such a wrangling, and made such a rent in the church, that both the power of religion in general, and the strength of the Protestant religion, have suffered extremely by them *." Objection 5. The new institution has contaminated our ancient purity by accessions of subscribers, who have joined us from improper feelings, viz. out of dislike to the Bible Society †. I have long known that any attempt to do good in a world like this must encounter many difficulties, and give birth to unjust surmises and unreasonable imputations. But a charge like the present I did not expect. Is there then such rivalry and hostility between the two Societies, that a man shall join one from pure hatred to the other? Well, be it so even the Gospel has been made a source of envy and clamour: but is the Gospel therefore to be impugned ?-Our Saviour did himself bring not merely peace upon earth, but a sword: but was Jesus Christ the author of contention? If we have indeed had an importation of envy, hatred, malice, and uncharitableness, in the persons of our late subscribers, I would fain hope that they may learn from their new associates better manners and better principles; and when they unite with us in prayer before the business of the Society commences, I trust that they will not bury, in the routine of idle repetition, these solemn words, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass againt us." *Burnet's Pastoral Care. † Dr. Wordsworth, pp. 70, 72, 73. Objection 6. The sixth objection is, that whatever may be pretended, the Bible Society injures the cause of Christian charity *. di How do I wish to be serious, but it is not very easy to write this without smiling. How would you promote Christian charity? By carefully abstaining from any intercourse with Dissenters, except in giving away shillings and soup, and by circulating Tracts, rected expressly against themselves †.' Lord Teignmouth and his friends attempt to promote it? By every mode of conciliation and kindness, which does not compromise their principles. The union of all parties, where all can securely and conscientiously unite, is one of the most distinguishing features of Christian charity. Not only have Methodists and Dissenters found the Bible Society to be a point, where they could safely meet under the patronage of members of the Church of England; but even the Kirk has lent its aid, and the Dise senters also of Scotland have forgotten their jealousy. Religionists of almost every denomination, both in Great Britain and Ireland, have avowed their intention of giving it support. According to your notion, this sort of charity is but " a shallow superficial spirit of self-called candour and liberality, characterized by an unworthy craving and pursuit of self-pleasing and of vulgar applause." According to my idea, it is a noble and generous principle; excellent in its nature, and blessed in its operations; full of kindness, gentleness, and all the fruits of the Spirit. * Dr. Wordsworth, pp. 92, 96, 98, 101, 102, 146, &c. &c. For the first time in my life, I attended last May the "Ecclesiastical General Council, holden at the Old London Tavern *", and most heartily do I wish that you had been by my side. It was, in truth, an animating spectacle! On looking round this assembly, and perceiving on every side the eye beaming with exultation, and the countenance lighted up with the purest expression of Christian liberality, I could not but acknowledge, that there is a point of elevation, even in this world of conflict, where the shibboleths of sects are forgotten, and prejudice and bigotry can find no place. All that is generous in sentiment, or enlarged in comprehension; all the feelings of benevolence, which eloquence could inflame, or piety consecrate; all the sympathies which unite man to his brother, and which seem to raise us almost above the privileges of our common nature, were here called into action. If ever I knew any thing of that charity which is depicted in such glowing colours in the Epistle to the Corinthians, I felt it at this time. If there was in that assembly one bosom which was cold, and insensible; one heart which was so enchained by the sordid fetters of sect or party, as to feel their influence on such an occasion; it is doomed for life to hardness and degradation; except it be quickened by the special energy of that Power, which nothing can withstand, the arm of an omnipotent God. Tell me, was this no gain to Christian charity? Away with these calculations of distant possibilities, these germs of I know not what contingencies of Dr. Wordsworth, p. 101. evil, whose maturity is to be deferred ad Græcas calendas. The Dissenters have been with us; they have seen us; they have marked our love for the Scriptures; their better feelings, as well as ours, have been awakened into life, and they will not soon become dormant. Let me inform you, that a warmer and more eloquent eulogium upon the Bishops, and the church of England, I never heard, than at this "General Ecclesiastical Council," from the mouth of a Dissenter. "The mouth of a Dissenter !" methinks I hear some • sound Churchman' exclaim; "this is the very thing we fear they wheedle you like syrens, but it is to get you into their toils; they are shrewd and cunning, and wise in their generation;' while you, bless your simplicity! partly from your ignorance of the world, and partly from your uncommon innocence of character *, never dream of your danger. They catch you like trout; they tickle you, and they have you."—I contend, on the contrary, that party animosities must subside: it cannot be otherwise; and the church of England, and the cause of religion, must receive benefit from the change. Dissenters may still exist upon principle; but their asperities will be smoothed, and their prejudices will die away. You seem to assert, that no asperity has been removed; we assert the contrary. You say, that no cordiality can exist: we say, that it has existed, and does exist. According to another writer, "it appears strange, that they" (the founders of the Bible Society) "should have been blind to the con *See Dr. Wordsworth, p. 101. 44 fusion which such a plan must necessarily engender*" I say, that no confusion has been engendered, and a man must be strangely blinded by prejudice to make such an assertion. But I am cool again: let us proceed with this "Ecclesiastical Council." You argue thus: "Even your Lordship speaks of the singular phenomenon,'" (did you ever see any thing like it?) of an assemblage of Christians of various sects cordially uniting in Christian charity. It is plainly all you can do to dissemble your own astonishment, that you should be so meek and tame when you meet together, and that the vast assembly should depart without some tremendous explosion. We are forcibly reminded of the worthy gentleman recorded by the poet as standing aghast, 1 With his hair on end, At his own wonders wondering for his bread." I confess I do not exactly perceive the force of the pleasant quotation with which this passage concludes: but, if by bread, you allude to the contributions made to the Society, I am happy to inform you, that they have no cause to wonder on this head, except indeed at the abundance of them. It may be great matter of wonder, perhaps, that there was no "explosion;" but I really saw nothing which could indicate the slightest risk of it. Explosions will sometimes take place, as you and I very well know, among persons of the same profession, and who consider themselves tolerably "sound" too: I have heard of such things at other meetings; but * "An Inquiry into the Claims," &c. p. 14. |
