The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-04 00:00:00

ANNUAL MEETING LAST NIGHT,

YESTERDAY evening, at half-past six o'clock, the annual
meeting of the subscribers and friends of this society was
held in the Lecture-hall of the Collegiate Institution,
when, as announced, interesting information, respecting
the circulation of the Holy Scriptures at home and abroad,
would be communicated ; that the Right Rev. the Lord
Bishop of Chester would take the chair ; and that the
meeting would be addressed by the Rev. Mark Cooper,
M.A. vicar of Branshawe, Hants, the deputation from the
parent society ; the Rev. Drs. M`Neile and Dixon ; the
Revds. C. M. Birrell, W. Graham, and other ministers
and gentlemen. Admission, except to the upper gallery,
was by ticket, and there was, as usual, a brilliant attend-
ance, the house being crowded to excess in every part.
Punctually at the appointed time, his Lordship and the
other leading promoters of the meeting made their appear-
ance on the platform, and were received with a burst of
enthusiastic applause. Amongst those present we ob-
served :—Rev. Dr. M`Neile, Rev. Dr. Raffles, Rev. J.
Jones, Rev. W. Rawson, Rev. F. Barker, Rev. C. M.
Birrell, Rev. F. Parry, Rev. T. Carter, Rev. E. Gabriel,
Rev. H. Hampton, Rev. F. Gell, Rev. Mr. Vernon, Rev.
Mr. Newenham, Rev. H. Marlen, Rev. W. Hughes, Rev.
W. F. Taylor, Rev. C. W. Lawrence, Rev. J. England, Rev.
J. West, Rev. W. Reade, Rev. J. Holmes, Rev. Dr. Hirsch,
Rev. Mr. Robinson, Rev. Mr. Baggaly, Rev. J. Ogden,
Rev. W. Cooper, Rev. Dr. Dixon, Rev. T. C. Cowan,
Rev. W. London, Rev. J. T. Willink, Rev. D. Barry, Rev.
John Kelly, Rev. John Edwards (Wesleyan), Rev. William
Henry Wright, Rev. J. Lee, Rev. John Macnaught, Edwd.
Cropper, Esq., John Cropper, Esq., M. W. Collett, Esq.,
T. D. Anderson, '2,sq., Charles Inman, Esq., W. Crossfield,
Esq., Thomas P. Pick, Esq., Richard Griffiths, Esq.,
Lang, Esq., Edw. Jones, Esq., Wm. Jones, Esq.,
Jeffreys, Esq., R. A. Payne, Esq., Francis Mill, Esq.,
H. J. Webster, Esq., J. K. Rounthwaite, Esq., John Eden,
Esq., W. H. Moore, Esq., Jas. Parker, Esq., D. Davies,
Esq., James Howell, Esq., W. Maples, Esq., D. Lewis, Esq.,
D. Leather, Esq., A. Hodgson, Esq., G. Mills, Esq., J. J.
Glazebrook, Esq., and the Rev. John Carter.
The meeting, pursuant to custom, was opened by the
Right Rev. Prelate reading a portion of the 119th Psalm.
His Loansuip then said, before he proceeded to what
was the proper business—to call upon the Secretary to read
the Report—he wished to express the great pleasure he felt
in meeting them again on that occasion, and seeing them
assembled in such numbers as they were. He was sure
they were all fully sensible of the vast importance of the
objects for which they were met, fully sensible of the call
of duty which brought them there ; but perhaps they
might not be at all times equally sensible of the greatness
of their privilege in meeting thus together, and for that
object. It was only when we compared other countries
with our own, that we became fully sensible how
great a privilege it was to live in a land where
the Gospel has free course, and where liberty of con-
science was protected, both by authority of the laws,
and by the united force of public opinion. (Hear,
hear, and applause.) When we• looked abroad, when we
looked to, the continent of Europe, we did not find that
the same was the case in every country there. Very
recently, at this very moment, we had in the little king-
dom of Tuscany a very painful instance of the hindrances
that still continue there to be thrown in the way of the
free circulation of God's Word. Now they must bear
with him in the few words that he was going to say. He
was rare that it was a very delicate point to raise any
question as to the right of independent states to form
their own laws for their own internal government.
Speaking in the abstract, such a right seemed to be
essential, and necessarily implied in the very idea
of national independence. Let him, also, draw their
attention to another particular, and that was, that lie be-
lieved the law in Tuscany was not in express language,
whatever its spirit might be, directed against the• circula-
tion of the Bible at all, but against circulating the Bible
in any other versions than those which their own' Church
approved. But without dwelling either on• that distinc-
tion, or on the delicate question of international law,
which was a matter, he begged to say, foreign to, the• pur-
pose of their meeting there,—he thought that they might
all say with !MeV this, that a policy of any government
who attempted in these clays to inflict civil punishments
on a person for distributing the Bible, was a policy which,
in the end, would recoil upon its authors, because it would
enlist against them the moral sympathies of all liberal
and enlightened minds in every country of the world.
Happily in this country of ours there were no hindrances ;
there were no impediments ; we' had a clear field open to
us, if we were but willing to act up to the standard of our
duty. Not only so, but what did these meetings of the
Bible Society in our own happy country show ? Why
they showed this,—good men, though differing from each
other on minor points and forms, there met together in
concord, to co-operate together for the great objects of
that society, and thus give a noble proof to all the world,—
not only to England, but to wherever English transae-
tions were read and known, they gave a noble proof that,
notwithstanding their differences,. they knew how to, pres
serve amongst themselves the spirit of Christian charity—
they knew how to recognise as Protestants, in the
circulation of God's word, a common ground on which
they could stand side by side, and a centre of unity
in which they could show to the whole world that
as Christians and Protestant Christians they were all still
bound together. (Applause.) Noir these were things for
which we could not be sufficiently- grateful, and it was
only when we were reminded by the• painful contrast of
other countries, we became sufficiently sensible, he thought,
of our own great privileges, under God's providence, in
having this great liberty of conscience and action among
ourselves. He met them, last time when they were
ushering in the year of jubilee, and a very large and very
successful meeting they had on that occasion ; but he recol-
lected well that the Secretary of the Parent Society who'
was kind enough to come as a deputation felt himself so cir-
cumscribed in point of time that he was not able to set before
them a great many interesting particulars of information
which he had intended to do. Now, as he hoped they
had commenced in good time that evening, and as he
(the Right Rev. Prelate) was not going to make such
a sad mistake as to occupy any more of their time himself,
he hoped the gentlemen who had come there as the depu-
tation would have an opportunity of addressing them
more at length. The Rev. Mr. Cooper had kindly come
there from a very great distance, and had been travelling
all day to reach them at that hour, and he was sure they
give him that kind, hearty welcome which they
never failed to give friends of that society. (Applause.)
There were many friends around him, amongst the rest the
Rev. Dr. ArNeile,—(applause)—whose views they were
always glad to hear, and whom they would have the gra-
tification of hearing that evening ; and there were many
other kind friends around them. There was their kind
friend, Dr. Raffles ;—(applause)—he did not know whether
they were to hear his voice in making any speech, but if
they did, he was sure it would be delivered in the spirit of
Christian charity and good will to all mankind (Applause).
The Rev. F. PARRY, the secretary, then read the report
of the society, which stated that—
During the last year alone itsissues amounted toone million,
one hundred and sixty.eight thousand, seven hundred and
ninety-four copies; being an increase of fourteen thousand,
one hundred and filly-two over those of the preceding year.
The total issues during the fifty years of its past existence have
amounted to twenty-six millions, five hundred and seventy-one
thousand, one hundred and three.
The total receipts have amounted to 4109,000,160105. Bd.,
being 4711 98. 10d. more than those reported in the last year.
It is a very gratifying and encouraging circumstance, that the
chief increase of the year has been in the tree contributions
from the Auxiliary Societies, which were 42,422165. Ild.
above those of the preceding year.
It is important to remark that the sums thus specified are
altogether exclusive of the Jubilee Fund, and properly belong
to the report of the next year. As, however, the friends who
are present may wish to know what progress this Auxiliary is
making, as it respects Jubilee contributions, we may state
that they amount to about 41,000.
The annual subscriptions of the Liverpool Auxiliary during
the past year have amounted to 4405 2s. Od, being 42 )9s od.
more than in the preceding year; and the sum of 413135. od.
has been received since the accounts were closed on the 31st
of December, (being arrears for 1852,) making the total of that
year 4418 158 Od. The donations have been 4206 158 Od.
The contributions of the Ladies' Branch have amounted to
.4224 6s. 3d,—an increase, as compared with the preceding
year, of 48 128. 4d.
Your Committee have also the pleasure of announcing an
increase in the receipts from the associations connected with
this Auxiliary of 429 18s. The particulars were stated in the
Treasurer's report.
The Welsh Branch has raised during the past year 4450
Ms. Id. ; contributing (after supplying the wants of their
own countrymen, resident in Liverpool) 4699175. 7d.
From the Mechanics' Association among the wlrkmen of
Messrs. Haigh and Co., have been received 44 12s. sd.

The proceeds of the sale of books rn Liverpool have been
99 17s. 7d.

Up to the time of closing the accounts for the year 1852,
the total receipts of the year (including sales), were £2,768
58. 40.; being £223 13s. sd. more than in the previous year.
The number of copies of the Word of God distributed by
this Auxiliary, either in whole or in part during the past year,
has amounted to 20,886, being 1,293- less than in the prece-
ding year, viz.:—
Bibles. Testaments.
To the Ladies' Branch Society 656 351
„ St. Helens' Ditto 416 334
„ Prescot Ditto 117 138
„ Mechanics' Association 6 2
„ Southport Branch 414 472
„ Ormskirk Ditto 139 77
„ Chowbent Ditto
„ Egremont and Wallasey Ditto } 62 5
(Ladies' Association)
„ Orrell Ditto
„ Chorley Ditto 3BO 259
„ Wavertree Ditto
„ Rock Ferry Ditto 107 63
„ Welch Branch 259 215
To Subscribers, at reduced prices
Cost prices and claims 5385 3762
Grants 653 853
Sold by the English Colporteur 1580 2691
„ Foreign Colporteur 64 405
Egremont andWallasey(Gentleman's } 4
Branch) —
Schools (Sales at cost price) 228 214

10641 10225
To the system of colportage, your committee attach great
importance. In no department of its labours has the Society
been encouraged by.a more decided and signal manifestation
of the Divine blessing. By the employment of two colpor-
teurs a new, and it is hoped it may prove a great and effectual
door of usefulness, has been opened to this Auxiliary.
The total number of copies of the Holy Scriptures, either
in whole or in part, issued from the depository of this Auxi-
liary since its formation in 1811, is 468,727.

Mr. JOHN CROPPER, the treasurer, read next a de-
tailed statement of the accounts.

The Rev. C. M. BIRRELL was called upon to move the
first resolution, which was for the adoption of the report.
He said that document was not long, but it contained
much that an infallible historian would retain as of higher
value than often much that obtained greater notice. It
was said by an eminent French writer respecting Robert
Stevens, the great printer of Bibles, that Francis the First
obtained greater honour from that one man's labours than
he did from all his great enterprises in peace and war,
not excepting his patronage of the arts and sciences. He
thought they might safely say, regarding the account 'of
the distribution of so large a number of copies of the
inspired Word of God, that it would obtain an imperish-
able record somewhere when the great enterprise and
transactions of this great commercial community had
floated down the stream of oblivion. (Great applause.)
It was agreeable to find from that large area of the Ladies'
Branch Association that, although the mere enthusiasm
which attended the birth of that society must have so
long since passed away, there were a great many who con-
tinued the task of disseminating copies of the Scriptures
amongst the homes of our neglected population. (Ap-
plause.) And while many of those who entered at first
.that €W,114114 errand hid Dceli oiled tv their NlTArda

and the shades of the serene evening were gathering above
us, it might be hoped that the young would press into
their places, and continue in the field till there should not
be a family in England who had not that light in its
dwelling. (Loud applause.) The report was necessa-
rily a report of local exertions, but there was one item
which fell upon his. ear which connected it in an in-
teresting manner with the foreign field. Living as
we did in what he believed was now ascertained to
be the largest seaport in the world, in respect to the
amount of shipping by which it is visited, we had staying
at least for a short time amongst us every year as many
perhaps as 15,000 seamen from foreign countries, and
speaking foreign languages. Whilst we had some tens of
thousands of emigrants from the continent of Europe pass
through our streets, and lodge for a few days in our great
boarding-houses before their embarkation, it was rather
singular they should not earlier have awakened to
the responsibility that fact involved ; but when they
did so in some measure, it was found that multi-
tudes of strangers who came from Protestant coun-
tries were never utterly destitute of copies of the Holy
Scriptures, whilst those who came from Roman Catholic
countries were in entire ignorance that such a book had
any existence. " Sold by foreign colportems .128 Bibles
and 1,592 Testaments,' —a very short statement of a
very glorious fact. An analysis of that item, the
history of copies so distributed, if followed out, would
give to every part of that assembly the greatest satis-
faction. A poor German family on its way across the
Atlantic to seek a foreign home, had parted with
much needed money perhaps to obtain the volume
which they now found it a pleasure to possess ;—the poor
tar from Sweden, Denmark, or the Gulf of Finland, at-
tracted by the book of his mother tongue, had diminished
his scanty pay (and those poor fellows were miserably
paid) rather than go home without it; aye, and in those
countries where the Bible Society had met resistance, the
book had found its way across the sea, safely enough,
lodged in the capacious jacket of the sailor. Yes, the
Portuguese and Spanish seamen had purchaseed and
prized the books for the first time, and Italians
had been known to come back to the Colporteur
and say they must have other copies, as those they
obtained on a previotti voyage they had left at home
amongst their friends. (Applause.) And the Greek
sailor, too, had from the hands of their messengers read
the glad tidings in the very characters, and almost in the
very words in which they were at first enshrined by the
Holy Ghost. (Loud applause.) Rome dared not give the
bread of life to the hungry natives, but they should have
it in spite of her. (Loud applause.) Nor could she say
they were not thereby following her own ancient ex-
ample. Before her corruptions became enormous, she had
no objection to the laity reading the Bible. She published the
Vulgate version, because it was the language of the peo-
ple. She gave it to them because- they could read it;
she would not give it now because they could read it.
(Applause.) But the Bible Society had determined, in the
strength of God, that every nation should have its own
Vulgate. The State of Tuscany might make a law to the
effect that any person circulating works hostile to the
Roman Catholic religion should be condemned to hard
labour for a period not less than five years-, and not longer
than ten„ and a Scottish young lady,—blessings. on her !
applause)—who gave away Diodati's version of the New
Testament to peasants, that being the hostile version, had
been surrounded by gens-d'-armes and sent off to prison.
But England must speak to Tuscany on that—(loud
applause)—and not let the Great Duke suppose' that
j by those means he would keep the Bible out of his domi-
nions. He might as well attempt to fathom the blue
depths of the ocean, or shut out the light of the' sun
I which gilded Italy with its glory. Why, we' were told
that there are already 20,000 Protestants in his dominions.
(Applause.) And what was the fact with regard to the
whole of the Italian Peninsula, including the States of the
Church, which, notwithstanding the strictest espionage,
and the sight of the most horrid dungeons ? The book
entered by every point. (Hear, hear, and loud ap-
plause.) The same was the case in France. There had/
been two million copies of the Scripturts distributed
there, and last year the issue was 90,000 copies. (Ap.
please) Yes, and what was the state of things in that,
alas ! one of the most Romish countries of the world, poor
Ireland ? The Irish version of the Scriptures was now
extensively distributed there, and the priests were about,
in opposition, to print their version in the Irish tongue.
Mr. Birrell, in highly figurative language, then refer-
red to the marvellous results of the distribution of
the Scriptures in the Chinese language, and said
that events in the Eastern world seemed at pre-
sent as the prelude to a like state of things as existed
at the Reformation. In the 250 years that had followed
that event, there had been put iu circulation 5,000,000
copies of the Scriptures in 22 languages ; but mark, in'
the last 60 years there had been put in circulation.
20,000,000 of copies, and that not in 22 but 164 languages,
of which 130 had never been printed before. (Loud ap-
plause.) In conclusion, Mr. Birrell urged them not to.
rest till all the nations of the world were in possession of
the Word of Life, and resumed his seat amid loud cheering.
' The Rev. Dr.. M`NeTee, who was received as usual with
enthusiastic applause, then spoke for upwards of an hour,
' and was listened to. with the deepest interest and atten-
tion. He contended that as the Bible was our most
valuable law, so it could only be understood by what it said
of the Jews. He then at some length adverted to various
passages having reference to that sacred people, "because
unto them were committed the oracles of God." The law
, which the Jews had contrasted with the laws of• other
nations was Divine wisdom contrasted with human; it was
that which was perfect from the first and could not be im-
proved to the last, compared with that was imperfect to
the last. Where were all the laws men had made for the
regulation of themselves? Where were the laws of the
wise men of the East, Solon, Lycurens, ?—where the
Institute. of Numa, where the code of Justinian—where
were the provisions of our own Alfred, and of our statute
book from his day to now ? Some of them in being, some
of them neglected, all of therri imperfect. And where was
the Jewish law? Why-there it was (holding up a Bible),per.
feet in the letter,unchangeable as the God that gave it. The
rev. gentleman then referred to some of the advantages
resulting-from this law, as shown by "the year of jubilee,
the providing of cities of refuge, &c., and sa-d, there was
another advantage resulting from it,—the commandment
not to cultivate art so as to introduce into the worship of
God graven images. (Applause.) God saw the tendency
in fallen man to multiply visible objects of worship, and
so gave his :positive precept : " thou shalt not'; " making
it equally binding with the other commandments. He
said from, heaven, and wrote it with his own finger on a
table of stone :—" Thou shall not make to thyself any gra-
ven image ' • or the likeness of any thing," &c. The
Jews were hindered by this law from cultivating the arts
in connection with their worship; but the thing prohibited
reached its climax amongst the cultivated heathen. Juno,
Jupiter, Diana, Apollo,— what beautiful' statues they
were !—all the ideal of what was perfect or ought to be
found perfect in the human form was condensed and
stereotyped iu those beautiful images.. Art was culti-
vated, images were multiplied, man as an artist among
his fellow men was multiplied—man as a worshipper of
God was debased and degraded. (Applause.) It was
true the Jews had their cherubims, but they were
placed behind the veil, that they might be hidden from the
people. If a Grecian artist had gone to Jerusalem, he
would have been disgusted at the plainness of their worship,
and he was sure if a Jewish or Christian worshipper went
to Athens, and saw the temples there,, he would have no
heart for their worship, and would! exclaim " the people
are wholly given up to idolatry." (Applause.) There
were both spiritual and temporal' advantages connected
with the possession of the oracles, of God, but as all Israel
were not influenced by them, and as a people they became
apostate, so England might become apostate, but the-
church would remain, and " the. gates of hell would not
prevail against it." (Applause) After commenting on the
responsibility involved in the possession of such a treasure,.
Dr. M`Neile then referred to the hindrances in the way of
its circulation. There were the hindrances arising from the
apathy and covetousness of man ; but there were super-
added antagonists. Now, whom did they mean ? (Laugh-
ter and applause.) He need not name—he would rather
describe. Who was it that in the Bth century quenched
the light that the venerable Bede rejoiced in kindling,
when he gave to his fellow-countrymen not indeed the
Holy Scriptures, but the Gospel of St. John ? Who was
it that in the 14th century sealed up the fountain of life
that Wickliffe had opened, and raised a cry against him
and his followers, and prevented that translation into the
Vulgate which he would have given to his. country-
men ? Who was it that persecuted the devoted
Tyndal, burned his Testament at St. Paul's Cross, in-
veigled him by treachery into a prison, and then sacri-
ficed him as a martyr ? Who was it drove Coverdale from
England, and then from Hamburgh to Denmark ? Who
was it, in every age, in every nation, where power was
supplied, objected to people reading the Bible and hindered
them from possessing it in their vernacular tongue ?
Who ? They all knew who. (Laughter and loud
applause.) It was an old story, and she was at her
work still. The rev. gentleman then gave other and
more piquant instances of the same spirit of persecu-
tion and hatred of the light, and said that in spite of
all this, the Bible had taken wing, and millions of copies
had found their way abroad. Referring to the case of
Miss Cunninghame, he asked who present would net
gladly take the place of that dear young lady, for she had
more enjoyment in her narrow, dark and damp cell, when
offering up her heart to the Lord Jesus, than the Grand
Duke of Tuscany in his purple and fine linen, who was
not his own master, but a slave, as every man must be
who opened his heart to a vile, curious, prurient priest.
(Loud applause.) People were now gradually finding out
in this country what the Papal system was, and said some
of his Dissenting friends who had lately gone over
to Ireland on a mission must have changed their opinions
on the matter. They used to tell him he was uncharitable
and said unkind things, and that all would be right, if no
reference was made to Popery, and if the people of Ireland
were spoken to in a mild, Christian spirit. Well, there
was nothing like experience. They had stood up to preach,
and were hooted, pelted, and in some places merely escaped
with their lives. After dwelling with happy effect upon
this subject for some time, he contended that it was not the
people, but the priests who had done this,.and gave several
pleasing instances of theprogress of enlightenment amongst
even children in Ireland now. He concluded by a very
earnest appeal to all classes to give energetic support to
the efforts of the society ; and after a brilliant address,
which we regret that the lateness of the hour prevents us
from giving more at length, sat down amid loud and long.
continued cheering.
LA hymn was here sung, and a collection made.]
The Rev. MARK COOPER, M.A., Vicar of Branslawe,
Hants, deputation from the parent society, moved the
second resolution, pledging the meeting to an approval of
the proceedings of the society, and to use every exertion
for forwarding its objects. Prior to explaining the pur-
pose of his visit, he begged to offer his thanks for the kind
manner in which he (Mr. Cooper) had been introduced to
the notice of the meeting by the right rev. chairman, re-
marking that, coming from the New Forest, he was fami-
liar with forests of oak and of beech, but never before, in
the course of his life, had he witnessed such a forest of
human heads as then presenteditself to his observation. He
congratulated the society and the meeting on the increased
utility and extended influence of the society,ns these are to
be judged by the issue of copies of the holy scriptures, o:
which a greater number had been issued during the
present than in any previous year, with the single excep-
tion of the year 1845-6. He next traced the
_porogress -of
demand for the Bible, remarking
a
thath Bishop
. P:111111:1
placed six copies of the Bible in theC
for the population believing that to be an ample supply or
London. Now,the production of the Bible under the aus.
PION of the oucl rweign 131Dic *lay remind the

enormous number of three Bibles every minute of the
year, including even the minutes of the sacred Sabbath.
That issue, extensive, as it no doubt is, was not all : let us
look at the number which are individually circulated
through its agency, for the other Bible societies must be
reckoned as indirectly connected with it, and putting all
these together, an aggregate was obtained of 19,530,400
copies of the Bible annually ; while from the com-
mencement of its operations the number of 450,624,503
copies had been issued, and distributed in nearly every
country and among nearly every people. It might not,
he said, be easy to conceive an idea of what such a num-
ber was, but he would endeavour to give a somewhat
familiar idea of it, by stating that 'at the same rate of
shelving as that employed in the library of the British
Museum, it would take 1400 miles of shelving to contain
them. (Loud cheers) Mere multiplication of Bibles,
however, had not been the only object of the Society's
labours ; they had also been devoted to translating the
Scriptures into 99 languages directly, and into 52 lan-
guages indirectly. Looking at the gigantic labours of the
society, he felt it would fully justify the appreciation of
the poet's expression, which was, indeed, most suitable to
its position and operations :

Like some tall cliff that rears its awful form,
Swells from the vale and midway leaves the storm;
Though round its breast the roiling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its bead.
(Loud cheers.) A remarkable fact connected with these
operations was that, notwithstanding their magnitude, we
have not been impoverished by them. It seemed indeed
to be the real cruse of oil which never fails, whatever the
demands on it may be. It might be asked where bad all
those Bibles gone ? He should answer that, in England
alone, between sixteen and seventeen millions of copies
had been circulated. This, he might be allowed to say,
was not only England's glory, but it was also England's
safety. It explained and confirmed the expression of a
foreigner who, on being made acquainted with the extent
of the Society's operations, said he could see the strength
of England did not lie in her army, it was not in her navy,
her power was not in her science, nor to be found in her
arts; but she was great and powerful because she was a
landof Bibles. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Cooper) would enlargethe
expression, and would say, instead of "an open Bible, Eng-
land's safety," "an open Bible, the world's, safety." He did
not pretend to be a politician, and would be thelast togive to
the society or its proceedings a political bias; but he could
not help thinking that the Chancellor of the Exchequer
might find it an economical scheme to encourage the so-
ciety, as by its means he might be able materially to diminish
the expenses of the army and navy, as the Bible would be
found the best peace-maker. Much had been said in that
meeting and elsewhere in reprobation of the aggression of
the Pope. He would not waste his breath on that subject,
but would content himself with remarking that 450,000,000
of bibles were 450,000,000 reasons why thesuprensacy of
the Pope cannot be continued.—(Loud cheers.) As an
instance of the disinterested way in which the society's
operations were carried on, he might state that
145,000 Bibles had been distributed in the Vale of Taff,
and Ireland has had 2,000,000. Never, he might be' per-
mitted to say, would Ireland be a happy or prosperous
country till every family, from the Giant's Causeway to
Cape Clear, was furnished with a Bible. (Cheers). So
deeply was this• felt to be true, that the Society made•it a
rule that every application from Ireland should be at-
tended to. In conclusion, he urged on the meeting the
•im-
portance of using every exertion to forward the Society's
objects. He concluded by reciting a quotation from, a
popular poetical effusion, the burden of which was, " Men
of action clear the way."

The Rev. Dr. Dtcr:sorr briefly seconded the resolution
which, having been put from the chair, was carried by
acclamation.

The Rev. Mr. GILWA;3I moved as the third resolution,
that the thanks of the-meeting be conveyed to the office-
bearers and committee of the Liverpool Auxiliary Branch
of the Society, and that the after-named gentlemen —(here
a long list of gentlemen. was read)—lee appointed the com-
mittee and office-bearers for the ensuing year.
The Rev. H. HAMPTON briefly seconded the resolution,
which having been put from the chair, was unanimously
adopted.
The Rev. Dr. RaFrims,moved that the thanks of the
meeting be given to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop
of Chester, president of the society, for his kindness in
presiding on that occasion, He passed a high encomium
on the readiness with which, at much personal inconve-
nience, his lordship had attended the meeting, and be-
stowed his countenance on, the society on all occasions.
If he (Dr. Raffles) had a hundred hearts, each one bigger
than the one he had, he should.have tht Bishop of Chester
enshrined in each one of them. (Loud cheers.)_

The Rev. -- WESII expressed himself much gratified
in. being honoured by seconding the resolution, which was
carried with loud acclamations..

The BISHOP of CHESTER; in acknowledging the com-
pliment, said he had always experienced the most lively
pleasure in forwarding the objects of the British and Fo-
reign Bible Society, and felt it no trouble in attending
such a meeting. He concluded by bestowing a benediction
on. the assembly, after which the meeting broke up.