CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, Society for the Promotion of. The oldest and greatest of the religious associations connected with the Church of England. It is popularly referred to as the 'IS. P. C. K." It was founded in 1698, although it did not receive its present name till 1701, and had for its objects: al. To promote and encourage the erection of charity schools in all parts of England and Wales. 2. To disperse, both at home and abroad, Bibles and tracts of religion; and, in general, to advance the honor of God, and the good of mankind, by promoting Christian knowledge both at home and in other parts of the world by the best methods that should offer." These objects it has never ceased to pursue, directing its efforts chiefly to Great Britain and the colonies. It partakes at the same time of the nature of an educational asso ciation, a missionary society, a Bible society, a religious tract society and an emigrants' spir itual aid society. The publishing and book
selling business shows in some years total sales of $450,000; the works published being in very various departments of literature, and including several admirable series on Early Britain, Dio cesan Histories, Ancient History from the Mon uments, Early Chroniclers, etc.
The Protestant missionaries who labored in the south of India in the 18th century were supported chiefly by this society, and it is now chiefly engaged in supplying to the mission-field throughout the world needful religious litera ture in the vernacular. Besides translations of the Bible and Prayer-book, it provides for pio neer missionaries, grammars, dictionaries, read ing-books and general literature to instruct them in the languages which they will have to use. In Scotland a similar society was organ ized in 1709.