The Sun.
London, England, 1819-11-05 00:00:00

CITY BIIILE SOCIETY.

'Yesterday, a most numerous -and respectable
Meeting took place in the Egyptian Hall, Mansion
Tioit,e, for the rurp6se of receiving the Annual
Report of the City Bible Society. The majority
of the company consisted of Ladies. The LORD
Ms'on was in the-Chair.
His Lordship came forward. amidst loud ap-
plause. He rejoiced at seeing so numerous and
so elegant an assemhlage upon so important a
subject. The necessity of meeting to accomplish
the purposes of the Institution was the greater,
'as the efforts of mischievous characters had been
lately most desperate, and had their success been
proportionate to their intention,•the worst conse-
quences might have been apprehended, but the
Christian Faith had suffered nothing. Notwith-
standing the endeavours of those labourers in the
vineyard of infidelity, twelve honest men were
round who put a period to their exultation. But,
still, great mischief bad been done, The rising
generation, if their parents did not watch over
them -with scrupulous care; would be severe Al-.
feters. His Lordship trusted that the necessary
precautions would be -taken for-the sake of our
good old Constitution, Which was inseparably in-
terwoven with; -the principles of • the Christian
Faith, and concluded with searing that the variety
of the duties, he had to perform bad prevented
him from giving the question to be submitted to
the Assembly, the 'consideration- .which, under
other circumstances, lie would have don.—(Loud
applause.)
• After his Lordship had concluded, Mr. .1.
l'oYNTee read the Report, of which the followiug
is the substance :—The Friends of the Bible so-
ciety are as unwilling to advert to any controvert-
ed opinions, , as it is unnecessary to their cause
that they should do so, being not :more prevented
r'Avy.,then.by inclination, from!becoming par-
ties in any degree to the vainauld_fiteting con-
tetitions,,of, a ;world, '' the foslhjonof which pass-
eth away ;" but in a moment when 'the Bible ii-
seiChas,been assailed with new-and extraordinary
activity ;• when, it has been sou lit to destroy all
sense:: of future , responsibility, by undermining
the first principles of seligion,:and to dissolve Lire
connexion between man And. his. Maker, 'by the
bold denial of a revelation frOtn, Heaven ; when
publications of the: most flag,itious tendency have
beef) •hrowu Atm) the widtst circulation, and still

continue:to_be. disseminated with the tno3t iter
- nicious industry ; and When all hope in death has
been. sought to be taken away from our expiring
nature ; • when the most „s(tietnn and sacred troths
of our holy•Religioti have been, impugned andtle-
ri,ted, and the flood-ga'es of licention‘ness and
vice hake been set wide open—under circutn-
stances such as these, thure.appears a peculiar call
upon the friends of divine truth, to show them-
selves in earnest in the cause of •their insulted
Lord, and to redouble their, activity in support
of this sacred 'and useful Initittrion. We live in-
tired in " a day of rebuke and blasphemy," when,
althoogh it might have been expected that a
sympathy If feeling would have hailed the full
blaze of Scrintote with which the nation
s,, fang been foroured; and that a deep sense
of gratitude would have been excited by the signal
dcli'verance which has been wrought fur us in .the
resttnatiou of temporal peace, there have still
beep fo,,nd among us, and still abotind, multi-
tudes sslto deny the Lord that bought them, who
treat wuh profaneness and irreverence his holy
‘y(ird, and make a mock al those blessed (piths
which the Lord of Life and Glory himself de7
*wended from Ileaven
.to promulgate, and for
which ilia 'Martyrs of old counted not their lives
dear to • . .

Theila,St ItepOrt of this Committee commenced

by noticing hip formation of the Merchant Sea-
man's Auxiliary Bible Society (which arose out
of the Thames Marine Committee), the object of
which. enlarged plan vat to supply above°loo,ooo
Thitish Seamen with the Sacred Scriptures. That
Committee had then supplied above 1090 vessels
B.bles and Testaments, by which means
160,000 sNanten had received and carried out, as
the best chart and compass of their perilous voy-
ages, the word of everlasting life. It is with
much pleasure that the extension of that Society„
is itete• recorded. Their labours have continued
to he abundant, and their success has been pro-
portionate. Within the last ten months 643 ves-
sels have been visited and supplied, containing
9717 seamen, of whom 8433 are able to read, and
who have been furnished gratuitously with 452
Bibles and 1372 Testaments, while 266 Bibles
and 117 Testaments have been sold, at halt, cost
price, to seamen in the foreign trade, and in
lit le tno.te than date months 330 Bibles and 172
Testaments have been sold at reduced prices to
seamen in the coasting. vessels.

The Fleet prison continues to share the atten-
tion tli the ,Nssocittion, within Whose district it
,i(tiated(zllet Blacktriars'and Farring.don), Intl
is repotted by aot Association to [ive re,.:eived
168 cozies of the Holy Scriptures within the
space at three years.
'l'h, gift a a single :rill' Testament in a coati
iii Golden.lahu., an,d the ssd,e of one in the neigh-
bonsliond of Si:!'ron-hill, up,;'t hl from the lei""
of the Ni;rtii Ci y Association to have been at-
tendril the 1110 ,-it beneficial ct.,"s• quences--a
fact- which may perhar tend to excite.,:! mire ge-
nera! attention to that lary,e class of the 7;?I,.i'ICS of
Ireland, %Ilk() are either en: 'rely or partially
dent among its. A fact is tew(ded by the Sini!h.-
fi'eld-Absociation (too long in details fur 111 We
part:cular notice), which serves to slier./ the great
itapottance of the distribution of the. Bible iu
s.w4tening the attention. of those individuals to
tht-ir highest interests, who, from neglect of
th.e public means of grace, might probably have
otherwise continued in f 1 state of ignorance and
sin to the lest moment of their tires.

The following statement vjil show the nature
11-1 t; 6r,elety's progrOs in the past year, and its,
ac!tu it connittign

l'alatice in hand last year L. 15 4 11
Anannit of Donations to tile Auxiliary
ilunual Subscriptions 341 5 IS

Total Cash 'mid by Associations—.
Cu Ai received for Sale ufliibles
.to Subscribers - 4

L. 1323 7 p

• To conclusion,--The Committee would »gain
direct the atrention of all who can feel tor their
own intere3t4 and tor those of others, to the ROW

and peculiar in
a.toac ;ten wa.ea tire nation .s placed
by the extensive ditrosion of infidelity and irre-
ligion.
Mr. Sheriff Ro-ruweee moved the first Resolu-
tion, which wa,s seconded by the Ilay.JoHN °wear,
who, in a-speech of considerable length, described
the great necessity which existed in the present
times, for a vigorous exertion on the part of the
friends of tthe Gospel.
The Resolution was also seconded by LUKE
HARWOOD, E-S:ki. and carried tohrohnotisly.
The Rev. 3. CuNtileGliaM moved the third Re-
solution ; and, in a long, eloquent, and manly
address, supported the object ~ot the Society. He
denied that i:,fidelity or sceptici,m had taken such
a deep mot as rel:s imagined, and added that all
the great aed good men in Society were in favour
of the troths of the (;ospel.
The `elev. Mr. LIEFCIIILD seconded the Resolu-
tion, which was put, but ht fore it was canted.
Counsellor Platecies, of the Irish Bar, rose and
spoke as follows :—ltiTleed, my Lord, when ii e
sec the omens which every day produces—when
we see blasphemy openly avowed—when we see
the Scriptures,trudarionsly ridiculed—when in this
Christian Monarchy the den of the Republican
and the Deist yawns for the unwary in your most
public thoroughfare—when marts are ostenta-
tion,sly opened where the moral poison may be
pnrehased, whose• subtle venom enters every soul
—when infidelity has- become an article of Coin-
nit rce, and Man's perdition may be cheapened at
the stall of every 'pedlar, no friend' of society
should continue silent. It is no 'longer a Ties-
don of political:, privilege—ot sectarian coo.
troversy—of theological discussion a, it is be-
come a question whether Christianity :itself shall
stand, or whether we shall let go the film
anchor of our faith, and drift, without chart, helm,
or compass, into the 'shoreless ocean of impiety
and blood ! I despise as much as any man the
whine of bigotry ; I will go as far as airy than for
rational liberty ; lists I stilt trot depose inyGod, to
deify the infidel„, pretear, in.. pieces the charter
of the State, anti grope for a :Constitution
amongst the mut ky pigeon holes of every
crerdiess, iawless;—intoxicatid - 'regicide.--illy
Lord, I am the datire indignant at these de-
signs,:bfcause they ,are, sought to, be coneesled in
the disguise of liberty. It is the thit,y of, every real
ft hold to Liberty to, tear her mask from jilt; fiend
who has usurped it. Believe no one who tells you
that the frienlS of freedom are now, or ever were,
the enemies of religion. They know too reed, that
rebellion against God could not 'prove the basis of
goveroment foe man, and (lore the Fondest stroc-
ture impiety can raise, is but the Babel monument
of impotence, and its pride, mocking the builders
with a moment's Strength, and then covering
them with inevitable confusion. My Lord, I will
not abjure the Altar, the Throne, and the Consti-
tution, for the bloody tinsel' of Revolutionary Pan-
tornine, Neither ,i\jr. Pain,e nor Mr. Parlroer,.nor
all the venom-breathing brood, shall swindle from
me the hook where. I have teamed these precepts,
in despite of all the scruff and scorn and menacing,
-ay, Of the sacred volume they would obliterate.
Yet it is a book of facts,- as well authenticated as
any heathen history--a hook of miracles, incon-
testibly avouched—a hook of prophecy, confirmed
by past as well as present fulfilment--a book of
poetry, pure and natural, and elevated even to in.
spiration—a book of morals, such as human wis-
dom never flamed for the perfection of human
happiness. Sir, I will abide by the precepts, ad-
moire the beauty, revere the mysteries, and as far
as me lies, practise the mandates of this sacred
volume ; and should the rididule of earth and the
blasphemy of bell assail me, I shall console myself
by the contemplation of those blessed spir;ts,
who, in the' same holy cause, have toiled arid
shone, and suffered in the " goodly fellowship of
the Saints"—in the " noble army of the Mar-
tyrs"—in the society of the great and good and
wise. of every nation ; if my sinfulness be not
cleansed, and my darkness illumined, at least
my pretensionless submission may be excused ;
ifl err with the luminaries T have chosen for toy
guides, I confess myself captivated by the loveli•
ness of their obser Holdint,,,-, my Lord,
opinions such as tire-e, I should consider myself
culpable, if, at such a crisis, I did not declare
them. A lover of my country, I yet draw a line
bet ween patriotism and rebellion. A warm friend
to liberty of conscience, I will not confound
toleration with infidelity. With all its ambiguity,
I shall die in the doctrines of the Christian faith ;
and with all its errors, I ant contented to live
under the glorious safeguards of the British Con-
stiterioo.

The LORD MAYOR, in returning thanks, paid a
high compliment to Counsellor Phillips, tor the
eloquent Address he had given. His Lordship
el,o co:mut:tided the Speech of Mr: Clioningh'aul.
The Rev. Wm. -WARD proposed the 4th Reso.
lotion, which was--seconded by the Rev. Mr.
Hughes, and carried unanimously.

Aidernum 13R4DG,Es (Lord Mayor Elect) return-
ed Tbanks.

Captain PACKENUAM proposed the fifth Resolu-
tion, which was seconded by Sir Digby Maxwell,
and carried nnauirnously.
The last Resolution teas moved by the Rev. Dr.
Iltru.shri, and seconded by the Itev.Dr.STENCOPFT%
It tt NS carried unanimously.
The Lono MAYOR again returned thanks, after
which the Meeting broke up. ' very considera-
ble stun was colireted at the doors.

The following were the Resolutions moved and
}opted
Resolved—That the Report now read be re-
ceiver,' and adopted, and that it be printed under
the dire,:,tion of the Committee.

2. ResoN:ed—That the wicked and blasphemous
publications t►ow unblushingly diffased through
the •cation, forth, in the opinion of this Meeting,
an additional reason ,for supporting the British and
Foreign Bible Society, .;'hich having for its simple
and exclusive object the vii,lest possible circulation
of the Holy Suriptures, is rccisely adapted to
repel, in the most eflicient and'h:lequate manner,
such impious attempts, by giving a 4istioct honour
and prominence to the inspired volnioe, by en-
circling if with the affection and marked reverence
of Christians of every name, and by tints Con-
tributing to pledge the nation to that holy book,
which infidelity is daring to revile, and oft which
all the Principles of moral and regions order and

siibordination, styli therefore the very foundations
(if public tranquillity and-private virtue and happi-
ness, ultimately rest.
3. Resolved—That the sincere aanowledg-
ments of this Meeting are due to the Right Hon.
the Lord Mayor, for the patronage he has afforded
to the Institution as President ; and for the hand-
some manner in which he granted the use of the
Egyptian Hall for the Anniversary meeting. .
4. Resolved—That the thanks of this Meeting
be given to the Right Hon. and others the Vice-
Presidentsof the Society, for the patronage which
they have afforded to the institution ; and that
the Gentlemen specified-in the annexed List be the
I.Tice-Presidents for the year ensuing.
5. Resolved-1 hat the thanks of this Meeting
be given to the Trcasurer, the Secretaries, and the
Committee, for their zealous exertions to further
the objects of the Society, and for their interest-
ing Report ; and that the Gentlemen specified in
t-he annexed List be the committee for the ensu-
ing.vear, with power to enlarge their number.

b. Resolved--'that the mairuesr thanks of this
Meeting be given to the Right Hon. the Lord
Mayor, for his zealous attention to the business
of the Meeting, and for his able and judicious
conduct in the Chair this day.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

COURT OF CHANCERY, LINCOLN'S INN, Nov. 4.

SUPPOSITIOUS CHILD.
SERGEBSON V. lIIIRGERSON:

This case, which we fully reported in Antust
last,. and which rebtes to the supposed i!legiti-
rnacy of Miss Sergerson, was again heard thiS
morning.

Mr. IVINGF/ELD stared, that when it was last
before the Court, his „Lordship had declined to
hear it, in consequetiCe—of the >ltbda*ifs being
sworn 'before a Master in the High Cont:of.clfati-
cerrio Ireland. Since that there bad been some
treAr-atEdavits filed, which he considered not iterhe
satisfactory, In these also several letters of •she
moilivrwere ifiserteo, which he contendedlie,bud
a right to answer

Alt, r heari.tg Mr. COMBS- and Mr. HART, the
Loan CtiA.Kesta.oil desned h3r. Hart:to proceed
with the case, ..nit from hearing the letters read,-
the Counsel ,1) tf!,. wher side %rook belhetier
enabled to. jo:lge wri►ether' they wished any delay.
Mi. HART then stated the affidavits in support
Of the motion, and Mr: FARRAR was heard on the
same side.

Mr. WINGFIELD. requested delay, as it was
essential that every explanation should be given
bv•the mother.

The LORD CHANCEL-LOR acquiesced in the pro,
priety of doing so ; and, after some further dis-
cussion, it was fixed lot Saturday se'nnight. As
the facts uf the case are of a peculiar dalicare•na-
tnre, we shall refrain froth giving any report till
Counsel on both sides have been fully heard. • •