The Sun.
London, England, 1825-12-14 00:00:00

PROAIOTION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

Yesterday a .Meeting of the respectable Inha-
bitants of the Parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields was held at
Messrs. Flight and Itobson's Apollonicon Rooms, St. Mar-
tin's-lane, for the purpose of forming a Branch of the Society for
Promoting Christian Knowledge. The Rooms, which have
just been prepared for the re-opening of the season, were well
calculated in appearance for the purposes of the Meeting. A
Chair, with the-Royal Arms, .was placed for the Nobleman
who was to preside on the occasion, in front of' the Apolloni-
con, which, during the recess, has been inclosed in a magnifi-
cent case. Apollo and the Muses of Poetry and History have
been finely painted by Mr. John Wright. There is also a taste-
ful display of the names of the most distinguished ancient and
modern musical composers.—The Company began to assemble
at 12 o'clock.—The Earl of LIVERPOOL soon after 1 o'clock
took the Chair.
The Rev. Dr. RICHARDS, Vicar of the Parish, commenced
the business by_stating that the Meeting was held with the ap-
probation of the Lord Bishop of London.
The Earl of LIVER roof. said, be did not consider it neces-
sary to make a long statement on this occasion. They had met
for the purpose of establishing, in the parish of St. Martin, a
branch of the Saety for promoting Christian Knowledge. He
understood that institution had not been established in the
parish. '..They were, doubtless, . all acquainted with the object
the Society had in view, namely the diffusion of books which
had a tendency to improve mind and morals. They were de-
sirous of making a branch of the Parent Society, which might
confer advantages on-the population of the parish, by circu-
lating the Word of God, -and -conveying religious instruction
consistent with the establishment in Church and State. The
Noble Earl concluded by proposing the first Resolution, name-
ly, that the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge,
which had existed during 130 years, had produced great ad-
vantages, and was fairly entitled to national gratitude.
The Resolution having been seconded, was put and carried
unanimously.
The Rev. Dr, RICHARDS then said, before other resolutions
were submitted to the Meeting, it might be necessary to state
that the Parent Society could not diffuse those advantages
which flowed from its branches. The parish of St. Martin is
the Fields was one of the most populous in the kingdom, and
if a Branch Society were established in it, not less than 16,000
persons would derive great benefit from it. Out of 2,600 house
in the parish, 1,400 were.rated under 301. a year. The inha-
bitants were crowded in those houses. In the population of
the whole kingdom'it was calculated that each house contained
five persons ; but in the parish of St. Martin in the Fields the
average was more than ten persons to a house, In many cases
the want of a knowledge of the Scriptures was deplorable. In '
the course of his professional duties he requested a person to
read the 26th and 27th chapters of St. Matthew. and to his
great astonishment was asked where St. Matthew, was to be
found. Every facility had been given in the parish for educe-
tion. They instructed 600 children in their schools. Those
children could read, and they might derive a benefit from pro-
per books put into their hands. Their parents would also have
the advantage of such hooks. The Rev. Gentleman thought
the greatest caution should he observed in the .delivery of books,
but in many-cases they would confer great advantages.
A GENTLEMAN who sat on the left of the Earl of Liverpool,
whose name we could not ascertain, said it appeared to him
there never wasa time when an institution of this kind was so
much wanted.. Formerly persons could not have the benefit of
reading the Scriptures, but it was not so now. system of
'education extended over the country, and those who could read
called for books. They required aliment for the mind. It ap-
peered from thestatement of the Rev. Vicar, that niany in the
parish required that information which proper books could af-
ford. The Gentleman concluded by moving a resolution—
" That to remedy the want of religious books in this parish,
a Branch Committee-be now formed."

One of the Gentlemen composing the Meeting then said—
" My Lord, before you put that question, will you allow me
to ask whether all the religious books are to be issued by this
proposed institution ?"

Earl of LIVERPOOL.—That will depend on another
resolution.

The GENTLEMAN then said—lf the whole of the books are
to be issued by. this District Committee, I object to the resolu-
tion on conscientious motives.. 1 am from_ principle anti con-
viction a Member of the Church of England, and 1 think there
are hooks issued. of a character inconsistent with the doctrine of
the Church of England.. I would therefore propose, that no
booksbe issued but the Bible, the Prayer Book, and the Book
of Homilies. If the District Society is limited to the issuing of
those books, I will give_my money and time to promote their
object. I hold in my hand a book issued by the Society, which
if your Lordship had read as I have, you would say it is contrary
to the Bible and the Liturgy of the Church of England. It is
called The Whole Duty_of Mau, and is published by the So-
ciety for promoting Christian Knowledge. These books are to
be circulated among children ofour charity schools, and I think
it my duty to hold up my hand against the distribution of such
books in this parish. ..
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said the Gentleman had entertained
a wrong idea of the object of the Meeting. They had met to
establish w.Branch -Society for pirmuoting Christian Knowledge.
He himself belonged-to the Bible Society, and in case they had
met to form a branch of that Society, they must have followed
the rules' of the parent institution. None could believe that
bad books were -circulated. The books to be circulated must
always depend on the discretion of the Society.
The GtNTLEMAN in reply said, he had not been understood.
He did not mean to oppose any other Society, but to recom-
mend that this District Committee be limited to the circulation
of certain books..

The Resolution was then carried unanimously.
Mr. DRUMMOND (the Banker) then moved, " that it be the
object of this Branch Society to distribute among the poor in-
habitants of the parish gratuitously, such religious books as the
Society may consider proper."
• The GENTLEMAN who.objected to the distribution of The
Whole Duty of Man, moved as an amendment, to limit the
issuing of books, but no person seconded the amendment. The
resolution consequently was carried.
A resolution containing rules for the Society was also carried.
Dr. PRILLIMORE proposed that his Royal Highness Leo-
pold, Prince of Saxe-Coburg, and his Grace the Duke of
Northumberland, be requested to accept the office of Patrons
of the Society, and that the Earl of Liverpool be requested to
become President. Lord Viscount Lowther, and several other
Noblemen and Gentlemen were also named as Presidents.—
The resolution was agreed to.
Sir RICHARD BIRNIE moved that the thanks of the meeting
be given to the Earl .of Liverpool for his condescension in
taking the chair. Carried unanimously.
The Rev. Mr. Rrcelattps said, the meeting was'much in-
debted to Alessi's. Flight and Robson for their great kindness
and liberal offer of the room for the business of the day. He
should therefore move that the thanks of the meeting be given
to them. Carried.—The meeting then broke up.—Several
Ladies were present, seated in the gallery in front of the Apol-
lo.nicon.