The Sun.
London, England, 1822-11-08 00:00:00

BIBLE SOCIETY.

A meeting of the City of London Auxiliary
Bible Society took place yesterday at 12 o'clock, in the Egyp-
tian-hall, at the Mansion-house. The doors of the Hall were
opened soon after 11 o'clock, and shortly after ig the Lord
Mayor took the Chair; at this time the Hall (especially with
ladies) was crowded in the extreme ; and one of the officers of
the Society requested that visitors would occupy as little room
as possible, as hundreds of respectable persons were waiting
without, unable to obtain admission.

The Loop NIA-roo having in a few words, opened tha busi-
ness of the meeting,
The Rev. Mr. Dir.f.o24 (one of the SecretarieS of the Society)
read the Report (being the tenth annual Report) of the proceed-
ings of the Society. The more • material circumstances stated
in this document (which was of considerable length) were as
followi :—That the-most fortunate results had proceeded from
the distributiOn of the Holy Scriptures in gaols and prisons ;
those works being in constant use, and yet, in no one instance,
torn or defaced: that Bibles had been circulated through New
South Wales with much advantage, copies having been given
to convicts under sentence of transportation : that the keeperof
an inn in the City had promised to dispose Bibles in the cham-
bers occupied by his guests ; that the names of. the Earl of
Rocksavage, the Right Bon Lord Gambier, Sir J. W. Lub-
bock, and Newman Knowlys, Esq., had been added to the list
of Vice-Presidents : that several contributions, froth the preach-
ing of charity sermons had been received by the society : that
in various instances poor persons had subscribed cheerfully for
the purchase of Bibles : that the ladies' committee had suc-
ceeded remarkably well in their endeavours, having obtained
a subscription from an Irish Roman Catholic : that the ladies
have More than once succeeded upon a second application, after
having been repulsed in the first : that the parent institution
had been strengthened by 12 additional auxiliary societies since
the month of May last; and that since the time of its first for-
mation, it had received 1,080,5261. in subscriptions, and distri-
buted 3,563,974 copies of the Bible.
The Report being concluded,
Sir CLAUDIUS STEPHEN HUNTER proposed its formal
approval and printing, to the Meeting.
Mr. Alderman Vt...NABLEs seconded the approval and print-
ing of the Report.
• The LOUD 31AY on, being compelled to attend his civic- du-
ties here left'the Chair; it was taken (upon motion) by Sir C.
S. du-
tics,

Dr. TrronrE then rose, and moved a vote of thanks to the
Officer of the Society. The Hall, as he beheld it at the present
moment,' did indeed, he said, display a scene worthy of the
greatest city in the world. England, herself pre-eminent in li-
berty, prosperity, and happiness, now proved that it was not
to herself that she wished such blessings to be confined : con-
scious
that it was to the precepts of the Iloly Scriptures that
those advantages were to be traced, she candidly proffered those
precepts to the acceptance of all the world. It was a eircum-
stance of peculiar advantage in the objects of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, that the measures which they advocated
tended in every situation to benefit; that'while they advanced the
glory and fortune of a state they tended at the same time to the
happiness of the mean es t individual connected with it. Bible Socie-
ties had been attacked in various quarters ; even during the last
year a blow had been struck at them, and it was not the first
blow aimed by the same hand ; but the first Minister of the
country—and the country was indebted to him for his conduct
—had not refused to stand forward,in their defence. It was
worth while to observe that the Bible Societies had been formed
in a period apparently unfavourable to their extension ; but they
had overcome obstacles in their progress which nothing but
true principle could have sarmounted. While the Continent,
had been closed against every other class of British produce
British Bibles had still been freely admitted, and the agents
of the Societies from which those Bibles emanated had uni-
formly been received with kindness and respect. Those
were disappointed whb had prophesied the decline of the
Bible Societies with that which (as they said) supported them
novelty. Eighteen years had elapsed since the Societies
were first formed, and each succeeding year, as it gave them age,
saw them increasing in their influence and in their numbers.
Dr. Thorpe then adverted tc the lamented death of the Rev.
Mr. Owen, one of the secretaries of the Society. From an in-
tiniacy of long standing, he was qualified to bear witness to the
admirable character of that regretted individual, to the excel-
lence of his private conduct, to his constant exertion for the in-
terests of the gospel, for his uniform charity and piety, and for
the entire absence of bigotry from his heart and feeling. Nor
could _ the Doctor forbear, while he was before the assembly,
from making a few observations upon the present state of Ire-
land. He was proud and happy to state that the sympathy
shown by this country to their sufferings had found its way to
the hearts of Irishmen in general. The charity of England
had not only accomplished the relief immediately contem-
plated, but it had gained to her the confidence of the people '
whom she assisted.
_As an Irishman himself, he was fee to
declare, that the road to an Irishman's understanding was
through his heart; and many of the Irish had been heard to
protest that they were ready to shed their blood for the people
who had been their benefactors. Dr. Thorpe sat down by
moving, as a resolution, a vote of thanks to the President,
Vice-presidents, and Officers of the Society.
The Rev. J. W. CUNNINGHA3I, however anxious to com-
ply with the wishes of the public officers of the Society, should
not have overcome his reluctance,to present himself to such an
immense audience, but for the circumstance already so feel-
ingly adverted to'by a Reviend Friend who had preceded him
—the loss of the valuable Secretary to the Society (Mr. Owen).
Of that lamented friend he would say nothing in shape of pa-
negyric ; for of all places, that in which he stood was the last
in which men should occupy themselves with the applause
either of the living or of the dead. • But this he would say of
Mr..owen, and of his coadjutor, that their election to their
offices was to him an evidence that Providence was on the side
of the Society. If it was the proper work of Providence to
gapply instruments when a great work was to be done, the
Society had an, instance of such wisdom in the present case.
He would now beg leave to notice (Mr: Cunningham conti-
nued) a few particular:tin general of the history of the Society
since he last had met the assembly. In the first place, it was

obvious not only that a great general increase ,had taken place
in the Bible Society, but also in that particular branch of it,
and such increase was under circumstances, too, of great national
depression and difficulty. Now, if this instrument was from God,
such was precisely the effect which might be anticipated. Af-
fliction, which drew men off from their own indulgence, disposed
them to their duties. He might be allowed to notice one or
two facts of a more specific nature abroad and at home. The
case of ibreign nations to which he would direct the attention
of the meeting was that of America. The members of the so-
ciety had been called enthusiasts, and it was perhaps a little
difficult not to feel some kind of enthusiasm in so great a cause,
but they would be really enthusiasts if they allowed them-
selves to. entertain a hope that they were able of themselves
to circulate the Scriptures in every part of the world. The
society imaeined no such thing. They hoped that they
might supply seed corn which might in the end contribute
to cover most desolate corners of the earth with institutions
such as those which they did not hope at once fully to supply.
They did not at once offer fountains to foreign nations, but
rather cast a little water into the national pump, by which their
own machinery might be set to work, and streams supplied to
the most barren and unprofitable region. And look at the fact.
America has lately said to this country, We thank you for your
past help, because except from you we should-not have existed
at all; but with our affectionate thanks we now tell you that we
need your help no longer. You have cherished us in our in-
fancy, but now we can walk alone, and therefore our duty is to
burden our parent no longer, but to love, and, if need be, to
assist her. The next point to which he would,call the atten-
tion of the 'Meeting was the state of the Bible Societies in Ire-
land. It was well known that Certain distinguished indivi-
duals in that interesting country had seceded from the society.
He did not mean to reflect upon the judgment or consciences of
those individuals ; he gave to them that free toleration of
opinion which he claimed for himself. But the fact to which
lie desired to advert, was a fact on the accuracy .of which he
pledged himself, having examined into it. That which seemed
so confidently assigned by some opponents-of the society as the
cause of that secession—viz. Irish society having deviated
from its fundamental principles—was not warranted by the
facts of the case. He confidently affirmed that there had been
no such deviation. But Providence had overrulled the seces-
sion, increased attention had been drawn to the society, and,
satisfied with its principle and conduct, multitudes had thronged
to its standard ; the secession had ended in the addition of 26
new auxiliaries to the Institution. It was said by Pyrrhus in his
contests with Rome, " One other victory, and we are undone !"
The society might, perhaps, say (in this instance), " One
other defeat, and our fortune is made." One observation more,
and he would conclude. Among the facts in the history of the So-
ciety during. the past year, was the publication of a new octavo
volume against it. The basis of the attack was an alleged im-
possibility that Lord Liverpool could have delivered a speech
published in his name. He (Mr. Cunningham) might state
with confidence that the speech so assailed had the completest
suction of that distinguished Statesman, and was published:with
his concurrence. So much for the new assailant of the society :
but it was difficult sufficiently to acknowledge the important
service of the first Minister of the Crown to the Society. His
(31r. Cunningham's) earnest wish was, that the country might
never fail to acknowledge the debt due to Lord Liverpool—the
tribute of national gratitude and affection. He should then sit
down by seconding Dr. Thorpe's resolution.
The Itay. T. CLAYTON, jun., returned thanks in the name
of. the Secretaries, and other-officers of the society, for the ho-
nour conferred on them.

Mr. FATELL moved, that the names of cermin gentlemen
should be read, who had accepted the offices of Secretaries for
the ensuing year. lie observed, that it was the interest of Ma-
gistrates to attend the meetings of Bible societies ; for that the
success of those societies would be calculated to diminish their
labours. If it was excellent to reform men when they were in
prison, it was still better, in every point of view, to get rid of the
necessity of sending them there.
The Rev. Joux Woon spoke at some length, in confirma-
tion of Mr. Favell's arguments.
The Rev. Mr. DILLON, in proposing a vote, as a tribute to
the memory of the late Mr. Owen, pronounced a panegyric up.
on the character of that gentleman.
The Rev. Dr. STEIN KOPf F, Foreign Secretary to the
British and Foreign Bible Society, seconded the Resolution
but; being a native of Germany, the Rev. Gentleman's foreign
accent rendered much of what he said unintelligible. We un-
derstood him to say that the three Gospels of St. Matthew, St.
Mark, and St. Luke, had been translated into the Esquimaux
language, and circulated in that country. One had been trans-
lated into Chinese ; and one of the natives employed in printing
it became so charmed with Christianity, that notwithstanding
his being imprisoned and otherwise persecuted for it, his attach-
ment remained unshaken. A press had been sent out from
London to the Island of Otaheite (we understood), where two
of the Gospels were also circulated. The Rev. Gentleman bore
testimony to the great loss the Society incurred in the death of
the Rev. Mr. Owen, for whom personally he entertained such
feelings that he experienced a greater pang when that melan-
choly event took place, than he should had his arm been sepa-
rated from his body.

The Rcsolution was then put from the chair, and carried
unanimously,

The Rev. DANIEL WILSON proposed " that this Meeting
records its gratitude to the Ladies who have exerted their
efforts for the Society, and approves of the appointments which
have been arranged by the Committee of the Ladies' branch."
The Reverend rnoer concurred in the tribute paid by the last
speaker to the memory of Mr. Owen, and described the deep
regret his death excited in the French Committee of the Bible
Society at Paris. He then stated, that upon his first landing in
Normandy he inquired into the state of religion there, what
Bibles there were, &c. ; and learned, that in Coutances, the
first town in which he found himself, out of its 11,000 inha-
bitants, there was but one individual who was a Protestant ;
and from Coutances to the next stage, there was not one at all.
In short, all his inquiries in France, until he reached Paris,
tended to show him hew much was required to be done by the
Bible Society. But at Paris he was delighted with the pro-
gress of the Society there ; and learned that all over Protestant
France there was a great demand for the Holy Book. A
liturgy,-he said, could not be introduced there, but in the bible
all were agreed. He contended that the affections and finer
feelings of the heart ought to be called in aid of the understand-
ing in the cause of religion ; and after combating the objections
made to these societies, he concluded by moving the resolution.
Ihe Rev. GEORGE ROGERS having seconded it, it was put
and carried.

The Rev. EDWARD IRVING, of the Caledonian church,
moved the following :
" That this meeting hears with admiring gratitude, that the
blessing of God still attends the benign operations of the Bri-
tish and Foreign Bible Society, and desires to record a fresh
pledge of sympathetic interest in its progress and success. That
the individuals who compose this assembly, will therefore, as
far as their influence may reach, strive to render the City of
London Auxiliary Bible Society an institution worthy of the
metropolis of this affluent and charitable nation."
Had the meeting,'he said, seen the state of the streets in the
capital of his native land (Scotland) on the Sabbath Day,
which gladdened the heart of his Majesty when he honoured
them with his presence, and compared it with that of the Lon-
don streets, where the ear was shocked with the sounds of
blasphemy, swearing, and vice, they would endeavour to spread
the scripture amongst them, as the only means of removing
these disgraceful evils ; for to the circulation of the Bible
alone was it owing that the Scotch had become the diligent,
aspiring, and prudent people, for which they were celebrated.
—(Wear!)
The Rev. Dr. CARR, of Belfast, seconded the motion. He
drew a melancholy picture of the present state of Ireland,
which he contended could not be amended by any political
change in the country. It was only from the circulation of the
Bible that any improvement was to be expected.
The motion was put and carried.

The Rev. 11. C. WATmars, Rector of St. Swithiri's, con-
cluded the business of the day by proposing the following re-
solution, adding, that a collection would be made at the door
to afford the assembly an opportunity of reducing their prin-
ciples to practice :
That this meeting, sensible of the obligation conferred
upon the Society by the Right lion. the Lord Mayor, desires
gratefully to acknowledge the kindness of his Lordship in hav-
ing granted permission that the anniversary of the Society
should be held in the Egyptian-hall ; and also for the suitable
manner in which his Lordship had presided upon the present
occasion."
To which the Secretary added a vote of thanks to Sir C. S.
Hunter, for his conduct in the Chair after the Lord Mayor was
obliged to leave it.
Both Resolutions were carried unanimously.
Sir C. S. HUNTER returned thanks; and the Meeting ad-
journed at four o'clock.