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ciety is to encourage a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures; but the Apocrypha is no part of the Holy Scriptures. It is carefully distinguished from the HOLY Scriptures in our Articles. Its authority in matters of faith is denied; and, though permitted to be read in our churches, it should not be forgotten that the very persons who appointed certain First Lessons from the Apocrypha, empowered the minister at his discretion to change the First Lesson for a chapter of the New Testament, however subsequent events may have rendered such a practice questionable. We therefore contend, that every shilling that has been expended on the Apocrypha has been a direct violation of the laws of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Again: the Bible Society has been identified, in all its public proceedings, with the distribution of the pure word of God. Hundreds and thousands of speeches have been delivered, by its secretaries, its advocates, its various agents, in which its only object has been declared to be the spreading of the Volume of Inspiration-the words of everlasting life-the Scriptures, "which are able to make us wise unto salvation*." Yet now it ap

The following extracts from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Reports of the Society-the one written just before, and the other soon after, the first Apocryphal discussion, in 1822-are fair specimens of the language habitually used in the Society's official documents:

"The world by wisdom knew him not;' and experience has demonstrated the vanity of the attempts of philosophy to render men virtuous and happy, even in this life only. The Scripture, on the other hand, with God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error, for its matter,' it commands with authority, it speaks to the heart and to the understanding, it reveals the Almighty in his attributes of holiness, justice, and mercy; and the evidence of ages has proved its sovereign efficacy, when duly believed, valued, and obeyed, to promote national prosperity, as well as individual and social happiness.

"The members of this institution may indulge the gratifying assurance, that it

pears that there has been an uninspired addition-a corrupt addition -an addition which no man will

dare to say is the word of God;and that this corrupt addition has been sent to the very place where, of all others, it ought not to have been sent, to Roman Catholic countries, where infidelity abounds, and pious frauds prevail. Is this nothing like a pious fraud? Many, indeed, have uttered such speeches in the simplicity of their hearts, in full confidence that they were speaking truth-nay, some even of the Parent Committee were not aware, a few months ago, that such assertions were incorrect; but we know not how to reconcile the speeches of some of the accredited agents of the society with their knowledge of the fact, that a part, be it more or less, of the sums thus raised were appropriated to the publication of the legend of Bel and the Dragon.

Whatever may be the opinion of others, we can only take one view of the subject. The Bible Society must repent, and do its first works, has operated most opportunely and beneficially in repelling these aggresssions on human happiness. It has opposed to witnesses, proclaiming their belief in the them the united testimony of a host of Divine authority and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures; while, by the co-operation of numerous Auxiliaries, the Bible is introduced into the habitations of the lowest orders of society, and the benevolence which bestows it, is at the same time a persuasive recommendation to the perusal of it."-Eighteenth Report, pp. xciii. xciv.

"The British and Foreign Bible Society, in its endeavours to demolish the strongholds of idolatry and superstition, can employ only the sword of the Spirit.' "A strict adherence to the simple principle of their association, is the base and cement of this happy union, which has proved the source of blessings to millions. Disclaiming all concern in political affairs, and all interference in the civil or religious establishment of this or any other country, the labours of the Society are exclusively directed to one object, to communicate in the widest extent possible, that which is the common property of all, the code of Divine Inspiration, inviting the co-operation of all the members of the Christian community in its labour of love.”—Nineteenth Report, pp. lxxx. lxxxi.

or Ichabod is written on its portal. It has risen to its present eminence by avowed attachment to the Inspired Volume. It has dared to send forth, with that inspired volume, the corruptions of weak or of wicked men and the consequence is, it is shaking to its very centre. Them that honour God, he will honour; but they that despise Him, He will lightly esteem. And is it no contempt of God to add to that book which he has given us, in order that it may be more palatable to the priests and people of corrupt and idolatrous churches? Is it no distrust of God, to suppose that he stands in need of our expedients to effect his own purposes? And does not the whole history of the church shew that a bold, stedfast, uncompromising line of conduct, has been blessed; while a timid, dissembling, temporizing spirit has issued in disappointment and disgrace?

We know these things may be carried too far. We think that the Edinburgh Committee have gone too far. We especially disapprove of their printing and circulating their Statement among the English Auxiliaries, until they had still further tried the effect of remonstrance with the Parent Committee. They will, of course, plead that that Committee had forfeited the public confidence by their rash rescinding of all the former resolutions upon the subject but still, as in all the former discussions the Apocrypha had lost ground, the Edinburgh Committee ought to have con

cluded that there was in the Pa rent Committee that soundness of principle, that, with patient and suitable expostulation, they might be brought to reject all human additions, and solely circulate the word of God *.

In justice to that Committee, and especially to those who have advocated the circulation of the Apocrypha, it should be expressly stated, that they only recommend the measure as necessary in order to obtain admission for the Holy Scriptures; that they to a man express their disapprobation of the Apocrypha,though of course in very different degrees; and that they consider the circulation of the Apocrypha with the Canonical Scriptures, will render its fables, &c. obsolete on the conti'nent, as they are in this country. Nor have we heard one individual express his approbation of the Apocrypha itself, though we have been pained by some attempts to explain away its errors.

The Romish Church is really and necessarily opposed to the inspired volume. The advocates for adopting the Apocrypha as a matter of expediency should remember, that the Papal power was exerted against the Bible Society prior to the Apocryphal question being agitated. The Apocrypha, like the Douay version in Ireland, may furnish a pretext, but the real root of opposition is, that the Romish Church loves darkness rather than light.

"The Pope and the Church of Rome know that the Bible is against them. They act in character in the Buils issued against it."-Wilson's Letters, ii. 321, 3d edition. AUG. 1825.

In conclusion, we would earnestly press upon our readers the duty of fervently praying for a Divine influence to overrule the deliberations of the Committee of this great society; and we would humbly caution all auxiliaries, secretaries, &c. &c. from adopting rash or hasty resolutions, or from committing themselves, in any way, to measures which may tend to schism or disunion. There never was a period when Christian meekness, firmness, conciliation, wisdom, and charity, were more important. God those inestimable blessings may be communicated to all who write, or consult, or reason, on this important topic.

We pray

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THE PROTESTANT.-No. VIII.

THE defeat of the Roman Catholics in Parliament, this year, has by no means taught them either patient submission, or prudent conduct. A new Catholic Association has been formed, ingeniously contrived to evade the penalties of the Act by which the former Association was put down. How far it will prove successful we are not able to say..

The pretext by which the Act of last Session is to be evaded, is the declaration that the Society does not contemplate any redress of grievances in Church or State, and that it does not hold any correspondence with any other Society, but that it incorporates itself solely for religious and charitable purposes, and the attainment of objects left untouched by the Statute in question.

The Roman Catholic rent is to be again collected, but not by the Association. Mr. O'Connell has ventured to undergo the risk of collecting it himself.

The speeches, delivered at the opening of the Association, communicate a valuable sketch of the views, desires, practices, and temper, of the Irish Roman Catholics; and clearly point out the mischief which this body are attempting to produce among a people already excited to the utmost by their incendiary priests.

Mr. O'Gorman openly confesses hostility to England on the part of the Roman Catholics; and enumerates the difficulties which, as he imagines, threaten the empire, as the cardinal resources of the Roman Catholic cause. Mr. Shiel and Mr. O'Connell as openly confess, that. they were merely acting a part in the moderation which they assumed while delegates in this country,-a profession of hypocrisy unequalled. for profligacy by any thing which we can remember. They profess to make common cause with the French Jesuits and fanatics, in which they are perhaps sincere; and libel without measure, or pretence of probability, every public man of opposite principles with whom they came in contact. during their mission in this country, and even some upon whom they fawned with a grotesque extravagance of adulation.

Now, it is to the revived Association that we owe Mr. O'Gorman's declaration of war; the publication of Mr. O'Connell's and Mr. Shiel's treaty, defensive and offensive, with the Jesuits and fanatics of France and Spain; the avowal by the same gentlemen of a deliberate and systematic duplicity in their public conduct; and a practical example of their notions of what is ingenuousness in dealing with their fellow-subjects, -from which we may fairly infer the standard by which they would measure the integrity due in their allegiance.

As a further proof of the real nature of the views entertained by the Irish Roman Catholic leaders, we might refer to their speeches at Wexford, since the formation of the new Association. Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Shiel, here, as every where else, were the great orators of the day. The first of these gentlemen asked, "what country was ever well governed by another?" We did not need to be informed, but we thank Mr. O'Connell for the confession, that when he speaks, as he commonly does, of the slavery of the Irish, it is the slavery of being governed by England that he means; and that freedom from subjection to an English King, and an English Parliament, is the only freedom which he really has in view. Mr. Shiel was equally candid in his confession. The excitement, the feeling, lately shewn among his countrymen," had its source," he said, "in the overpowering eloquence of his friend" (Mr. O'Connell.) We have always been of precisely the same opinion.

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INTELLIGENCE.

EPISCOPAL FLOATING CHAPEL SOCIETY.

We are happy to announce that a Society, under the above title, was formed on Wednesday, July 19, the object of which is to provide Episcopal Floating Chapels in all the principal ports of the empire. His Majesty's Government are ready to provide vessels suitably fitted up, to be used as churches; leaving the appointment of the Minister to the Society, in all cases where a sufficient income can be ensured to him; and in case the Society shall not be able to supply such income, Government will then itself supply a Chaplain. It is obvious, therefore, that the friends of religion in the Established Church have now an opportunity set before them of providing religious instruction for our brave sailors to any extent; and we trust they will cheerfully come forward to provide the requisite funds. The meeting was respectably attended, though not numerously. The Lord Mayor presided: and the Right Hon, Lords Bexley, Calthorpe, and Clarendon; Admiral Sir T. Keats; the Hon. Capt. Waldegrave; G. T. Money, Esq. M. P.; Mr. Sheriff Brown; Rev. W. Evanson and T. Webster; and Messrs. Gordon, Martin, Lockyer, Macaulay, &c. severally recommended the institution.

Lord Bexley assured the Chairman, that he never felt a greater degree of interest at any public meeting in that great and commercial city over which his Lordship presided with so much advantage. If gratitude existed in the English breast, it must be felt for the unconquerable courage, the constant resolution, and unwearied exertion, exhibited for so many years by the sailors of the country. Gratitude must be felt for those exploits, the performance of which we had witnessed under our great naval commanders; and whilst the temporal advantages of these men were attended to, it was strange that their eternal and more important concerns, their religious habits,should not, until lately, be a matter of care. The period of this neglect had now happily passed away; and, he trusted, this day would be the foundation of a system, for which the generations of sailors, in times yet to come, would bless his Lordship and that meeting. From the establishment of Floating Chapels the happiest effects had already resulted. The sailors were turned from vice and immorality to religious instruction. It was most important that these Chapels should be connected with the National Church. The minds of the sailors should not be allowed to wander from the doctrines of one church to those of another; and the mode of worship

most

should be assimilated as much as possible to the parochial service. Hitherto ministers repaired to these Chapels without distinction of sect: the consequence was a constant change of instruction, and a want of that unity without which there can be no steady or permanent effects. The system had been already acted upon in the port of Dublin. The Archbishop of that city had licensed a Chapel, and the effect upon the sailors was almost incredible. The quays of Dublin were no longer scenes of profane amusement and riot. The sailors repaired successively and seriously to two services a day, and those who went first were anxious to return. It was our business to confer upon the port of London the advantage already bestowed upon the port of Dublin. Government had provided a vessel there, and a Chaplain was appointed. It was not the intention to confine the selection of clergymen to the chaplains of the navy: they were not sufficiently numerous. They should take a wider range, and make their selection from the whole body, rather than from any particular class, however respectable. A floating chapel was to be formed at Liverpool, sanctioned by the Bishop of Chester. Thus the two principal ports of England, and the chief one of Ireland, had their chapels; and he trusted, before the next meeting, they would hear of many more, which would be productive of the happiest consequences, in a moral and religious point of view, to the community. It was also proposed to supply the sailors with religious books, which would divert them from loitering and idle pursuits, and would make them acquainted with such topics as would raise them to noble and becoming objects of contemplation. It was intended to establish circulating libraries for the purpose of instruction. Government did not mean to impose their own chaplains; all they required was, that each minister appointed should be submitted to his bishop, and approved by him. All the Episcopal Bench had concurred in the measure. He hoped the plan would be productive of great benefit to the merchant sailors, to whom property to such immense amount was entrusted, and who would thus have an opportunity of shewing to the entire world that their conduct was influenced by the religion which they professed. The Noble Lord moved, "That the religious instruction of our seamen was a solemn and national obligation with all those who were anxi ous to combine the diffusion of Christian knowledge with commercial prosperity.

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THE SPANISH TRANSLATION SOCIETY.

A Society has recently been formed under the above title, for the promotion of the religious improvement of the rapidlyaugmenting population of Spanish America,-of sixteen or eighteen millions of our fellow-men, professing Christianity indeed, but strangers, in a great degree, to its real nature and effects.

The political revolution these countries have recently undergone, has awakened amongst them the spirit of free inquiry, which is beginning to be directed to the subject of religion.

In this point of view, the most important measure is undoubtedly the general circulation of the Holy Scriptures, as contemplated by the British and Foreign Bible Society; from which the happiest effects may be fairly anticipated. But next to the Holy Scriptures, the exposition of Christian truth by works of acknowledged excellence, is perhaps the most important means that can be employed. And this is the design of the present Society, which proposes to print in the Spanish language, and circulate, by sale or otherwise, works which shall exhibit genuine Christianity to the opening minds of the Spanish Americans; which shall set forth the irrefragable proofs of its Divine origin; which shall detail the commanding doctrines of redemption, in all their simplicity and fulness; which shall shew the indissoluble connexion of those doctrines with purity of heart and conduct, and explain and enforce the various obligations resulting from a Christian profession. This the Society proposes to accomplish, either by the translation of suitable works of undoubted merit, or by the republication

of such works already existing in the Spanish language.

The residence in this country of many expatriated Spaniards of great talents and acquirements, affords at the present moment peculiar facilities for such an undertaking, which it would be ungrateful not to acknowledge, and which it would be criminal to neglect. Other circumstances may be mentioned as affording the strongest encouragement to the adoption of the proposed plan, such as the tolerant spirit which has been manifested by the different governments of Spanish America: the reform already begun in the affairs of the church; the rapid extension of education among the people; the eager thirst for knowledge which has been excited among them; and the fact, that wherever either the Holy Scriptures or religious books have been accessible, they have been sought with an eagerness, and received with a gratitude, which afford pledges of the most important and beneficial results.

The Society is now engaged in translating and printing Bishop Porteus's Evidences, Doddridge's Rise and Progress, and the first part of Milner's Church History.

Translations from the works of Archbishop Leighton, Bishop Hall, Bishop Hopkins, Bishop Beveridge, Hooker, Baxter, Witherspoon, Scott, &c. will probably follow; together with republications of the Imitation of Christ, Pascal's Thoughts, some of the writings of Nicole, &c. which already exist in the Spanish language.

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Subscriptions and donations are ceived by the Secretary, the Rev. George Lawrence, 22, Colebrook-Row, Islington.

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