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For the Christian Observer.

THE following Letters, written at the particular request of several valued friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society, are addressed, by the kind permission of the Bishop of Salisbury, to that learned, devout, and venerable Prelate, than whom there is not a more tried or unshaken friend to this invaluable institution. They were intended to form a separate pamphlet ; but the great importance and interest of the questions under discussion, has induced us to present them in the first instance to the readers of the Christian Observer. They will afterwards, if thought desirable, be published separately.

THE BIBLE-SOCIETY QUESTION, IN ITS PRINCIPLE AND ITS DETAILS; IN A SERIES OF LETTERS TO THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF SALISBURY.

LETTER I.

THERE was once, my lord, a certain planet revolving between the orbits of Venus and Mars; a goodly planet, and originally fair to look upon; but the inhabitants of which had been struck with a deadly pestilence, for which they could devise no remedy. The disease was a sort of moral cholera; it paralysed the whole spiritual frame; none of the stimuli which once affected it were now of any avail: it had eyes, and saw not; ears, and heard not; its appetite for what was once its proper nourishment was gone; and though the effects of the malady were sometimes slow and chronic, they were sure in the end, unless impeded by an invisible energy, to be fatal.

But this invisible energy at length interposed, and a specific was provided. The earliest intimation of this wonder-working catholicon was given soon after the disease first broke out; but further particulars were from time to time added, till, somewhere towards two thousand years ago the whole was complete, and the princely Donor of the prescription, having pity on a race of beings perishing under so awful a visitation, directed that it should be every where made known; and those who had themselves freely received and been healed were enjoined, by their love and gratitude for so great a blessing, to endeavour to convey it to others.

For a time they did so : but those who came after them began to grow indifferent; so that, had not the same unseen energy still prevailed, this invaluable remedy, or rather the prescription for it, had been well nigh lost. Nor was this all; for, instead of being liberally supplied without restriction as the Donor intended, it began to be doled out drop by drop, and by a most unaccountable fancy a law passed, that in future the prescription and the directions for using the medicine should be written in a learned language—that is to say, Latin,—so that, as to any practical benefit, the great majority of persons might almost as well have never heard of the remedy; and in point of fact they at length began to think that it was no concern of theirs to have the receipt in their possession, or the remedy in their own hands; so that gradually the whole management came under the controul of a race of shaven-headed physicians, who took their fees and doled out a few drops of the elixir mixed up with sundry deleterious drugs, but took care not to let the genuine receipt, which would have detected their artifice, go out of their own hands. If indeed there had been any exclusive skill required in dispensing the remedy, this might have been necessary; but the directions were so plain, and the medicine so safe, that such a usurpation was altogether unjustifiable, and it ended in the most shameful adulteration, peculation, and parsimony of supply; while generation after generation was CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 363.

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perishing for want of this great catholicon. A cart-load of hay was known to have been given for a few drops, and a full supply was no where to be procured.

I will not trouble your lordship with the whole history of this matter, or of all that has been said and written respecting the character and genuineness of this invaluable elixir. Some fifty years ago a notion had gone abroad, that partly by art and partly by chance all the copies of the receipt had become grievously falsified, so much so that it was doubtful if a genuine bottle of the remedy was to be found in the whole planet; but various skilful persons, particularly one Kennicott, put this question at rest by examining great numbers of samples collected from various quarters, all of which were found to contain the essential ingredients, so that even the worst specimen in the collection exhibited the salutary virtues of the medicine. They found indeed some bottles discoloured; some were not so transparent as others; a little sediment of dust and refuse was found in many, but the catholicon was still in the main unadulterated and useful.

At length a happy thought occurred to a few benevolent persons, -I doubt not through the unseen energy of the original Donor,-that as the pestilence was universal, and the medicine every where applicable, it would be a great benefit to the whole planet, and in true accordance with the will of the Prince, and the directions of the prescription, if they were to unite their efforts to promote the diffusion and application of this wonderworking remedy. It appeared, however, when they came to commence their proceedings, that they entertained considerable differences of opinion res pecting the character and mode of its operation; but the chief promoters of the scheme, having themselves experienced its efficacy, determined to apply their minds to the universal distribution of the remedy, even though they could not freely concur in all their opinions respecting its virtues. The only preliminary which they considered necessary for the formation of their benevolent plan was, that they should agree that a formidable disease was every where prevalent, and that this medicine was a specific for it; and they refused not the aid of any persons who would use their efforts and bestow their liberality for promoting so good a design.

They indeed soon found objections made to this scheme. Some thought the medicine would be so cheap that it would be despised; and that the poor, instead of keeping it at home for constant use, would pawn it for gin and whiskey. Others thought they would make an ill use of it, and that they ought only to take it under the superintendence of a regular physician, notwithstanding they might die before a physician arrived, or live in constant danger because this golden medicine was kept out of their reach. Others were afraid the preparation was too strong according to the original receipt, and wished to dilute it, or to leave out a portion of the more active ingredients. Others thought it would be better always to accompany it by a corrective, to prevent any possible mischief which might arise from its solitary use; but they could not agree on any common formula for this supposed corrective, for each had a favourite pill, or powder, or nostrum of his own, and the Latin people aforesaid, with few exceptions, resisted the popular use of it altogether.

At length, however, notwithstanding all these obstacles, the good men whom I have mentioned persisted in their plan, and with so great and good effect that there was scarcely a speck of the planet to which some portion of this elixir of life had not found its way; and the boon was attended with benefits unprecedented, but which I need not here pause to describe. There might be occasional mistakes, and I believe there were, in the management of so vast an enterprise; but as a whole it was worked with great care, and with unspeakable advantage; and what was of the utmost im

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portance, the plan propagated itself, so that the people in distant parts of the planet, where only a few bottles had penetrated, began to form a similar scheme for multiplying the medicine and issuing it from their own doors, till by means of these innumerable laboratories scattered throughout the planet, this universal specific would in the course of a few years have been every where accessible.

I am sorry, however, to say that a few persons who had joined in the original design, began to feel scruples respecting it, and even went so far as to open a new laboratory. They thought, and I fear too truly, that some who distributed the medicine to others had not tried its powers themselves, and could not speak by experience as to its efficacy; but still, as was justly observed, this would not prevent others being benefited, though the donors might perish by their own blindness and obstinacy. Again, they thought that the Latin people ought to have no share in the distribution; though if any of these persons gave up their learned scruple, and others watched them so well that they could not, if they wished, adulterate the medicine or mystify the prescription, I cannot see what evil there could be in using their aid. Again, it was objected that some helped to distribute the medicine who entertained very inadequate notions of its value, and of the character and intentions of the Royal Donor. Now it was extremely distressing to every man who duly reverenced the source from which this invaluable treasure was derived, and acknowledged the Donor as their rightful Prince, that any person should entertain such evil opinions; but as they made no attempt to adulterate his medicine, and would not be allowed by their coadjutors to do so; nay, as they freely permitted a most accurate receipt to be used, to the exclusion of a favourite, falsified, and as they called it "Improved" one of their own; it does not seem very clear why a reverence for the Prince should cause their aid, such as it was, and it was little enough, to be rejected, since it was bestowed contrary to their own wrong notions, and redounded to the benefit of all his subjects. Indeed, all that they expended to carry on the great laboratory was so much taken from their own little quack shop of adulterated medicines, and thus was to be doubly hailed rather than rejected, Another objection was, that the whole scheme was evil, inasmuch as in applauding the medicine the unseen Energy of the Donor was forgotten; but this objection was not valid, since those who took the management of the scheme from first to last expressed their strong feeling that it was only this unseen and potent energy, which daily and hourly they implored, that could render the specific of any avail; and they thought it very unfair, that, while in obedience to the orders of their prince, and in dependence upon his wonder-working influence, they were distributing his sovereign remedy, they should be told that they were only a label-and-bottle manufactory, and were idolizing the mere drugs instead of depending upon the secret influence which gave them their virtue.

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Such, my lord, is my apologue; the interpretation shall be given in the words of Robert Hall. I admire," says that eloquent man, “ the Bible Society inexpressibly; but how is it possible to say any thing in its praise or vindication that has not been said a thousand times?" "We last Monday held our annual meeting of the Bible Society. It was more numerously attended than ever, and it was delightful to see clergymen and dissenting ministers sitting on the same seat, and ardently engaged in promoting the same object with perfect unanimity. We cannot say of the past times, that they were better than the present. I think the age is greatly improving; it must improve, in proportion as the grand catHOLICON is more universally applied."

It is, to my mind, my lord, a most melancholy proof of human frailty

and infirmity, and of the mistakes and misconceptions from which, in a fallen world, even the best men are not exempt, that so much of controversy should from the first have existed relative to the character and proceedings of a society designed simply for the circulation of the unadulterated word of God; and which has conducted its proceedings, I am firmly persuaded, with as much of piety and wisdom as ever marked the conduct of any large body of professed Christians. You, my lord, are the oldest living mitred friend of the Society, its episcopal father; and no individual of its many zealous advocates has from the first more ably defended its principle or taken a more heartfelt interest in its momentous objects. In former controversies -let me rather call them discussions-your pen was not wanting in its defence; and I feel persuaded, that if the shadow could be put back upon the dial of time, so as to restore to your lordship sufficient of health and leisure for the task, a warmer or more able defender would not be found at the present moment in reference to the recent charges which have been urged against the institution.

It has been suggested, that these charges deserve a more comprehensive reply than they have yet received: for though there is no one of them, I believe, which in one quarter or another has not been fairly met and disposed of, yet they continue to be still reiterated; and it is impracticable for one person in many hundreds who reads or hears them, to refer to a tithe of the vast masses of pamphlets, speeches, reports, resolutions of committees, and magazine controversies, which bear upon the subject, so as to be in a condition to pronounce a well-considered verdict on every article of accusation. I can conceive that among the best and oldest friends of the society, there may be many, who, from a pressing variety of important occupations, and the impossibility of keeping up a detailed knowledge of all that is passing in our innumerable charitable societies, may be unable to reply, point by point, to every minute communication which may happen to be urged, without any solid foundation, against the best conducted institutions. Your lordship may reply, that such a refutation, however desirable, is not in every case indispensable; for that where there is, upon the whole, a full persuasion of the excellence of the principle, and the piety and integrity of the benevolent agents who, at a great sacrifice of time and labour, disinterestedly conduct the affairs of a charitable institution, open at all seasons to the fullest publicity, a considerable degree of confidence and forbearance is due, till it is expressly proved that the parties are unworthy of it. In the case of the Bible Society such unworthiness has not been proved, but quite the contrary; so that many who hear of particular charges repose for their refutation upon their knowledge of the well-established wisdom and integrity of those who conduct its concerns, even though they should be ignorant of the history of some specific transaction which has been distorted into a subject of controversy. If all men were thus considerate and candid, and asked for solid proof before they came to a conclusion, the society would require nothing but its own good conduct for its defence. But, unhappily, in this as in other things, "offences will come;" well-meaning ignorance will mistake; party spirit will distort; tender, but not well-informed, consciences will be distressed; offences will be imputed where they do not exist, and be magnified where they do; till, for want of fair and timely explanation, the best institution may sink under the weight of unfounded or exaggerated charges.

Such charges, my lord, have gone forth against the Bible Society, and they require to be openly and honestly refuted. I feel confident they can be satisfactorily disposed of, so as to leave nothing but that residuum of mistake and infirmity which adheres to all human institutions, however well planned or religiously conducted; and which will not for a moment shake

the confidence of any candid and calmly-judging mind. With those who come to a discussion in a spirit of party or theological acrimony, it were useless to argue: for, as your lordship well observed on this very question of the Bible Society many years ago, "prejudice has neither eyes nor ears;" at least it has but one eye and one ear, and these are sinister: but for those who conscientiously wish for information it ought to be provided, and both sides of the case be submitted to the decision of a competent jury. The following letters will be a humble attempt to render this justice to the British and Foreign Bible Society. I could have wished that the office had been undertaken by some person better able to discharge it; for there are many individuals far more conversant with the minute facts than I am; but I have at least this advantage, that I am not mixed up with, and never, even by accident, took any part or gave any vote in, any one of the matters under litigation. What I know of the proceedings of the Bible Society has been gathered, not in the capacity of an advocate, but of an impartial spectator. Besides the ordinary examination which every conscientious man ought to give to an institution which he assists to support with his subscription, however humble, I was led some years since carefully to investigate the workings of this important society, from holding the office of clerical secretary to a large county auxiliary, my church and residence being in the heart of a cathedral city, where neither my Right Reverend diocesan (since deceased) nor my Reverend brethren (though always with great personal kindness and friendship to myself) allowed me to be ignorant of any thing concerning this society that demanded special explanation. Other circumstances, not unknown to your lordship, have since rendered it doubly my duty to examine into the matter, that I might not deceive others as well as myself; added to which, my having undertaken the clerical secretaryship of an important London auxiliary, in the room of a revered friend whom your lordship, I am sure, remembers with a regard second only to my own-need I name Mr. Basil Woodd?—and at a moment when the whole question of the Bible Society is warmly agitated, rendered it imperative upon me to inquire once more into the question at issue, that I might either abandon my former opinions, or hold them with a larger measure of knowledge and confidence.

My lord, I have done so ; and I can truly and solemnly, as in the sight of Him who is the Judge of the quick and dead, affirm, that the investigation into which I have been led has increased beyond measure my attachment to the Society, and my esteem and admiration for those who have for so many years conducted its proceedings. I do not say that nothing has ever been wrong: but I am perfectly astonished, and can attribute it only to the especial Providence of God guarding with watchful eye his own revealed word, that in such a mass of transactions, amidst so much of conflict and difficulty, the whole ground untried, funds to be raised, agents every where to be procured, numerous translations to be made, every post bringing new inquiries, new business, and the magnitude of the society's engagements spreading beyond all precedent of any benevolent and religious institution; I am astonished, I say, amidst all this overwhelming variety and complication of important details, that there has been so little of mistake, so little to be undone, so much of prudence mixed with intense zeal, so much of wisdom and diligent habits of business; and above all, of the spirit of faith and prayer, and candid brotherly conference; and that, on the whole, a machine of such unparalleled intricacy has been conducted with such signal order and success. I am lost in gratitude at the mercy of God, in raising up so many of his faithful servants, who for so many years have dedicated themselves with much labour, perseverance, and disinterestedness to this great work; many of them devoting to it the most valuable hours of

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