The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-04 00:00:00

FASHIONABLE PARTIES.

PORTEUSIAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

the ."lr'er oa cree ead lengthngs of tenabledFirst t opgui
by el
i ca. slke eettienhg oo
of
this interesting Society, which was held at the
Freemason's Tavern, on Tuesday the 25th ult.
Major Moony, Royal Engineers, in the Chair.
Its objects and success are thus briefly noticed
in the Annual Report :
" From the apostolic times down to our own, the principle
has been fully maintained, that an indiscriminate reading of the
word of God, was not the best adapted to promote the edifi-
cation of young and inexperienced readers. To provide against
this evil, the PORTEUSIAN BIBLE contains the authorized
English Version, printed in various sizes ; with the more in-
teresting and devotional chapters distinguished for youthful
meditation, and as a course of family reading ; upon the plan of
the Bishop PORTEUS.
" To the Bible is prefixed, the PORTEUSIAN INDEX or
Family Guide to the Holy Scriptures ; containing, among a
variety of important Scripture matter, an arrangement of texts,
enforcing all the leading doctrines of the Christian Religion,
—the whole series of Prophecy relative to the Messiah, ar-
ranged under proper heads,—a Harmony of the Gospel,—a sp-
end a table of reference to suitable portions of
nopsis of the relative duties of Magistrates, Parents, Children,
Servants, &c. ;
Holy Writ for meditation under the various circumstances of
Christian experience and. affliction. The. INDEX may be
obtained separately, as also bound with the NEW TESTA-
MENT."
The Rev. .JOIIN TILT, Secretary, moved, that the Report
be received, and urged the necessity and importance of the
Society. He was aware of the existence of two great and
leading Societies engaged in the circulation of the Holy Scrip-
tures and could not have been induced to give his support to
themeasure unless he felt convinced that giant good was to be
derived by making the chapters wherein the letter of the Scrip-
tures is most plain, and with the least admixture of doctrinal
obscurity, as well as by classing them under leading and dis-
tinct heads. The Idea of giving the Bible, with the advan-
tages of a selection, together with tables of reference and most
useful .matter, was highly important, and calculated to instil
into the minds of the unenlightened a degree of knowledge which
would prove highly beneficial to society. The Rev. Gentle-
man said he would allude to one of the most important abuses
of the Holy Scriptures, and which was but too general among
the lower orders of society in this country, and which this plan
was adapted to counteract, by giving some method to minds
not sufficiently penetrating to supply it to themselves. It was
that of suffering chance to determine what portion they shall
daily read, as the ancients were said to cast the Virgilian lots,
from whence they infer the doctrine of fatalism ; and that the
parts to which they are thus conducted have a pointed and ne-
cessary reference to the circumstances Of their position, with re-
gard both to man and his Maker. An investigation intothe causes
of suicide,if it could be carried on with sufficient acuteness,would
lead to the discovery, that in most instances it arose from a total
absence of that reliance upon the mercy and goodness of the Cre-
ator which accompanies the knowledgeofßevelation,and without
which the condition of man was inferior to that of the brute which
peHshes, or from •a misconception of those doctrines which
were delivered to them, to teach submission. Our own min-
try had frequently supplied instances of fatal delusion, calcu-
lated to shew the good effects which would result from a tem-
perate use of. the Scriptures; and Switzerland had lately
given an .example, which lie trusted would not meet with
imitation, but serve to dispel the phantoms which haunt the
gloomy minds in every region. The learned also might de-
rive benefits from the plan of the Institution. It was a com-
mon mistake for the man of education to think that whatever
was plain and easy to his own apprehension, must, of necessity,
be so to those who from the difference of education and habit,
might be termed his equals, in any thing but the capacity for
thinking and forming a just conception of what can penetrate
the understanding only through the eye of an enlightened
mind. The Rev. Gentleman concluded by paying a tribute of
just respect to the exemplary and laborious individual, by
whose exertions chiefly the Society had arrived at its present
state of prosperity.
EMERSON DOWSOX, Esq., felt much alive to the work of
education, which he knew could be best advanced by being
placed on a religious basis. Having been engaged much in
devising plans to this end, he was pleased with the aid which
the Porteusian Bible afforded. A Minister to whom he had
shewn one of these Bibles, was at first averse to it, conceiving
that it was an abridged Bible. But, on being satisfied that
there was no abridgment, but only that it contained certain in-
dexes and directions to profitable reading, he fully approved of
it. The advantage of this plan was acknowledged by Dr.
Watts, who had often expressed his wish that portions of the
Scriptures should be selected for &eneral use amongst children,
and who printed a Bible of that kind in 1748.
Rev. JAMES UPTON approved, generally, the object of the
Society, which came on as an useful accessary to the labours of
the Bible Society. He was happy to ascertain that it was the
whole Bible, as he could never give his sanction to 'any grabled
extracts.
Rev. Mr. PRITCRARD said, that he felt much satisfaction
that the object of the Society was to render the study of the
Scriptures mare profitable and easy to general readers.
Rev. Mr. DAY proposed the Laws and Regulations of the
Society, and said, thatliaving been much engaged in ministerial
duties, and in visiting the sick and poor, as well as assisting in
the instruction of children ; he found the advantages of such an
arrangement of the Scriptures as the Porteusian Bible.
The Rev. W. A. EVANSON said, that he was totally unac-
quainted even with the existence of this Society, until he had
seen its meeting placarded. The name immediately arrested
his attention, and he came to that room, without the slightest
idea of taking part in the proceedings. He bad examined the
printed documents on the table—had cast a hurried glance
over the Porteusian Index and Bible which the Society • cir-
culated,—had seen the list of the officers and Committee,—
had listened to the respected Secretary, and others who
spoke, and now felt no objection to enlisting as a volunteer,
on the invitation, and under the banner of their gallant
Chairman.—The name of PORTEUS, he could not but asso-
ciate with every thing amiable and venerable in the episcopal
character. He well remembered the effect which the " Lec-
tures" of that eminent prelate had produced on his own mind,
and could conceive the delight of having been a listener
to them when delivered.—The elevation of that exemplary
Bishop to that high dignity, was one of the many acts which
shed a lustre on the illustrious Sovereign, now in his eternal
rest, and whose memory is embalmed in every British heart,—
and it was impossible to think without admiration, of the
mingled firmness and Christian suavity which that prelate had
displayed in reproving the vices of the great, and resisting the
torrent of fashionable follies. Mr. E. approved of this Society
beCause he conceived the principles of that good Bishop, which
he had reason to believe were acted on in the arrangement of
the Porteusian Bible, were a guaranree of its safety. It was
performing the office of an experienced navigator, who puts
the chart of the ocean into a youthful mariner's hands, and
without repressing the noble spirit of adventurous discovery,
marks ont the plainest course for his commencing voyage of life.
Rev. Dr. COLLYER said, that no human authority can either
add to or detract from the sacred Scriptures--and lie approved
the Porteusian Society, because it adopts this principle. It
furnishes merely helps to selection—all the Bible may be read
with profit; and that infidel objection, which could exclude it
from general perusal, because it contains objectionable passages,
is founded in ignorance and error; nor can we consent to any
human authority for eepunging any part of the word of 'God
which speaks in plain language of the vices and depravity of
man, until these evils, so spoken of, shall have been expunged
from the human heart. The exposure of these evils is to
make them more abhorred. At the same time it may be as
well to keep the mind of youth in ignorance of their existence
as long es we can. Indeed we all practically act on this prin-
ciple. There is no rivalry between this and other Bible So-
cieties. The Porteusian Index is optional with purchasers, and
on examining it, we shall find it merely an enlarged heading of
the chapters. There is neither note nor comment, but simply
the language of Scripture itself. He then testified to the ex-
cellent and benevolent character of his Royal Highness the
Duke of Sussex, to whom, as Patron of the Society, he had
now to propose the thanks of the meeting.
ROBERT Cowrre, Esq. adverted to the observations of a for-
mer Speaker on the excellent Bishop Porteus, and mentioned
an anecdote of that Rev. Prelate connected with the establish-
ment of the British and Foreign Bible Society. At that time
the Rev. John Owen, Chaplain to his Lordship, appeared at
their first feeble Meeting at the London Tavern, as represent_
ing his diocesan, and sanctioned, on his part, their commencing
efforts. Mr. C. concluded by stating, that he had the honour
of being present at that Meeting, which was far less numerously
attended than the present.
Rev. Mr. SLODER moved thanks to Major Moody, the
Chairman.
Major M own- (R.E.) acknowledged the vote of thanks, and
related several instances of the value of the Porteusian Bible,
within his own military experience. -In the West Indies, he
had often observed the want of some such guide to the Scrip-
tures for the soldiers in hospitals; and' the riegroes.—A black
servant of his had one of these Bibles, which-mans, Pers°"
used to borrow for the purpose of copying the Index and refe-
rences. It was much prized by the Society of Friends in New
York, where it is now extensively circulated:
The Meeting then adjourned.