The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-06 00:00:00

RRITISII AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The tweetltb mmlyerrary or the British and Foreign Rible
Society was held yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern. The mom
was crowded before eleven o'clock, at which period several Nohle-
men and Gentlemen entered the room. We observed on the plat-
form the Bishops of Lichheld and Covenuy, Lord Gambier, Lord
Calaulp, Charles Grant, Esq., ALP., Slid many other most dia.
tinktn!..lsl4 rrwma.
The Prt %Went, Lord TElGNmoutir, was unanimously railed
to the Chair.

The Serretart Ithe Rev. Mr. P.a.V.lner) then proceeded to read
an abstract of the Report of the Society's proceedings for the last
year. It was very long, hut its interest never *bated. The pro-
gress of the teociety, in their extensive career of benevolence, has
coneiderably increased since the law annual meeting. New versions
of the Scriptures are still preparing. Those already prepared under
the inspection of site Seeley Pave undergone revision. Some of
them have actually pissed through fifteen editions. New dons
appear to be continually °peeing for the further spread of the Holy
Samoans, and the mein diepositien of the funds of the. Society is
ever prepared to mete those new demands.
While the :"I:CRETARY was reading the Report, Lord liar.
wiwhy entered the ronm, and was received by the meeting with the
wane.* expressions of applause; Lord Roden shortly afterwards
entered, wed was received wide similar demonstrations of applause.
The amounts from South Amerin were peculiarly gratifying;
" her fields," in the language of the Report, •• were already white
few the 'lancet ;" but, indeed, there was no toilette of the world
from which the accounts were not equally eneouragirg. All na-
dons seem anxions to evince their atachnient to the benevolent
cause of the British and Foreign Bible Society. in turning to the
&medic affai es of the Society, the Mmmittee could not but deeply
regret the low emosined by the British sod Foreign Bible Society
by the death of Mr. Grant. one of the Vice-Presidents, and one of
the plaint friends of the cause in which they were engaged. The
low of such a man was not rosily supplied. The Society too bed
to deplore the death of one of their Secietarics, who was most skil-
fully acquainted with the Oriental 'Angleton. The accounts front
the friends of :hie Society throughout England, proved that the
cause was Tepidly advancing throughout this island. In Scotlxnd
tim the Swint, was advancing with a stead? progress, and Ireland
hail not been neelected. (Applause.) J he friendsof this Society were
perfectly convinced that the feelings of the Irish people were most
likely to be regulated, and their condition improved, by time peru-
sal of the Holy Scriptures; and they were now engaged in cireu-
; bating the New Testament in the Irish cturheter. (Applause.) The
Resort concluded by recommending to thellociety to persevere in
their exertions, until the whole earth should be tithed with the Cha-
pel of God.
The Earl of lIIIRROVIIT rose to move that the Report—an
abstract of which they had just heard read—might be printed.
, The tneeting would perntit hint to make a few observations upon
those parts of that Report that peculiarly engaged his attention.
There wits one question which lie felt disposal to put upon the very',
hearing of the report—upon considering the extraordinary erect
produced by the Society. Was this the report of a Society that
had existed.for centuries-elite:an—that had grown gradually, and
by the accumulated labour of many years obtained its present
eminence? (Applauac.) The answer wan calculated to amaze.
No ! it is the Report of a Society in its mere infancy I or, at all
events, of a mere minor society. It is now only in its twentieth
year, and it has only been fee the latter ten yeses of its
existent that it has advanced without restraint, and vigorously
prosecuted its objects. Mew, hear, hear.) It wan gratifying to
him, that while our benevolence crossed the Line, an wan-
dered forth to visit all who were benighted and ignorant, our own
people at home were not neglected or forgotten. it was very grey
tifying to hint to see that the state of Ireland was not neglected;
that was s isometry in which their exertions would be most usefully
and in which, indeed, necessarily they ought to labour. Ireland
would not. one day or other, be insoneible of such exertions. If they
looked through the Report, it was quite wonderful the wide extent
over which the Society 'Tread its beneficent influence. book to the
Elands in the Pacific Octun,—the existence of which had been un-
known until ascertained by the enterprising spirit of one of our
countrymen—involved, as they formerly were, in the most die-
gusting licentioutnees,—now anxious to receive and profit by the
Scriptures of `t the living and true nod, and Jesus Christ, whom
he lath tient." If they looked to the vast empire of China, how-
ever at first they might iodine to despair of its enlightening, yet the
accounts centained in the Report were at all events not calculated
to strengthen such misgivings. Ile despaired not of the success of
this cause—it had greatly preserved, but not to them belonged its
success—it was the Lord's &nog, and marvellous indeed was that
success in their eyes. (Hear.) The Noble Earl moved that the
Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society fur the last year
; should be prints,.
The Earl of Ronr it said, that the Noble Lord who had just
sat down had en ably touched on some parts of the report, that lie
had left him little to any, except to second the resolution that the
report in question, to an extract of which they had with so notch
gratification attended, should be printed model: the direction of the
Committee. But he could not help expressing. his gratitude that
he wets now permitted, with the meeting, to witness the twentieth
anniversary of the Beulah and Foreign Bible Society. (Cheers.)
It would ill become him in take up the time of the meeting in
entering into the details of the progress of the Society, and of the
blessings to be derived trout tt ; but then was one simple fact
which lie could not omit stating to the assembly. I will not, said
the Noble Lord, say how many years since, I knew a man who was
itornlved in all the scenes of fashionable dissipation which the
Irish metropolis cloth most abundantly supply. It was his chief
object to loik for pleasure, and to stifle the thoughts of futurity.
Ile hail no CUM tier heavenly things, but in this world's worthless-;
nee. he ilklk especial pleasure. It happened to this indisidaal so;
whom I allude to be present at one of the meetings of your
society in Su hair; h. wasted there from Idle curiosity; and, whanted
to be detected in such a place, he retired to a corner of the room.
While that man wood there so secretly, and so concealed. he heard
opinions delivered which were indeed new to bitn, and which pe-
netrated his soul, for he then felt that if these aetitiouents were
cornet, his eternal Asbury was well nigh aceompliehed. Ile was
not an old man, but years flew apace,—eo thought the individual to
whom I ant alluding—and what then was to become ofhis immortal
soul? So he was exceedingly sorrowful, but it pleased God in that;
society to inform his mind with right principles, for a good man
was there, and he spoke of the power of (hid unto salvation, and
he cautioned that meeting, and every soul there, to build their
faith upon the Bible, and not upon the words of man (hear); and
he told them that to all who sought the assistance of the Holy
Spirit, that assistance would not be denied. foe that God had peonrased
tt to open to them who knocked," and that by prayer and suppli-
cation the word of God would be made manifest to all. This

individual, therefore, retired to his closet—poured forth his
sloshes to the (,nod of mercy, and it pleased that (lad
to listen to his prayers, and to lead him to the way amid the
truth and the life; and though I cannot deacribe to you the joy and;
ci—of mind which that man experienced, yet will !say, that in all
sgriefs, and Clod bath given him his share, lie has never despaired
since that day of the blessing and protection of !leaven. l'heve,
in the Bible, he has found a protection from the storm which few
have fdt more keenly, but I trust few with :note perfect resignation.
(Applause.) That individual is permitted this day to have the
honour of addressing you (loud applause); he is permitted now
to declare the obligations which he owes to an Anniversary Meet.
ing of your Society. The Noble herd, in concluding, expressed
his gratitude to the Society tior their aorta in Inland, and gave to
the resolution his most cordial support.
The Citata Max then propood to the Meeting the resolution
moved by lawd Harrowby, which was unanimously adopted.
The Bishop of LICIIVIWLD and Cove:write moved the next
resolution, " That the thanks of the meeting should be given to
lewd Teignmouth, President of the Society. for his unceasing at-
tention to the interims of the Institution." The Noble and Rev.
Prelate, in adverting to the various efforts made of late by the
Society, congratulated the meeting upon the prospect row evening
to their view in l'olombia. and onotrasted the progress which the
Soristy was now making in that nes ly-fonmal (lovernment with
the spirit of bigotry and persecution that disgr occd the tins: intro-
duction of l'hristianity among that people. The corsequenee WAN
that despotism, civil And religious, had covered that land and inn
paired her moral energies—had node it the scat of superstition--
the very fastness of Papal power (cheers); but the storm had at
length subsided, and they were now ptrtnitted, tinder the guidance
of Hint who " puled the whirlwind and directed the storm," '
spread through that country the glorious tidings of" peace on earth
and good-will onwards man." (t !hero.)
Lord BASH As. seconded this resolution, which was unanimously
rdLord Tr tow m urn returned to the meeting hi. sincere thanks
for the honour conferred upon him. The Report was most grati-
tying to hint, and he was quite sure that in their exertion there''
would be no rely:allot). (Applause.)
A French Peer, whose name we could not ascertain, was here
introduced to the meeting. He stated that the Bible Society in
Paris felt most grateful to the British and Fofeign Bible Society
for their beneficent assistance. Ile assured the Society that the
Protestants of France were attached to the cause of Evangelical
religion. (.Ipplause.)
lord BE tge moved a vote of thanks to the Members of the
hlnyal Family, for their continual patronage of the Society.
The motion au.: seconded by the Rev. Mr. Parsons, and carried
,with much applause.
C. I:natty, Esq. M.P., then appeared, and he was received
with cdisiderable approloation. He took the liberty art movie? a
resolution sir thatiks to the Vice-Presidents; he moved it with
mach gra:We:atom for he sots satisfied it would be received by the
toecting with mouth satisfaction. But he could not content him.
self with merely moving that rt.-solution. !lateral it aas impossible
to restrain some aciitinortits of mlniimtion, some expressions of de-
halt', and even eaultation, at the progress of this Society. If any
man had statist a century wto that in the course of twenty year
such a society as the present should rise and dourialt--that it
should arise, not at a time of peace, without advantages except its
own innate excellence. and except the assistance which it gradually
relleeted to side Ilion, he might now say, the great and the noble
of the lonia—it would indeed appear wonderful how such a So-
ciety could have been this estoblishial, so contrary was it to the
co 1111 l aon progress of nature. all whose operations were slow, and
scented only to proceed to eminence by a patient continuance in
well-doing—se did it mock all other attempts, and bank all human
Novi-Oat ion—
Tante: molls erat Rmnanani condere gentem—
was the peel's exclionation in contemplating the foundation of a
city. hut here was /to achievement whose " builder and maker was
tied ;" thus at 011 Cc sikncing out wonder when we attribute to
him !lie guidance, !lineation, and government of this institution.

licers.y
The Rev. Mr. NI tin it loos. frem the .1n glo.Chinese Christians,
secs: leil tbi. Ur gave au interesting account of his
labours in translating the s,riirturrs into thr language of China.
The V.. 01116011 of thanks to the Right Ili retvna and Right
honourable the V ie....Tn....Monts nt the Society was then carried.
Josilli J. ti ILN 1 T, t..-retary to the Norfulk and Nov.

' with Bible Association, moved the nest ruolutioa, " That doll
thanks of the meeting should be given to the Secretary and tree;
surer of the Society for their services to this Society, and that the
Secretary be requested to continue in 'Alice for another year." He
observed that he had great pleasure in moving this restdolion, for'
DO one felt snort deeply than himielf the advantages derived to this
society froth the stevicet of these gentlemen. When a meeting
_cif
this description was intrusted to him lie always felt that thilitka
, were still more eminently due to the author of the institutlon to
01*
that God who had so signally advanced their hositudon i sod
he heard to-dxy from a Noble bead that bil coniendoe td '
vidence, was .!ue to attending an anniversary inertias. MI
1 Society, it was to him only= additional prod of dielaritthst
cellence of the Society. The Seinturel, given Ityptalriaie
inspiration, might be read by themselves. lie Of
great Pbtestant principle of perusing the Scriptures wittildi__
or comment. lie begged, with these observation', to tnide,ilik •
solution which he had previously read to the Society.
Tice Rev. Dr. WAIL:MAW. from Glasgote, seconded the resells:
dol, which was carried uosnirtsously.
Sir litonhi: Rost: moved the next resolution, which was that
the thanks of the meeting should. be sleep to the Patron' and
°dem of the Society throughout this country and Ireland.
The Rcv. Mr. Mtersox seconded the rescuution, which was alto
unanimou.le adopted.
Admiral gaunt en then moved the thanks of the meetly,/ td
the President, for his °mato Wet day in the chair.
This Resolution was stliaported by the Rev. Mr. Cunnligbam,
Reetor of Ilarmw.

Lord TEIGNMOCTII briefly thanked the assembly, foe so re-
spectful and catitying a prod of attention, and the meeting
separated.

CATHOLIC BURIALS IN IRELAND.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

Slll,—Having, by our note inserted in the Courier paper of the
17th Mat. requested " that the public opinion may be suspended.
for a few Mira. as well upon the teat ra of the Archirlabop ot
Dublin, which the Bishop of Limerick read to the Douse of Lords,
as upon the observations of that right Rev. Prelate." we shall now
proceed to offer the explanations which that notice inematei, in dur
defence against their egression.
Those letters and olwerrations we %entreaty Used U mania&
version upon a petition presented to Parlimilent curwey behalf
against the risk Burial Bill. and referred, particularly to our as.
union—•• That no inconvenieree had resulted from the practice of
free burials, as it existed is that city (meaning Dublin). prior to
the appointment of the Most Rev. Dr. Magee, as Archbishop of
the diocese."

---
The Archdishop observes, that by the words " Free Burial," we
" must be sapposcd ta—itte.nd to— crprert the undisturbed privilege
of the Roman Catholic Priesthood to officiate in the church-yard'
of the Ckrgv of the Established Church." Our meaning is di.-
tinctly marked by our words—" the practice of free burial as It
existed in tido city prior to the appointment of the Most Rev. De%
Magee."—ln another part of our petition, it in designated " thd
pratlire of free burial," an " it has beg existed ;" and it is thus
described as a " practice" four several times in the petition ; at the
Same time that the word " officiate" is not once used by vs. How's
ever, aa the Archbishop refers to the affair at St. Kevin's as an
illustration of his meaning. and the 'Bishop of Limerick. and the
Parochial Ckvgy of hubtin, do the name, it is plain that we al
refer to the same description of act or priKtice, which they des/gran!
" officiating:" .

The practice B raciice thus alluded to was that which we ourselves repeat.
edly witnessed in the Protestant church-yards in the clef of Dub-
lin; namely, far the Catholic Cles,tyman, in titterdanee at ow
burial of Catholics, to repeat the psalm, " he Proftwilfs," and
to add a short prayer. without making any ostentatious display, or
using or wearing any vestment, badge, emblem, or mark what.
ever ; or l'erfohnleg any religious rite or ceremony whatever f or
doing any art whatever that could distinguish him from any other
person in attendance. Which practice we alleged, by out petition,
existed prior to the apintment of Ih. Magee; and it la now
insisted by his Grace, that this allegation is a reiteration of the
charges brought against him at the rime of the burial of Mr.
Darcy, in S'. Kevin's church-yard. last September, " although
(he adds) the most decisive proofs of the hill falsehood of the
allegation (which connected him with that transaction) hare be le
placed before the public ;" and, in order to make it appear more
distinctly that this imputation of " tutal falsehood" Is dinned
"gills,' our assertion of the existence of such a procelee, he aisle
these emphatic words; " Although nearly forty yeah a reeklabt
of Dublin, and not unacquainted with the occurrences of an ec-
clesiastical character within that period, I had eti;er heard of sr
Roman (*earth Priest officiating, or attempting to officiate, at
any interment within the church-pod of any of the parishes of
the metropolis, until I rend the tenh given by the public
papas of the proceedings at St. Kevin's;" meaning, of course,
that such proceedings constituted what he considers officiating,
and lie calls those proceeding. " a new and alarming state of
thinia," and " an iceosion of their (the Clergy's) rights."
In this direct and po.itive assertion of the falsehood of our idle.
gation, lee is represented to be sustained by_ the amen/ tralmory
of the Bebop of Limerick, And by the distinct evidence of the pa-
rochial Clergy of Dublin, who are toned hy his Grace to "have
signed a declaration that, to their knoteledee, no Roman Catholic
priest hats ever officiated, or attempted to officiate, in their church.
yards respectively, with the exception of the St. Krvin'm business,
and a similar attempt, since that, in St. Mary's." whereby it sra
pears, that according to their acceptation also of the term official.
In g. the instances to which they refer calm within its meaning.
We were not Insensible to the serious character of such charges
of deliberate " falsehood" made in such a place, and coming form
such quarters ; but the time selected for the attack, being the Tau
Itiatll,,,lt of the eve of an adjournment, prevented, as we are coed.
dent it was intended to do, the possibility of immediately COMMU•
uicaring our feelings to thaw who witnessed the attack.
We ar • now prepared, after the most minute inquiry, and most
mature consideration, to declare, that the impression sought to be
conveyed by the Archbishop of Dublin. the Bishop of Limerick,
and the parochial Clergy of Dublin, in contradiction to the alleges:
'ions in our petition is. to use their own 'phrase. " not only untruo,
but totally destitute of any foundation in truth;" and, Amid it
ultimately appear, as we promise that it shall, that every material
allegation made by our 'students, in contradiction to oar 'petitions
or in vilification thereof, and which was capable of being mvesti.
gated by us. is utterly unfounded, we trust we shall be excused
when we decline being concluded by any other statements emanat.
ine front the same quarters as to physic orders or regulations which
it is in their power to disclose or conceal, as suits thejr pu but
the circumstances of which are incapable of being aseerfained by
any eflim of infinity.
We assert, and hereby undertake to prove, in any reasonable
practical manner that our opponents can suggest ; nay, even by
their own evidence, if they will submit to a cron-exarnination :-
Ist. That prior to the appointment of the present Archbishop of
Dublin, it had been the atiiffsein weedier of Catholic Clergymen.
when attending the burials of Catholics in Proteetaut church-yards
in that city, to offer up prayers at the time of interment.
That no instance has occurred within our times, either as
St. Kevin's or at St. Mary's, or at any other churchyard in that
city, of any Catholic Clergyman performing, or attempting to per.
form, the rites or ceremonies, or any or either of the rites or core.
Nome* ordained by the ritual of the l'atholic Church to be pa.
formed at burials ; nor did Catholic Clergyman wear or nor a
attempt to wear or use, any vestment. badge, emblem, or limb
whatsoever; or do any act. save by offering up such short prayers.
that could distinguish Mm from the Protestant or Catholic Lay-
men in attendance upon such occasions; nor was there any the
slightest deviation from their utifonn, immemorial practice, urns
tiny measion, either at St. Kevin's or St. Mary's; nor was then
any "new" or "alarming" proceedings on those occasions on the
part of the l'ottottic Cietgo. nor any attehmipt made by them to
that "an invasion of their (the Protestant Clergy's) rights," as
positively risen 01 hr the .Irchhishop Magee.
Although we could, with perfect fairness, eall upon our asseihmes
to disprove the latter mention, as it is necessarily negative, we will
nor avail punches of that reasonable privilege, but proceed at once
to the pnaluction of those proofs, which, we trust, will obtain the
general public assent to our accuracy ; and, in order to prevent re.
;entails we must unite both our propositions in the application of'
the proofs thereto, as the documents to which we refer connect
both points, and the separation of them would lead to useless an.
',Minton*. In the first place, we submit to consideration. die ex.
tract of a letter from the venerable Dr. lilske,Cathalie Arelideedon
of Dublin, to the Editor of the Dahlia Erealag Herald, dined
the 19th Septeniber, 11M, and inserted in the Cowen, 26th of that
month :—" Whoever is acquainted with our Irish customs meat
have noticed that it is not usual for the Catholic Clergy of the
country to appear at public places of interment in any official eat-
hoar, or to read there the Derriere which is prescribed in their
ritual for such occasions. %%11E11 invited to a finned by the friend*
of the deceased, they attend, like their other fellow-citirens ; they
are seen amongst the anted ; they are not distinguished by any
mark indicative of the Catholic Priesthood. and, if' remiestedto
offer a prayer for the departed soul, they pronounce front memory,
that which is in general 11.4 C =crest the laity, and wht,ii every
layman may, with propriety. offer on similar occasions. SW* is
aNd hashers the plittiiiT .y Catholic elergonwn in ;Wan!. since
the enactment of the Penal t'ede. 1 now appeal to all those Of
OVOI O fitigiON, who were tors-nt in Kevin's church-yard, when the
interdict from his Grace the Protenant Archbishop of IMblin was

.....
communicated to me, and 1 ch.& coy stet of them to sued that I
departed on that fro,ion Front enntions and intohtrnake prise-
lice of my Kererend !Sect:wen. I did nothing which any layman
might not lawfully ilo_-nothing which has not been done by Ca-
tholic Clergymen and Catholic laymen, limier the administration of
the most bigoted Prelates, and slating the most persecuting periods
tif former times. Vitlding to the particular request of a very near
and venerable relative of the deceased. I wok of my hat, to assuage,
by a short condoling prayer, the sorrows of the living—to im-
plore perpetual nit and peace for due departed soul and- a 1 tide
moment, and without any other provocation, the order of Doctor
Mager was ranc in my ears, that I mist soot der any prayers
errl that h; rare.
The allemitions in this letter never were contradicted by say watt
of the Tact con course of Pmtestamt and Catholics to whom that
solemn appeal was suede. Pint, there was published in the Courier
(October StD, a document under the head of " Ireland—Claims of
Catholics to pray firer the dead, in Protestant church-yards," par-
porting to be a " Statement of the Gauntness at a funeral phi"
took place on Timidity. the 11th of September. INTL in the thatch-
yard of St. Kevin's, Dublin." and it was added, that this tank-
meat " was made upon oath before the Lord Mayor of Dublin, by
the sexton of St. Kerin's church." The name of the Lord Mayor
was not alibied, neither was there any Jurat annexed over any of
the 'onus used in framing affidavits, nor did the Lion! Mayor or
the Sexton, or any other person whatever, ewer certify that it was
a TOW and genuine document, sworn as it was TertOCOtTa to hive
been, brtine him Itordship, or any other Magtstrate. or peraaa
whatever: nor did the or any other petstba wbatevlr, p..
pml,er oft tar ;getout tot support, the allagattoos t •