The Sun. — London, England, 1821-11-01 00:00:00

AUXtIAAILY - BIBLE SOCIETIES. TUE ANNIVERSARY OF THE LONDON AUXI- MARY BIBLE SOCIETY. Yesterday the Annual Meeting of the above Society was held in the Egyptian Hall of the. Mansion House. The attendance was numerous and respectable. The centre of the room was appropriated to Ladies, and was completely filled. by females elegantly attired, and of 'most bite-, resting appearance: Tice parts of the room ap propriated to Gentlemen were full to overflowing, but the strictest decorum prevailed under the superint:Fnaance of the Laity AYOII, who pre sided on this occasion.. A strong sensation was produced _in the room by the introduction of an Indian Warrior in the full costume of his country. He Was of portly demeanour,* intelligent aspect, and greatly attracted the attention of all pre sent.—The business of the day commenced at about half-past eleven. The LORD MA - von, s on taking the Chair at that hour, addressed a few words to the 'sleet, ing, in which he expre'ssed himself sensibly flat= tered by the honour they had done him in call ing him to so important a situation, when a sub ject of such deep and universal interest to the happiness of mankind was to be brought under consideration. He could not help feeling at the same time,. that lie was surrounded by many per sons more competent than himself to umkrtake such an office ; but as he felt proud of the dis tinction, it should be his endeavour to disdiarge the duties thus imposed On , hirn to the utmost of abilities.—(Applause.) The Annual Report was thin read by the Rev. Mr. CLAYTON. After sore introductory observations, the Report proceeds as follows.:— , . . Your Cofnmittec are liappy to be able to announce that the receipts and issues of this year have exceeded those of former years, the particulars of which will be detailed in the Treasurer's statement. The amount received during the year is 12421..145. _ _ .. . ... The amount ;paid to the Parent ,s;ocieti is 10221. is. Gd. The nrniiher of 'Bibles and 'Testaments distributed since the last Report, is 1302 Bibles, 531 Testaments, making a total of 26,2.27 copies o 1 Holy Scriptures circulated sines the com mencement of the So;:iety. The CoMmittee have not been inattentive to the command Which they received at-their appointment, respecting the forma tion of a Ladies' Branch. After having repeatedly deliberated upon, and cautiously examined the plan recommended by the - Parent Society, the Commitbm adopted most of its regulations, and having convened a public meeting at the City of London Tavern, succeeded in establishing a Ladies' Branch to the City of Lender] Auxiliary-Bible Society,under auspices more favour able than they had ever ventured to anticinate. " Her Royal Highness the Duchess of kent has condescend ed to become - the President of the Society. " Ladies have accented the office of Vice-Presidents. Mrs. Fry and Mrs. John Deacon have consented to act as Joint Treasurer;:, and more than 170 Ladies have engved to ascer tain the wants of the poor, to receive their contAutions ' and to distribute the 'Scriptures with system, punctuality, and per severance. ‘‘ The Cee - arnittee will refrain from expressing the delightful anticipations which this measure has excited, and will confi dently wait till the , return of another anniversary before they enlarge upon this interesting subject. They may then proba bly have the opportunity of appealing to experience and to facts in confirmation of their animating hopes. " The Committee have now the painful duty to inform the Meeting, that the Rev. D. Wilson has been constrained by ill ness to resign the cffiee of Secretary'; an office in which he has conferred important benefit upon the Society. " During the past year, the Hon. and Rev. G. T. Noel, and the Rev. W. Dealtry, have preached sermons in behalf of the Society. One of these was attended by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor and Mr. Sheriff Waithman. " The Committee would now gratefully record their obliga tion to the Corporation of 'the City of London, who have pre sented to the Society the liberal donation of one hundred guineas. When the Committee acknowledged this grant, they requested the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor to accept a complete - set of the Annual Reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and of your Auxiliary, with which request his Lordship complied in the most courteous manner. " In passing from this allusion to the Chief Magistrate, the Committee would not withhold a public acknowledgment of the obliging attention and assistance which they have derived from several of the Aldermen, and from both the late Sheriffs. This assistance has keen of great importance to.the Committee in their efforts to supply the Prisons of the Metropolis with the •Ho:':y Scriptures. " Itt New,gate 42 Bibles and 33 Testaments have been dis tributed, in order that every cell and day-room may have copies of the Scriptures in proportion to the number of its inmates.- -The Committee have repeatedly seen the prisoners reading the Bibles, with which they have been supplied by your liberality. " In Giltspur-street Prison 211 Bibles have been distributed, -some of -which are chained to particular stations, and placed upon desks prepared for them by the Governor. • " To the Fleet Prison 24 Bibles and 24 Testaments have been granted, which are kept by the Governor, and lent to those persons who are willing to readaliem. " A zealous Agent of the Society is accustomed to visit this ' Prison, in order to offer Bibles to the prisoners at reduced prices. " From White-cross-street Prison the Committee have re ceived additional testimony of the benefits which are resulting from time plan adopted in that establishment, which was detailed to you in the last Report. The Bibles occupy a conspicuous station over every table; they were gratefully received, are care fully preserved, frequently read, and highly valued. All the Governors of these prisons have afforded the Committee every possible facility in the performance of the undertaking. " The Committee have also, through the recommendation of Mr. Sheriff Williams, presented 100 Bibles to the last female convicts who were sent from their native country; and the Com mittee would now renew an expression ofgratitude to that Gen tleman for his assistance in the execution of this grant. Upon .the cover of each -Bible was stamped in large characters " 4 The gift of the City of London Auxiliary Bible Society," and within the cover was written the name of the woman to whom it was given. The Bibles were delivered to the convicts by one of Mrs. Fry's Prison Committee after the vessel had sailed from London." The Report thus concludes : (,‘ But while the Comthittee mourn over the ignorance and misery which still exist, they acknowledge with admiring grati tude that the Divine blessing has prospered in an astonishing degree the undertakings of the British and Foreign Bible .Society. , " They. will not attempt to describe the operations and results of this noble Institution, for who can number the blessings it has dispersed in every quarter of the globe? Who can follow it through the different nations of Christendom, and mark the ignorance it has counteracted, the sorrows it has assuaged, the 'miseries it has healed, the asperities it has softened, the charity it has enldtidll, the souls it has saved ?' . - " Who can follow it through the vast regions of Asia, and calculate the numerous copies of the Scriptures in the various languages of the East, which it has Circulated, and is circulat ing amidst the countries enveloped in Pagan or Mahomedan darkness ? - " Even Africa,, in its western, southern, and now eastern shores, is rising from its degraded stata to hear the words of grace and truth. " And in the imense continent of America, both north and south, zealous efforts are now made to disseminate the sacred word. - - "While the Committee refer to these splendid results, they would call upon surrounding friends to implore a continuance and an extension of them. " Let the motto of the City of London vibrate through this assembly ' Domine, dirige nos ;' and let every success be as. cribed to Him alone from whom cometh every.good and perfect gift, ' Not unto us, not unto us, 0 Lord, but unto thy name, 0 Lord, would we give glory.' " Let all now duly estimate the opportunity which is pre sented to them. Let all now, according to their ability, by their pecuniary contributions, by their earnest supplications, and by their z:.al.ous efforts, aid a sp,:iety which is scattering around with a benignant hand Llessings spiritual as well es temporal. Its aim is universal love ; its instruments are truth and boll ness • its statutes th.: sacred Scriptures ; its simple dependence the divine blessin:y ; its reformation the tacit and noiseless sub jection of the heart t its friends all who love toe Bible ; its tem per, meekness, and long suffering ; its triumphs, joy in the Holy Spirit ; its tendency, the happiness of man ; its consummation, everlasting life.'" tln the course of reading the Report, the Rev. Mr. CLAYTON intimated, that the Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel had consented to be nominated as Secretary to the Society, in the room of the Rev. Daniel Wilson, who had resigned in consequence of ill hoalth ; upon which 111 r. Nod rose, and alsa iitred havill;'evcr given permission to USE his name fur that purpose Mr. Clay tt. , n said, that it must have 'origimetcd in sonic misunderstanding, cud immediatAy withdrew his name.] • Lord ROCKSATAGE, in a short speech, ev2a tiated on the great benefits restilting - to society in general from the labours of an institution faint& ed for the express purpose of diffusing the word of God. They all knew, from the best authority, what joy the repentance of one sinner was calou late& to excite ; but it- was impossible to con ceive the multitude of those who might have been saved and converted through the instrumentality of their exertions. - His Lordship concluded with moving that the Report should be received and adopted: The Rev. JOHN ANGEL JAMES, of Birming ham, rose to second the motion. He began by congratulating the meeting on the success with which the Holy Book had been circulated, and then complimented the City of London on the .part which it had taken, in this, great work.— Never, he observed, did that illustrious fetter (alluding to the Lord Mayor's chain) appear more illustrious than while he presided over such meetings, and gave his sanction to such principles as they had assembled to propagate: For his own part he was always happy to express the attach ment which he felt to his native country. His admiration of the magnanimity, and liberty, and ' power, and wealth, and zeal which characterised her amongst the nations of the world. That her magnanimity might be without the evils of pride, her liberty without anarchy, her power without oppression, her wealth without arro gance, and her zeal without fanaticism, were the wishes of his heart. Thus they might see the British name greater in its humanity than in its power, greater in the works of grace - than when she made her enemies tremble. If ever he was proud of his country it was at this moment, when she was occupied in distributing the Holy Scriptures; 44 to be a light to lighten the Gen tiles, and the glory of my people Israel." If _it were possible for him to have a choice:in such a case he would say, let me live in Britain at the commencement of the 19th century, and in that wish he would not be influenced by the glory of her arms, or the wisdom of her counsels, so much as by that zeal and devotedness to the cause of religion, which had made her the light and joy of the whole earth.—(Applause.)—lt was not necessary for him in such a place to eulogize the Bible ; as well' might he think it necessary to eulogize the Sun on a harvest day while it was shining on the fertility and abund ante which its beams had cherished.. It had been said, and wisely said, that the man who made two blades of grass grow where one grew before; was a patriot, and a friend to mankind ; much more might it be said that the man who deposited one Bible where there was none be fore, was a benefactor to the human species.-- But the success of their exertions had surpassed their warmest expectations, and was in itself a proof that they were under the protecting eye of the Omnipotent. Who could have anticipated, on the first foundation of this Institution, that in so short a space of time upwards of a million sterling would have been expended in the pur chase of Bibles, that three millions of copies would have been circulated, and that America would have become one Bible Society from the falls of Niagara to the banks of the Mississippi. Again, on looking to its effects, wherever it had made its way they would find the widow de riving consolation from its blessed promises, the orphan hope, and even the profligate improvement and reformation ; they would find the Bible in that hand which was accustomed to grasp the pick-lock. What, he would ask, was the refor mation ? It was the act of bringing the Bible from the, monasteries and opening it to the people. --(Applause.)—He had heard some fears ex pressed with regard to Popery ; for his own part, he had no such fears. He should as soon be afraid of the return of witches and hobgoblins, for Popery could only blossom in the dark. He. would give the Catholics the revival of the Je suits, and even Catholic Emancipation, and still he without any apprehension as to the success of their doctrines. Neither was he afraid of Atheism; as well might the bats and owls put out the light of the sun by the flapping of their wings, as the frothy declamation of the French philosophers extinguish the moral luminary. To sum up all, he would say, that the best means of doting good was to circulate the Bible, and the best means of circulating. the Bible was to support such an Institution as they were that day assembled to contemplate and encourage.— (Applause.) (The Resolution was then agreed to unani mously.) Mr. Sheriff VENABLES next presented himself. He observed, that the eloquence of those who preceded him had left nothing now for him to acid. There was, however, one point of view in which he should allude to the Bible Society: — They were all aware of the efforts made in the present day to promote the education of the poor, and he was sure they would agree with him in thinking that it was necessary to give that edu cation a religious and moral tendency. It was true that the Bible Society came in to give it that direction. He then moved a Resolution of thanks to the President and Vice-Presidents of the So , ciety.—(Applause.) The Rev. Dr. THORPE seconded the Resolu tion, and claimed their patience while he sub . mitted a few simple observations on the nature of the undertaking in which they were engaged. The undertaking was most arduous; it was to circulate thee Holy Scriptures all over the world ; and required a sacrifice of time and money, which suggested the propriety of inquiring whether it ' was necessary or not. The Holy Book itself, . disclosing to us the prospect of futurity, and ' warning us of the preparation that would be re quired, proclaimed such an undertaking to be grounded on the VI of God. Another argu ment was to be drawn from the present condition 1 of mankind, with respect to the Holy Scriptures. • Upwards of six hundred millions of people were ' still destitute of these sacred lights ; and. the greater part of them were ignorant of the existence of such a book as the Bible. If that was the case, the necessity was abundantly made out. But'it had been said of a large portion of the Heathen World, and especially of India, that they did 'not want it ; that they would not ac cept it, and therefore could not be improved by it. That argument was capable of being met by facts, and facts could, not be overthrown. Let them look to India itself, to the Islands of the South Sea, to the shore; of Africa, and particu larly to the state of Regent's Town, in the colo ny of Sierra Leone, and they would find so many proofs to contradict the assertion that Hea thens could not understand or be benelitted the Bible. Again, with respect to home, they had this additional fact to chew that Bibles were wanted—they had the fact that three millions of Bibles had been already circulated, and that more were required. The next question that presented itself was, whether the object was practicable or not ? If they took up a map of the world, they would find it studded over with Bible Associations. Another fact in support of its practicability was the anxiety manifested in all parts of the world to receive that blessed Book. 'The Society directed its labours under the special blessing of Almighty G r od. Many circumstances might be adduced in support of this opinion, but the most striking of all was, that at the very time when a neighbouring nation was rioting in blasphemy and impiety, the hand of God was lifted up to prepare the circulation of that blessed Book which was to follow and put it down. It had been stated among other objections, that there was no use in circulating the Book without a commentary to explain it. -God had done all he could in giving one book, but man said, we must write another book to ex plain it. This was, indeed, a singular instance of humility. It had also been stated, that the Bible ought not to be circulated without the Prayer Book, as if by so doing they must bring the Prayer Book into contempt. But they ittl not brought it into Contempt—they could not—on the contrary, by circulating the Bible they had contributed to circulate the Prayer Book, and it was a fact, in fifteen years since the establishment of Bible Societies, there was an increase in the circulation of the Prayer Book as compared with the fifteen years pre ceding, amounting to 150,000 copies. Another objection was, that it would lead to the slow but certain overthrow of the establishment in Church and State. If there was any plot of this kind in their contemplation, it was certainly most strangely conducted, for they had contrived to interest in its success many dignitaries of the Established Church, and Ministers of the Crown, among whom was Lord Liverpool himself, who had described the Bible Society as their best protection. This, be thought, was a sufficient answer to the apprehensions so expressed. Ile should trespass on their attention no further, hav ing, he trusted, already said enough to shew the benefits of the Institution, after a fair examina tion of the arguments or assertions opposed to it from time to time.—(Applause.) The Resolution was agreed to unanimously. Sir C. S. HuNTEn returned thanks on the part of the President and Vice Presidents, and stated that though he had read the Bible as a school boy before, he had never entered into its spirit until he became a member of that Society, from which period he had never quitted it. He hoped that all present would do the same, and feel the same consolation which he felt and should con tinue to feel to the end of his life. As to the tendency of such an Institution to overturn the Government, he could not for a moment entertain it when he saw the Ministers themselves among the number of its friends. The Bible not only inculcated duty and worship to the Divine Being, but duty to the Sovereign and good will to all mankind. Mr. Alderman BROWNE felt proud of the ho nour done him in being selected by those who had the management of the proceedings to bear a part in the business of the day. He sincerely wished that custom would allow him merely to propose the Resolution which had been put into his hands, without any further obseivations, 'be cause he was convinced that any thing he should say would only weaken the force of that elo quence with which the cause had that day been supported. Amidst the transitory state in which we were here placed, and the asperities and con tentions which difference of opinion created, it afforded him no mean satisfaction to find himself in a situation where all parties were united in the oue great object of making all mankind happy here, and eternally so hereafter. He had always felt proud of being born in a laud more famed for its charity and benevolence, than any country that ever existed on the earth. The many Institutions which existed in this Metropolis, for alleviating the distress of our fellow-crea tures, and for general purposes of humanity, would bear - him out in that assertion ; but it was not until late years that we had been raised to our own most eminent superiority, by the existence of Institutions like that which they were met for the purpose of supporting. Placed as we were in comparative darkness, God had given his Sacred Book to be a light to our path, and it behoved us to hold up that light to those of our fellow-creatures, who were in still greater need of it. Although our ancestors did not em ploy themselves in circulating the Bible, yet we had undoubted evidence of the paramount esti , mation in which it was held by the most vene rable members of our ancient Hierarchy. Upon a late occasion, when our most gracious Monarch entered into a solemn compact with his people, the Archbishop presented to his Majesty, not the Prayer Book, but the Bible—as containing the greatest good which life could afford. He was contented to rest the assertion that the dis tribution of the Scriptures was inimical to good, upon the opinion' thus expressed by the Ilierar chy, as to the character of the Holy Bible. The result of these Societies would likewise, he hop ed, unite the poor to the rich , for the mutual benefit of each. For, it was to be expected, that consistency would so far be preserved, as that those who gave the Bible to others, would not fail to look into it themselves. Ile trust e d, th a t in conse . guence of their exertions the churches would be better attended than, he was ashamed to say, 'they had hitherto, been ; that private reli-, gion and service would be more practised, and thtt we should become wha t we professed to be, a nation whose God is the Lord." With re gard to education, it was said that a little was a bad.thing - bat if 'the instruction given to the poor was the instruction of the Bible, then edu cation l'Vould be indeed a blessing. He then moved the following Resolution : "_That this Meeting, deeply impressed with a conviction of the necessity that still exists for increasing teal and unw , 2aricil perseverance, request the folloWiti . g Gentlemen to undertake the various offices of the Society for the ensuing year."—(Here the Gentlemen were named.) The Rev. Mr. Moturrmett (Rector of St. Olave's), seconded the Motion. He would have refrained from intruding en the meeting, but that he thought it was the duty of every individual by every means in his power to promote the ob jects of the present undertaking. Referring to the presence of the worthy Magistrates who were present, he expresied the satisfaction he felt in . . observing that those who had to administer the law, had not forgotten the gospel. There was something in the present state of the world which peculiarly called for observation. The present was, indeed, an awful crisis. Nations were dis tressed, and the seas were roarinrr.,.- A way was preparing for the coming of our adored Saviour. But the situations of other nations (of Spain and, Turkey for ktstauce) were widely different from that of our own happy country. It was esta blisi:ed beyond dispute, that 'there were ICO millions of people in India under, the British Government,, and that there were 50 millions more under British influence. There was, he hoped, no Englishman who did not rejoice at the opportunity afforded by this circumstance of circulating the Gospel among so many human creatures. After noticing the progress of tolera tion, and the increase in the number of Dissen ters, the. Rev. Gentleman observed, with respect to the present. Institution, that if there was nor. an union of heart, there was at least an union of sentiment. Indeed he -yet ,hoped to see the Christian Religion restored, in practice, to its primitive simplicity. The effect of the .present meeting; .would not be momentary ; at least he trusted it would-not. He trusted that those who were present would be induced, by the present proceedings, to study the Scriptures themselves. There was a call upon them from Heaven.—a loud call, to send the Holy Gospel to all nations of the werld. The Society was proceeding to the attainment of ,this desirable object_; and he felt pleasure in declaring that since the days of primitive Christianity, he did not believe airy scene, had presented itself so pleasing to the eye of a Christian as the present. The Hon. and Rev. G. T. NOEL said, that he was placed its an embarrassing situation, from the , circumstance of his having declined the office, which had been filled by the worthy Member of the Society who had resigned. lie trusted that because he declined the situation, he would not be suspected of any indifference towards the great object of the Society. He thought indeed, that it would be a sufficient gratification of the ambi tion of any common man, to be enabled to say that he had taken any, even the smallest part in the present undertaking.—(Applause.)—This in stitution had now existed seventeen years, and, during the whole of that tune, had been before the bar of public opinion. It had undergone the ordeal, and had come off triumphant. Many ob jections had been urged against the present insti tution, but he thought there was no weight in any of them. He denied that such a Society as the present could be productive of any evil.— What evil could possibly result from the junction of Christians who differed upon minor points ? Formerly ; it had been, objected that 'the Society could not exist without distributing the Scrip tures with notes and comments. Experience had shewn the fallacy of this prognostic ; and 4itoopposers of the institution were now compelled to change their ground and say that the distribu tion of the scripture without the notes was use less. There was really no reasoning with people who were determined to object to principle with out reference to its practical result. After quot ing the opinion of the great and learned Selden in support of Christianity, the Hon. and Rev. Gentleman said it was the high prerogative of Christianity that it was suited to all ; that it breathed with equal warmth on the cottage of the peasant as on the palace of the Nobleman. After bestowing a warm eulogium on Mr. Leander Von Esse, of Vienna, through whose instrumentality many thousand Bibles had been distributed in that district, the lion. and Rev. Gentlemaki con cluded by moving the following Resolution, pledg ing the further exertions of the Meeting in, sup port of the Society : " 4. That this Meeting regards with undiminished interest, the effects which have resulted from the Bible Associations, in connexion with the City of London Auxiliary Society. That while the Meeting feels grateful to Almighty God for the bless ing which he has bestowed upon these operations, it appeals to all the Members of the Institution for additional attention, earnestness, and zeal in this peculiar department of the Bible Society system, which (referring especially to the lower ranks. .of life) promotes the good order and usefolness, the present comfort, and eternal happiness of the mechanie , or labourer, and which enables the poor first to possess the scriptures, and then to unite With the rich in distributing that sacred treasure." JOHN JAMES, Esq. seconded the Resohition, in a speech . for which we have not space. He concluded by stating that he was requested to introduce to the Meeting 'an Indian Chief, Colonel Brandt, the son of Colonel Brandt, chief of a Mohawk tribe, who wished to address a few words to the Meeting, to shew the interest which he took in the labours of the Bible Society. Ile stated also, that there was a Gentleman therefrom Africa, who wished to address them, but felt too much diffi culty, and he was charged to say for him, that the Bible was so encouraged by the Africans, as would make it necessary' for the English to exert themselves that they might not get the start of them.—(The Resolution was then agreed to.) Col. BRANDT came forward and spoke. He commenced by praising the liberality of the Bible Society, in the good work of enlightening mankind by making the will of the Father of *the World known to all his children. That liberality had done much good in his own country. - He rejoiced that the beams of the Gospel had become a shining light in the woods of America; among his own tribe its blessings were felt, and he hoped that it would be extended to the inhabitants of all those regions, who were yet ignorant of the living GOD. This waS a great cause. It was full of the blessings of charity and instruction. It was glorious, because it marls men conquer ignorance and evil, and beautiful as it came from Him who made the world. He was th:s happy to See se braat a cmcourse of Er,glishir..;!7 great cause, and he hoped the Almighty GOD would assist in the undertaking. The Rev. Dr. W'AE.DLAIV moved the next Resolution, as follows : " That the A ssen- .111: 7 , records - its gratitude to the Ladies who have exerted their efforts for the Society. That expecting great advantage from the more extended and systematic co-op:ra• tion-of females„ the Meeting cheerfully conilrms the establish- merit of a Ladies' Branch Society and Female Associations, and approves of the appoint:Merits which have been arranged by the Committee."—[Here follow the names.] Mr. GARRATT read a letter from his brother, apologising for his absence, and containing an additional donation of ten guineas. He seconded the Resolution, .had declared himself ready at all times to promote the objects of the Society. . The Resolution was then agreed to unanimously. The next Resolution was proposed by the Rev. JOHN MORRIS, as flows " That this Meeting hears with admiring gratitude that the blessing cf God still attends the benign operations of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Anticipating frrirn these results that an increased. circulation of the inspired Olunte will pro• duce an increased exercise of Christian charity and holy con-, duct, this Meeting records a fresh pledge of , energetic zezl ill distributing that book which is, so peculiarly calculated to pr9' mote peace on earth and joy in beasen. " That the individuals who compose C. -, k lierefore, as far as their influence may roaciz, ren:!_r the .:ity of London Auxiliary Bible Society an I wor tlif the Metropolis of tins alifa?ut and enaritabia natlon." The 11,ev,. J, P. WA1111E: the secT.idet, •1: i4ACUSS. Were the Mover and S..comier " That this 2lecting s the danatioa •of 100 guineas from the ;;orporation of Lie ' , ty of London , which that Honourable Court has presented to Society." Mr. FAVELI, and the Rev. JOSEPH THUG-RTES moveu• and seconded the last Resolution, as follows : " That this meeting, sensible of thechligation conferred upor i the Society by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, d e sires • gratefully to acknowledge the kindness of his Lordship in nay'. ing granted permission that the Anniversary of the - SocscV should be. held in the Egyptian Hall ; and also for the suit It' , ' manner in which his Lordship has presided on the present 0: - casion."—The meeting was then adjourned. THE BIBLE SOCIETY, IRELAND. At the last Annual Meeting of the BELFASI: AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY, held October the following documents were read by tb' SeCretary CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS GRACE THE LORD PRIMATE, AND HIS GRACS • • THE ARCHBISHOP OF 1MIBL:5. LETTER FROM HIS GRACE THE LORD PRIM ATV, • Great Georg"e's-street, July 14. 1321. SIR—As I understand you are Secretary of the HiberniO Bible Society, I request you will have the goodness to i n fOl o , the Society, that wish to. have my name withdrawn. friend to tile circulation of the Scriptures, I have for years given my countenance and support to the ;Iliberni.r•P Bible Society ; and it is with Much reluctance,. and even that I feel myself obliged to withdraw from it. it would useless to detail all the eirctunstanecs which have induced n' e to form, this resolution. I cannot, however, forbear statlig:: that the •Anititution of the S,,ciety—as it. appears to been gradually changed since its original formation ; and it . quite notorious, that, at . its.public meetings, speakers',iatia". ° topics which are not only irrelevant to the business of the clay, but, in some instances, utterly inconsistent with the avowed object of circulating the Bible without comment. ~ " Those meetings consist of a number of persons whose oas opinions are at variance with each other and each-Per' ' has a right to express, without check or control, his own ro 16 : ous opinions in his own language. Under such eircurnstahc e ' it is impossible to prevent observations being made - Which are injitrious,to the Established,Church; and offensive to its mew: bers. I cannot, therefore, consistently with my sense of di' t %' any longer sanction the. proceedings of the Society, or c ontil even its nominal patron. Being in a weak state of health, a% overwhelmed with business, I need scarcely add, that 1 1 1,03 : .. not to enter into any discussion on the subject. I have the honour to be, your faithful servant, (Signed) ' W. ARINIAGO' To the Rev. Dr. Sadleir, Secretary of the Hibernian Bible Society. „, CO LETTER FRO31".IIIE REV. DU, SADLEIR TO 1113 6.-A" THE LORD PRI.MATE• Dublin, July 19, 1821 ' MY LORD,--I am directed by the Committee of the 111 b c nian Bible Society to convey to your Grace their regret e o f determination you have expressed to relinquish the oflle.ch Patron of their Society. In compliance with your Grace' s that discussion should be avoided, the Committee will 0 , 3 , state, that, on the most mature deliberation, they are flab' ' O - 1 1 tistied that no change has been introduced into the constitou to of the Society since its original formation ; and beg leave w , add, t'.iat had your Grace been pleased to intimate the 6 1 1 0 1 stances which made it apparent to you that such chang e v ik taken place, the Committee would on the present, as ° oll - former occasion, have given the subject the most resPectfel‘ of sideration, and cheerfully and thankfully availed themselvo 'your 'suggestions. - -•- • - f . The Committee cannot conclude without expressing their l i,jii: ther regret that your Grace should conceive that at the rv„ o f Meetings of the Society observations min be made inju r 'o to the Established Church, and of ive to its Member ; 'elt' they are perfectly conscious that nothing of this kind evel-, Q 3,.. place, nor from the arrangement of those Meetings could I sibly have occurred without instant animadversion. 1 have the honour to be, . , Your Grace's most obedient Servant, FRANCIS SADI ,II/11 . (Signed) )" t Secretary to the Hibernian Bible Socic To his Grace the Lord Prim - ate, &c. LETTER FROM lIIS GRACE Stephen's Green, July 14, Wlr ec :. SlR—Uaving at my last Visitation publilcy stated my "Al a ," itions to the proceedings of the Hibernian Bible Society, a,n" r em reasons for not any longer continuing a Member,' it °D I Y l ot mains for me to request that you will. take the proper st e l' s withdrawing my name front the Society. 1 have the honour to he, your obedient Servant',.vq, qn (Sied ) JOHN, I) 1.131-''' To the Secretary of the Hibernian Bible Society. LETTER FROM TEV. B. W. mATiriAtl, TO 1113 ORACV., ARCHBISHOP. 01' 1)111-:LIN- Dablin, July 19, 1 13 ,,,, r , MY 1.4011-1 am directed by the Committee of the iz . " - f o i nian Bible Society, to express to yoUr Orace tlieir regret , y e the loss of your Lordship's patronage, widch they had so years enjoyed. Not having heard or st,en your Grace's chilli / they cannot advert to the particular circumstances with '0 0 , 1 4 your Lordship is dissatisfied, but they are perfectly unconsci of any departure from the line of proceedings which had solo" met your Grace's approbation. I have the honour to be, &c. &c. (Signed) L 3. W.. .NLITILLI,S-: To his Grace the Archbishop of . . . . li I RTTIS. At Durham, on the 27th ult., the Lady of - SantuCl : - 3}Fc /( ..,: Esq., 31.D..31einber a the Alcdit;al Boat;, ItorabaZ, (. 4 a Di On the 3flth tilt., in St. 'Janus's-square r Lady Grantlloo,, • a son, ;till:corn. 1 t Haase, lif On the 29th ult., at Dcnford aase, near ilungerfor t , Lady of the Rev. Georg: Porcher, of a daughter. ___...„..> . . Printed and Published, for tho PROPRIETOIIS, at th e VrFICE, 112, Struld s by J. B. C% ID.ST.SIII3- i MARRTED. On the 'Nth ult., at St. Uilo's, Cripplegate, Hedge, chemist and druggist, itedeross-street, son of 311 ' ,11' F. dedge, of Colchester, to Miss Jane lik;hain, second (141:it, ter of Edward Higham, Esq., of Faulkbourne, near Wi t ' Essex. On Saturday last, at St. Pancras Church, Mr. Poole , of -‘;,slee axnpton square, to Miss M. Davis, of Judd-place Bast/ road. DIED. bole" On the 20th ult., Mrs. Mary James, the wife of John of the Bedford Arms, Oam(hai-town. On Thursday, the 21th ult., at Putney, Tyson ChaP 'Esq., aged 77. i l ; On Sunday, the 213th ult., at Belle Vue, Brixton , S. l l l. A.;tc' the 27th year of his age, Richard, the youngest son ci Esq., of New Palace-yard, Westminster. On the 31st ult., at his house, in Charterhouse-squa rc, ' Gc rdon, Esq. in the 80tif year of his a -7,1e.