The venerable Archbishop of Upsula, in his last Bible-Society speech before his death, traced up Bible Societies to a far higher hand than that of man.

"If a new excitement has arisen in favour of Christianity: if, in our days, the spirit of it is extending to all countries and among all classes: if, after a long period of delusion, it is now beginning to be acknowledged, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father; that his word is the only leading star to life, his precious doctrine of reconciliation the only security for our highest interests: if it is becoming the general wish, to propagate the Holy Scriptures, and to procure an easier access to them for even the poorer inhabitants of the cottage: if this respectable Society, which has assembled here to-day, bears witness to the same: if, in a word, a great and important crisis has arrived, and still continues, in the general opinion, to the undeniable advantage of Christianity and the salvation of souls: this cannot indeed be derived from any preparatory arrangements which man had made from merely human endeavours, however laudable those endeavours may have been." "Where then shall we look for the cause of a change so little expected, and by the signs of the times so little prognosticated? This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.'

"Yes, He, who has built his church, not on the loose sand, but on a rock, where it defies the storm and the flood; and who has said, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it: He, in whose hands the Father has placed the government of his church, even Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever: He it is, who, during all the storms through which we have passed, has maintained his work: He it is, also, who, through his Spirit, has effected this wonderful alteration, over which we now rejoice, and in consequence of which we are here assembled. I do not presume to entertain the hope, that no further tempests shall assail the Christian church; I rather believe, that it always must continue in a state of conflict on earth; but if the Holy Scriptures be, not the word of man, but of God; if they be the power of God, and the wisdom of God, and the source of all genuine light, all real improvement, all durable satisfaction; then the general publication and reading thereof cannot be without blessed consequences to the people."

"Let us work, therefore, while it is day, and in the best manner we can. The Lord, who watches over the interests of his church, will surely conduct all to the glory of his holy name, and to the salvation of the souls which he has ransomed. We have seen enough of the work of the Lord, to be qualified, whenever it may please him to call us away from our labour upon earth, to join in the triumphant strain of the aged Simeon: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace! for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.'

A peasant writes to the Russian Bible Society:

"On the receipt of these heavenly treasures, my soul was filled with the utmost delight at having my wish so speedily accomplished. I shed tears, when I saw in the Report, that in every quarter of the globe Bible Societies and schools are establishing. My soul felt the echo of these delightful words: The Gospel must be published among all nations!' Every lover of the word of God is now convinced, that it is the bread of life, which fills the souls of those who hunger after salvation; and the fountain of living water, which quenches the thirst of those who long for everlasting life. Christ, who is the true light, will bless the labour of those who disseminate his word. May the Holy Spirit, whom he sent unto his disciples and his apostles, be poured out in these latter times upon those who carry the glad tidings of peace into every part of the world, so that the whole earth may be filled with the glory of the Lord."

Dean Thomas, president of the Grisons Bible Society, remarked: "I have been forty-nine years a minister of the Gospel: my Master has sent me to several places, and I have said what he has ordered me to say." Adverting to the wonderful progress of the Bible Society, (the details of which he is accustomed to read in the Basle quarterly publication,) he observed; "Satan has overslept himself. He depended upon the success of those professors and doctors who had hoped by their neology to stifle the Gospel*; and while he has been sleeping, the Bible Society has been planted, and he has awoke too late to be able to do it any injury."

The venerable Pro-Vicar of Constance observed to an agent of the Bible Society:

"The house in which you now are, is that in which John Huss was confined :' and, conducting us into an adjoining room, and throwing open the windows, he

seats necessary to keep their own members distinct for voting, issue tickets for the rest of the hall to the friends of Bible and Missionary institutions? John iii. 19-21. And yet we are now told that Bible Societies have promoted Neology.

pointed, with much feeling, to the chamber which had been the prison of this martyr, and the spot on which he had been committed to the flames. He said, he saw Antichrist in every thing which opposed the doctrine of Christ: adding, that, for his part, the only question he put to a stranger, was, Lovest thou the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, thou art my brother."

The letter from the Marquis de Jaucourt, president of the Paris Bible-Society, which announced its formation in 1818, remarks:

"The Protestant Bible Society has been but recently formed; and the British and Foreign Bible Society, over which your lordship presides, has, for a long time, obtained immense success. In constituting the latter, its founders have given it the character of Christian philanthropy, which tends to unite all who adore our Divine Redeemer *; and interests them, besides, for even those who know him not, or who entertain erroneous notions concerning him."

Now, my lord, can any man, in common truth or candour, after glancing over this long series of extracts, and connecting them with the explicit declarations of the excellent Dr. Steinkopff, and the other gentlemen above referred to, continue to assert that the Bible Society united itself, almost as it were by choice and instinct, with whatever was most corrupt, neologian, and infidel in every quarter of the European continent? Dr. Steinkopff's statement points out the real fact, that men of piety, wherever they were to be found, were the most active and zealous promoters of Bible institutions; but that they considered it necessary, for many reasons, to stir up the ecclesiastical and other authorities of their neigbourhood, without whom the design could not be carried into effect. Mr. Stokes long ago, in his pamphlet in 1826, though he maintained that the charges against the Foreign societies are greatly exaggerated, that " many excellent men are to be found among their directors;" that "their reports, generally speaking, breath sentiments of the purest piety," and that "the London Committee would always (his own italics) prefer the selecting of men of decided Christian principles, well known for piety and sound wisdom, to carry on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures;" yet added, that they had not felt it to be their duty to lay down as a necessary principle, "that the Bible itself would almost prove contaminated by passing through the hands of persons whose sentiments respecting its contents may be exceptionable;"-" that we may not convey the Scriptures to the perishing nations, unless they (the English - committee) first chose the instruments for its distribution; —unless they are allowed to dictate to the authorities and dignitaries, the clergy and laity, the subscribers to objects of charity, and the public at large in foreign countries, who shall be their domestic agents and secretaries and committee-men, in co-operating with them in this work of charity." . I leave every man to decide as he sees fit respecting these explanatory statements. Many persons will approve of the course described as having been formerly pursued; but even if any doubt should rest upon it and I have in general only stated facts, without pursuing them to inferences-still there is a document yet to be produced, to which I would call the peculiar attention of all who feel interested in the question: I allude to the Society's Report for 1827. The views of Societies ought to be judged of by their accredited documents, and not by loose floating stories; and in this important document I find the following statements:

"With regard to continuing their researches into the past proceedings of the Society, in the manner which has been adopted in the two preceding cases (the Lausanne and Strasburg documents), the committee are not aware that it can answer any useful purpose. Many of the parties by whom the affairs of the Society have been carried on, are now no more, who, were they alive, might in all probability afford

* And yet we are told that Bible Societies, especially on the continent, have no regard to whether or not their agents ❝ adore our Divine Redeemer.”

satisfactory reasons for various measures which have been made the subject of complaint. The researches already made have involved a considerable expenditure, as well as greatly interrupted the regular business of the Society; and with reference_to the future, the duty of every subsequent committee is now plain and explicit." "The Society has passed the days of its youth; and if all the ardent hopes and expectations on which, as is the manner of the young, it may have indulged, have not been realized, it has more than enough received encouragement to gird itself up in the years of its maturity, at which it has now arrived, to renewed and increased exertion."

I again invite the attention of those who feel serious doubts as to the former proceedings of the Society, to this statement. From the date of this Report there was avowedly a new era in the affairs of the Society if faults had been committed, they were to be amended; if the committee had been careful formerly, they were to be yet more careful in future; and since the charges alleged against them are anterior to that date, it would be but fair, in the most party-spirited opponent, to issue an act of oblivion for the past, to judge equitably of the present, and to look forward with candour to the future. But if this were to be expected even from men of party spirit, much more from those for whom alone I write, men of true piety, whose difficulties in regard to the Society, even if over-scrupulous, have been at least conscientious and sincere. Let such men forget and forgive; and if at any time reference is made to old transactions—if the bones of poor Mr. Owen are disturbed to grace a Sackville-street auto-da-fè, or the faded writing of musty records is revived by a plentiful effusion of gall, to render them legible as accusations against the institution— let every friend of fairness say, "Even though I grant it all, yet look at the Report of 1827; and tell me whether for five years the Society has not kept its pledges, has exerted itself to shake off all that is unseemly, and is endeavouring to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. If it be, and the fact is incontestable, let us not rake up old vexatious stories, but strive, as Christians and brethren, with a common effort in the common cause."

I am not aware, my lord, that at the present moment any charge of Neology, and so forth, is brought against any one of the Society's foreign agents-I mean persons really employed by the Society, or remunerated by them for services performed-except it be Professor Kieffer of Paris. The opposers of the Society have in fairness, and to their honour, relinquished the name of Dr. Van Ess in their charges. Dr. Van Ess was dismissed from his agency two years ago; his accounts were found to be correct, and I am not aware that he has ever been accused of entertaining sentiments of a Socinian tendency; his agency in the circulation of Bibles among the Roman Catholics upon the continent had been for many years conducted with an energy, the benefit of which, for ages to come, will be incalculable, however unworthy the instrument; his letters, during a long correspondence, breathed a spirit of the most simple, ardent, touching piety; and numerous visitors, truly conscientious and spiritually-minded men, including several clergymen, and whose testimonies are still extant, wrote and spoke of him in terms of affection and admiration, which were an ample warrant for all the confidence that could be reposed in him; but suspicion arose respecting some particulars connected with his moral conduct, and the Society in consequence dissolved its connexion with him. I earnestly pray that he may yet repent, and do his first works; but I see no cause to blame the Earl-street committee, who could only act as they have done. The agents and documents of the Jews' Society, and other religious institutions, spoke of him even more highly than those of the Bible Society; yet these are not blamed. Such is party-spirit! With regard to Professor Kieffer, notwithstanding the vague charges

thrown out against him by Mr. Haldane and reduplicated round the shores of Killarney, I see not the slightest proof of there being any thing, either in his principles or his conduct, to render him an improper agent in the distribution of the word of God. Dr. Pinkerton, and the Rev. R. W. Sibthorp, who visited him officially in 1827, and held much intercourse with him, have given their published testimony, that," upon a full consideration of the circumstances, our opinion, which we think it right to state to you, is, that it will be highly desirable to make use of Professor Kieffer's valuable agency in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures among Protestants;" (the way was then closed against Roman Catholics, but has been opened since the Revolution.) Is not one such solemn testimonial sufficient? or is Mr. Sibthorp also an abettor of " neologians and infidels? *" The leading Sackville-street manifesto distinctly declares that "Professor Kieffer is well known (that is, by the aforesaid echoes) to be such "-namely, "Socinian and Neologian; "--but what says the Rev. Francis Cunningham, in his published Letter to Lord Bexley?—

"I have a debt of justice and gratitude to render to Professor Kieffer, the Society's agent at Paris. With respect to his religious orthodoxy, which I understand has been most unjustly called in question in this country, I feel it right to say, that no one who knows him can entertain a doubt. As to talents, diligence, vigilance, and zeal, as an agent to this Society, he has few equals, and can scarcely have a superior. As a man of business, of regularity, vigour, and dispatch, he is very conspicuous; and those who know the immense deficiency of business-like habits on the continent, will know how to value such important qualities in the agent they employ."

Dr. Henderson testifies to the same effect :

"Of the Parisian professor I should be sorry ever to suffer a wrong word to escape my lips or my pen, that could possibly be construed into want of respect for his talents, or a withholdment of my just esteem for the amiability of his private character, and his distinguished and indefatigable exertions in promoting the spread of Christian truth."

In addition to these facts, I will state, upon my own responsibility, though hitherto I have appealed only to printed documents, that two English gentlemen of piety, who had heard much of the above stories about M. Kieffer's unsound views respecting the infinitely important topic of our Lord's Deity, and who had much conversation with him in a visit to Paris, expressly endeavoured to draw the conversation to this subject. Professor Kieffer, however, anticipated them by introducing the matter himself, and assuring them that he had no participation in the

* I will quote as a note the following passage from one of Mr. Sibthorp's printed letters, which takes in other names besides those of M. Kieffer, and bears strongly on the whole subject. But there is no end to such testimonies; I am only ashamed that the repetition of calumnies renders it necessary to adduce them. Mr. Sibthorp says, "I would briefly advert to the agents of our Society on the continent: under which term I include those whose operation is free and voluntary. I wish to repeat the testimony already borne in our letters to Professor Kieffer of Paris. His agency is highly valuable, discharged with an industry, fidelity, and accuracy to which it is but justice that I bear record. At Frankfort, Berlin, Dresden, Leipsic, Nuremburg, Basle, Cologne, &c. &c., are men who aid in the circulation of the pure volume of truth, for the love which they bear to it, for the truth's sake, and that they might be fellow-helpers to the truth,'-men who would adorn_Christianity in any country and in any church; and the intercourse which the office I was charged with by the committee led me to hold with many individuals in various stations, and both among clergy and laity, such as Dr. Heubner, of Wittenberg; Count Einsiedel, of Dresden; Bishop Fabricius, of Hernhut; Professor Hahn, of Leipzig; Pastor Heim, of St. Gall; the Rev. M. Blumhardt, of Basle; Professor Schwartz, of Heidelberg; and others, has afforded me peculiar satisfaction. So far as I could judge from the personal communication I had with them (and this judgment is confirmed by the testimonies of others), I cannot but conclude, that to whatever extent infidelity, superstition, or error of any kind may exist on the continent, there is there also a portion of the true salt of the earth-men with whom it is pleasant to have formed an acquaintance, because such acquaintance shall not be restricted to the church militant, but be renewed and continued for ever in heaven."

errors either of Socinus or modern Neology; that he had ever held the principles of the Lutheran church, and hoped to die in them. He then, in a truly affecting manner, as a man deeply wounded at the charges thrown out against him by Mr. Haldane, and echoed by others, begged that his visitors would inquire of the Rev. Mr. Wilks*, and Mr. Monod jun., and Mr. Luteroth, as to his character and religious principles. The conversation was continued; and not only did Professor Kieffer offer a negative contradiction to what has been alleged, but, in reply to some questions proposed, made such statements as led the visitors to a full belief that the charges made were perfectly unfounded. Subsequent conversations with the Rev. Mr. Wilks and Mr. Monod, jun., served only to strengthen this conviction. The general impression of these gentlemen was, that Professor Kieffer is a man of remarkably retiring and studious character; but who, from his veneration for, and his love to, the Sacred Volume, labours most diligently to promote its circulation: and the more they became acquainted with him, the more they experienced an unfeigned regard for him, and the more they were convinced that his agency in the Bible Society has been, and continues to be, one of great importance.

I am ashamed, my lord, that justice to outraged individuals should require such attestations; but I rejoice that, since it is necessary, I am able to adduce them; and I heartily trust that the conductors of the Bible Society will not be induced, by false and calumnious charges, to discard such agents. M. Kieffer, a friend informs me, one day, laying his hand upon the Augsburg Confession, attested, that there was his creed. What that creed is, your lordship knows better than I do ; but it happens to repose on my shelves, both in German and English, and I therefore quote two or three lines, as applicable to the subject: "Scriptura unum Christum nobis proponit Mediatorem, Propitiatorium; Pontificem, et Intercessorem. Hic invocandus est; et promisit se exauditorum esse preces nostras, &c." "Damnant omnes hæreses contra hunc articulum (1mo.): exortas, Manicheos, Valentinianos, ARIANOS, Eunomianos, Mahometistas, et omnes horum similes."

Such is the creed of the "Arian," Socinian, Neologian, and Infidel, Professor Kieffer!

Of the domestic agents, likewise, something has been said.—The indefatigable Mr. Haldane, in a book published only last month, speaks of the Society's "infidel Orientalists, and Professor Lee.' I might bring pages of similar tirade against this eminent man, but I should be ashamed to waste a line upon them. Professor Lee, if he would stoop to it, might extinguish the slanderers and the slanders with a twirl of his pen; but he does not deign to do it, nor will I. Who has not read your lordship's interesting narrative of him, published, I think, in 1814 ?

As little should I think of vindicating the Owens, Hugheses, Steinkopffs, Brandrams, Pinkertons, and other domestic agents of the Society-including also, I might add, the second class of officers, who conduct the daily commercial business of the institution. The matter of the Society's expenditure, and the subordinate details of business, were set at rest in the discussions of 1826; and, I believe, no charges are now revived on any of these subjects. But, to make surety doubly sure, I will quote the following minute, extracted from the books of the Guernsey Auxiliary Bible Society, under the date of Sept. 19, 1826. Your lordship is aware, that it was in this local society that the present

Not your lordship's correspondent, or any of his kin, but a well-known pious and highly useful English Protestant minister long resident in Paris.