The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-16 00:00:00

BIBLE SOCIETIES.

Towards the close of the days proceedings,
Mr. T. Caxnxra, who stated himself to be an English Protest.
ant dissenter, addressed the Sleeting, and observed, that he had
been four months in Ireland, and from what he had seen and heard
of, and from Orangemen, he was surprised to find that the general
feelings of the Catholics was limited to that of contempt, when they
w well deserved their hatred. The Gentleman then proceeded to
costalemn the oppoimion given bhe Catholics to the establishment
of Bible Societies in Ireland. When they had it from such an au.
thorny as Colibett„ who. in his celebrated letter to Lord Rotten,
stated, that notwithstanding all the exertions of the Bible Societies,
not one Irish convert had been made—therefore ha (Mr. Candler)

thought it injudicious and imprudent in the Catholic' to enter into
aft UMICCCSMIIry comsat, which had the effect of creating an enmity
and prejudice against them in the minds of the English dissenters.
of whom the Bible Societies were chiefly composed. It was ad-
mitted that their efforts against the Catholic religion were innox-
ious. Therefore why contend with them, at the risk of mating
additional enmity to their claims; far although he must admit
there was considerable fanaticism amongst the Bible missionaries.
these was also, it could not be denied, equal fanaticism displayed
in opposing them ; anti he disliked morons disputations amoorst
laymen, and particularly by a class of persons never considered to
be over.burthened with religion—lawyers. (Loud and long.crnti-
nued laughter.) Ile assured the Meeting be meant nothing per-
sonal to any one present. Ile equally condemned making the pul-
pit the medium of political discussion and opinions; but so keenly
did the Dissenters fr..' the opposition to the Bible Societies, that
one of their preachers denounced Mr. O'Connell's proceedings in
that respect as injurious to the l'atholic claims. The Gentleman
ameluded by assuring then', that under every circumstance he
ohouln support, es ho had ever done, privately and publicly, the
principle, that those fir the government of whom laws are made
should participate in their advantages and assist is their enactment.
(The Gentleman sat down amidst very general applause, and was
heard with great attention throughout.)
Mr. O'Cos; NEL t.„ in r:ply to the last speaker, observed. that
if the attempt at proselytism were cur.fined to the cunning and dext
teeny of et; intlivithials employcd, he should not have heeded them-
but when the most cruel persecution and aggravated oppression
were anforecti against the wretched peasantry, who refused to send
their children to the biblical schools, it would have been inhuman
and criminal, when an opportunity offered, did be neglect to ex-
pose Me imposition, or„ by publicly challenging its promoters,
;drum 'hem an opportunity of explaining their views. But who
wire the divines that the Biblicals employed, and that he (Mr.
O'Connell) as heing a layman, was charged with having improperly
contended against ? %Eby, finical'', a man of war, with a Bible
in one hand, and a sword in the other, who abused Ireland and
praised Scotland, and a young man of fashion. armed with preju-
dice and enthusiasm. %Vas it not meritariuus to attempt unde-
ceiving the public, and to expose the chicanery of a system that
could make a dupe of such man as Sergeant Lefroy. who was
led to countenance such a job as expending eighty thousand pounds
for printing Bibles in the Irish laneuags, when it was so well known
that thooe capable of reading the Irish character acquired that faci.
lily by means of the English language, and when it was equally no.
torious that not one of the peionntry could read the Irish language.
(blear, hear.) IVith respect to the dissesting Clergyman who de.
elsred fonn the pulpit that he (dlr. O'Connell) was injuring the
cause. it was more titan probable that If' the pious gentle.
mast thought so, he would suffer him (dlr. O'('onnell) to pursue
his course emilionirbanl and uncautioned.
dlr. Bale foliowed Mr. O'Connell in reply to Mr. Candler, and
assured that gentleman he "wield not have intruded himvelf non
the notice of the meeting at ('ink, but that dlr. Noel had deelared
,ti uncharitably and tinchristianlike. •• that none of those unhappy
permit. who were without the benefit of biblical insauction, would
We the light of Heaven."
The Rey. Mr. Is'Envotanot observed, that the origin of Ids
learned friend's having interfered upon the occasion alluded to, was,
that lie (Mr. I.'Lstratige) and two other clergymen, were present
at one of those Biblical meetings is C.nk, when a report was read.
and the question put that it be received. Amongst other question.
able passages in the report, it sated that no atiesepts of finewlytisin
hie! been elalle by the Soniete, upon which the Hee. dlr. Fogge.
raid. a I 'atitithc clergymen, rose, and propmed to prove upon oath,
which he was ready to make before Lord Carberry, a mag:strate
then presemt, that in several school's which he named. the system of
proselytism hod been attempted both direcily and indirectly. This
led to a long discussion ; and. finally, the Catholic clergyman quitted
the room, after protesting against the proceedings, as they were not
allowed to proceed In their observations, not having been any of
those appointed by the Committee to 'Aileron the meeting; and on
the next meeting of the Bibliads. his learned friends, whose abili.
lies were sure to vuemand attention, took can to Provost and
state their opinions, which they did in their individual capacities,
and no' on the pact of the Cathdic ass: sties.

THE BRITISH PRESS.