The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-10 00:00:00

NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

Yesterday the forty-sixth Annual Meeting of the above Society
was held at the Freemason,' Tavern. The room at an early hour
was so crowded, that it was nearly twenty minutes before the Com-
mittee could make their way to the platform.
At half-past twelve o'clock Lord GAMBIER was elected, by Sc.
clam stint+, to the ('hair.
His Lordship regretted that a person more competent than him-
self had not been called upon, but he would do his utmost to fulfil
the duties of the situation. He then requested the attention of the
Meeting while the Secretary read the report of the pas, year.
Major CLOSE then read the report, which was of the most flat-
tering description ; no less than 16,000 Bibles having been distri-
buted during the last year amongst the army. and a similar num-
ber are expected to be called for this year. It hail also been die.
covered that there was a dearth of Bibles in the navy, and steps
had been taken to remedy the evil; but money was necessary in
order to give effect to the exertion, of the Committee, and that
they might not be under the necessity of refusing the word of God
to those who were most anxious to possess it. The receipts had
fallen short of the expenditure, but he hoped that an interest would
be awakened which would place them in a situation to effect all the
good which they could wish. There had been, in the whole, 21,221
Bibles distributed during the year, which was a proof that the
funds of the Society had been well appropriated.
Major-General OanE rose to propose the first resolution, that
the report be received and approved of as the report of the Society.
While he impressed upon the Meeting the necessity of proceeding
in their career of charity. he hoped they would recollect that the in-
dividuals in whose behalf they were exerting themselves, were con-
tinually changing, and that therefore the continued exertions of the
benevolent were necessary in order to effect the object which they
had in view.

The Hon. Captain Note seconded the resolution with the
greatest satisfaction, because he now felt that the cause of the
spiritual welfare of the Army and Navy was exciting the deepest
interest in the hearts of their countrymen. Our sailors had become,
by the disttibution of bibles, not only better men, but better sailors;
and those who had attended to the reading of the Scriptures were
never called upon to suffer for breaches of naval discipline. They
were prompt and active in the execution of their duty; thug en-
abling a system of love to be adopted in the place of that of severity.
(Hear, hear, hear.) lie entreated, therefore, that the Meeting
would be liberal in forwarding a work of such importance as the
salvation of those who had not the means of attending to their
own. (Cheers).
The resolution was then carried unanimously.
Captain M , of the Bengal Artillery, rose to propose
the *wood Resolution, and entreated that the meeting would re-
member that, while they were promoting the happiness of man.
they were also promoting thegiory of their God. The exertions of
that Society were exposing the fallacies of infidelity, and carrying
conviction of the truths of Christianity to the simplest understand.
tag. All classes, with the exception of soldiers and sailors, were
subject to moral restraints which kept them from vices to which
those unfortunate men were but too much exposed. He then
eonetoded by moving, that the thanks of the meeting be offered to
the Patron, Vice-Patron, Presidents and Vice-Presidents, of the'
Society.
Captain Mout.hstroarit, of the Royal Navy, seconded the
Resolution.
The Resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Hera-al PEACHY. in rising to propose the third Resolution,
begged so oiler the poor tribute of hie concurrence to the proceed-
ings and objects of the Society. He then proposed the thanks of
the meeting to the Committee and the Officers of the Society, and
that they be requested to continue their services for the ensuing
year.
Captain PARRY seconded the Resolution. Feeling as he did the
deepest interest in the proceedings of the Society, he wished to re.
mark, that the effects of the Scriptures had been most conducive to
improve the professional and moral habits of the men under his corn.
mend, under circumstances of some peculiarity. The very seamen
on board the Hecht who were most active and attentive in the dia.
charge of their duty, were those who had been most remarkable for
their devreion to religious pursuits. ((Meets.)
The Resolution was then put and carried.
Captain BastLuars returned thanks on the part of the Com.
mister.

.....
The R d Fitswcts CLOSE proposed that the acknowledg.
ments of the Meeting be presented to the Auxiliary Societies,
which had so ably assisted the objects of the Naval and .Military
Bible Society.
Major iiOitSELICY seconded the Resolution, which was then
agreed to.
Colonel Le Briorc proposed the next Resolution, of thanks to
the Right Rev. the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and the Clergy who
had assisted the objects of the Society.
The Rev. J. CIINNINOHA3I, of narrow, seconded the Resolu-
tion. which was carried uminimout.ly.
Tie Honourable ■nd Rev. Oxitsnn Note. proposed the next
Re,olution, lamenting the want of funds to carry the objects of the
Society into effect, and pledging the Meeting to enable the Corn.
mittee to proceed In their exertions.
Major-General NeeILLE seconded the Resolution, which was
then put and carried.
The Res. E. lien:a proposed the next Resolution, of thanks to
Lord Gambier, for his conduct in the Chair.

Colonel Put PPS seconded the Resolution, which was carried by
acclamation. _

Lord GAMBIER returned thanks, after which the Misting as.
raratcd.

The following is extracted from the London New Price
Curt-rya of yesterday :
" Ln closing details of the interesting change in the Corn Laws,
which will materially affect the future commerce of the country it
may be proper to observe, the Hight Hon. the President of the
Pound of Trade has he charged with acquainting several persons
with the changes shout to be bmiight forward, and occasioning
speculation in the corn market,. No assertions can be more un.
founded. Accustomed as we are to watch all the movements of
the London and Liverpool markets, we cam state positively that not
a whisper respecting changes transpired in London up to the latest
hour of Monday. Though the alterations were brought forward
on the evening of that day, there was no speculation in this mar.
ket. It is true the particulars transpired in the forenoon of Tues-
day at Liverpool, before which that corn market was in a very de.
pressed state, and the pliers were falling. The channel through
which the news transpired was an express from London, with the
proceedings in Parliament. To declare those farts, which are
within our own knowledge, we think an act of justice to the cha.
ratter of the eminent todtvidual •' and we do it the more readily, 11.1
we have freely eommented on the new laws brought forward by
Mr. kluskisson, and attribute tu them a great proportion of the
present commercial distress."

An Evening Piper says:—" We have 'teen a letter from
Portsmouth, in which it is asserted that there isgreat
hustle in the Dock-yards, and that there have been great
numbers of additional sail-makers, &t. employed • but
that the vessels fitting ant are for the East India ata'fion."
It is to be remarked that this letter is in reply to one sent
from London when the first reports of great naval prepa-
rations were circulated.

We are authorized to state that nearly all the Ambas-
sadors from the New Governments in South America, and
most of the Irish Members of Parliament, have promised
to he present at St. Patrick's Charity Dinner, at the Free-
' masons' Tavern, to-morrow, Thursday, the 11th that., at
half-past five o'clock,