The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-10-09 00:00:00

heaven, and remarked that at this moment it was eight
o'c'ock in these antipodean regions ; that time was six
hours behind English time in Calcutta, and two hours
before it in St. Petersburgh. His lordship had spoken of
the effect of the circulation of the Bible in the cottages
of the poor. He was glad to hear that expression. It
showed that his lordship had visited the cottages of the
poor. (Hear, hear.) After some affecting remarks upon
instances of the effects of the operations of the society,
the rev. gentlem an concluded by an ardent eulogium on
the Right Rev. the Bishop.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
The Rev. Dr. BYRTH moved the next resolution, ex-
pressing the thanks of the meeting to God for the success
which had attended the operations of the society. The
rev. gentleman offered in support of the resolution a few
remarks only, havieg been at a late hour called upon to
occupy the place of a rev. brother. Having expressed his
gratification at seeing the Right Rev. Bishop of his own
church taking the chair on this occasion, he reminded the
meeting of the efforts of a former occupant of the see—
Bishop Porteus—in behalf of the society, and expressed
his trust that his lordship, the present bishop, would long
be spared to follow in his steps, and to occupy his chair.
The rev. gentleman concluded by a few most pertinent
comments on the report, and especially upon the success-
ful efforts of the society in the city of Rome, under the
shadow of the dome of St. Peter's itself. There the word
of God is now published in the vernacular, where, al-
though they say that they possess the best copy of the
scriptures extant, they have never given to the people
a copy of the Greek Testament. He had come to give his
testimony in behalf of the society, although in ill health.
He had, when young, though not so young as his friend,
Mr. Ewbank, been turned by a speech from a Bible
Society's platform from a scoffing opponent to a sincere
and determined supporter of this society.
The right rev, CHAIRMAN said the secretary had just
communicated to him a circumstance which he was sure
they would all receive with the same degree of regret
which he (the Chairman) felt on learning it, It was
relating to the absence of Dr. M'Neile,—(cheers)—a
person, he believed, who had never failed to be on that
platform when his voice could be heard in promoting the
spread of the gospel, and the glory of Almighty God.
From some reason, which was not very distinctly under-
stood, he had not yet appeared on the platform • but he
felt certain that some circumstance must have accidentally
arisen to deprive the society of that gentleman's valuable
support on the occasion ; for it was well known that he
was an ardent supporter of every good work of this kind,
and that he had long been a warm advocate of the propa-
gation of the scriptures. (Hear.) After passing a high
eulogium upon the talents of the rev, gentleman, the right
rev. speaker said that they had often listened to the elec-
trifying addresses of Dr. M•Neile ; and should he arrive
during the evening, (of which he had not much hope,
from the lateness of the hour,) he hoped he would be
listened to with that attention which he always com-
manded, notwithstanding the audience might be some-
what weary. (This delicate compliment to Dr. Wisreile
was received with much applause.)
Here a collection was made in aid of the funds,
amounting to X 43 7s. 6d. _ _

The ReV.. J. CORDEAUX moved the next resolution.
He expressed his thankfulness to God that he was a
member of the society. He felt it to be a high privilege
to mingle in such a work with persons of any denomina-
tion who looked to the word of God as their guide. It was
only by the spirit of God that any good could be done;
and let them therefore pray that those who read the
Scriptures might understand them. Let them be stead-
fast and immoveable in their course, and the y would suc-
ceed in the strength of the Lord. He proposed a resolu-
tion of thanks to the retiring officers of this branch of
the society, and the names of others for the ensuing year.
The secretary read the names, which included many of
our respected townsmen.
Mr. THOS. JOHNSON BOURNE, the agent of the so-
ciety, seconded the resolution. He had worked with the
good men and true, whose names had been read, for the
period of 11 years. He had attended two previous meet-
ings at which the friends of the Society filled the Music
Hall ; and he now rejoiced that they filled the large and
elegant building in which he then was. He thanked the
committee for their valuable services, and the friends.
of the society for their kindly support. 2 4..
withstanding the pressure of the times, the f rcls
were but £l9 short of the amount of the previous ye,, .
He stated that he had received the utmost support in
various localities where he lately travelled ; the contri-
butions had been most liberal. He was now at the 176th
meeting, having the same object, within the last twelve
months. The Liverpool branch bad, he felt convinced,
not yet reached its zenith. The circulation of the Scrip-
tures had, in 44 years, been far beyond all expectation ;
and 91,000 had been circulated lately in Ireland. It was
the only society that had printed the entire Bible in the
original Irish language. Vast numbers of copies, in
English and other languages, had been circulated in our
free schools, on board of ships, and amongst emigrants to
all parts of the world. The effect, even in the settlements
at the Cape of Good Hope, had been (as he himself had
witnessed) most gratifying—the inhabitants travelling
with Bibles every quarter, and making a week's journey,
to attend religious meetings. The Scriptures had been
translated by the society into 140 languages and dialects.
The 3ible Society is not, however, a translating society ;
that part of the work devolved chiefly upon the mission-
aries and ministers employed by them. The society
found the paper and the printing. (The speaker related
a variety of interesting facts relating to the successful
operations of the friends and missionaries of the society
in many foreign lands.) England Lad been of bte yan
the refuge for the destitute, even royalty, &c., anti she
was enabled to do so because she was a Bible-loving and
a merciful people. He alluded especially to the island of
Tahiti, the inhabitants of which had, in return for some
Bibles received by them, contributed about £4OO to the
funds. He afterwards related other anecdotes, illustra-
tive of the good effects of the working of the society, and
sat down amidst much applause.
On the motion of the Rev. Dr. Carpenter, seconded hr
John Cropper, Esq., the thanks of the meeting were voted
to the Right Rev. Chairman, amidst loud cheering, which
ceatinued for some moments.

His Lordship having replied in an appropriate speech,
the meeting broke up about half-past nine o'clock.

The following letter from Dr. M‘Neile, which suffici-
ently explains the cause of his absence from the meeting,
was unfortunately not received by the Rev. R. Davies, to
whom it was addressed, until that gentleman's return
home from the meeting, when he immediately forwarded
it to us for publication.
" Aigburth, Monday, Oct. Sth, 1849.
" Dear Mr. Davies,

" Last week when I was invited by Mr. Maples, on ,
behalf of your committee, to take part in the proceedings
of your meeting this evening, I told him of an engage-
ment I bad for Monday evening, which would render it
impossible for me to be long at the meeting; but that if
I could render any assistance at the beginning of the pro-
ceedings, in time to keep my engagement, I would gladly
go. This, 1 perceive, has not been compatible with your
other arrangements.

This I perceive has not been compatible with your
other proceedings.
This morning I have your letter of Saturday, inviting
me to second the second resolution.

As it would be quite impossible for me to keep my en-
gagement, after being the fourth speaker at the meeting,
I am compelled, reluctantly, to decline.
If any public announcement has been made of my in-
tention to be present, you will oblige me by reading this
letter to the meeting.
1 am, dear Mr. Davies,
Yours very faithfully,
HUGH WNEILE.
Rev. Robert Davies.

METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER,
BY MR. C. H. CHADBURN, 71, LORD-STREET.