Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
2 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
:... /*•'r '■arwi ■ i ■ -…
r '■arwi ■ i ■ ■— i- T .L'j. i ■■ ■ 1 -it'i~i—r1 "n n<n *m INSTITUTION OF THE DtiNRTGHStU HE AUXILIARY RIULE SOCIETY. [We feel great pleasure in laying before OUT rentiers (tie following sketch of Hie substance (if the observations delivered at Ruthin, by the Rev. Thomas Gishorne, August 27th, 1813, at .'•f: the County Meeting, for the Institution of the above Society J MRE. GISBORNE hean by declaring his hope 1 li at, as lie attended (he Meeting iticonsequence of the urgent wishes of the Committee ap- pointed to arrange the necessary measures antecedently to 1 he business of the day, and- was Ihen desired bv the Chairman to deliver liis sentiments, lie should not he deemed obtru- sive. although he was a stranger, in alldres-sing 'the audience then before him.—The purpose #(,r* w!i"(,Ii they were assembled was to take into consideration the propriel y of establishing a DeiJhig-hshirc Auxiliary BibtsSuciety, as at I Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society. The object of the British and Foreign Bible Society is to disseminate at hoRie aiWI -,itid to the widest extent which 'tile ^.support conferred upon it may enable it to, embrace,the pure word of God, the simple volume of sacred scripture. This object is one 1 ..which, when regarded as to the nature, and as, (lie it promises, can- t. hut command the approbation, and inte ,t the hearts 0.1 christians of every deserip :■ Æfofh He understood, however, that in -1 liis"j of the kingdom as in some other pails, w-isi'oncepfurns respecting it, or respecting f'ircuinstances connected with it, were preva ent; and that various otejei'i ions-against the proposed association were afloat. It tHight I hen-fore be -,iflvls;tl)le fol-tilwitli to examine ihbss objections.—To clear away exlranctHls., flatter would strongly tend to manifest the ,v )t ?v (if the foundation on which the sopec- ■«!rtfC!urc was to be raised. It was in the first phtt" n1<fged by opponents, that the British -and Foreign Bible Society is a dissenting in «tiiiUuiii that it wears a dissenting cast (If -character that it favours the interests of <fisscisters as contrasted with those of (he Estab- lished Church, tt, was nol easy 10 cmbody an -Indefinite charge in precise terms. But he was .-solicitous to state the charge in such words as -should bring it forward in its complete force, -that £ fotSemen miht judge whether he met it fairly and assuredly the opinion which he •entertained as to the validity of the charge was >?!ot such as to -subject, him to temptations to the contrary. Wis-al theais meant by the al- legation, that tlrt British and Foreign Bible •Society is an iUJliluti-on of a dissent nig com- el plexion. of a dissenting tendency ? Is it meant, ihat the instrtulion is olle in which Members I)f tiie co-ol)erate with dissleill "Scrs ? Unquestionably the co-operatiou is ia- tended to fake place, mild does take place. And that very co-operation, that co-operation is the object for which the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed exclusively, and to which it is exclusively restricted, the cirtula lion of the tiiliie, stands rominentamonthe reasons which-most warmly recommend {lie Society to our regard, most efficaciously con tribute to illustrate its usefulness. Whvare not weladly to co-operate with dissenters, wlieneTfr we can co-operate with them con-j .s(,i,,ntiotisly ? If we see a inan drowning, are s not wc to unite with a dissenter in drawing the = .Pei. stifferet out of the stream ? And if yve perceive a person absorbed in ignorance,; engulfed in wickedness, I-re 'ti(it we to join with a dissenter in holding out to him the ttoqk of light and life ? Neither party could. in conscience unite with the other in dispersing publications, which it esteems at variance with its own creed. Bllt why may not all d'enomi 1 lutions or christians eordialll unite illåispèl's, ing that book, on which all build their belief-; I(Itls on which all found their religious opinions oil which a if are convinced that the belief and the religious opinions of every individual throughout the world ought to rest-I By such -co-operation, not only are promptitude and energy communicated to the diffusion of. the records of our common faith but nitktitil prejudices among oven differing as to religious persuasion are mitigated, mutual heats are? allayed. All feel the softening influence of being united in a good work; a')< though retaining respectively their doctrinal senti- rtients, learn to view their comi):iii.lotis willi Christian c)iiirity, and with in etic-re,,tsiiig sl)i- rit of brotherly love. Or is the charge meant to imply, that-the British and Foreign Bible Society was instituted by disssenters ? Let it not he supposed that we concede the-fact to have lieeo so But what if it really were so-? Let it he for the moment assumed, to furnish every a (vantage to the argument of objectors, jet it he assumed that the British and Foreign Bibie Society was originally projected and es- N tablished by dissenters. Is any ground thus gained against the Society ? What is the ra- tional question respecting any iiistittill oil ? Not, whence did it spring ? Bkit, is it in its nature good ? Not, who produced it? HII!, what is its tendency ? A measure truly lauda- ble, joyfully to be encouraged, may originate in a quarter exposed lo reproach. When our Saviour came upon earth, there were those nmang the Jews who exclaimed, Call nt)y good thing come out <if Nazareth ? Out of dai'ilee ariseth uo Prophet ?" Out' Lord dwelt in Galilee yet was he the Great Prophet. He was educäled at Nazareth yet was hit the, promised Kedeemer, the Son of Ciod. if an institution lie beneficial, our duty, our wis- df)iti. iq to receive if, -let it corner wbence.it m:iy and to cherish it, and to employ it for every purpose of uldify which it is adapted to promote But the.charge is perhaps intended to intimate, that the management of tlc Bri- lisli and Foreign Bible Society is in tbehands of dissenters.' How stands the fact then as to this point ? The affairs of the Society are-con- *'> conducted by a Committee, consisting<*f the £ -(. definite mimber of thirty six Laymen nomi- nated annually and of such other |iersons as bv the recorded laws of Ihe Society, are enti- tfed to a place iu the Committee. Of these thirty six laymen, fifteen are necessarifyto he Churchmen, and fifteen to be dissenters. So far then there is no prevalence of dissenting power. To these thirty-six Laymen arc added, for the purpose of facilitating the trausac- lions of the Society abroad, six foreigners, resident in London or in its vicinity. These foreigners may reasottably, be considered as neutrals with respect to the local interests v of the Church of England, and of other denominations of christians. But, throw lliem, ifyuu think fit-altogether into the dissenting scale. Theii be it recollected that the President, I lie Vice-Presidents, and the Treasurer, are all by right of office, members of the Committee. Count their number from the list published in the report of the Society and you will observe it scarcely amounting to less than two-thirds ofthe whole of the lav-committee. Read the names from that list and observe that, al. though those offices are open, as beyond doubt they ought iit fiiriiess t,) be open, to all deno- minations, e-very individual among them is a member of the established Church. Be it also recollefcled, that every clergyman of the 'Church of England, who subscribes a stipu- lated s.tiin, is, equally with the Dissenting Mi- nister subscribing the same sum, a'-member oh the committee. When I lIese circumstances are dtity estimated, the futility of the-objec- tion, under the shape in which we arc now discussing it, is plain Nay, in examining the only remaining form in which the imputation of a Dissenting tendency in the British and Foreign Bible Societv can clothe itself, we shall probably discern that, were .we even to suppose the obnoxious circumstance that a meeting-of the committee might be composed of a majority of persons not of the establish- ed Communion, the imagined importance of the circumstance would melt away in propor- tion as it were examined. For, to close with the charge under its only remaining form, is it Incant that the object of the British and Fo- rei-ti Bible Society, has, either in itself or in its mode of being carried into elTect, a leaning towards Dissenting interests ? The object is s to diffu se copies of the Scripture at home and in foreign countries and at home no copy. but of the version of ourchurch Here surely is nothing unfavorable to the church. The mode ill which the Society carries its object inlo effed is by printing edition!) at its own expense; and by purchasing editions already printed, and by encouraging the formation, and the exertions of Societies for tiie same object in foreign countries. Now., let any man ask himself, whether it be easf to devise a question, as capable of being brought before the committee, in which the interests of the church, and of those who differ from it can come into competition. How stands the case as to the proceedings of the Society at borne ? The Bibles, which it furnishes to its members are supplied, according to an established regu- lation, in a stated proportion to the-stibscrip ti-ons of individuals, and are necessarily deli- vered on the applicatioll of individuals, as a matter of course, and without any reference to the religious tenets of the applicant. Thus far, there is no possibility ofclashing-interesti, no opening for moving a .(,I(ieistioti. The I 4-14 questions- respecting domestic proceedings, which may come before the Committee are, whether the next edition of the Scriptures should be on a page of this size, or of that size in this type, or in that type of this number of copies, or of that number. Is there any thing in the decisionof anyone of these questions either way, which affect* the rt-falive interests of the Church of England, anti I)ct-soiis who dissent from-it? Then with regard to the foreign of the Society, it may he a subject of di-ncnssioh, whether the reprinting of the Bible in Spanish, or in Dutch, should first be undertaken wi- ther a version into the language of (lie Chi- nose, or of the Calimicks, shonid first encouraged, whether a Bihle Society in Sax- ony, or one in Switzerland, be most in need of; immediate assistance. In the determination (.)f aity of Lhe,.ie-cjtteitioi,q, where is there any room for competition of interests between Dissenters and the Church ? The charge against Ibe British and Foreign Bible Society,1 of a tendency favorable to Dissenters, and- relatively unfavorable to the Church of Eog- >S<>:id, may now be dismissed. There rests, oil the minds of some men an in. distinct nnd indeterminate idea, that the So- ciety is in some way dangerous. An obscure and undefined apprehension is the more diffi- cult to remove, because it does not possess substance which enquiry may grasp. But it ,is reasoiial)le, it, the I first I)Iac(!, to rlstitk"t, those persons who imagine that danger is to be feared from the institution of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to -consider whe- ther there be the slightelltappearallceot ante- cedent probability in thesupposition, that the Society may be dangerous. Here is a Society flllblicill its nature and in its proceedings; formed for one avowed and exclusive object,! an object in itself confessedly most laudable, the universal diffusion of the word of God a Society supported, not merely by the contri- butions of individuals without number, but by the votuntary accession of Auxiliary Soci elies in fotvns and districts in almost every < county, if not in all the counties of the king- dom a Society to which very many of the have united themselves in their col lective capacity a Society comprising a con- spicuous proportion of the talents, of the learning, of the wisdom, of the piety of Great Britain-, a Socicly fostered by every descrip- (ion.by every denomination, of the inhabi- tants ofthe Islands a Society publicly coun- tenanced and patronised by the leading men in our political par ties, by the principal Mi- nisters of State, by the two Universities, by more than twenty of thePrelatesot the united kingdom, by no less than seven Princes of the roya! blood; Is this a Society from which danger is to be feared ? Is it conceivable, is it possible that such a Society can have danger in it ? Ih live next place, we call upon Uio ac- cusers of the Society far proofs. We call for specification. We ask not for assertion, but for evidence Hot for speculation, but for facts; not for surmises, but for realities.—, The Society has now been in operation nine years. Where is the danger which it has jiro- duced ? In England, we know of none. Has any such danger ■Hiused the echoes of the mountains of Wales ? Has any vole been pro- posed to the legislature for the expulsion of. our Prelates from the House of Peers ?•— Has the See of St. Asaph been sequestered ?— Have the rights of the Bishopric of Chester been invaded ? If dangers cannot be discovered at hand, we most look for them in some quar- ter more remote. Is it in our public aflairs that the pernicious influence of the Bible So- ciety is to be discovered ? Did the Bible So- ciety produce or terminate the Continental armistice ? Was it to the operation of the Bible Society that we are) to attribute the personal escape of Marshal Soult.in the battle of the Pyrenees;, on the failure of our gallant troops in the assault on Si. Seb,.isti-,in I In the next place, let us be informed what danger the British and Foreign Bible Society can produce, whate-vil it. can effect. It can ctis tribute the Scriptures, It can doiiothingmore. Is the dispersion of ihe Scriptures dangerous? is the diffusion of the Word of God an evil ? Can any one among us, the members of the establishment affirm, that the distribution of the Bible, of the book on which the doctrines and the discipline of our Church aregounded, of the book which makes us Churchmen, can be an evil, can he dangerous ? Can the affir- mation be made, can the thought he harbour- ed, withotrf shame ? The -supposition is not to be tolerated. Bul hy some it is tdtitwllcll said, that the Bible Society may undergo a vhange that, if not at present dangerous, it .nay become dangerous hereafter. There is no institution of a public .nature, there is no arrangement in domestic life, against which such an argument might not equally be ad- vanced. We might as reasonably be told, I -it ought not on any account to be members oHhe 'Royal Society, because that, although it is at present occupied exclusively tile, Ittirsitit of science and the promotion of natural philosophy, it may be transformed at some future time into au association for che- rishing Republicanism As reasonably might we be admonished against sheltering ourselves under the British Constitution, for fear lest that Constitution,^though it.is now established on the principles of ci vil liberty, should here- after degenerate into a despotic tnoli;li-ciiy.- Tit is vague argument of a possible transmuta- tion would irov.e, if valid, ten thousand times too much'taud thus demonstrates itsel-f to be* incapableVf proving any thing. Sitch arethe injurious uisconceptions, such the charges, which hav: been current respecting the British and Foregn Bible Society. Under all mis- conceptiois and chargeE the Society asks ollly for impariality and investigation. Its merits are the mist prominent ami impressive, not i when it k eulogized with broad panegyric but when, having been erroneously accused, 'it comes forth triumphantly justified. It is witi) tillitsociely-is with the noblest of the natural (hjects, by which the principality of Wales is idoraed. W tinder any circumstances Soowdonappears v?it!i pre-eminent sublimity, it is not vhen his surtax is gilded with uni- versal sUJhinc; but wher., raisin hi-s tllad above the clouds, he surveys the dispersion of the vapairs which have %v;k,;iiky citk!eivotire(i to obscure him. There is yet. allol her propo- sition, aproposition, were it trite, of prime magnitude, which is affirmed by the oppo- nents oftlit. British and Foreign Bible Society namely, that the institution of that Society was unnecessary. Here agam., let ItS come to m ilters of tact. Why was the institution mi. iii>cessaiv ? Because, it is repLed, therc al- ready existed a very excellent Societv, the Society for promoting Christian Kitowictlge, having4o-r one of its main objeds lite circula- tion of the Scriptures. The usefulness of thai Society is fully recognised. But persons Wil-) on that ground represent the British and Fo- reign Bible Society -,I-, seem very little aware ofthe-unfavorable light in which they place the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge,'and of the dt-leuima, to winch ihey reduce themselves. {To be concluded in our nexL') -¡.a-
INSTITUTION OF THE FLINTSHIRE'•…
INSTITUTION OF THE FLINTSHIRE MXin-jrtr niitLE society.- 0111 Tuesday, August Sist, a M-eettng was held to form a Bible Society for rtie County of t'i in i, auxiliary to j¡,/ nritis'¡¡ <ind \F()r('i: 'Hi1¡le So- ciety,at the White liorse Inn, Rolywelt, in a spacious room conveniently prepared, with, a temporary elevation for-1lie President arid Vice- President, and seals for (tie company. The at- j tendaiiee was numerous and highly respectable, the presence of a number of ladies" added nuieh to the interest of the Meeting. Soon after 12 o'(!Iock Ili-et. Right Itpn. Earl GROSVKVOTI, Lord LictJte- nant of the County, took the Chair. His Lord ship opened the business of the day with observ- ing, that he felt gratitude in seeing such a large meeting, assembled with the view of forming a Bible Society, and addressed the meeting to the followill, -effect British and Foreign Bible Society has met with general support, and is spreading its benefits in alt parfs of the world. I am sorry that the county of Flint should fro the last in coming forward to aid its exertions..(1. maybe supposed that a zeal for its success would still more generally prevail', wore it not, for some doubts that influence a portion of the commu- nity, respecting its expediency. Some of the Cfergy are apprehensive that. it interferes with the designs of the Society for promoting Chris- tian Knowledge, which they consider adequa-te to the purpose pf circulating rke Holy Scrii)tiire. and seem to think, that hy not adhering exclu- sively to that Society, they fait iM their adherence to the Established Church. Such aplmhensious had at one time some weight upon ray own mind, and are the reasons why 1 did not come forward earlier than I have done, to support the British an(I Foreign Ilihic Society. I was likewise in- fluenced to decline it, from a notion, that aM over anxiety to distribute, Bih-Ies miht produce an overplus of supply, destructive of that peculiar esteem and veneration which should always he as- sociated with them. Tbatophrion,however,was er- roneous.Theincreasedcirculation of theScripturcs has proved a general benefit. Persons who have iu consequence of this new source of supply, become possessors of Bibles, have made good use of them, and afford convincing proofs of thentility -i I-c,. iw of the Itistittitio(t. Niticti s e.t file for promoting Christian Knowledge, I have to observe, that it had slept upon its post, and was i t not so effective Wit might have been. Tile es- tablishment of the British and Foreign Bible t Society, has given its existence a new vitality, and operated as a spur that has roused it from tts torpor into more active exertions, all:1 we now witness the effect, in the greater good which it is doiug, ill consequence of this new Society.— Great and useful as may be the result of its in- creased activity, it must fall short, of the object of the British and Foreign Bible Society. This Institution admits as members, christians of any -detioininatioti, ancl.oti that account, possesses a decided superiority over the other, in the accu- mulation of means to accomplish its designs — It is alleged, that this coalition has a tendency to undermine our National Religion. Now, if it could be supposed, that a s,s(Cm of religion in which I have been educated, and to whieh my attachment grew with my growth-a reliioll which abounds with consolations, and illcl, le, ates the purest principles of morality-would be in- jured or overthrown hy the proceeding of the new Society, I should be the last to ,ive it my support. But. I view it in a different light.- These apprehensions of danger from the Society, are happily imaginary.—Many of the objections advanced agamst it are absurd. Though some I partial abuses of it may take place, yet the ad- vantages and benefits to be derived from it are universal, I have before me the ninth Report of the Society, which contains an abstract of its proceedings the last year. It affords a specimen of the-spirit of union and brotherly love, which are excited and cherished by the operations of the Society. The perusal of this Report gave uie the greatest possible satisfaction. Some parts of it I shall read It is certainly difficult which to select, they are throughout so very interesting fflere his Lordship read some passages out of the report ) Some testimony to the merits of the Society, is, to be found in the splendid patro- nage with which it is sanctioned. It is patroniz- ed by Princes of the bloorl royal, Dukes, Bishops and M'embers of Parliament. The Bible Society recently established in Oxford, a'place most dis- tinguished for its attachment to the religion of the country, recommends itself to our notice, by the patronage of nobility of the first order, as well as some of the most distinguished scholars of the age The beneficence of the British and Foreign Bible is displayed in similar establish- ments both at home and abroad. These Soci- etfes present us with a,pleasing contrast to the scenes where contending armies are engaged in destroying each other. 4 striking instance is recorded in the last Report, of the Emperor of Russia's zeal for disseminating the Holy Scrip- tures, who amidst the din of arms and anxieties of a campaign, applied his attention to fhees- tablishment of a Bible Society in his capital s a measure that must promise, with the blessing of God, the most lasting I)eiielit-s.to the popula- tion of thatgcreat empire, where so considerable a portion of the inhabitants areas yet to be civi- lie(1. In taking n view of the populous countries of the East, tlw British and Foreign Bible So- ciety furnishes convincing proofs of its utility, -in the different translations which are now ex- ecuting in the languages of the country. A tran- slation of the Scriptures into Persic, has been completed by the Rev. H. Martyn, who is now no more, and whose death is much to be deplor- ed. I shall conchtcle with reading some obser- vations from an Address on the subject of the Flintshire Bibie Society, that has heen circulat- ed in this neighbourhood. As theBibteis the only medium by which the will of God and pllln of redemption is made known to mankind, since his communications by visions and extraordinary inspirations have ceased, this volume must be considered of the same importance in the moral,; as the Sun is in the natural world. The moral condition of the nations who are destitute of the light of Divine Revdai ion., cannot be viewed by the Christian wi'hout feelings of commisseration, and a desire that efficacious methods be adopted for the most extended circulation of the Scriptures among them. The British and Foreign Bible Society promises to be a distinguished instrument in the hand of Providence for the accomplish- ment, of thjs desirable event. It is founded upon the principles of the civil,, military and ecclesi- astical establishments of our country, receiving the pecuniary support of all christians, without reference to their religious creed, and opens its arms For the reception of the whole family of man. In the space of nine years, it. has issued from its depository in London, 321,731 Bibles, and 412,18;) Teslaments exclusive of those which have been published invariolls countries abroad, ft has contributed to promote editions of the: Scriptures, or portions of them, in about fifty, d i frul-eii i The local want of Bibles at k,"Jtlfe, the establishment of the British and. Foreign Bible Society, wis -greater than., could haie been supposed not one family in fi:tv throughout the countryhavingoncin their possession, (see the review of Rr. Marsh's en- quiry., in the British review.) Not above a 'bird pirt of the Protestant families in the Ilibles 111(1 'amongst the Roman Catholics, who are far more 'numerous, a Bible was hardly tobefouad in more tIuiii inn' out of Rve hundred families Notwith- standing rhe exertions of the Society, in conjunc- tit),I.w:tll it. Si.,tLr the venerable Society I'or promotil1 'Christian 'Know1-ec1ge; to supply ili(! want of Bibles in Wales, there still exists a call for the further exercise of its cha- rily, an;l particularly in the-publication of an edit win of the Welsh Bible, in a larger type than any hitherto published, which the Society is now printing forithe aceominodaUon of a portion of tlte Welsh population, to whom all the former editions were, in a degree, useless. In ten pa-! rishc-s of the county I of Flint, 1300 inhabited- ti-c wi!liotl(, I ilil)le. It is ta eappre- hended, that the same want may exist generally, in the same in other parishes, where the domiciliary investigation recommended by the Parcot Society, has Iwt heen cxecuted. Whilst the counties of England and Wales .present to public view, such displays of public, disinterest- ed charity, surely it shall not foe said, that the county of Flint does not exist in the map of an Institution, which commands the admiration of the World! Doubtless, in 114e support of a Bi- ble Society, it will take its rank with othercoun- ties of the united kingdom, with a zeal, unanimi- ty, and liberality, worthy of the cause—a cause which affords a criterion of the piety of the age, and a centre of union and co-operation for all Christians that would aid the speed of fhe Anel j of Mercy, who shall fly into lands bearing Ihe (osi)t Lordship concluded a i speech, (whieh is here but imperfectly sketehed) distinguished for great justness of remark, and much christian feeling,and peculiarly satisfactory and to file Nlcetilig., with committing the farther vindication of (he Society to other Gentlemen present, and particularly to the Rev. IVf-r. fiisbornc, the mention of whose name he urged as a call for their attention. Mr. (its/iouMi then came f«i ward, and addres- sed the noble CI);iir(iitri, and the Meeting, to the following effect (Truly sorry are we, that it is not in our power to do his luminous and argu- mentative speech any degree of justice in our epi- tome of its leading ideas.) My LORD,—-Having had no intimation from the Gentlemen^of rank, who now surround me, that my attendance here would be useful, I meiir lion it as a circumstance that takes away theeni- barrassrne-nt, I should otherwise feel, in appear- ing here, as I have, no connection with this county. As supplying the absence of the Secret "tat ies of the Parent Society, tarn bound to as- sist the formation of your Society, by detailing soil le fictfo, and Ieetiug ome objections. I can- not feel a necessity of entering at large into the subject, as I liave- already been ably anticipated in what I should have advanced, by the noble chairman. It may not be without its use, to ad- vert to the deficiency of Bibles in this kingdom, which shews the expediency of this Society. This last year the Bishop of Durham had an investi- gation made by his parochial clergy, of the local want of Bibles in that Diocese. Calculating from the reports of this investigation in that Diocese, as it has been stated to me by his Lordship him- self, it may be supposed,^that there are no less than 360,000 families in the kingdom without a copy of the Scriptures. It can well be conceived that one copy is not sufficient for the use of all the individuals who are members of the same family. For sotis and daughters will be oalled by the avocations of life, to remove from the paternal roof, and be separated from the use of the Bible there. It is a fact, that a distressing want of Bibles prevailed in our own country. Now the question arises, whaj were the subsist- ing means for supplying Ibis want ? If they were inadequate, was there not a necessity that calle(i for the adoption of new means and expedients ? If the otd Machines were adequate to the pur- pose of working up the Minerals of this place and neighbourhood, where was the occasion of introducing the use of the more powerful engines of modern invention ? If 'the old instrurbetfts were not of stifricient power, is the application of more effectual machinery'to be censured and con- demned ? The Gentlemen who maintained that the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, was sufficient for supplying the country with the Holy Scriptures, and that if superseded the form- ation ot a new Inssitution, seem not to he aware of the dilemma to which they reduce themselves. After the Society had existed for upwards of a century, and had been during that space applying its resources to this object, if such a defiçiellcy of the Scriptures was still existing, 'hey must ac- knowledge that it was inadequate to the accom- plishment of this purpose, or that it has not done its duty. Could I admit 'his latter charge I should have to attach a proportionate share of thf blame to myself, having been a member of that society a great part of my life. If it was in. competent to silpply the tvatit (if scriptures in this kingdom much less was it able ttflisperse them in foreign countries. Greater exertions were necessary; and blessed be God, more labourers in the vineyard have been found. I have been anticipated, to my great satisfaction, by the noble chairman, in statements of foreign pro- ceedings of the new society, and therefore mine are, superseded. I shall now proceed to consider some of the objections that are made to its con- stitutiori. It is saift to be adverse to the interest of the established church, and too ojuch favors that of the Sectaries—for dissenters are admit- led to a cO-opeiatio,! in its designs. It has on that account my pan icularapprobation, as afford- ing christians a point of union, where they may meet in peace and harmony and if it be dange- rons and prejudical to our national establishment, to avail ourselves of the assistance and services of dissenters, why then do we not petition the- legislature, to dismiss from the army of Lord Wellington, all the soldiers that are not members, ■of the church of Englaud ? Why do we not pc- f tition government, to strike Off the names of dis- senters from the list of subscribe, s to infirmaries and hospitals ? Let us be consistent. If the co- operation, in some concerns is known to he neces- sary, and productive of no evil, why should it be rejected, in endeavours to promote an object of the most universal benevolence ? If is mentioned as an objection to the society, tharit has origi- nated with dissenters. This is a statement that I I can by no means admit, I have been acquainted: with its institutors, I do not mean to determine whether the first hint of if was suggested by a churchman, or a dissenter, but I have to state, that the Bishop of London ^Bishop Porteus) Lord Teignmoulh, and another member of the church of England, had a leading share in its formation. It was tostered h> the united efforts of churchmen and dissenters-But where it ori- ginated is not the point that can effect its merit. But what is it ? what is its nature and character ? Useful inventions from whatever quarter they issue, and even the laudable institutions of our j enemies, we do not hesitate to adopt, and inge- nious .,iii(juseftif foreigners, we are glad to nalu- rallze.— The government of the society, is said to he exceptionable, as if it were put under the control of dissenters. In reply to this objection it (Htist be observed, that its offices consist of a President, Vice Presidents and a Committee of 36 Members, six of them are foreigners resident in London, or its vicinity, half of the remainder are members of otherchristian communions The President & Vice Presidents have+nvariably been members of the church of England, (though I know of no rule that excludes dissenters) we can conceive that the 6 foreigners,will he neutral with re-sjiiect to the points at issue, between the church of England, and dissenters and therefore it must beevident that the preponderance in the govern- ment of the society, is in favor pf the Church of England, But independent of this circumstance 1 we have to plead its object as the best security from danger to the church of England- lfs ob- ject. is to disperse the scriptures without nole or, comment. Is the diffusion of the^hoiy scriptures! likely to weaken her bulwarks,and effe ct herdown- fall ? every merfiber of the establishment will blush at the assertion.—It is, notwithstanding,] insinuated, that there is a danger lurking in iW{ constitution. Though we are not told what the! danger is, yet this insinuation is confidently CI I culated. Now I must remonstrate against tin4 mode of attack as a violation of comfijoii equity It is a maxim in the jurisprudence of our country, that assertions should not pass for evi' dence.and accusations should never condemn, less they are proved by facts. The British ao4i Foreign Bible Society, throws itself on the judgi ment of its country. We are now assemble I before. Magistrates, who at this time are to assist in the exercise of. judicial lions, -and well know how to maintain justicHj The accusations which its enemies advance it, they will regard no farther than tbey are siiP' ported by evidence. Though the society has bee assailed at all poiiiis, yet in proportion to th opposition it encountered, it has uniformly proj (Hired. It is the oak that has thriven under t storm. The more violent the concussion been the deeper it has struck its roots, and tl', wider it has spread its ramifications. It has ¡jIei with the support and patronage of all ranks, a", it is not too much to be presumed, that our I. uerable and afflicted Sovereign, who expressed^ anxious desire that every subject in his ref'j should be able to read his Bible, would have Pjf( ticularly countenanced a Society, which had its object the giving each of them a Riblc to rea —The apprehension that it may change its cM' racter is urged as an objection to^jve it suppofJ and what: huinrn institution is there that is "J liable to the same objection ? such o i^ea shCt deter Gentlemen from becoming members Agricultural Society, as it might 'iventualty j deter Gentlemen from becoming members —The apprehension that it may change its cM' racter is urged as an objection to^jve it suppofJ and what: huinrn institution is there that is "J liable to the same objection ? such o i^ea shCt deter Gentlemen from becoming members Agricultural Society, as it might 'iventualty j con)e aelub of Jacobins and a cabinet of sediti1'v The British and Foreign Bible Society, haslH. established for about ten years, and has a d?* racter tatie tried by its effects. It verified/ principles by its deeds, andowes not its prosP^ ty to panegyric. Like the fountain that g'jj name to this town, which does not depend legendary tales, for its celebrity, but appca'5] the purity of its streams, and beneficial oPe| tious, in the healing of diseases, and workiift Machinery, for proofs of its benefits and vif^j So does the British and Foreign Bible Soc'i appeal to its results and proceedings both at ""i and abroad for iis character. It.callson and religion to judge of its expediency and tfli ty. These are the sauje every where, the? j( the same on the ba,nks of the Dee. as well a« > of the Thames. Whilst these direct our jui ment and practice, tbey will influence cha'^j of all descriptions, and engage all hands jn3J tens of co.-o.peration to promote the object o i Saviour's incarnation, peace on earth, and h will towards Men. The cause will not fail tj tesest the best wishes, and engage the wa1" support of that sex, whose keeuness of sens'j ty, and the sympathies of whose nature,{e,^ them awake to suggestions of benevolence- i will doubtless evince by their exertions in sul^ of this Society, the interest they feel in tbe finess of Mankind. ( To Õ, concluded in ow next.)