British And Foreign Bible...
The Times, 1824-05-06T00:00:00

Yesterday the great general meeting of the British and Forei Bible Society was held in the large hall of the Freemasons' HUi. At a very early hour the hall was filled by clergymen, and a num - ber of the most enminent individuals in dte metropolis; and in all no less than 1,809 were present. LMrd TEIGXarOUTH was unanimously called to the chair. The Secretaryread the Reportwhich was exceedingly voluminous, and gave a detailed account of the great progress of the society in every part of the globe. The issue of Bibles in new dialects had ben greater during the last year than on any former occasion. They had copies of the sacred volume printed in the Esquimaux and Ota- heitan languages, and the light of divine tnrth was now penetrating in the most benighted countries. The account of the Scriptures hav- ing been printed and circulated throughout Ireland in the Irish lan.- guage was received with particular applanse. They had also been printed in the Welsh language with notes. The Report mentioned that since the last anniversary 47 new auxiliary institutions had risen to their aid. The statements contained in it werc throughout re- ceved with marks of high satisfaction. The Earl of HAnOWnBY moved that the report should be agreed to. The motion was seconded by the Earl of RODEN, wrho addressed the Society at great length. Hfe said he knew an individual, a man of pleasure and a man of the world, vwho was only anxious for the world's applause and admiration. That individual, some time since, from motives of curiosity, went to one of the anniversary eetings of the Irish Bible So^iety. HIe was ashamed almost of beng seen there, and hidt himself in the most retired part of the room. He listened with astonishment to the sentiments that were there uttered, and said to himself, " If this be true, then am I a con- demned sinner." He did not trust to the hearsay statements of others, but vent home to read and judge for himself. What was his fear on finding what had been stated to be correct! What was his joy on seeing the way of salvation open to him! He had eagerly endeavoured to embrace it, and that individual was now, by Divine Providence, permitted to address the meeting, and to bear his testi- mony to its beneficial effects. (Here the noble carl was greatly aflfected, and the statement was received with loud and continued cheers.) He concluded by expressing in warm terms his zeal for the welfare of the Society. The motion was carried unanimouslv. The Bishop of L1CHFIELD and CCOVENTRY addressed the meeting, and expressed his satisfaction at the rapid march of the society. He concluded by moving the'thanks of the meeting to the President and the Vice.President. The motion was seconded by Lord BARHASr, who expressed his pleasure at finding that all sects were united as if to resist the inra- sion of infidelity, which now made the most dreadful assaults on the souls of their brethren. The motion of thanks was carried unanimously. The President, Lord TEiGN.roOUTH, returned thanks in an able congratulatory speech. He said, when he considered the influence that the society liad already attained, and the good it had already ef- fected, he did not doubt that they should live to see the whole world benentted by their exertions. The French Admiral Count VERtHUIL was introduced from the Parisian Bible Society. He addressed the meeting, and expressed, in elegant terms, the thianks of the society of which he was a mem. ber, for thc aid which they receivul from the parent institution. He did not doubt that all the sovereigns and princes of Europe would find it their interest to protect and aid the exertions of the great so- cictyand all its auxiliaries. Lord BEXLEY moved the thanks of the Society to those mem- lers of the Royal Family who had patronized the Society. He was highly delighted at finding himself surrounded by the ambassadors in the sacred cause from every part of the world. The Rev. Dr. Miolt}11so2x w as warmly received as the first re- presentative from China, and said thaLt the difficulties in that im- mense country were great, but not insurmnountable. The hearts of the Chinese were not harder than ours were. If the Bible could affect the heart, and convert to the truth a British Nobleman, it could equally affect the hearts of the Chinese. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) Te Rev. Gentleman exhibited to the Society a copy of the Scriptures in the Chineselanguage, the completion of which, he sail, had occupied him 17 years. He said it was already made the text-book in several ofthe Chinese institutions, and there could be no doubt of its progress. He returned thanks from the Anglo-Chi- nese to the 8ociety. The motion was carried unanimously. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.