THE

ECLECTIC REVIEW,

FOR MAY, 1817.

ART. I. The History of the Origin and First Ten Years of the British and Foreign Bible Society. By the Rev. John Owen, A.M. Rector of Paglesham, &c. 2 Vols. 8vo. pp. xx. 1166. Price 17. 4s. Hatchard. 1816.

THERE may probably be some individuals among the cordial approvers of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who are inclined to think that the tone in which its achievements have been celebrated, has been rather too magnific, and that expectations bordering somewhat on the romantic, have been entertained, with respect to its tendency and results. This, however, is not our own opinion, as we shall presently have occasion to shew; but we should not be surprised, were we to discover that a feeling of this kind is becoming rather general among a certain description of persons, who find themselves unable to sympathize with the enthusiasm sometimes displayed on its anniversaries. We have long apprehended, that after the excitation of novelty shall have somewhat subsided, and the ardour of controversy shall have spent itself, a sort of re-action or reflux of feeling will take place, and that the public mind, incapable of a long-sustained effort of wakeful attention to one object, how great soever its magnitude, will naturally relapse into the mood of quiescent approbation. It is a remarkable circumstance, that this effect did not long since take place, but that, on the contrary, during thirteen years, the interest excited by the Institution, has been progressively rising, till the system itself has acquired a grandeur of extent and a mechanical power, that ensure its permanence, and constitute it altogether a phenomenon in society.

Certainly, the first view of the vast elevation and simple architecture of this noble Institution, is sufficiently imposing, to justify an enthusiastic expression of admiration. We are rather too near, perhaps, in point of time and situation, to receive the full effect. Fifty years hence, Mr. Owen's History will be far more interesting, in the perusal, than at the present period; and that minuteness of detail, which, to readers well acquainted with the recent circumstances, may seem rather insipid, will VOL. VII N.S. 2 L

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acquire propriety and importance. To a religious foreigner however, the Society must appear under a more advantageous aspect, and in what may be considered its proper light. He will estimate it, not according to the indefinite panegyrics of some of its anniversary eulogists, who do not always exhibit the Institution in its genuine character, but as, when stripped of every extrinsic decoration, it must appear to a reflecting and pious mind; as being in its nature, the noblest scheme of universal benevolence, by which, since the first propagation of the Gospel, it has ever been the happiness of individuals to do honour to their religion, and to elevate the character of their country above all other nations; and in its results, the most efficacious method by far, of advancing Christianity, that has ever been devised. "When I read your letter,' writes Professor Druck, of Würtemberg, in reply to an official application from the Society, in the year 1804, I could not help thinking the English are the most 'distinguished people in the world.' This is one instance among many,' said the Chaplain to the Swedish Embassy, in reference to the grateful expression of the poor Dalecarlians, how this Society endears to the nations abroad, the British ' name, how it gathers blessings from all quarters on the inha'bitants of this highly-favoured island.' As to myself,' writes the venerable Antistes Hess, of Zurich, to Lord Teignmouth, permit an old man to speak a little of himself, I have, 'from my very youth up, had a great desire to visit two countries, in preference to all others, namely, Palestine and 'Britain; the former, on account of its having been the scene ' of the wonderful works of God, and the miracles of our Lord; and the latter, on account of its inhabitants, who ' have rendered themselves so illustrious in the cause of Christianity in general, and in that of the Bible in particular.' 'I cannot conclude this Report,' writes the Rev. Dr. Steinkopff, from the Continent, without distinctly stating, that during the whole tour, (in the progress of which I experienced many most aflecting proofs of kindness and hospitality, which I pray God to reward,) I have been frequently charged by individuals and whole bodies-by pious Christians meeting in small private circles-as well as by large public assemblies; by some princes and by many of their subjects to return 'their united and most lively thanks to the British nation in 'general, and to the Society I had the honour of representing in particular, for that truly Christian generosity which, with equal readiness, hastened to the binding up of the wounds of the unfortunate sufferers by war, and to the healing of the 6 more dangerous diseases of the mind. I still hear the venerable Landgrave of Hesse Homburg, expressing his thanks for what has been done for his impoverished subjects, with a

' warmth of feeling which reflects the highest honour on himself: and still I can figure to myself the aged Princess of Anhalt Dessau, in the act of pronouncing her benediction on those friends of God and benefactors of mankind, whose benevolence is confined to neither country nor party; but ' embraces the interest of the whole human race.'

There is surely ample scope for the expansion of the feelings into enthusiasm, in the contemplation of the vast results which have already rewarded the exertions of the Society, and of the immense prospects which are opening, as the scene of future enterprise. But in every thing in which the agency of man is implicated, there will arise many circumstances, to prevent the exercise of that enthusiasm which the object in itself is adapted to excite. That plan which, in the abstract view first presented to the imagination, wore the appearance of simplicity and grandeur, when surveyed in actual operation, is seen associated with the actings of human imperfection and littleness. It requires a very distinct and very steady perception of the final object of exertion, not to have the appropriate feelings of ardent interest and hope somewhat modified, if not interrupted, by the uncongenial nature of the instrumentality by which in part the work is to be carried forward. The character of the means is seldom calculated to inspire the mind with unmingled complacency.

To the acts, indeed, of the Committee and Secretaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society, we believe that nothing short of entire approbation is strictly due. We know of no one instance in which they have ever deviated from the most faithful, and judicious, and impartial discharge of their important trust; and what is more, we know of no instance in which the ever watchful malignity of the opponents of the Society, has brought a charge, or even raised a suspicion against them, relative to the actual management of its concerns, or to the strict adherence which has been maintained to those principles on which the Institution was established. Whatever handle the zeal or the indiscretion of its friends and promoters may have given to invidious remark, the Bible Society itself stands perfectly clear of the offence. If, therefore, any thing that may thus externally attach to the Society, as a circumstance of its progress, not a vice in the system, is, by any individual, made a pretence for a relaxation of exertion, or a tacit withdrawment of co-operation in reference to the general object, we may be well assured, that that individual is not exonerated from heavy culpability on that account, but has reason to suspect the simplicity of his own motives.

It has not been unusual for some of the advocates of the Bible Society, to indulge, without the license of inspiration, in predictions bordering on the boldness of poetry, respecting the con