680 The Rev, }i, Valpi/s Sermons, 
Bibles, Piaver-books, and Religions 
Tracts, to increase t,he knouledge and 
practice of nur holy religion, iaiissions 
v.-ere soon after undertaken to the East 
indies; and measures were taken to 
promote the cause of the Gospel in Asia 
Minor, Arabia, and Egypt, by printitig 
the Is’ew Testament and Psalter in Ara¬ 
bic, and by a judicious appropriation 
of their funds, in sowing the seeds of 
eternal life in various parts of the 
world. 
But the calamities prodticed by tlie 
ravages of the French Revolution, which 
leiuiered property insecure, and tlie com- 
Ibrts of life precarious, caiied for con¬ 
solations of a more extensive nature. 
Religion alone appeared to liolri out a 
permanent blessing to counterbalance 
the miseries of the times. TheWoid 
of God-was the only substantial relief, 
uhicli coulfl Soothe the mind oppressed 
vilh trouble, and fainting with despair. 
It was necessary that Cliristian bene¬ 
volence should exert all its faculties in 
communicating that divine treasure to 
tlie world. /\n accession of strength 
was demanded. The two Societies pos¬ 
sessed the zeal, but wanted the means, 
to complete the plan, which itiey had 
originally put in execution. The exer¬ 
tions of one were from its nature con¬ 
fined to a single olject; tlie attention 
paid by the other to charity schools and 
missions, did not permit as wide a cir¬ 
culation of the Scriptures, as was now 
become expedseut, in order to fulfil the 
great design of Eternal Wisdom. As 
both the Societies were confined to 
Members of the Church of England, 
they were deprived of the assistance of 
Dissenters of ail denominations, wlio 
desired an opportunity of inlisling under 
tiic banners of that host of Chrisrian 
beneficence. The numerous Christian 
sects on the Continent were likewise 
excluded fiorn a general co-operatiot). 
A new Society became tlierefore neces¬ 
sary, which should c-ombine the con- 
t-ibutiems of the universal body of 
Christians. This coitntry has long been 
<ije favored Seat of Mercy and Gliarity. 
ill the exercise of those divine qualities, 
s}:e knows no boundaries but those of 
nature, she 'subjniis to no restrictions 
but tlmse of necessity. She has there¬ 
fore begun the work, i-eliich, in con- 
iuiiction with the old Societies, and 
under the protection of the God of 
I,ove, has already produced efi’ects, 
xvhich the, most sanguine hopes of liumnn 
pucGcss could scarcely have atuicipaied. 
1 
The gain of the new Society has ini 
deed, in the words of the Prophet, been 
consecrated unto the Lord, and its 
substance unto the Lord of the whole 
earth. 
THE BRITISH A^D FOREIGN BIBLE 
SOCIETY. 
Their object is to distribute, sit as 
expense of not more than half tlie com¬ 
mon price, the Old and New 'restament, 
in every language of the civilised world. 
Their principles are those of pure Chris¬ 
tianity, without bias to any particular 
sect or distinction. Hence tlie Bible 
is printed wiiiiout notes or comment, 
because they might be sad to convey 
sentiments, ami inculcate the tenets, of 
some particular Cliurch. By tins im¬ 
partial universality, all descriptions of 
Christians are equally interested in pro- 
iiioring the design of the Society, be¬ 
cause they all ground their belief od 
the Scriptures. One very important 
end has been attained by this expansion 
of general interest. The Society has 
diffused the principles of universal be¬ 
nevolence. It has brought all parties 
together; and mutual communication 
and interchange of sentiments, liava 
proved that the real difference between 
tliem is far from being irreconcileable. 
Not only individual, but national, aiil- 
mosities have been softened, and per- 
liaps it is not too much to iiope that 
they may be finally liealed. It is a 
most cheering sight to see in the Loh« 
don Commiitce, Britons and foreigners, 
members of the Cliurch of England 
and of otlrer communions, brought to¬ 
gether, and joined like brethren dwei- 
ling together in unity. Thus may tha. 
Society be repj’esented, in the words 
of our great poet, as “ a hoop of Gold, 
^o bind tlie nations in.’' How far it is 
patronised by the Church of England, 
you will easily form an estimate, when 
you are informed that the archbishop 
of Cashell, and the bishops of London, 
Durham, Ssilisbury and St. David’s, are 
at the head of the establishment. And 
the bishop of this diocese, being re¬ 
quested to become the President of 
this auxiliary establishment, lias appearet^ 
gratified by the distinctio.n. 
Although the Society is yet in its 
infancy, its proceedings have already 
been marked by the most important 
consequences. The sphere of its exer¬ 
tions, though confineri to a period <>f 
less than five years, lias been extended, 
—North and South, from Iceland and 
L-apiaud^ 
