Whatever may be thought by others of the British and Fo reign Bible Society, as it regards the established religion of this country, we cannot assign to so many venerable members of our Church any motive for their exertions in that cause which is hostile to the best interests of that Establishment; and he ought to be very confident of the rectitude of his own opinion who charges such men either with ignorance of the nature of the cause they have espoused, or with acting from motives which are concealed. [See at the close of this article.]

If, however, any one really and conscientiously apprehends that pernicious consequences will arise from the progress and success of this Society, it is undoubtedly his duty to oppose it; but then, as he becomes the aggressor, it will be his duty to maintain that temper and moderation, with which every controversy, and more especially one of a religious nature, ought to be conducted. We earnestly deprecate that violence and animosity which are frequently observable in the discussion of polemics. On these grounds, at least, we must withhold our approbation from that publication which has called for the present reply. The various mis-statements which Mr. Dealtry has detected (if intentional), would cast a shade over the character of their author; and even if they arise from inadvertency, or originate in a want of correct information, we must enter our protest against them, because Mr. Norris ought to have sought for due information, and ought not to have acted inadvertently, when about to attack the characters, and question the motives, of respectable individuals.

We do not perceive just grounds for those apprehensions of danger to the establishment, from the union of Churchmen and Dissenters in this cause, which some persons express; nor yet do we indulge in all those sanguine expectations of benefit to the cause of religion, which some of its most enthusiastic supporters hold out. The same extensive circulation of the Holy Scriptures which was considered to be an object of supreme importance by our reformers of a former century, ought certainly to be regarded in the same light by us, unless we would relinquish the great principles of the reformation. We would, therefore, that every one who is really desirous of reading the Bible should be enabled to procure one; being well-assured that, upon an unbiassed mind the study of the Divine Word can never produce any but the best effect; and that nothing is wanting but a tractable disposition, to secure the most illiterate person from any dangerous error. Many of our readers will recollect the pleasure and profit they derived from reading, in the early periods of their lives, those beautiful and pathetic histories with which

the sacred writings abound, when they were yet incapable of forming any opinion on the doctrines of Christianity. It has been observed, that unless the feelings of the uninformed are interested, we shall appeal in vain to the understanding. But where shall we find so many pointed, so many touching, so many irresistible expressions; nay, so much that is calculated to make its way through the feelings to the heart, as in the

Bible?

With respect to the distribution of the Holy Scriptures, the Bible Society, in its corporate capacity, justly considers the Bible as the only fountain of all true religion, and furnishes copies of that alone; but it leaves its individual members, by whom those copies are to be distributed, completely at liberty either to distribute them alone, or to accompany them with a prayer-book, or any other book they may choose to recommend. It is this which so peculiarly fits it for the co-operation of men of all religious persuasions; since it attaches itself only to the object of their common faith, without interfering with their particular doctrines. Had the late excellent Bishop Porteus lived to the present period, how would his pious and benevolent heart have rejoiced in the daily and almost indefinite corroboration of his sentiments respecting this Institution: "All the apprehensions" (says he) "to which the Society has given rise, are now found to be but vain terrors; and all the prophecies of the mischief and evil that would result from it, are falsified by facts. It is rising uniformly in reputation and credit; gaining new accessions of strength and revenue, and attaching to itself, more and more, the approbation and support of every real friend to the Church and to Religion." In addition to this, we shall only state, that the members of the Church of England cannot dɔ a direct injury to that Establishment by joining the Bible Society; but they may do an injury to it by showing indifference to that cause which has been espoused by so many of its members.

As to its kindred Institutions, but more especially the ancient and venerable Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, we wish it to be distinctly understood, that they have our approbation and good wishes. We are not, however, of that class of men who regard this new Society (as it is sometimes called) as a rival Institution, in any other sense than that of more extensively diffusing that word which is able to make men wise unto salvation. We look upon the Bible Society as an Institution formed upon principles more commensurate to the wants of the world, and attended by circumstances more ade

quate to their supply; and therefore rejoice to see it at once rising into importance, and successfully relieving those revered and kindred Societies from a part of those duties, which it is their honor to have so long, though insufficiently discharged. Such as conceive that the "Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge" was sufficient for every purpose, we would refer to the authentic statements relative to the want of the Holy Scriptures in various parts, which have successively appeared since the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society. And if, after having duly considered them, they still adhere to their opinion, we would ask, whence does it arise that, in the short space of eleven years, the Bible Society has had occasion to distribute ONE MILLION, TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY-NINE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-Two copies of the Bible and New Testament, without any prospect of seeing the call upon them much diminished?

As an answer to the Practical Exposition of Mr. Norris, the work before us possesses great merit, and should be read by all who are desirous of making up their minds on this interesting subject. It is dedicated to the Bishop of St. David's, who has publicly avowed himself a warm friend to the Institution. From the dedication we select the following passage :

The Editor (Mr. Norris) states the question at issue to be this:"Whether the engagements entered into by Clergymen at their ordination, are merely words of course, attaching no responsibility to those who make these solemn stipulations." The institution, it seems, gives "the right hand of fellowship" to Dissenters: therefore, the clerical members encourage "erroneous and strange doctrines," and by consequence, violate their ordination engagements. Was this, then, the offence of Bishop Porteus? I think I may venture to reply, in behalf of your Lordship, and other friendly Prelates, that you are as careful to do nothing which may violate an ordination-vow as the Editor himself.

This curious argument, if argument it may be called, proves rather too much it applies to many infirmaries and hospitals, and to every establishment which admits subscribers of different creeds to give the Scrip tures to the poor. What opinion may be entertained of it by the distinguished patrons of the Naval and Military Bible Society, I presume not to determine; but it includes them in the same charge with ourselves. This is a fair specimen of the Editor's mode of reasoning. He first assumes the point to be proved, and then triumphs in his demonstration. My Lord, I could exceedingly wish that those persons who oppose the Bible Society, with a view to check what they consider to be an excessive circulation of the Scriptures, would consider well the authority of that Church which they profess so much to reverence. In the 110th Canop, persons who "hinder the word of God to be read" are expressly mentioned as "schismatics;" and it is the duty of the Churchwardens to present them to the Bishop.

The plan of this little work is given by the author himself, and our readers shall have it in his own words

"The following is divided into two chapters. The first Chapter re

lates to general principles. The reader will perceive, by the text and appendix, that, of the two leading principles adopted by the Editor, one belongs to the sect of Martin Mar-Prelate, and one to the Papists. He will also observe, that the great principle of the Bible Society, the free and unfettered circulation of the Scriptures, was the principle of the first four centuries of the Christian era, and is also the principle of the Church of England.

"The second chapter is devoted to the mistakes and misconceptions of the Editor. I have taken about fifty articles: it is unnecessary to state that I could easily have added to the number.

"That this review should have much influence with the determined opponents of the Society, I certainly do not expect. They disliked the Institution just as much before the establishment of Auxiliaries, and during the life of Bishop Porteus, as at the present moment. My hope is to convince those who are only deceived; and who think, with me, that the unrestricted circulation of the Scriptures will, in the end, be productive of good.

"The Editor's object is to induce all the Church members to withdraw. I beseech the Dignitaries, and the Clergy in general, to consider for one moment what would be the effect. Can they destroy, or would they wish to destroy, the numerous Institutions of the same sort which exist abroad? Certainly not: but, by adopting his advice, they would. leave this great machine in the hands of Dissenters; and while Dissenting Committees are thus connected with the institutions of every civilized country upon earth, we should deprive ourselves of all that moral influence and respect which this great Society is calculated to create. The entire destruction of the British and Foreign Bible Society cannot now check the dispersion of the Scriptures: the Continental Societies will enter into our labours, and receive the honour and the reward: but I should be sorry to see the character of my country so lamentably disgraced; I should be sorry if the Church of England should desert her post, and voluntarily relinquish the glorious elevation to which Providence has called her. She now takes the lead; the fault shall not be mine if she lose it."

Most of our readers are aware, that reports have been spread respecting the use made of their Bibles by the Poor, which have excited in the minds of many a prejudice unfavorable to the Bible Society; but for the answer to this as well as other charges, we must refer to the work itself; and shall conclude with a short extract from Mr. Owen's address to the Hackney Meeting, which is not more characteristic of the manly sentiments of the Speaker, than of that spirit by which the Society is animated.

"To all who oppose us with decency and temper, I trust we shall know how to reply in the spirit of meekness. If they have misunderstood us, we will explain; if they have convicted us of error, we will concede; if they have accused us wrongfully, we will endeavour to confute them: exercising throughout that courtesy and forbearance which no controversy should be permitted to banish, and least of all that controversy in which we are engaged. But if among our opponents there should be an individual whom no explanation can satisfy, no concessions can soften, no forbearance can conciliate, no confutation can silence; if in the restless prosecution of his purpose of hostility, he should be found to spare neither our private nor our professional character; if, not content with a life-interest in episcopal opposition, he NO. V. Aug. Rev. 2 M

VOL. 1.

should snatch the mitre from the hand of Death, and tax the very See to furnish a contingent towards the war of extermination against the Bible Society; with such an individual we will have no communication: we will retire from him, as Michael did from his opponent, in a memorable controversy of old, not bringing against him any railing accusation, but saying "The Lord rebuke thee."

Second thoughts are sometimes the best; and therefore we shall write a Postscript,

Were we called upon to determine whether the object of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, or that of the Bible Society, be the better one, we should say that of the former: and for this reason, a Bible with a commentary upon it, or with a Prayer Book, is more valuable than one without such an accompaniment. "But commentaries and Prayer Books, have not been distributed by the Naval and Military Bible Society." It would have been imprudent in that Society to have made such distribution, knowing as it did, that there were, in all the departments of his Majesty's service, men of all existing religions. Non-conformists in command of battalions and ships may be supposed to feel, in this matter, just as the non-conformists of the Bible Society do-much and laudably disposed to bestow the Bible, but no other religious book, and least of all the Book of Common Prayer. The feeling of Conformists ought, however, to have been different. An institution suited to every christian purpose of the nature alluded to, was in being when they joined the Bible Society; but if none had existed, or if they thought that which did exist inadequate to their purpose, they might easily have projected and organized one calculated at once to diffuse over the earth the blessings of the Gospel, and to insure the safety of the Church to which they belong.

Again, were we asked which of these societies has made the more rapid approach towards the attainment of its object, we should answer, the Bible Society; for its sole object is the dis tribution of the Bible, and it has, for aught we can learn, dis tributed more bibles in eleven years, than the other great society has done of religious books of all descriptions, in twenty times that space. Finally, if urged to declare, whether the Committees of the elder, or of the younger of the two pious sisters, have demeaned themselves the more meritoriously, we should desire time to inquire and to consider. It is, however, obvious, that during the last eleven years, the younger has constantly outrun her graver sister: but she has youth on her side-she is agile and enterprising, and every object that has solicited her