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    apd cementing an union of efforts , a harmony of affection between all parties , in one great design , that of giving the most extensive circulation to the book which contain the bequest of the Prince

    of Peace , the law of love , and the counsels of Divine and universal mercy ; whatever differences of opinion , what variations soever of religious profession may exist amongst us , here we are of one heart and one soul .

    It is an institution most honourable to the Scriptures , for it implies our absolute submission to their authority ; it expresses an ardent desire that their authority only may prevail in forming the religious faith and practice of mankind . Christians of all denominations have

    been too ready to identify their own views of the Christian doctrine , their own interpretations , glosses , and deductions with the Scriptures themselves ; and to conceive , that they who do not admit the latter cannot reverence the former . Our joint consent to discard our own notes and comments in the circulation of

    the Scriptures , is a reverential appeal to tkem only ? as a Divine and infallible guide . ; it is acting upon the true Protestant principle , that the Bible only is our religion . It is a declaration , as far as actions can speak , that we humbly lay our preconceived ideas , s our prejudices , out principles of education , the results of our-own enquiries , the creeds and practices -with which , our interest has been

    connected , at the throne of the God of Truth . When we put a Bible " without note or comment , " into the hands of anyone , we virtually deliver with it this admonition : " this is the book to whose sacred dictates we all wish

    conscientiously to l ? ow ; take it as the Divine standard of truth ; read it carefully , read it seriously , read it impartially , and judge for yourself . " May we offer it , and you receive it with a solemn conviction that both of us are alike amenable

    for our use of it at the tribunal of God , whose unerring oracles are recorded in it ! To do this is not to intimate a doubt or distrust of the rectitude of our sentiments , but rather a confidence in them , that we fear not to have them tried by

    tiits test ; or it implies a disinterested fortitude of mind , under a persuasion that" -truth , whether it exists iri one P ^ ty of the other , will finally prevail .

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    many opinions different from those held by the majority of the members and patrons or the English and Foreign Bible Society , we adopt with cordial

    approbation the simplicity of , ts object ; , we are devoutly glad in conjunction with them , to circulate the Scriptures * without note or comment f * and in the United King * doms the authorised version .

    May I be permitted , Sir , to suggest another consideration , uhich , with peculiar force recommends this institution to our attention and support , which affords us cause to congratulate ourselves

    on seeing its commencement , and -witnessing its glorious progress . We behold in its rapidly advancing spread and influence , the growing fultUment of the word of prophecy , and a prelude to its complete accomplishment .

    If in the days of the Apostles it could be said of the preachers of Christian ity f that " their sound was gone into all the earth , and their words to the end of the world ; " with how much greater propriety and force may this be now said of the doctrine of grace and salvation , transmitted down to us in those invaluable

    writings . It was the fervent prayer of the times before Christ , " God be merciful unto us , and bless us , and cause his face to shine upon us , that thy way may be known on earth , and thy saving health among all nations . " This prayer was , in the first instance , ans » . ered ^ when in the fulness of timethe

    " , day spring from on high visited mankind , to give light to them that sal in darkness and the shadow of death , and to guide our feet into the ways of peace . ' * But still much remained to be effected , partial was the spread of the gospel 5 a long night of darkness followed the opening

    day of light and salvation . The Reformation , at least in great part of Europe , dispersed in a great degree , the darkness , ; the Reformation , aided by the invention of printing , opened and distributed the treasures of truth and grace . Subsequent measures have assisted the progress of Divine knowledge : but slow , local and

    limited has been that progress . Through ages " little , comparatively , has l ^ een done towards generalizing the knowledge of the Bible / 1 Darkness , while centuries have rolled on , has overshadbwed the earth . The rays of light havfii > t most been few , scattered and feeble , „ . But the son of righteousness has , recently , burst forth from the dark cJoucfs with a bright luetrc , has enlightened

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    Intelligence . —Dr . Toulmin ' s Speech . 585

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1812, page 585, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1752/page/53/