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

BIBLE SOCIETY--IRELAND.

As a contrast to the harmony and good effect of the
above described association in the Metropolis, we pre-
sent the following correspondence of the Lard Primate
of Ireland, and the Archbishop of Dublin, with the
Bible Society of Belfast, to show the petty jealousies
anti prejudices which prevail in the sister kingdom,
oven in the Heads of the Church, on the most benevo-
lent and religious occasions :
At the last Annual Meeting of the Belfast Auxiliary
Bible Society, held oo the 22d of October, the follow-
ing documents were read by the Secretary :

CORREPPONDENCE WITH HIP GRACE THE LORD PRIMA rE
AND HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN.

LETTER FROM HIS GRACE THE LORD PRIMATE.
Great George's-street, July 11,
SIR,—As I understand you are Secretary of the
!libel nian Bible Society, I request you will have the
goodness to inform the Soeiety that I wish to have my
name withdrawn. A friend to the circulation of the
Scriptures. I have, for many years, given my counte-
nance and support to the Hibernian Bible Society ;
and it is with much reluctance, aria even pain, that r
feel myself obliged to withdraw from it.—lt would he
useless to detail all the circumstances which have in-
duced me to form this resolution. I cannot, however,
forbear stating, that the constitution of the Society,
as it appears tone, has been gradually chanted since
its original formation ; and it is quite notorious, that,
at its public meetings, speakers introduce topics which
are nut only irrelevant to the business of the Society,
but, in some instances, utterly inconsistent with their
avowed object of circulating the Bible without com-
ment.

Those meetings consist of a number of persons
whose religious opinions are at variance with each
other, and each person has a right to express, with-
out check or controls!, his own religious opinions in
his owu language. Linder such circumstances, it it
Impossible to prevent observations being made which
are injurious to the Established Church, and offensive
to its members. 1 cannot, therefore, consistently
with my sense of duty, any longer sanction the pro•
ceedings of the Society, or continue even its nominal
patron. Being in a weak state of health, and over-
whelmed with business, 1 need scarcely add, that 1
mean not to enter into any discussion on the subject.
1 have the honour to be, your faithful servant.
(Signed) W. ARMAGH.
To the Rev. Dr. &Killer. Secretary of the
Hibernian Bible Society.

LETTER FROM THU REV. DR. SADLIER TO HIS GRACE

TIM LORD PRIMATR.

Dublin, July 19. 1921..

Mr Lonn—l am directed by the Committee of the
Hibernian Bible Society to convey to your Grace their
regret at the determination you have expressed to re-
linquish the office of Patron of their Society. In
compliance with your Brace's wish that discussion
should be avoided, the Committee will only state, that
on the most mature deliberation, they are fully satis-
fied that no change has been introduced into the con-
stitution of the Society since its original formation ;
and beg leave to add, that bad your Grace been pleased
to intimate the circumstances which made it apparent
to you that such change had taken place, the Com-
mittee would, on the present, as on a former occasion,
have given the subject the most respeetfel considera-
tion, and cheerfully and thankfully availed themselves
of your suggestions.
The Committee cannot conclude without expressing

their further regret that your lirace should conceive
that at the public meetings of the Society observations
might be made injurious to the Established Church,
and offensive to its members. as they are perfectly
conscious that nothing of this kind ever took place,
nor from the arrangement of those meetings could
possibly have occurred without instant animadversion.
I have the honour to be. your grace's most obedient
servant, (Signed) FRANCIS SADLER.
Secretary to the Hibernian Bible Society.
To his grace the Lord Primate. &a.

LILITaa NUM ■ls oaAcs Tai miceassuor or
DUBLIN.

Stephen's-grees, July 14, 1821.
Sir —Bevis( at my last visitation peblicly stated
my objections to the proceedings of the Hibernian Bi-
ble Society, and my reasons for not any longer conti-
nuing a amber, it only remains fee me to ropiest that
-7. will take the proper steps for withdrawing my
lase frees the Society.
I have the honour to he, your humble servant,
(impel) JOHN, DUBLIN.
Ire the Seteetary. gibe Hibernian Bible Seeley.