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VOL. 0
_—
AND WILL PREVAIL.
_ NEW-YORK, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1825.
i BIPLE SOCIETINS.
ON THE DECREASE IN ENGLAND.
» ' ae . . 7
Some of the London Morning papers which we have
received by the late arrivals coutein an account of the
twelfth annual meeting of the Bloomsbury and South
Pancras Auxiliary Bible Society, held at:the Free
Mason’s Tavern, Great Queen-strect, London, and it
is said “was. most. numerously attended, A’ vast
pumber of ladies were inthe room.” ‘The Rt. Hon.
Charles Grant, member of Parliament and late Secre-
tary for Ireland, was in the Chair, .,A report of con-
siderable length was read, after a short address from
“the Chairnian, °° .
‘* It stated that the subscriptions in several districts for: the
past year had diminished. Such fluctuations, it added, must
sbe expected to take place, where so much depends on active
agency, with the change of collectors. The total amount raised
swithin the year was £510 19s. 11d. ; and the number of Bibles
and Testaments was 394, making thé entire number issued by
the Society 1,041.,. The sum paid to’ the Parent’ Society
auounted to’ £501. The number of - new subseribers was
519—the entire number 1,133.° The diminution of) subscri-
bers last year amounted to 319; the subscriptions were Less this
year by a sum of £50 3s. 2d.» The falling-off of subscribers was
in those who subscribed for Bibles and Testaments, while the
free subscribers increased. Much (the Report added) remained
yet to be done.” The amount of fands raised was not ‘propor-
tioned to, the districts, but varied according to the zeal of the
collectors and agents. A meeting was named forthe 14th of this
»ionth,(March) to form Ladies Associations. A number ofsubseri-
hers had been added to the Association in the districts recently
canvassed. In Red-lion district the proportion ‘of subscribers
does not equal that of the last year. The Somers Town Associa-
tion,in a populous and extensive district, owed its prosperity
entirely to the ladies. The Bloomsbury-square Association had
been more prosperous than in the preceding year, but still lan-
guished from want of aclive collectors. « As tiis district (the Re-
‘port added) contains a number of poor, particularly from the
Sister Island, the hope was expressed that active ogents woud
-be found to exptore this district. The Queen-square Association,
the Report went on to say, continued the most active and vigor-
ous of any of the districts. The zeal of ladies and gentlemen
vied with each other. Much was originally due to their Presi-
dent, the Rev: Daniel Wilson, whom that “Association had un-
happily fost last year. An opposition to the objects of the Society
shad sprang up, the Report stated, iu the most distant quarters—
Papal Bull had been fulminated against them—the Grand
‘ark had issued his firmanto burn their books.’ In Ireland,
also, strong opposition had met them, and the progress of the
‘Word was violently opposed. In Germany they were more suc-
cessful, and nambers of the Roman Catholics of that comtry
had een enlightened: A umber of Bibles also had been intro-
duced into South America. In freland the late discussions had
induced many to wish for further exertions in that country. After
some further details the reading of the Report closed, amid the
general testimonies of approbation. The statement of the ac-
‘counts of the Society for the last year was subsequently read
by the Secretary. - ot : > :
|, Such is the statement made by the London papers.
There is said tobe “a falling-of” among the subscri-
‘bers for Bibles and Testaments; whether this return
to common sense on the part of the people of Eng-
land is to be attributed to the Popo’s bull, or the Grand
‘Turk’s firman we cannot presume to say; but let that
he, the report it seems could not conclude without an
allusion to these mighty engines of opposition to the
pious labours of the male and female Biblical devotees,
mission to urdeceive the enlightened people of Eng-
and will be adopted. . The Catholics of Ireland may
rest assured there is nothing on earth, nor in the hea- | to create painful feelings.
Jens above, nor in the- waters below,. that Biblicals
ings, and thata discussion would of course ensue, if defend the venerable Hierarchy and the generous devoted people
this Reverend Orator had been allowed by the Chair-
ngs: He therefore hoped the Rev. Gentleman, in the course
to touch the sacred volume without feeling an aroma ‘fall from
in which the proceedings ‘of the ‘present meeting it. _ ft distilled the diviuest perfumes from every page to the
appear. to have been carried on., A Rey. Gentle-
man of the name of Evanson, taking his qeue from the | Per, rose. He said he should not
report began to, launch ‘out about. the strangling
of the infant Sampson, (there's no lack of cant) asty as Peesident, must compel him to interrupt the Hon. Gen:
either in England or in this country) and the Arch-|tleman. None but subscribers to the Association were permit. ”
bishops and Bishops of, Ireland when he was stop-|‘*¢t0 speak.
ped by the Chairman who, we suppose happened to
‘ouch,
\ Mr. Laweyss, of Belfast, the proprietor of the Frishman pa-
Rev. Gentieman who spoke last. '
1
The Right Hon. C. Grant rose and said, that he feared his
r, Lawzzss said he would be happy to subscribe ; he would
hair.
‘The Hon. Mr. Storr rose to order, and asked after what had
would be scenes of discord. , *
Mr. Lawzess again rose, and said he was fully prepared to
the Rev. Gentleman had aspersed; but he had the highest re-
. s i d enlightened President, his feelings cal-
manto proceed.’ He therefore yery prudently threw out | rect for the Uiberal and enlighten 5
a hint which appears to have been readily taken up,
ted on him to defer to the Chair, and though he could refute
every unworthy calumny uttered, he would then sit down and
NO. 10
might all rally round the cross without any uncharitable feel-
v
of his address, would again abstain from any thing calculated
e Rev. Mr. Evaysox, continued.—He thanked the Right
Hon. President for the kind and gentlemanly feeling with which ° »
ir di i is ‘fact | he had been checked. In the warmth of his feelings, perhaps, »
dread so much as open and fair discussion. This ‘fact | te ud bees far, but he hoped tobe excused. It was impossible
our readers will find clearly developed by the manner
ave thought of addressing .
the meeting, but for the observations which had fallen from the =
feel high pleasure in contributing to an Association here so ‘
i b ‘ much christian charity prevailed, supported so markedly by the®
cast his eye on some of the Gentlemen of the Irish de- Chai :
patation, now in the metropolis, and foresaw that they 2
, ist 0 lavi . already been stated by the President, how the Hon. Gentleman
would not listen to the abuse so lavishly bestowed on | Contd procced—if these arguments were suifered, their meetings
their religion and its revered ministers atthese meet-
Selves, after hearing the defenders of the abused peo-
ple of Ireland, whether they really were those, super-
Our readers shall see what passed.
He was called on, he said, rather unexpectedly, but the first
part of ‘the resolution contained a proposition so simple an
the circulation of the Holy Scriptures was eminent]
to advance the best interests of mankind. ‘hat simple propo-
it every day received. The resolution thea went on to call for
increased exertion, and fervent and unceasing prayer. Oppo-
The cloud that was gathering had become thickez, from that
should not be circulated.. A combination had been formed
sign of the times to sce a bull from the Pope, and a firman from
opposition was only confined to a distance, it might not be so
alarming ; bat any thing that came nearer home touched them
Le
every eflurt had been made to stop the march of mind and crush
the infant Sampson. , It was one of those things calculated to
Scriptures, if general, would establish peace and piety in the
land. . The Rey.’ Gentleman then went on to allude to the pas-
Bisheps .of Ireland issued after the Pope’s bull,
versions, it declared of the holy Scriptures with notes explan-
the Word of GOD to be always with their flocks. » It went on to
say that the books distributed by the Bible Society, ander the
name of the Bibles or Tracts, as they were not sanctioned
by the Church, were forbidden.
The Right Hon. C. Grasr, the President, here rose and inte-
and the audience were not allowed to judge for them }"°* atterspt tego farther. ae “
Well indeed was it for the biblicals that Mr. Law- ~
less did’sit down, otherwise there is not a doubt he ‘
stitious, ignorant, brutalized and barbarous beings could and would have refuted the gross aspersions and
which they are always represented to be at these Cant- | Calumnies heaped’ upon the faithful and persecuted
ing assemblies. But here is the account of what oc- people of Ireland. Mr Lawless’s presenco imposed
curred ‘taken from the London Morning Herald. silence upon them for the moment, but we may rest as-
»- + |sured that the biblicals will watch their opportunity
The Rev. C. Evansox rose to move the second resolution. when the deputation return to their native land, to pour
out vollies of lies and slander against the religion and ."
: — _
self-evident, that it need no illustration trom him. It was, that | ‘2 people of Ireland,’, We trust in God that Mr.
ly calcutated | O’Connell’s idea will be followed up, and that some of
b , i methods, . Whilst on: the subject of Bible Societies
the Sultan, against the circulation of the Scriptures. If this : . .
we cannot help remarking the handsome manner
in which the Editor of the Albany A has noticed
deeply, and demanded their most serious attention. «In Irelan: i ot iggy, . . ‘ y Tous ’
our paper. , We thank him for the compliment, though
ne ot 3 i i ith him, howevé
destroy the best hopes of civilization’ Theeireulation ofthe }"° C@220t In all points agree with bi ye ewev ery
we do not blame but rather applaud him for his unre.
jon. : d indeed. for any
toral address or charge of the Catholic Archbishops. and served declaration. It would be har : . yr any
ft Approved | man to be prevented frem expressing his sentiments,
i ‘ e conveyed j i
atory to the text, ,were already in existence, and they wished more particularly When ‘ hey ar yed in mild
aud gentlemanly language, and free from that abuse,
scurrility, and personality, which appears to be pecu-
liar to certain envious andself-conceited Editors, . The
Editor of the Argus agrees with us on the grand prin
n “ — : rupted the Rev. Gentleman, and hoped the sense of the meeting |. on vee 8
or were the late Biblical contests in Ireland forgot-| yeuta support hisnio the painful duty. je would give his entire | ciple of emancipation, but_does not approve of what
ten, and a hint we find has been thrown.out, that fur-
support to every thing that could tend to exalt the character of
. he calls the mode or rather the manner proposed by
ther 2 + . . the Society ; but he had heard, with great pain, several remarks * rae
it hes are desired in that country. If these | irom the Rev. Gentleman which caused. uw great regret, . If| us of effecting the intended objects, and tells us, “an
ucksters ir Religion are determined to hazard ano- iti
“other, camps
-they pretend they have enlightened the German Ca-
» itholics, we ear
tien,
to send some of th Saw sittin; . . .
@ ablest preachers from the | $8 sitting around, would ri y ON
“Body of the Ieigh © . t preac {tation of the charges, ‘There was quite enough to rouse all this country Now, we appeal to his candour, and
‘ pee ae athelic Clergy to England on a beg he will state on what occasion, and ia whatnum-
they laid it down us a position that those belonging to the
lps calculated to wound any feelin,
vince those from the sister country that nothing uncharitable
was to be expected that th
‘ise-to address the assembly in refu-
their zeal without Kindling those unchristian fires, and they
"’
y indiscrimi ensure if not ish Bi
aign in Treland igh he Irish Society were to address them, nothing should drop from their indiscriminato¢ ‘ ot abuse, of the English Bible
ign in Ireland to enlighten the Irish, as He was anxious to con-| Societies, and the plans of morals connected with
: is not justin itself, nor ia unison. with the
._| would be heard, and if such a line of argument was to be adopted | em is ™ . ; ,
testly hope Mr. .O’Connell’s proposi-| it < ose Gentlemen, some of whour he opinions and feelings of the mass of the people of
1 woe ee : .
sition would be unnecessary, if they did not see the opposition | *0S¢ distinguished individuals amongst the Irish Cler
gy who have so recently innnortalised themselves by
sition, far from ceasing, was every day becoming stromer. theirable and manly conduct atthe Bible discussions in
t 1th gal had Ker, from Treland, will go over to England, not, in fact te con-
uarter of. the world whence light first proceeded to the West, }\ > 1 : .
and in Syria and Palestine they had been’ told the seriptures | "7 the people of England to the éruth, but to disa-
buse them of the prejudices which have been so long’
amongst those who worship the REDEEMER and those who | . illed i bi prey . e
speak of hita as an impostor.—it was, he conceived, an awful | MStilled into them by the vifest ‘and most disgraceful
enema
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