this Society, and $5000 to the Vermont Missionary Society, and is included in
the above statement of receipts. The receipts from ordinary sources have not
exceeded those of the preceding year. |