The Sun.
London, England, 1821-11-01 00:00:00

Heathen World, and especially of India, that
they did 'not want it ; that they would not ac-
cept it, and therefore could not be improved by
it. That argument was capable of being met by
facts, and facts could, not be overthrown. Let
them look to India itself, to the Islands of the
South Sea, to the shore; of Africa, and particu-
larly to the state of Regent's Town, in the colo-
ny of Sierra Leone, and they would find so many
proofs to contradict the assertion that Hea-
thens could not understand or be benelitted
the Bible. Again, with respect to home, they
had this additional fact to chew that Bibles were
wanted—they had the fact that three millions of
Bibles had been already circulated, and that
more were required. The next question that
presented itself was, whether the object was
practicable or not ? If they took up a map of
the world, they would find it studded over with
Bible Associations. Another fact in support of
its practicability was the anxiety manifested in
all parts of the world to receive that blessed
Book. 'The Society directed its labours under
the special blessing of Almighty Grod. Many
circumstances might be adduced in support of
this opinion, but the most striking of all was,
that at the very time when a neighbouring nation
was rioting in blasphemy and impiety, the hand
of God was lifted up to prepare the circulation
of that blessed Book which was to follow and
put it down. It had been stated among other
objections, that there was no use in circulating
the Book without a commentary to explain it.
-God had done all he could in giving one book,
but man said, we must write another book to ex-
plain it. This was, indeed, a singular instance
of humility. It had also been stated, that the
Bible ought not to be circulated without the
Prayer Book, as if by so doing they must bring
the Prayer Book into contempt. But they
ittl not brought it into Contempt—they could
not—on the contrary, by circulating the Bible
they had contributed to circulate the Prayer
Book, and it was a fact, in fifteen years since
the establishment of Bible Societies, there was
an increase in the circulation of the Prayer
Book as compared with the fifteen years pre-
ceding, amounting to 150,000 copies. Another
objection was, that it would lead to the slow
but certain overthrow of the establishment in
Church and State. If there was any plot of
this kind in their contemplation, it was certainly
most strangely conducted, for they had contrived
to interest in its success many dignitaries of the
Established Church, and Ministers of the Crown,
among whom was Lord Liverpool himself, who
had described the Bible Society as their best
protection. This, be thought, was a sufficient
answer to the apprehensions so expressed. Ile
should trespass on their attention no further, hav-
ing, he trusted, already said enough to shew the
benefits of the Institution, after a fair examina-
tion of the arguments or assertions opposed to it
from time to time.—(Applause.)
The Resolution was agreed to unanimously.

Sir C. S. HuNTEn returned thanks on the part
of the President and Vice Presidents, and stated
that though he had read the Bible as a school-
boy before, he had never entered into its spirit
until he became a member of that Society, from
which period he had never quitted it. He hoped
that all present would do the same, and feel the
same consolation which he felt and should con-
tinue to feel to the end of his life. As to the
tendency of such an Institution to overturn the
Government, he could not for a moment entertain
it when he saw the Ministers themselves among
the number of its friends. The Bible not only
inculcated duty and worship to the Divine Being,
but duty to the Sovereign and good will to all
mankind.

Mr. Alderman BROWNE felt proud of the ho-
nour done him in being selected by those who
had the management of the proceedings to bear a
part in the business of the day. He sincerely
wished that custom would allow him merely to
propose the Resolution which had been put into
his hands, without any further obseivations, 'be-
cause he was convinced that any thing he should
say would only weaken the force of that elo-
quence with which the cause had that day been
supported. Amidst the transitory state in which
we were here placed, and the asperities and con-
tentions which difference of opinion created, it
afforded him no mean satisfaction to find himself
in a situation where all parties were united in the
oue great object of making all mankind happy
here, and eternally so hereafter. He had always
felt proud of being born in a laud more famed for
its charity and benevolence, than any country
that ever existed on the earth. The many
Institutions which existed in this Metropolis,
for alleviating the distress of our fellow-crea-
tures, and for general purposes of humanity,
would bear - him out in that assertion ; but
it was not until late years that we had been
raised to our own most eminent superiority, by
the existence of Institutions like that which they
were met for the purpose of supporting. Placed
as we were in comparative darkness, God had
given his Sacred Book to be a light to our path,
and it behoved us to hold up that light to those
of our fellow-creatures, who were in still greater
need of it. Although our ancestors did not em-
ploy themselves in circulating the Bible, yet we
had undoubted evidence of the paramount esti-
,
mation in which it was held by the most vene-
rable members of our ancient Hierarchy. Upon
a late occasion, when our most gracious Monarch
entered into a solemn compact with his people,
the Archbishop presented to his Majesty, not
the Prayer Book, but the Bible—as containing
the greatest good which life could afford. He
was contented to rest the assertion that the dis-
tribution of the Scriptures was inimical to good,
upon the opinion' thus expressed by the Ilierar-
chy, as to the character of the Holy Bible. The
result of these Societies would likewise, he hop-
ed, unite the poor to the rich, for the mutual
benefit of each. For, it was to be expected, that
consistency would so far be preserved, as that
those who gave the Bible to others, would not
fail to look into it themselves. Ile trusted, that
in conse.guence of their exertions the churches
would be better attended than, he was ashamed
to say, 'they had hitherto, been ; that private reli-,
gion and service would be more practised, and
thtt we should become what we professed to be,