The National Register.
London, England, 1821-11-04 00:00:00

No. 1;340.—V0L. XIV.]

ANNIVERSARY MEETING
-OF THE CITY OF LONDON BIBLE SOCIETY, AT
THE MANSION-HOUSE.
•
On Wednesday last the Ninth Anniversary of the City
of London Bible Society was held at the Egyptian Hail,
iu the Mansion-house. *Long before the hour appointed
fur taking the chair, the Hall was crowded to excess,
mostly by ladies. At twelve o'clock the Lord Mayor
entered the Hall, and was called to the chair by accla.
His Lorclshiptaid, he felt highly flattered at the honour
done him, and Though he could not but be sensible that
th:re were many gentlemen present much more compe-
tent than himself to preside in the assembly, yet none
could be more anxious in the success of the great object
they were assenib:ed to promote.—(Applause.)
The Secretary read a long Report from the Committee,
dci ino their proceedings since the last Anniversary
L-nr Rocgsavattz, in a speech which was but par.
tialiy andiole, mused that the Report be agreed to, and
recessed by the meeting.
'The Rev. J. A. JAMES seconded the motion. He con.
gratolated the meeting on the success of their labours,
which was evinced by the extensive circulation of the
Scriptures. They had all reason to be proud of their
country, for its greatness in everything that was valuable
amongst men, but above ail, for its being the founders of
B:hie Societies, which were in the highest degree calcu-
lated to extend the best bletsineto all the nations of the
earth. Had the choice been given to him in what na-
tion and in what period of the world he should live, he
should, without hesitation, pass by all other nations and
ail other times, and say, "Let me live in Britain, and in
the beginning of tie 19th century." (Hear, hear.)
The motion for adopting the Report of the Committee
was carried unanimously.
Air. Sheriff VI/FABLES moved the thanks of the
meeting to the CBmmittee for the Report, and their
highly meritorious tabours in promoting the objects for
which the Society was establisned.—The worthy Sheriff
eulogized the elect tions that were now making to educate
the children of the poor, the best part of which was their
moral and religious instructiou, which would be most
effi-ctually promoted by extending the knowledge of use
scri,.torcii. _He had the honour of honey present when
the- Society was formed, and of assisting a number of
g!:l.:ernen the same evening in the Formation of a branch
Sacle:y, which was supported by a subscription of seve-
ral inoustnci pounds. (Hear.)
The Rev. 1)r. Trion, seconded the motion. He pro-
fessed to take a short view of what the Bible Societies
had undertaken, and what they had accomplished, and
to answer some objections that were made to them. They
have undertaken to make known the Scriptures to all
the nations of the earth. There are • :II 5n0,n00,000 of
the inhabitants of the globe who have not heard of the
iievelation that was sent down front Heaven to bless all
mankind. This should excite the utmost exertions of
all Christians, but should nut cause any to despair. So-
cieties are funned in all nations amongst people of every
class and colour, and at home 3,000,000 of Bibles have
been distributed, and the demand continues. It had
beets objected, that the able should not be distributed
without note ur comment, but this was to say, that the
book written by God for the instruction of his rational
creatures was not sufficient, and that men should write
another book to wake up the deficiency. It was also
sail, why not give the Prayer-hook with Out Bible
There was no objection, but want of means; and that
which was most itni.ortant was preferred. distriLu-
Uon the Bible greatly increased the demand for the
Prayer-book; and in the last IS yea:s, the Uoiversities
has printed 150,0thi more Prayer.bo-ki th.in in the lao
13 years preceding. Another otijectt,iii was, that reading
the Bible would lead to the overthrow ui Church rind
St tc ; but to this it was only necessiiry to reply, that
Ministers and ashups were the beat supporters of the
Societies.
:alderman Bitostrwe said he felt himself highly hi:i-
nt.:rail- iddressi the as where every tinnier

roural mak._ -jitig the . every t.
of every kind, was merged and forgotten, in the desire
that was felt by all to become instrumental in bringing
the Serrptures of truth, that words alone were able to
make wise unto salvation, to the knowledge of all man-
kind. The former benevolence of the public was in
general directed to benefit the bodies of men, but the
!lisseinination of Christu knowledge had a higher ob-
ject, and would bring blessings that would never fail tc
in, !tuitional part.
tie Rev. Dr. loitTtuorte said, the present state of
many nations shewed that an awful crisis was approach•
jug; but this nation may hope to be distil:gni:lied as the
instrument of promoting the knowledge of Um: to the
earth,

Some other aentletner addressed the meeting, and a.
Committee was f)rtned for eonductinz tne burineu nt
the Slciety for the Alter hu Alr. F.,.
veil tuoveL the thanks ut the meeting to the Lord Nlayor,
which was secomied Ly the Rev. Joseph Hughes, and
canked by acclatnaiion.
The Loan NIAr on made his a..knosc ledgments for
the honour conferred on tutu, and sr. s Jgain greeted reign
Vie loudest plawits.