in that period; had any one said that in the first seventeen years of its existence, it would put into circulation more than 3,000,000 of Bibles-that it would be enabled to expend more than £1,000,000 of money-and that it should create upwards of 600 Auxiliary Societies to assist it in the attainment of its grand objects; that it would send a coal, taken from its altar, over the Atlantic, to kindle a sacred fire that should burn all over an immense continent, from the falls of the Niagara to the mouths of the Mississippi; he would have been rejected, laughed at, ridiculed as a visionary enthusiast; and have been in danger of being assigned a cell in the vicinity of those, who would have been looked upon as his brothers. Could that meeting, with the eye of omniscience, survey the scenes over which those 3,000,000 of Bibles had been disseminated, what unaumbered blessings, and through what countless channels, would they perceive to have flown from that source of benefits the British and Foreign Bible Society. They would see the labour and the repose of the poor peasant, alike sweetened by those delights which the perusal of the holy book was calculated to afford him. But not merely would they find that book consoling and sustaining the exertions of honest industry; they would find among its other blessed effects, the tear of penitence bedewing those unhappy eyes which had been accustomed to wake but upon scenes of guilt and crime. Upon these grounds alone, he might rest the claims of this society, on the support of all classes; but more than this, its principles were in strict accordance with those of the Protestant establishment. What was Popery but the exalting of the commentary above the text? What was Protestantism but the putting the commentary below the text, and restoring the text to its proper and original superiority? It was precisely in this feeling, that the society acted. The Reformation itself was never completed till the British and Foreign Bible Society started into existence. What was the Reformation itself, but the bringing forward of the Bible from the recesses of monasteries, by Luther and Tindal and others, who were the great agents of publishing it to the world at large? Of late years, some persons of delicate nerves, had expressed their apprehensions of the return of Popery. As little reason, in his opinion, had they to dread the return of wizards, witches, and hobgoblins. What had been said by a great orator about the liberty of the press, in Some measure applied, by analogy, to the Bible Society. That great man said, that he would give Ministers a corrupt House of Commons, a venal majority, and all the influence of patronage; yet, if they would give him the liberty of the press, he would defy their efforts and defeat all their force. So he would say of Popery; he was content to give it Catholic emancipation here, and the Inquisition elsewhere-Ferdinand in Spain, and Louis in France; but give him the Bible Society, and, he would boldly declare, that all the power of Popery would fade before it. Not many years ago, a decree passed in a neighbouring country, and publicly passed, declaring Christianity to be a forgery, death an eternal sleep, and reason God, or God reason, he hardly knew which. At that time, several persons were afraid that this country would be deluged with atheism. As reasonably might men have been alarmed lest the glorious light of the majestic sun should be obscured or extinguished by the fluttering of the wings of owls and bats. But, in these days, there could be no danger of the triumph of infidelity; more especially, while the British and Foreign Bible Society was in existence. After paying a handsome compliment to that oblivion of sects which was manifested by the various professions of faith which here found representatives, all equally anxious to disseminate the word of God among all the nations of the earth, the reverend gentleman concluded by moving the resolution. "That this Meeting, sensible of the advantage which, under the Divine blessing, has been derived from the patronage conferred upon the Society, tenders an expression of gratitude to the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, the President; to the Right Hon. and others the Vice-Presidents; to the Treasurer, to the Secretaries, and to the Committee, for their countenance, support, and exertions, during the past year." Dr. Thorpe, in seconding the resolution, would say a few words with respect to the undertaking in which they were engaged, It was one that required, from time to time, their exertions and their money; and therefore it became them, in the outset, to ascertain whether it was a necessary one or not. That it was necessary, appeared from the testimony of the book itself, and fiom the language of its divine author. It was his recorded wish, that his word should be searched by all the nations of the earth, by every class of people in the world; and here, therefore, was sufficient justification of the society. Two-thirds of the human race were still destitute of those sacred lights which Almighty providence had destined for the benefit of all mankind. Upwards of 600,000,000 of our fellow-creatures, were not only destitute of the Scriptures, but the greater part of them were ignorant even of the existence of such a book as the Bible. Here was another argument for the necessity of this society. Still many objections had been made to the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures. It was said, that the heathen idolator, or the ing, whilst he noticed for a moment another objection, namely, that the progress of the Bible Societies was likely to prove inju rious to church and state. It was most extraordinary, how such an impression should bave gone forth, when it was a notorious fact, that they took every opportunity of embodying among their numbers, the lea, ders of church and state, the very men who were solemnly bound to maintain the civil and religious institutions of their country. If, therefore, the Bible Societies were intended to militate against church and state, the promoters of them took the most extraordinary step in the world to effect their object, by calling into their deliberations the very men, who, of all others, must be their determined opponents. The reverend gentleman, in conclusion, quoted the opinion of the Earl of Liverpool, in favour of the Bible Societies. The noble Lord on a late occasion, emphatically declared, that every good subjeet and churchman ought to belong to these institutions. native of India, could not understand them. It was difficult, however, for those who maintained this, to argue against the evidence of facts. Let such persons look at the example furnished by the South Sea islands; where there were instances of a whole people casting away and demolishing upon the sea coast, the idols of their country. Let them look to Africa; and mark the example, for instance, given by the Regent's tour. They who said that no necessity existed for the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures throughout Great Britain and Ireland, were greatly deceived; for in very many parts of those islands, the population was extremely deficient in the means of arriving at this necessary, this indispensable knowledge. But the strongest argument in favour of Bible Societies, was to be found in the avidity with which its presents were hailed by every people and in every climate. Wherever the agents of this society had been, they had found the nations as willing to receive as the Bible Society had been forward to confer the knowledge of the Bible. The history Dr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, proposed the of the society clearly proved that the bles- fifth resolution. In doing so, he eulogized sing of God was with it. He would now the objects of the Association, and returned call their attention to one or two objections thanks to the ladies, for the zeal and activ which were lately brought against their ity which they had displayed in furtherance extensive society, by some of their oppo- of them. He insisted strongly on the pronents. It was said, that it was a bad thing priety of circulating the Bible without to circulate the Bible, without the accom- note or comment, and urged that those who panying explanation of comments. Now, anticipated danger from circulating it in he must say, that such an objection partook that manner, and at the same time saw none of little modesty; for what was it, but to from circulating it with comment, acted as say, that the great work which had its ori- if they augured danger from what was gin with the divine Saviour himself, and divine, namely, the Scriptures; and a rewho declared, that it would make mankindmedy for it from what was human, namely, "wise unto salvation," was incomplete without the explanatory aid of a book of their own making? Another objection was, that it was treating the Prayer Book with contempt, to circulate the Bible without it. Nothing could be more idle than to attend to such an objection. They might as well say, that a society composed for the distribution of clothing alone, had shown a contempt for feeding the poor, as to say that the circulation of the Bible, without the Prayer Book, involved the slightest indifference to the latter. Indeed it was a remarkable fact, that since the establishment of the Bible Societies, the circulation of Prayer Books had increased in an extraordinary degree. Its circulation bad, in fact, increased tenfold. The Bartlett's-buildings Society, had distributed of late from 14,000 to 90,000 Prayer Books; and the Universities had printed 150,000 more within the last 15 years, than they had during the preceding period of the same duration. That fact at once put an end to the insinuation, that the circulation of the Bible had in the slightest degree retarded the demand for the Prayer Book. The contrary was obviously the real-truth. Me entreated the indulgence of the meet. the comment. He likewise observed, that lishment of a Society like the British and Foreign Bible Society. It was a solemn consideration to reflect, that in forwarding the object of this Society, we were building for eternity. We were erecting a fabric which would last for ever. Of many of the most splendid and magnificent human buildings, not one stone now remained upon another; but this would last during the world. The word of God would exist, and its effects be visible, as long as time remained; but the microscopic eye of HOPE went further, and looked to eternity for its duration: "Eternal HOPE! when yonder spheres sublime "Peal'd their first notes to sound the march of Time, "Thy joyous youth began-but not to fade"When all the sister planets have decay'd; "When, wrapt in fire, the realms of ether glow, "And Heaven's last thunder shakes the realms below; "Thou, undismayed, shalt o'er the ruins smile, “And light thy torch at nature's funeral pile." BAPTIST HIGHLAND MISSION. Extract of a Letter to the Church in Cateaton Street, London. Dated Perth, November 5th, 1821. The £6. remitted by you from our brethren in London was duly received; for which, and for their prayers for the prosperity of the Mission, may the Lord reward them by a blessing on their basket and on their store, and by an abundant answer to their prayers. Till you receive printed copies of the Journal, the manuscript of which is now come to hand, I have no doubt but that the following communication will afford you much pleasure. Early in August last, brother Tulloch arrived from his tour to the West Highlands and Islands, in which he was accompanied by William Hutcheson, another Highland brother, who is partly supported as an Itinerant by Mr. Haldane's church at Edinburgh. During the whole of their Tour, in which they were from home for eight weeks and four days, they were favoured with excellent health: although from travelling on foot, and from preaching often both day and night, they were subjected to a great deal of weariness and fatigue; notwithstanding of which, they expressed them selves as having been very happy and comfortable in the work, and as having" much reason to rejoice for the goodness and mercy of our God which followed them both by sea and land." They visited ten of the Islands at this time, to most of the Inhabitants of which they preached the glad tidings of salvation. After setting ont from home, they preached at various places, to very attentive audiences, on their way, before leaving the main land. After leaving Port Appin, where they had a good meeting, they went over to Lessmow; thence, with out remaining long, they sailed to Mull, where they remained two Lord's days. Here they saw some whom they thought believed. They would have continued in this Island longer, from the numbers that turned out to hear the gospel, but that it was the time of their sacrament at two different places on the Island. From this they went to the small Island of Jona or llcorn Kill, where the people manifested a great desire to hear the gospel; and where also they saw two or three who seemed to know the truth. Leaving this Island, they sailed for Collonsay, another Island south from Mull, of about twelve miles in length, where they found eleven persons who had been baptized in the course of the previous harvest time. During the five days which they spent there, one of which was the Lord's day, almost the whole inhabitants of the island heard the gospel declared by them. Indeed so great was the people's desire for the word, that our brethren did not get to bed one night during their stay among them. In the day time they were engaged preaching in various parts of the island; and after returning to their lodging at nine o'clock in the evening, found crowds there waiting their return, to whom they preached from that time till 11 thren continued conversing with them till day-light, when they went to bed for a short time. Those who were baptized were very amiable in their deportment—were and seeming to live much under the invery lovely, as our brother expresses it, fluence of the truth. They shewed them a great deal of kindness, and thanked God for the opportunity of refreshment and consolation afforded them by the visit of our packet for Islay, a long island, containing brethren. From Collonsay they took the upwards of 12,000 inhabitants. Here they found ten disciples, and baptized three, one of whom belonged to Collonsay. In labouring almost day and night, as in the this island they remained fourteen days, last. From this, steering their course homewards, they next visited a destitute Island called Jura, where they preached the gospel to most of the inhabitants. Here they found also three or four who believed the gospel. After visiting several other small Islands, viz. Long, Scarpa, and Seal, they returned home by the way of Oban. or 12. After sermon a number of the bre ORDINATIONS, &c. Thursday, Jan. 3, 1922, Mr. Edward Muscutt, late Student at Hackney Academy, was ordained to the pastoral office, over the Independent church and congregation at Falmouth, Cornwall.-MiRichards, of Mavagessy-Mr. Alexander Good, of nisters engaged at this service were-Mr. J. E. Launceston-J. Wildbore, of Penryn-3. Foxall, of Penzance-J. Hart, of St. Austle. In the evening, Mr. Alexander Good preached to the people, and the devotional parts were conducted by Mr. Owen Morris, of St. Ives, and Mr. Green, Baptist minister at Falmouth, We hesitated last month on the propriety of inserting the following letter; and, it was not until after mature deliberation, that we determined to print it. We did not, indeed, know, until we read it, that Read had been in London, and got access to some of the pulpits here; but, a particular friend of ours, who was down in Gloucestershire three mouths ago, brought us a good deal of information about his proceedings in that quarter; and, especially, of his scurrilous railings against the Editor of the New Evangelical Magazine, of which he had a specimen, both from the pulpit, and in private conversation. Now, although, if what has been told us be true, his libellous proceedings are actionable at common law, we can truly say, that they give us no concern, except for the sake of the poor man himself, who is, in every point of view, an object of our sincerest pity. We understand that he has lately left the So cinians, and united himself to the Calvinistic Baptists, among whom he seems to be labouring to render himself popular. We are sorry we cannot congratulate them on any accession of honour which his conversion is likely to reflect upon the denomination. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart; this man's religion is vain." James i. 26. We recommend these words to Mr. R. as a very proper text for his next sermon. SIR, To the Editor. Edit. IT is most probable you have been informed of an attack made upon you, as the Editor of the New Evangelical Magazine, by Mr. Read, from Gloucestershire, in the conclusion of a Sermon he preached several sabbaths ago. Occupying a Particular Baptist pulpit on that afternoon, his subject led him to treat of differences in opinion upon lesser points, and of charity as a consequent Christian duty; to exemplify a breach of which, he launched out and read an extract from some strong censures upon the practice of free communion, inserted in your Work some months since. After discussing at his leisure the abstract question, he protested against your arrogating, as he conceived was done in the remarks he had quoted, the chair of judgment, as to the Christian or unchristian practices of others; coming to the conclusion, repeatedly expressed, that you had neither Christian nor moral principles of your own. Now, Sit, I suppose it is unnecessary to say to you, that the Particular Baptist body does not sanction such virulence; still less does the church, which he was then addressing, though (as he was aware) it permits free communion. We were all ashamed and disgusted. But, it does seem necessary to inform this gentleman, that he has mistaken the denomination he has joined; we are not blind to seeming charity and zeal, inapprehend, the worst part of his error lay tolerance and bitterness of spirit. But, 1 in his abusing the office of teacher, and dis gracing the place where he stood. Surely, he ought to be told, that the pulpit is too sacred to become the vehicle of personal invective, without pollution; and that, the minister ceases to be esteemed, when, instead of love for the brethren, is seen that acrimony, which can only be enWe could well have spared the philippic in gendered by the evil passions of the heart. which Mr. Read indulged against the Unitarians, from whom he has lately seceded, &c." He, of all men, should have had on account of "their obstinate blindness, compassion upon them. With the temper of the strictures in your Magazine, which excited his displeasure, I have nothing to do; if he thought them press, was open to him; but, as he chose harsh, a private appeal, or one through the the course he did, I shall not be averse to your inserting this, or any part of it, in your next, in justice to us, and for his I am, Sir, benefit. Dec. 28, 1821. Yours respectfully, MENTOR. LITERARY NOTICES. WORKS Just Published. 1. Hymns adapted to Family and Village Worship. By Mrs. Washbourn, of Hammersmith, 24mo. price 3s. 2. Sketches of 100 Sermons, Vol. II. 12mo. price 4s. 3. Selections from Doddridge's Exposi tor, price 3s. 6d. 4. Prudence and Piety recommended to Young Persons, at their entrance upon the Active Duties of Life. By John Pye Smith, D.D. 3rd. edit. price 8d. |
