The Sun.
London, England, 1821-10-18 00:00:00

IRISH BIBLE SOCIETY.

The PRIMATE has reiterated in Armagh the
sentiments he expressed at the Visitation held in
Drogheda, relative to the Hibernian Bible
Society.

ARMAGH, SEPT. 26.—Yesterday his Grace the
Priinate held his annual Visitation of the Clergy
of this part of his Diocese, in the Cathedral
Church of- this City. The morning Service was
performed by the Rev. Messrs, Ryan and Allott,
and the sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. ilinck,
Rector of Ardtry, who took his text from the
17th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, 11th
and .12th verses.

" These were more noble than they of Thessalonica, in that
they reczived' the word with all readiness of mind, and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
" Therefore many of them believed, also of honourable wo-
men,, which were Greeks, and of men not a few."

The Reverend Gentleman, in enlarging on his
Text, directed his observations chiefly against the
Societies formed for the distribution of the Scrip.
tures without note or comment, in an attendance
on which he considered the Clergymen of the Es-
tablishment acted inconsistent with their. sacred
functions, as such Societies were to be considered
as fraught with dangerous and pernicious conse-
luences to the Yrotestant Establishment ; whilst
:on the necessity of a proper distribution of the
Word of God, accompanied by the necessary in-
struction of the Clergy, and with-the Liturgy of
the Church, he dwelt in a forcible and impres-
sive.manner:

The object of his Grace's Address is very
plain and very striking. His Grace has no ob-
jection, and what Clergyman can have any ? to
the circulation of the Holy Scriptures. But he
objects to their circulation, unaccompanied with

note or comment. The Primate's reasons for
dissent are such, we think, as Must make a con-
siderable impression on ippartial men, to what-
ever religions denomination they may belong.
On Tuesday last the Archbishop of Tuam
held his Annual Visitation for the Diocese of
Tuam, in the Cathedral of that town. There was
a tfurneronS attendance of the Clergy. The Rev.
Mr. Galbraith preached an excellent sermon,
from Malachi, chap. ii. verse 7, 66 For the
Priest's lips should keep knowledge," &c. His
Grace did not deliver any formal Charge ; but
he made several observations, in which he con-
ve.yed his instructions and determination with
respect to the management of the DioceSe.° :He
regretted that, notwithstanding his directions to
the contrary, at his Primary Visitation last year,

•.•. '4l. • , . . •
several of ins
.Clergy had occasionally left their
Churches to tie attended by-others, who were not
beneficed or licensed in the Diocese ; and he gave
a fresh command (the breach of which .would
be attended - with disagreeable consequences)
against this practice. Ills Grace also al=
luded to
.his wish, expressed at the former Visi-
tation, for the est'ablishment' of 'Branches of the
Bible Societr iti:this:DioCese,and lamented that
driy circumstances had occurred in the course of
the year; to Prevent his giving his personal atteri-
thin to thiS'imPOrtant Subject ; but hoped imine-
diately to be able; with the aid of the Clerei, to
carry his intentions into „effect. To this 'Aunt
summary of the proceeding at, the.Visitation:i7wo
have iery sincere pl'eastire in adding, that when
the. Reverend. Gendernen who attended Mere,
met together at Dinrier, they came to a resolution
to create a fund for the maintenance of Clergy-
WidoWs in the Diocese.—(ilfayo consti-:
tutioi:4)