Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-09-16

viliLatlOn to spread tie truth, To give II an
impulse equally rapid and equally sup
ported, every where 10 afford the anil
Cioie by the side Oft tie poisonl
Such is tue task which the Bible Socie-
~ assumes in relation To Europe II
breaches not, il comments not, II does
not interpret the sacred text, because
that would have been 10 encr0ach OH the
rights ofthc church. iu lis quality cf ar
auxiliary Institution, il limits Itself 10 fur
niShing The sword (siaive) Of ihe word,
wi,hou, pretending 10 handle n.
nesfys that, we should yc, regard IL
under another point of view. us >0lici-
iule extends Over The rest o. tie globe
An Union of knowledge, of e!frris and
prruniary sacrifices, effected Us ii, sup
pics TO the christian missionaries ihe
means of sCcoudiug aud confirming Tie
preaching of the gospel, hy that bouk
which IS fi,e depository Of all cOnsola'i-
onS and ~ all ,rnlhs. Thanks To the Ri
bic Societies, The a., ire laNs craven Ui
brass, ase propagated by printing over
HE whole surface of HE globe. II be-
longs TO The ministers az the altar TO en-
grave III. IN on il,e heart.
We can exact nothn:: more of an hum
be, active 500 iety, Which contributes To
r the advancement OF ihe work, but which
panncr fviewing bible societies is the
only che which is just anal reasonable,
lie only one which can make us estimate
ii,c merit of their iahors, aud undeceive
all those who persist IN conforming
them, or Judging llem with prejudice.
Fit Is true that revealed religion consti-
tuies The pairimony OF all the human
race, the surcstmcans of,a ssing them io
fraternise among themselves, is 10 call
them without distinction 10 The euioy-
ment Of their common heritage. UuIer
TINS general aspect bihlr societies can in
cur 40 haale for tl;nslating the sacred
lext into all languages. For, all 7. IL lis
heingcalled to receive the trulh, where
fore should the languages they speak tie
Judged unworthy of containing its ex-
preston :
II is necessary then, il is advantageous
20 >pread the knoNie ledge OF The bible
Gutt make amends Zen revauchel IL is
essential to watch thai no alteration be
introduced into il. In is to this end the
government has provided i'll Russia with
eNtreme solicitude, by inviting the pre-
lates of different sects 10 participate IN
The iaborS OF the society. Their pre-
sence, their participation offers The surest
pledge oil tile religious respect with Which
This sacred text Is reproduced undor all
forms required by the spiritual wants of
divers communiens, and consecraieti by
their respective disciplneS The same
inspection is used in behalf of the people
still plunged in ignorance of The ways OF
redemption
Coniormably TO this invariable system
OF prudence, ot charity and circumspec-
tlon, the bible society of Russia does not
permit the smallest note explanatory of
the text, in order that they may not in
chr the reproach Of usurpaiion or tene-
rity.
After so impartial sketch Of the ma
ture CT bible societies and the bounds of
their aitribulions, il would be difficult 10
slepreciate them without bciraying IN in.
fidelity which repels conviction and re-
lects evidence; III fact, all impu.ations
directed against them are reduced To an
uRavmdahIe aiteruallve--eiiher they really
accuse Tie bile, Society OfactingslOnc, &
without regard TO ecclesiastical authority:
Bat We have Just shown that il subjects
lis works to the iorms adopted by each
church in particular that ii ONLY sup
plies The insntficiency ofcopies of the sa-
cred text, without permitting any inuova-
ton or Interpolation, however insigniii-
cant-Cr Else they find fault with the mi
nlsiers of the altar for taking pari in this
association: But il has been just prov
ed, thai their participation is the strong
est surety for the operations of The soci-
ETY.; that they are responsible to govern
ment for the integrity of texts destined
for the different worships, as well as the
fidelity Of TRANSACTIONS executed under
their superiniendance.
The two principal objections then mu-
tual!y destroy each other. The results
hitherto obtained come in support of this
satisfactory conclusion. The debt is i'm
mense; the demands continual. The
first stereotype experiments made in Rus
sia, have perfectly succeeded. The So
eietJ daily acquires fresh experience in
the course that ought TO be followed, and
OF the obstacles to be Stunned.
In fine, Whatever may be in these in
ferpreiationS, erroneous and partial we
cannot doubt but that the progressive
rnarch of this grand enterprise, consider
ed in all its qualifications, will accOnmo-
date itself 10 The dssiinics Of the human
race. lt Is perhaps the only imperisI,a-
bic lrhlt OF European civilization, the on
" mode TO redeem the Affections which
Europe has scattered over the rest of the
glob., by her navigation and her colonies
the only present she can make 10 those
simple people and nations whose gold and
blood she has absorbed tie only re-
cempense G1riiIs whicl have been caused
by i,le fatal art of propagatng error to
infinily. May IT henceforward serve as
an auxiliary TO the church, d vehicle OF
the light ofthc gospel, t. bear il to the
Iemotest regions that, If ever human
knowledge and intelligence should happen
TO fOrsake their ancient home, Europe
might still glory in having bequeatLed to
the residue Of The world the sacred de-
post Of the religion of the Saviour God.