The Sun.
London, England, 1821-10-20 00:00:00

13IBLE SOCIV,T Y.

MEETING AT 3L4 GA TETo E TABLISIIAy•OLE

SOCIETY FOR THE ISLE

A highly respectable and numerous Meeting
was held at the Royal Hotel Assembly-rooms, ,'"Margate, on
Wednesday last, for the purpose of establishing an Isle of
Thanet Auxiliary Bible Society. The Earl of ir,IVERPOOX.
took the Glair amidst the Warm plaudits of the Meeting, sur-
rounded by a numberof Clergymen of the Established Church,
and distinguished characters. On the motion that the Noble
Chairman be solicited to become the Patron of the Isle of Thanet
Auyiliar); Bible Society being carried,
The Earl of I,l\7El:Toot presented,himself to the Meeting,
and was received with the most enthusiastic cheers. As soon as
the acclamations had subsided, his Lordship said he should
trouble them with but few observations: but he felt it right to
state the grounds on which he accepted the presidency of that
'Society. He would say that the objects and principles of the
Bible Soiiety were in perfect accordance with his principles ; if
for a moment he could consider them hostile to the religion, of
his country, as by the law established, he could not yield them
his support ; but believing, as he did, that • the labours of the
BibleSociety.tended to promote Christianity in general through-
but the world, he felt it his duty. to promote its success by all the
means in his power.. He was a Member of the Society for Pro-
moting Christian Knowledge; and aS.a Member of the Esta-
blished Church, from the conviction of his judgment, he felt it
his duty to support that establishment, and should be Most happy
,could the Liturgy be always circulated with the Bible; but
there were circumstances which prevented that desirable object.
The operation of the Bartlett's-buildings Society, was limited,
for the Bible might be circulated where the Prayer-book could
not. At home, among persons of different religious opinions,
the Bible might be circulated ; and believing, as he did, that
the distribution of the Scriptures would tend to lead men to
approve of our excellent Liturgy, should we withhold the
Scriptures, because they would. not receive the Prayer-book
with them ? In Ireland, religious prejudices would prevent
the Prayer-book being received, and should we forego the ad-
, vantage of circulating the Word -of God among all classes and
all sects, giving them an opportunity of forming their consci-
entious opinion of the truths of the Bible ? The principles
of this Society adapted it fp convey the word of life to the
whole world. Britons have a duty, an important duty, toper-
' form, arising out of our connection with our. colonies and
foreign possessions. As Christians, we ought to deplore that
this duty had been so long neglected ; but surely he might now
appeal to them as Christians, and as Protestants, if the pure
word of God should
,not be circulated through all our Co-
lonies and DependenCies ? The principle of the Bible SOciety
was not a theory, but a practieal operation, which had been in
exercise for fourteen years ; 'and by its exertions the Holy
Scriptures had been translated into many languages, the names
of some of which we were scarcely acquainted with. If, upon
so solemn and important a subject, it could be allowed to
feel pride, he should feel a national pride that so extensive,
so benevolent an Institution originated in this country :
an Institution which conveyed the best of blessings to every na-
tion—to every. people. And was it, he would ash, no means of
promoting British influence and British power among the na-
tions who were thus blest with British benevolence ? It was a
duty we owed to God, who had so benefited this country by
bestowing upon us such innumerable blessings—who enabled us
to weather the storm, to surmount the difficulties of one of the
most momentous periods, and crowned the nation with a glo-
rious peace. It was a duty we owed to Providence, to make all,
mankind feel that, in acknowledging the favours Heaven had
bestowed upon us, we were anxious to convey to them the
greatest blessing Heaven could, bestow, by circulating the word
of Eternal Life in the most extensive way we possibly could.
—(The Noble Lord was warmly applauded on the conclusion
of the above address.)
The Rev. Messrs. Bartlett, White, Border, Sandys,
Taddy, Esq., and other Gentlemen, severally, addressed the
Meeting in appropriate and eloquent speeches, after which the
assemblage broke up.