them that believed, were of one heart, and of one soul *"

4. It will serve as a channel of communication, and a bend of union, with foreign churches.

The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge admits foreign members †; but it cannot be denied, that, till the establishment of this new society, we had little or no connection with connection with the churches abroad. And what a prospect has been opened to us here! What prejudices have been removed! What misconceptions corrected! I will not take up your time by expatiating on the delight, which the members of the reformed churches have displayed on contemplating this "novel combination." We now find that even Catholics themselves are allowed to read the word of God; and that they read it gladly that their very Priests express "the most heartfelt joy and gratitude" to Heaven, for the existence of the Bible Society, and "lively emotions of unfeigned love and affection for all its members." This is but the beginning of a union, which will assuredly be extended and enlarged; the first dawning of a brighter day §.

*Acts iv. 32.

The present number is five: viz. one in 1764; one in 1779; one in 1793; and two in 1800. You say (p. 86), that the Society has had many foreign members: those times, I fear, are gone by.

See First Report of the Bible Society, p. 43. Also Sixth Report, Appendix, No. 51.

§ "I may, without hazard of contradiction, assert, with respect to the dissemination of the Scriptures in foreign parts, that from the same cause" (the comprehensive plan of its institution) "it possesses means and facilities which no other Society, formed on a

The benefits of such communication it is impossible to trace. As holy men of old were wont to meet, for the purpose of establishing each other in the faith of the Gospel, this union of churches will afford a union of strength and wisdom. They will act in concert. They will be ready to furnish each other with the best advice for the extension of their common faith; to discover means and resources; and to "provoke one another," by the most powerful motives, " to love and to good works." Different in names, and separated by the barriers of nature, they will still, in the fellowship of the Gospel, form one family, the disciples of one Lord, the children of one Parent;, happy in correspondence of principle and liberality of affections; and thrice happy in the prospect of uniting for ever with the church above!

Had the members of the Establishment declined joining in this Society, what would have been the sentiments of foreign churches with respect to the Church of England? When informed that they were indebted for their Bibles, not to her, but to the very persons who had left her communion: and that she had refused to unite with their benefactors in this labour of love; what impression must they have entertained? At present, they know that several of her leading members patronize the Society; and they are compelled by gratitude to exclaim, "Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness

more limited plan, does, or ever can possess.' Lord Teignmouth's Letter, p. 17.-Of the justice of this opinion I entertain not the slightest doubt.

within thy palaces: for my brethren and companions' sake I will now say, Peace be within thee*."

And here let me mention incidentally what Dr. Buchanan tells us, in his account of the Syrian Christians; "The doctrines of the Syrian Church are contained in a very few articles; and are not at variance, in essentials, with the doctrines of the Church of England. Their Bishop and Metropolitan, after conferring with his clergy on the subject, delivered the following opinion: That an union with the English Church, or, at least, such a connection as should appear to both churches practicable and expedient, would be a happy event, and favourable to the advancement of religion.'" Dr. Buchanan subjoins some very strong reasons for an immediate attention to their wants; and I most earnestly hope that they will be considered with all the attention to which they are so justly entitled.

5. Though, in subscribing my name on the List of the Bible Society, I was influenced solely by a regard to the general good; yet I cannot choose but think that associations of this nature tend materially to the advantage of the Church of England.

There are many bonds of union between the Establishment and the people; the rites of baptism and of marriage are of themselves calculated to produce a regard for the welfare of the church; and it will frequently occur to the man of reflecting mind, that, as he commenced his being by connection with her rites, so will he end his days by reposing

* Psalm cxxii. 7, 8.

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among her tombs. Her zeal in this noble cause will come in aid of every prepossession which existed in her favour before; and if this kind of feeling be cherished, and kept alive, additional motives will not be wanting. By many, it will be considered as more reputable to belong to the Establishment; by all, as more economical. Let us be animated by a due portion of zeal, and love of the truth, tempered with moderation and charity, and many will be gained, who at present entertain no very exalted opinion either of us or our cause.

I am well aware, that, according to the mode of reasoning adopted in your 56th and 155th pages, the sentiments here advanced may be easily perverted, and furnish matter for a condoling paragraph, replete with kind warnings to the Dissenters how they intermeddle with men who hold such dangerous opinions. Be it so I have delivered my judgment without reserve, and I leave to every man the liberty to make any use of it which he may deem expedient.

6. The Association of the Bible Society tends to preserve the text of the Scriptures from perversion.

All its members appeal to the authorized version; and so long as they continue united, they can appeal to no other. It is insinuated, by some of your brethren in controversy, and much stress is laid upon the insinuation, that the Bible Society is composed in a great measure of Socinians. The authors of this fiction have dealt in many assertions so singular and extraordinary, that it would be almost endless to detect and oppose them. The

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truth, in the present instance, is, that very few Socinians have entered into this "novel combination." I wish the fact were otherwise, and shall heartily rejoice to hear that the number of subscribers from that quarter is increased. I cannot, however, take much encouragement for the present. They (or, as I am willing to hope, a party among them) have lately formed a Society of their own, which has a direct tendency to counteract the efforts of the Bible Society, by the circulation of their " Improved Version" of the Scriptures, with note and comment. This is the Society, which, in p. 133, you identify as to nature and object, with the Bible Society. On what account this is done, except in virtue of the adage that extremes meet, and that the Society in question is directly in opposition to the Bible Society, I am at a loss to determine. Now, if the dif ferent denominations which compose the Bible Society, under the superintendance of the Church of England, had each its own institution, why should not they adopt similar conduct? Where is the security, at least, according to the opinions which you entertain of them, that we should not in six months have an "improved version" for Quakers, another for Independents, another for Baptists, &c. -versions which should speak the sentiments of every party, and which might be made to recommend all doctrines, but the doctrines of truth and soberness?

If I were not afraid of falling into the error so common to framers of conjectures and hypotheses, I could enlarge with great pleasure upon other important advantages, which must arise from the con