On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
dour of this respectable auditory , while from a sense of duty to an excellent cause , I offer a few sentiments that may revive in the minds of many a conviction of its utility and importance . Whether \* e reflect on the simplicity of the plan adopted by the English and Foreign Bible Society , on the patronage with which it has been honoured , on the
rapidity of its progress ,, on the extent of its influence , or the greatness of the object , there is not a light in which this institution presents itself to our view , in which it does not strike the mind with proofs of its utility and efficacy . It commenced only eight years since , and in that «> hort space of time * it has , as it were , wiih a force and quickness of
vegetation , like that of the smallest seed , fixed its roots deep , and extended its luxuriant branches far and wide , even over the globe ; it has been' the means of preaching the gospel in fifty-four different languages : every year has added to the numbe-r of its members : every year has afforded new and joyful proo fs of the spread of its operations , and the success of its exertions . It has issued
fri 0 m 3 j& Repository in London , more ttoiu ^^ Oo copies ot the Scriptures , independienily of those which have been printed under its auspices , beyond the limits of the United Kingdoms ^ ari d it has expended in this period more than 8 i , oooi . in promoting its object .
Venerated be the name of Pamphilus , the Presbyter of Caesarea , in the third century , who always kept a sujjply of copies of the Scriptures to give or lend : venerated be the names of those
who translated the sacred books into the vulgar tongues of different countries 5 venerated be the memory of our pious reformers , who laid open their enlightening pages to the common people ; venerated be the names of the Hon . 'Mr .
Boyle , a Bishop Hall and a Lord Wharton , who by testamentary grants , provided for the annual distribution of Bibles through future generations . Great respect is due to the extended plans of the
Society formed for promoting Christian Knowledge , and of that which directs its exertions to the attainment of the same object , under the name of Religious Knowledge . I honour the memory of the philanthropic Dr . Bray * , the pro *
? Dvi Bray had the living of Sheldon , near Coleshtli ; and afterwards ^ was mik ister of Altigate , London .
Untitled Article
moter , if not the founder of the former of these institutions * I would not overlook the society formed about 30 years since , for the specific purpose of giving Bibles to our soldiers and sailors . But
the light which those efforts have kindled , in comparison with that which this institution has excited and diffused , is scarcely more than are the giitterings of a glow-worm to the splendor of the meridian sun .
High praise belongs to those who distribute practical Treatises on Religion , Summaries of Faith and Morals , Books of Devotion and the Common Prayer , But the best of these are only human compositions ; they are all in some respect defective ; in purity and completeness , but above all in authority , they
are defective ; They are only streams from the fountain of truth and knowledge ; whatever is excellent in thern originates from the Bible ; they mechanically draw the attention of the reader ( o the man , from whose heart ; and pen they proceeded , A Bible speaks to us with Divine authority . It turns the thoughts , it elevates the mind in the first instance
to God aloney whose word it contains . The institution which you are called , Christians and townsmen , to support , appears to be most honourable to the Holy Scriptures in this view , that its single object is to circulate them only € i without note or comment , " It is
honourable to the scriptures , for c * it proclaims , in opposition to infidelity , the public belief of thousands in the truth of revelation . * ' It expresses , in contrast with lukewarmnes ^ and a spirit of indifference to the best interests of men , a generous solicitude for the salvation of man , with an ardent concern for the spread of Divine ( ruth , and a full persuasion that both will be most
effectually promoted by the circulation of the scriptures . It is honourable to the Scriptures , for it is our voluntary testimony to their fullness and sufficiency ; it attests our conviction , to use the language of the sixth article of our national church , " that Holy Scripture containeth
all things necessary to salvation ; so that whatsoever is not read therein , nor may be proved thereby , is not to be required of any man that it should tie believed as an article of faith- or to be thought requisite or necessary to salvatiotf' * It h honourable to trie Seriikufces , for ^ ctaployeththenias themeans of ek r 6 s $ ing
Untitled Article
584 Intelligence .- —Dr . Toulmin ' s Speech .
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1812, page 584, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1752/page/52/
-