6.46

All things speak a God;

Take God from nature, nothing great is left."

YOUNG."

The God of Nature has written his existence on all his works.

GIBBON. p. 313.

The word hut,' has this useful explanation subjoined.

"By a hut, I mean a dwelling with only one floor."

JOHNSON. p. 354.

The words bring the name of the great Author of their faith into contempt,' give rise to the following incoherent string of sentences.

!

"Thou didst blaspheme God."-1 Kings xxi. 10.

"The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you."-Romans ii. 24.

"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." -Romans iii. 13.

"Should each blasphemer quite escape the rod, Because the insult's not to man, but God?"-POPE. "A man can hardly pass the streets without having his ears grated with blasphemous oaths and curses."-TILLOTSON.

"Where is the right use of his reason, while he would blasphe. mously set up to controul the commands of the Almighty?”SWIFT.

But if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them who are lost. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."-2 Corinthians iv. 3, 4.

p. 516,

We must make room for both text and notes in the following account of our Author's introduction to Lady Hester Stanhope.

The indefatigable exertions which had been used by my illustrious friend, the Duke of Kent, not only in behalf of suffering humanity, but after the noble example of his revered father, respecting the interests of a rising generation, in the cause of education, having been touched upon, in the course of our correspondence; it was gratifying to my feelings, to find Lady Stanhope speak in such exalted terms of this benevolent Prince, and express a hope, that she never would forget it was his Royal Highness who had made a true British Soldier of a beloved brother she lost in Spain.' + Having imparted the way and manner adopted under the system followed in England, patronized by his Royal Highness, in "training up a child in the way it

"I hope the time is not far distant, when every poor child in my dominions will be able to read his Bible."-George the Third. + Presumed to be Major Charles Stanhope.

should got," I presented her ladyship with a copy of the last report published by the Society in London; which I found directing her attention to that rapidity with which the system was spreading over the worlds, and respectfully entreating that her extensive influence might be called into exercise, to establish the plan at Sidon, and other places, as beneficial effects might be expected to be derived; and the Society, co-operating with her, would use every exertion to promote an object of such importance.

The dragoman, or interpreter of her ladyship, who was fifty years of age, and had more the appearance of a gentleman than any in that character I had seen, was most attentive and communicative; who rode a noble white horse, he had just received from her as a gift. I was accompanied by him about the town and neighbourhood; conducted to his house; afforded every information; and he mentioned a variety of circumstances respecting the popularity and generosity of Lady Stanhope, who, it appears, adopts the costume so peculiar to the east. Having particularly enquired if her ladyship entertained an idea of returning, to spend the remainder of her days, or paying a visit to England, he observed it was unlikely; and her remains would repose in that quarter of the world in which she had resided so long, and where her attachment was strong. Here I would take the opportunity of confirming the sentiments expressed by this individual, not only with regard to that marked affection and interest manifested on the part of this personage of rank towards the people of Sidon, but the various acts of benevolence exercised by her, whose "heart is open as day to melting charity."

I presume, it may be known to the reader, that her ladyship, who was nearly allied to the late Mr. Pitt, prime-minister, and long directed her attention to his domestic concerns, enjoys a handsome pension from the British government; which, I should conceive, on a calculation of the value of money and prices of articles, may be nearly three times the amount in this country than in England; which enables her ladyship to stretch forth her hand to promote the happiness and comfort of many around her. No person, in short, can be held in higher estimation; and more beloved, nay, idolised in that country; whose name, even to the very lowest class is always in the mouth of an Arab; by whom she is sometimes styled" Princess," and another "My Leddie;" thousands of whom I am disposed to think would, upon an emergency, be at command, and lay down their lives in her cause. In short, her benevolence here is extensive and judicious; and, in every place I visited, (for she has travelled over the Holy Land), I found the name

"We would cause, as we very easily may, by God's help, all the youth, that now are of the English nation, to be put to learning; and that they should be set about no other business, till they first know how to read English." Alfred the Great.

"About three thousand schools have been established, under this plan, in Britain and abroad: fifty in Asia, and twenty in Africa'

of Lady Stanhope mentioned, either in one way or other, with the. highest veneration and respect. Any letter of recommendation indeed, under her hand, in favour of travellers, may be considered a sufficient passport, and sure to meet with the proper attention.

It has naturally excited surprise, that her ladyship, who is of a. highly cultivated mind, and an English-woman by birth and education, should prefer to live in this remote corner of the earth, widely separated from friends in England; and sarcastic sneers have been most reprehensibly thrown out on this account. But may I not be allowed to ask, since it is the wish of her ladyship, who is unquestionably the most competent judge, to choose a climate suited to her own health animo remanendi, and contribute to the happiness and comfort of a particular tribe of her fellow creatures; how can her right to this election be called in question any more than that the reader, or his friends, should be blamed for fixing upon any particular spot on the Continent, or elsewhere, as a permanent residence, either for the benefit of health, economy, the promotion of benevolent objects, or other considerations?' pp. 413-17.

As we are quite sure that we could not have selected a passage from the whole volume more to Mr. Wilson's satisfaction than this, we will here, out of respect to his illustrious connexions, take leave of him with this parting word of friendly counsel, never again to trust himself in print.

Art. VI. A Second Letter to the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K. G. &c. &c. in Reply to that from the Rev. H. H. Norris, A. M. on the Subject of the British and Foreign Bible Society. By the Rev. James Scholefield, A. M. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. 8vo. pp. 200. London. 1822.

M

R. NORRIS must be a very ambitious man: he has obtained a prebend, and he barks still. Does he think to be made a bishop? That would never do, for an English bishop ought at least to be a gentleman.

We had not intended to take notice of his last seven shilling pamphlet. Few, we imagined, would buy, and still fewer read a work so bulky, so malignant, yet so dull. But possibly we were mistaken; and Mr. Scholefield has determined rightly, that the noble Earl whose name Mr. Norris has laid hold of to give attraction to his title-page, would have a right to ask, Does the Society plead guilty to all this? Not that we think his Lordship would have asked the question after reading Mr. Norris's charges; but, respect to his Lordship dictated a reply to them. Now a reply, in general, claims to be at least twice as long as the attack, whereas Mr. Scholefield's Letter is not much above half the length of that to which it is an answer;

nevertheless, it is too long by half. It is a complete answer, very able, and written in an excellent spirit; but it goes by far too much into reasoning and remonstrance, considering the nature of the charges and the quarter from which they proceed.. Mr. S. treats Mr. Norris, not as a libeller, but as a rational, well-behaved opponent. Whereas all that was wanted, was a plain statement to "put him down." This plain statement, with Mr. Scholefield's aid, we shall endeavour to supply, by briefly recapitulating in the first place the calumnies he has vented against the Society, and next by illustrating the temper and spirit of this inveterate libeller.

The first charge, or series of charges, to which we shall advert, relates to the alleged mission of Dr. Steinkopff to Napoleon, which called forth the following Letter from the Foreign Secretary.

"REVERENd Sir,

""London, Savoy, July 23, 1822.

4.63 Having read the various allegations contained in your recent publication (pages 192, 193), permit me simply but positively to state the following facts:

1. That I never went on any mission to Buonaparte.

2. That no deputation from the British and Foreign Bible Society was ever sent to Buonaparte.

3. That the Edition of the French Bible, printed at Paris, in 1805, is no edition of the British and Foreign Bible Society; or, to refer to your own expressions, that no deputies of the British and Foreign Bible Society were its editors.

4. That no edition of the French Bible printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society, contains the insertion in the title-page (An. XIII. de la Republique Française).

"Of course all the inferences drawn from these assumed premises, of the accommodating spirit of the Bible Society, and of prostrating religion before Buonaparte, completely fall to the ground.

From a gentleman, a Christian, and a clergyman, I may confidently expect, that you will either prove your allegations true, or candidly acknowledge that you have been led into an error.

(Signed)

"I have the honour to be,

"Reverend Sir,

"Your obedient humble servant,

"CH. FR. A. STEINKOPFF."

"Minister of the German Lutheran Church in the Savoy, and Foreign Secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society."

"The Rev. H. H. Norris,

Curate of St. John's Chapel,

Hackney!'

"The following is Mr. Norris's answer.

"REV. SIR,

"The authorities on which the allegations are made, to

which your letter refers, are expressly stated in the same page of my pamphlet which contains the allegations. These authorities are printed documents which have been for some years before the world: the 'expressions,' moreover, are not mine, as you are pleased to call them; but, in one instance, those of the editor of the Cambridge Chronicle, a newspaper demonstratively in the interest of the Bible Society; and in the other, of Dr. Abauzit; and as far as my knowledge extends, your letter of this day's date is the first authoritative contradiction which they have received. As I have no other object but truth in view, should my Letter pass into a second edition, I shall not fail to set your counter-statement against the authorities there produced.

"I have the honour to be
"Your obedient servant,

""H. H. NORRIS."

On this correspondence, it is only necessary to remark, first that Dr. Steinkopff's Letter is not the first contradiction given to Mr. Norris's allegation respecting the supposed mission to the French Emperor, and he knows it. It was contradicted, on its appearing in his former work, by Mr. Dealtry, and in the Christian Observer, as well as indirectly in the Society's Report. Next, that the Cambridge Paper does not contain the expressions,' or even imply that a mission or deputation had been sent to Bonaparte. Thirdly, that his avowal that he means to repeat his statement in the event of a new edition, with Dr. Steinkopff's counter-statement merely set against his authori'ties,' proves that he is utterly careless alike of the moral considerations which should operate as a check on party malignity, and of the decencies of social intercourse. He refuses to retract. or suppress a confuted and notorious falsehood, giving two false excuses for having repeated it.

Mr. Norris's next attack is upon the Newbury Auxiliary Bible Society, for having appointed Sir Joseph Andrews their president, in opposition to his wishes,' and subsequently Lord Craven under the same circumstances. The authority' cited is a Reading Newspaper. Mr. Norris conceals a subsequent paragraph relative to the first statement, which was sent to the Newspaper by Sir Joseph himself, correcting the mistatement. The other statement is absolutely false. The noble Earl not only consented to be the patron of the Society, prior to the meeting, but transmitted a check for 301. as his subscription, three months afterwards. But for such plain incontrovertible facts as these, one would hardly imagine that the enemies of the Bible Society would have the audacity to coin falsehoods having no foundation in fact.

The next point is almost too trifling to deserve notice, except