,transcribed from the #ahag ,j4 ,keymer edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,,observations ,,on ,,an ,,anonymous ,,pamphlet1 ,,which ,,has ,,been ,,distributed ,,in ,lowestoft1 and its ,neighbourhood1 ,,entitled ,,reasons ,,why ,a ,,churchman ,,may ,,with ,,great ,,justice ,,refuse ,,to ,,subscribe ,,to ,,the ,,british ,,and ,,foreign ,,bible ,,society4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,,francis ,,cunningham1 ,a4,b ,,rector ,,of ,,pakefield2 ,and ,secretary of the ,lowestoft ,branch ,bible ,society4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,yarmouth3 ,printed and ,sold by ,j4 ,keymer1 ,king-,street2 ,,sold ,,also ,,by ,,gowing1 ,,lowestoft2 ,,parsons1 ,,norwich2 ,,hatchard1 ,,and ,,seeley1 ,,london4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,observations ,,on ,,an ,,anonymous ,,pamphlet4 ,,there are many circumstances which might have induced a friend of the ,bible ,society to refrain from noticing a work1 under the circumstances of the present pamphlet4 ,and1 had it strictly adhered to its title1 and simply stated the reasons why a churchman might properly refuse to subscribe to this institution1 it would probably have remained unnoticed by me4 ,it might1 in that case1 have been hoped1 that statements which are unacknowledged would not have been believed1 and the reasonings of the work might have been left1 without much alarm1 to do their worst4 ,but1 as it has been observed to me1 that the very circumstance of putting even the most improbable statements in print1 invests them with a species of authority2 and as there are many persons still unacquainted with the nature and operations of the ,bible ,society1 and who1 therefore1 may mistake the boldness of assertion in this little work for the confidence of truth1 ,i have yielded to the advice of some of my friends1 in attempting to reply to it4 ,before ,i proceed1 however1 to this reply1 ,i will beg leave to make a single observation on the temper in which this attempt will1 ,i trust1 be made4 ,the author of this pamphlet has1 in the first page of his work1 reprobated the 8arrogant and dogmatical style0 of his opponents2 and1 in the conclusion of it1 he has called their measures 8wicked1 cruel1 and unchristian40 ,it is my hope1 that ,i shall not fall into the same error4 ,i desire 8nothing to extenuate1 nor set down aught in malice20 to state facts1 not from the mere authority of the parties concerned in this controversy1 but upon that of the most authentic documents2 and1 should ,i fail to convince my readers1 it is my confident intention not at once to conclude their opinions 8unchristian0 and 8cruel10 because they differ from my own2 hard words1 ,i may venture to say1 ought not to be the weapons of our warfare1 and ,i trust they never will be of mine4 ,i desire to remember the declaration of our ,lord1 8they that take the sword1 shall perish by the sword40 ,i may be permitted also to add1 that in entering upon the consideration of this question1 ,i consider myself as approaching a subject of the highest importance4 ,when ,i am canvassing the merits of an instrument for circulating the ,word of ,god over every part of the world1 ,i tremble lest the ark should suffer in my hands2 and ,i desire to go out to the warfare1 not so much with a 8sword and a shield0 of human fabrication1 as1 8in the name of the ,lord10 for the circulation of whose ,word ,i wish to contend4 ,this pamphlet is entitled 8,reasons why a ,churchman may with great justice refuse to subscribe to the ,bible ,society20 and the reasons which are assigned may be said to be of three kinds3 ,first1 ,that a better ,society1 of a like kind1 exists in the church2 ,secondly1 ,that the ,bible ,society does not answer to the professions and praises of its advocates2 ,thirdly1 ,that it is injurious to the established church4 ,upon each of these points ,i shall now venture to make a few observations4 ,first1 ,it is said1 ,that a better ,society1 of a like kind1 exists in the church4 ,the ,society to which the author alludes1 is that established more than #ajj years since1 which is called the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge4 ,its object is threefold3 ,to distribute ,bibles2 also1 ,prayer ,books and ,tracts2 and to send ,missionaries4 ,every member of this ,society is obliged to give good security that he is a churchman1 and there is no way in which1 by its means1 any other denomination of christians can be benefited1 but by the hands of churchmen4 ,the advantages of this institution over the ,bible ,society which the author endeavours to establish are four4 ,first1 ,it is a ,society which consists entirely of churchmen2 ,secondly1 ,bibles can be procured in it at a cheaper rate2 ,thirdly1 ,the ,bibles which it issues are more useful2 ,fourthly1 ,it furnishes ,prayer ,books and ,tracts4 ,as the ,society whose cause the author exclusively advocates1 is a society of churchmen1 he maintains that1 by its extension and prevalence1 no variety of interpretation in essential points would prevail1 and therefore no confusion be introduced amongst the unlearned4 ,all churchmen would1 he conceives1 teach the same truths in the same manner4 ,but1 is this accurate8 ,is there such a perfect accordance of opinion amongst churchmen8 ,if1 for instance1 ,dr4 ,marat and ,mr4 ,scott1 each of them churchmen1 each of them members of the ,old ,society1 and each of them men of respectability1 were to circulate ,bibles1 with their own interpretations1 would an exact conformity of opinion be produced8 ,assuredly not4 ,what1 then1 is the conclusion from this8 ,that of churchmen1 it can only be said as of churchmen and dissenters1 they agree in the authority of the ,bible2 but there is no complete agreement as to the interpretations of the ,bible4 ,if churchmen1 who are members of the ,old ,society1 widely disagree upon essential points in the interpretation of the ,bible1 even the ,old ,society is no guarantee for unity4 ,a person1 to be quite right1 on the principle of the author1 should subscribe exclusively to a ,society1 where each person would agree to promulgate only the same interpretation of scripture2 and where1 it may be asked1 would such a ,society be found8 ,but1 secondly1 the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge is affirmed to be best1 because 8it procures ,bibles at a cheaper rate40 ,what is meant by this assertion ,i cannot discover1 unless the author designs to say1 that ,bibles cost less to that ,society in their original purchase4 ,this would be very inaccurate1 as each are purchased at the same markets--the markets to which the sale is confined by legislative enactment4 ,but the author proceeds to a statement of facts on this subject1 which it may be well to consider4 ,it is said1 page #g1 8,a #abmo ,non-pareil ,bible is allowed to the subscribers for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge for #cs4 #c;d41 but the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society expects from its subscribers #ds41 #f;d41 for the same edition40 ,as to this statement1 ,i would say1 in the first place1 that it is grossly incorrect4 ,by every printed document of the ,bible ,society1 this ,bible1 which is stated to be charged to its subscribers at #ds4 #f;d41 is offered to them at #cs4 #gs4 ,but it may yet be said1 ,the ,bible from the ,old ,society is then at all events cheaper than that of the ,new3 ,why are not the prices of the ,new ,society reduced8 ,i answer1 that in all the instances1 the ,bibles of the ,new ,society are within a few pence as cheap as in the ,old4 ,but1 if not1 a most satisfactory reason may be given1 in the consideration of the object of the ,new ,society1 and of the means it has adapted to pursue that object4 ,its object is simply this1 to do the greatest possible good4 ,and1 in order to accomplish this1 it determines to supply ,bibles precisely at the rate which may suit the convenience of individuals1 without impairing the general means of the ,society2 to suit the exigencies of the poor on the one hand1 and1 on the other1 to obtain a suitable return for their money4 ,an exactly parallel case presents itself4 ,the ,society for the relief of the ,poor1 in ,spitalfields1 are now selling rice at three-pence per pound4 ,why1 it might be asked1 is the rice not sold cheaper than this8 ,it would be answered1 because the object is to do the greatest possible good4 ,three-pence per pound is a price which the poor can afford to pay1 and1 by receiving this instead of a less price1 the ,society may perhaps be able to encounter the continued pressure of the times4 ,thus it is with ,bibles4 ,the poor 7as is evident from their free purchase of them7 can afford to pay what they now pay for ,bibles1 and which is about one half of what they would pay in the shops2 whilst the ,society is by this return enabled to supply ,bibles gratuitously to the destitute1 and continue its operations through the world4 ,nor is this all3 ,one reason why the ,old ,society originally made its prices so low1 was1 that it did not allow its subscribers to sell their ,bibles1 even at reduced prices1 but constrained them to give them away4 ,the ,new ,society first discovered the error of this proceeding1 and concluding that a poor man would be likely more to value the ,bible which was bought1 than the ,bible which was given1 recommended its subscribers as a general rule1 rather to sell than to give4 ,hence1 amongst other advantages1 its subscribers might be justly called upon to pay to this ,society a higher price4 ,it may be observed1 that the ,old ,society has now extended this privilege to its subscribers1 and1 on this ground1 it is privileged to raise its prices4 ,but not only1 is it said1 are the ,bibles cheaper1 but they are better3 better1 because1 at the ,old ,society1 may be had a ,bible with a commentary1 the lowest price of which is fifty shillings4 ,now it may be observed1 that this argument does not very happily square with the last4 ,first1 says our author1 the ,bibles of the ,old ,society are better1 because they are cheaper2 next1 they are better1 because they have a commentary costing fifty shillings4 ,one of these two arguments must be surrendered4 ,the ,bibles cannot be at once cheaper1 and cost a price which excludes them from general circulation4 ,but1 further1 it may be said1 that every argument which assumes the importance of the commentary to the ,society1 assumes the accuracy and value of the commentary itself4--,are all commentaries then valuable8--,are there none which might be very dear at fifty shillings8 ,but a fourth reason1 it is said1 for the superiority of the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge1 is1 that it provides ,prayer ,books and ,religious ,tracts4 ,the friends of the ,bible ,society are charged with saying1 8that the ,bible1 and the ,bible alone1 is the religion of ,protestants20 and our author affirms1 that1 but for the exertions of ,dr4 ,marsh1 the ,prayer ,book would not have been circulated4 ,as to the first of these charges1 the ,society pleads guilty4 ,they say1 what the immortal ,chillingworth said before them1 ,they maintain the principle1 for which their ancestors died triumphantly under the axe of a ,popish executioner4 ,as to the second1 it appeared1 upon a pretty rigid scrutiny1 that whereas many of the friends of the ,bible ,society had made large demands upon the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge for ,prayer ,books1 ,dr4 ,marsh had confined himself1 in his own parish1 to the circulation of a little volume on the ,value of ,tithes4 ,but let us look at the subject a little more generally4 ,of ,tracts it may be said as of a commentary that the connection of these with any ,society must exceedingly limit its extension1 even amongst churchmen4 ,accordingly1 these ,tracts have been stated in print by churchmen to be completely inconsistent with one another2 some have been called 8heretical20 some have been charged with involving 8the worst errors of ,popery40 ,and1 whatever may be the merit of these ,tracts1 to call them1 with our author1 8sure and certain guides10 is to affirm of them what can be affirmed only of the ,revelation of ,god4 ,indeed1 if there were no other objection to our author's statement1 there is this1 that these infallible guides are in the unfortunate habit of flatly contradicting each other4 ,in this case1 who is to arbitrate between them8 ,i know not what arbitrator our author will propose4 ,i should say the ,bible8 and ,i should go on to draw this inference--subscribe than to the ,bible ,society--and transmit the doctrine of infallible 8guides'0 in the first vessel from ,lowestoft to ,rome4 ,i am sorry that ,i should have felt any obligation to draw up what may bear even the semblance of a charge against the ,society1 at ,bartlett's ,buildings1 of which ,i am a member4 ,that ,society has many merits1 and in its own sphere is capable of doing much good4 ,but1 when an attempt is made to canonize this ,society2 to apply it to objects which it can never reach2 and to erect it on the ruins of a ,society of wider basis and far more extensive capabilities1 it is difficult to be entirely silent4 ,it was heartily to be wished1 that these two ,societies should never have been brought into invidious comparison1 for1 in a comparison1 one of them must fail2 and1 which ever suffers1 ,christianity suffers with it1 because the promotion of ,christianity is the object of both4 ,as1 however1 these two ,societies have been brought into comparison1 by the author of these 8,reasons10 it seems requisite now to show1 that the ,new ,society has certain peculiar and exclusive advantages1 which justify churchmen in supporting it4 ,in the first place1 then1 the constitution of the ,old ,society disqualified it from the universal supply of the ,word of ,god4 ,it had existed for near a century1 and during that time1 ,i venture confidently to say1 it had1 even at home1 done little of what was necessary for the distribution of the ,scriptures2 and1 abroad1 scarcely any thing at all4 ,at home1 when examinations were made as to the circulation of the ,scriptures in many parts of ,england1 especially in ,lincolnshire1 there were villages where the ,bible was alone to be found in the church2 within about a mile of the depository of the ,old ,society1 full one half of the families were without a copy of the ,scriptures2 in this diocese alone1 it was calculated that ten thousand families were destitute of the ,word of ,god2 in that of ,durham1 seven thousand five hundred2 and1 which is a certain proof of this assertion1 since that time1 nearly one million five hundred thousand copies have been distributed1 principally in our own country1 without1 at the same time1 the demand for the ,scriptures being by any means supplied4 ,abroad1 the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge has been able to effect still less4 ,it had1 indeed1 only in one instance1 attempted the distribution of the ,scriptures4 ,this was in the year #agbj1 when it printed1 but not altogether at its own charge1 an edition of the ,psalms and the ,new ,testament in the ,arabic language4 ,and such was the want of facilities for foreign operations1 that1 till lately1 a part of that edition was mouldering in the cellars of the institution4 ,except this1 and the assistance it has given to the ,danish mission in the ,east ,indies1 it may be said to have done little or nothing for foreign countries4 ,nor let me be conceived to impute it as blame to this ,society that it has done no more in a sphere1 from which1 from its constitution1 it was excluded4 ,but what is the inference from this8 ,that when1 from the introduction of schools at home1 an additional demand was created for the ,scriptures1 and when abroad the multiplication of missionaries created a new demand for the ,bible1 in all the languages of the earth1 it was not sufficient that a ,society existed which had proved itself insufficient for the supply of the ,scriptures1 even under less trying circumstances4 ,it was necessary that something more should be attempted1 and1 accordingly1 the ,new ,society was constructed--a ,society1 erected on the widest possible basis1 and comprehending all the means and energies of all the worshippers of ,christ4 ,the ,old ,society was left to pursue its domestic career2 and the ,new ,society1 beginning at home1 extended itself over the whole world4 ,the one1 as it has been said1 is like the lamp at a particular sanctuary2 the other1 8the pillar which preceded the march of the whole people of ,god40 ,nor is this wider operation and extension of the ,new ,society the fruit of accident--it is the result of its constitution4 ,this constitution acknowledges no sect or party amongst christians2 it partakes of no religious system2 and therefore is equally applicable to all climates and all governments4 ,accordingly1 in ,russia1 in ,england1 and in ,america1 in countries divided by the widest intervals in their religious and political administration1 it is equally innoxious to the established order of things2 it arrests every man who bears the title of a christian2 seizes1 as by a sort of natural affinity1 upon that part of his creed which he holds in common with the whole christian world1 and throws it down to form as it were a basis for this institution3 he may have much religion1 or little2 what he has is converted by this ,society to the glory of ,god1 and the salvation of man4 ,nor is the universality of that ,society its only peculiar property--it is peculiar to that institution to be incorruptible4 ,its object is so simple1 that it needs no other safeguards than its own principles4 ,with the ,old ,society that is not the case4 ,it is entrusted to human agents2 and how can a person who lives at too great distance to attend the ,committees of this ,society1 know what ,tracts may be admitted1 or what may be suppressed2 what security has he for the consistency of the proceedings8 ,but the object and proceedings of the ,bible ,society are always the same4 ,it is to distribute the authorised version of the ,bible1 without note or comment2 and whilst it adheres to this1 whether the members of a committee of this ,society are well or ill affected to church or state1 nothing more than the distribution of the authorised version of the ,scriptures can be effected4 ,their deadliest plot can issue only in the circulation of that book1 which is the best antidote to their own wickedness4 ,in the universality of its application1 therefore1 and the incorruptibility of its plan1 the ,new differs from the ,old ,society4 ,but let us now turn to the second objection of the author of this pamphlet1 viz41 ,that the ,bible ,society has been unduly commended by its advocates1 page #d1 8,neither10 says our author1 8is the general circulation of the ,scriptures enacted by them1 nor do their meetings produce love and harmony amongst ,christians of various denominations40 ,the first of those propositions1 that the ,scriptures are not distributed 8universally0 by the ,bible ,society is attempted to be proved by this circumstance that they are not circulated 8exclusively0 by it4 ,in what manner one of three facts establishes the other1 ,i am at a loss so discover4 ,i heartily wish that1 in the like way of reasoning it could be proved1 that because the author is not the only person who has written against the ,bible ,society1 therefore he had not written against it at all4 ,but now look at the fact1 as to the distribution of the ,scriptures4 ,they are distributed to all classes1 to heathens even1 if they wish to possess them2 and they are distributed not merely in the languages of this country1 but in fifty-three languages or dialects1 of almost every kindred and people over the world4 ,whatever comes short of a completely general distribution of the ,scriptures by the ,bible ,society1 is occasioned by the want of funds4 ,but the author is not satisfied with this gratuitous assertion4 ,he goes on1 in the same strain of independent and courageous affirmation1 to maintain1 that a feeling of love and harmony is not produced by the meeting of various denominations of christians in this ,society2 and1 in proof of this1 he appeals to certain recent occurrences4 ,but what are these recent occurrences he leaves us to divine4 ,if1 indeed1 he were to refer to certain recent occurrences in another quarter1 as evidences of 8bitter and unseemly contention10 #ab;a and of the 8degradation0 of a meeting assembled for grave deliberation into 8a ,british ,forum1 or a ,bear ,garden10 #ab;b probably every churchman would understand the hint1 however obliquely conveyed4 ,but1 as to the meeting of the ,bible ,society1 ,i have attended both those of the ,parent ,institution1 and in various parts of this and the neighbouring county1 and ,i can truly say1 that ,i have never seen any feeling predominate1 but that of christian love4 ,i have never known any offensive peculiarity obtruded upon the assembly2 and although it might have been sometimes wished1 that1 in points of taste and expression1 some of the speeches had been amended1 yet1 in point of temper and spirit1 and sober adherence to the main objects of the meeting1 they have admitted of no improvement4 ,the author of these observations has1 ,i should suspect1 never attended at a meeting of this ,society1 or he would not have hazarded so extraordinary a charge4 ,let him and his friends be persuaded to judge in future1 rather from their own experience1 than from the representation of others4 ,let them come to these meetings1 and1 as men of feeling and principle1 they would1 ,i am persuaded1 be amongst the first to build up an institution1 which they are now in such haste to destroy4 ,they would find the principle of attraction in the ,society to be as strong as its advocates pretend2 would find even themselves surprised into the vortex1 and constrained1 by a holy violence1 to love the very men whom now they appear to distrust4 ,but ,i proceed to notice a third class of objections to this ,society1 viz43 those which are aimed at it as opposed to the ,established ,church1 and to the ,society in ,bartlett's ,buildings4 ,how is this objection verified8 ,the ,society in ,bartlett's ,buildings had proceeded for many years with a tolerably even step1 and during the four years preceding the establishment of the ,bible ,society1 the avenge of its subscriptions and donations was about #b1bcd1 whilst its whole income was #aa1hah4 ,if this ,new ,society had tended to its injury1 the subscriptions and income would of course have diminished4 ,but what is now the state of the case8 ,the subscriptions to that ,society during the last year amounted to #g1ddj1 and its income to #dd1bae4 ,and here let it be observed1 that1 not only has the income of the ,society increased1 but that part of its income which is applicable to the dispersion of ,prayer ,books and ,tracts has much more increased4 ,for the national supply of ,bibles1 which are in proportion to their sizes1 more costly to the ,society than ,prayer ,books1 being at least divided by the ,bible ,society1 a larger fund must remain for the distribution of ,commentaries and ,tracts4 ,but we are taught1 by the author1 that the ,society is injurious to the ,established ,church itself4 ,that the ,bible may be injurious to scepticism or superstition is to be believed2 but how it can be injurious to a church1 founded upon the ,word of ,truth1 it is not easy to comprehend4 ,will the ,bible1 like the heathen parent of ancient story1 devour his own offspring8 ,but it is said1 that the baptist1 or the socinian1 will give the ,word of ,god the colour of their own creed4 ,this1 however1 the churchman cannot help4 ,however the baptist1 or socinian1 may procure a ,bible1 he will1 of course1 put his own interpretation to it4 ,but we would ask1 how are the baptist or the socinian ever to be converted to what we term orthodoxy8 ,it must be by appealing to the ,word of ,god4 ,they will not accept our interpretation of ,scripture1 any more than we will theirs4 ,it is1 then1 only on the ,word of ,god that we can meet for discussion4 ,this is the only remedy which we can propose1 in ordinary circumstances1 for any error1 because it is the only one which the person in error will allow to be applied4 ,let me beg the author to remember the principle upon which our church is founded4 ,it is an appeal to the ,scriptures4 8,we do not10 says ,bishop ,jewell1 ,apol4 ,ecc4 ,ang41 cap4 #d1 8betake ourselves to the fire and the sword1 but to the ,scriptures2 nor do we assault with force of arms1 but with the ,word of ,god40 8,by the ,scriptures10 as says ,turtullian1 8we nourish our faith2 by them we erect our hope2 by them we establish our confidence40 ,and1 speaking of the churches of ,england and of ,rome1 he says1 7cap1 #e47 8not to mention all the differences1 because they are almost infinite2 we have turned the ,holy ,scriptures into all languages1 and they will scarce allow them to be extant in any tongue2 we invite the people to hear and read the ,word of ,god1 they drive them away from it2 we desire the cause in controversy should be understood by all1 but they fly from judgment2 we trust to knowledge1 they to ignorance2 we bring truth to light1 they to darkness2 we venerate1 as it is fit that we should1 the words of the apostles and prophets1 they burn them40 ,thus we see1 that the ,scriptures were made the ground of appeal by our ancestors1 when they separated from the ,established ,church1 and formed our present establishment4 ,should we not1 therefore1 allow others to make the same appeal2 and should we not be content to rest our defence upon the same ground8 ,but let us next1 in considering the influence of the ,society on the ,established ,church1 take into account certain facts1 which force themselves on the eye of the most cursory examiner4 ,it is obvious1 that the attendance at church in these times is considerably increased1 and certainly not the least increased where a ,bible ,society spirit most abounds4 ,in many places1 also1 great efforts have been made to build new churches1 to accommodate an overgrown population2 and1 moreover1 a most extraordinary increase in the circulation of the ,liturgy has taken place4 ,a new ,society also has arisen1 whose only object is to distribute the ,formularies of the ,established ,church4 ,but we are not yet at the end of the objections of this very industrious opponent4 ,the meetings of the ,bible ,society1 it is said1 by breaking in a degree the line of demarcation between churchmen and dissenters1 tend to injure the establishment2 and that1 although the dissenter may gain1 the churchman must lose by them4 ,but how can this be8 can the union of persons1 where the peculiarities of each is kept out of view1 have any bearing upon those peculiarities8 ,is it the fact1 that churchmen have been converted to dissenters by these meetings8 ,if there is a danger of conversion taking place1 is it not a bad compliment to the church to suppose that she will be the loser8 ,in physics1 when a larger body meets a less1 as in the case of the heavenly bodies1 the smaller never fails to follow the motion of the larger4 ,why in the case of the church and dissenters alone1 is this law to be reversed8 ,will the author allow me to add this observation1 that if danger to the establishment need not be apprehended from the distribution of the ,bible1 it is very much to be feared from the conduct of those who oppose this ,society4 ,in the first place1 there is something very awful and ominous1 in seeing those who are the appointed stewards of the ,word of ,god1 rising up to oppose any means by which its circulation is promoted2 magnifying mole hills into mountains1 if only they can throw them into the course of this ,society4 ,opposition1 such as this1 is well calculated to shake 8opinion10 upon which every establishment must mainly1 under the blessing of ,god1 depend4 ,may not the enemies of the church1 at least plausibly urge1 that the church cannot be built upon the ,scriptures1 when so many churchmen oppose their distribution without their own commentary8 ,and if the persuasion were established among the poor1 that our church is erected on the foundation of commentaries and tracts1 instead of that of the 8apostles and prophets1 ,jesus ,christ himself being the chief corner stone10 would not popular attachment quickly dissolve8 ,there are1 however1 still two points upon which ,i would wish to make a few observations4 ,the first is1 as to the statement of this writer1 8that the income of the ,bible ,society is larger than its expenditure2 that a large sum is invested by this ,society in various funds1 and1 therefore1 that the sum which has been obtained by subscriptions from the poor1 is unjustly taken from them40 ,now1 to this ,i answer1 that a large sum has indeed from time to time been invested by this ,society4 ,but1 does the ,bartlett's ,building's ,society1 or any other body of men1 in their senses1 neglect such a precaution8 ,by referring to the ,report1 we shall see that only so much is reserved by the ,society1 from year to year1 as is necessary to meet the engagements under which it has laid itself4 ,if the sum of stock1 now stated by the auditors to be possessed by the ,bible ,society1 is estimated1 it will be found hardly more than is sufficient to pay the #cf1jjj for which the ,society stands engaged4 ,had not such a reserve been made in the last year1 from the temporary diminution in the income of the ,society1 it could not have fulfilled its engagements4 ,a second charge is brought against it1 on the subject of ,bible ,associations4 ,the principle of these ,associations is this--,the poor are permitted to pay one penny1 or more1 per week1 to supply themselves with a ,bible2 and afterwards1 if they are so disposed1 towards the general funds of the ,society4 ,this is called1 by the author of these ,reasons1 a 8vexatious impost10 and he adds1 that it is 8wicked1 cruel1 and unchristian0 to 8deduct such a sum from a poor family10 to 8tax the paupers of the kingdom to supply foreign nations40 ,i wish my readers and myself to forget the epithets which are here bestowed upon some of the most respectable persons in this kingdom2 upon the ,bishop of ,durham1 for instance1 who is president of one of these associations4 ,it will be sufficient for me to reply to the argument upon which they are founded4 ,in the first place1 it may be observed1 that the payment of the sum of one penny per week1 is not at all of the nature of a 8tax10 or 8vexatious impost10 it is strictly voluntary4 ,nor is it 8vexatious10 for the disposition of man is not prone to inflict vexatious obligations upon himself4 ,the days of the flagellants1 if ever they existed1 are over4 ,but this charge of the author seems to me to be founded upon a wrong estimate of the character of the poor1 as well as ignorance of the practical effects of the associations4 ,it arises1 in the first place1 from a wrong estimate of the character of the poor1 and especially of the religious poor4 ,the sympathy which is professed by the author of these ,reasons1 is for suffering which only exists in his own conception4 ,those who subscribe to ,bible ,associations have no feeling of the cruelty which they are said to endure4 ,the best delight which can animate a human breast1 is afforded to them by the means of the ,bible ,society1 in the easiest manner1 as well as in the highest degree4 ,persons in higher situations of life1 are apt to look upon those beneath them1 as incapable of feeling those pleasures which they themselves enjoy4 ,thus the clean cottage1 the small1 but decorated garden of a poor man1 is passed by with indifference by the rich2 yet the poor man has1 perhaps1 more exquisite pleasure in his enjoyments1 than another1 pampered with all the superfluities of life4 ,so may it be with these small subscriptions to ,bible ,associations4 ,although poor1 a man is equally a man2 he has drank 8milk sweet as charity from human breasts20 and feeling1 as acutely as any other1 his own spiritual wants1 he may have as earnest desire for the relief of his fellow-creatures4 ,such ,i am persuaded is the state of many of the poor1 and their language in giving to these ,associations is not the pang which cruelty extorts1 but of this kind--8,i am not rich myself1 but ,i will give my money1 because ,i know that he who giveth to the poor1 lendeth to the ,lord2 because the souls of multitudes are perishing for lack of that knowledge1 which ,i am able1 in a degree1 to impart to them40 ,but not only is this charge founded upon a wrong conception of the character and habits of the poor1 but upon a mistaken view of the real political and moral influence of these ,associations4 ,it is admitted on all hands1 that the best remedy for national distress would be to create in the poor a spirit of independence2 to raise them above a state1 in which they would stoop to receive from the public1 that support which ought to be procured by their own industry and foresight4 ,on this ground1 we establish clubs to provide against sickness2 banks to deposit savings2 and there is reason to conclude1 from the example of ,scotland1 that if the principle of honest independence were duly cultivated1 and means supplied for its full operation1 an almost total subduction of our ,poor ,rate might take place4 ,bible ,associations have1 then1 a direct tendency to teach and to set at work this very principle4 ,they teach the poor economy1 a habit of foresight1 the benefit of order and christian co-operation4 ,they raise the poor from the rank of beggars to that of benefactors2 and1 whilst in common with clubs1 they cherish a habit of prudence1 they root out the habit of selfishness1 which clubs have1 perhaps1 a tendency to produce4 ,i may be permitted to say in conclusion1 that although we may lament that such controversies should arise1 because1 as the author of these ,reasons states1 our divisions are by these means made greater1 still it is our comfort to know1 that the effect of such controversies is to create inquiry into the facts upon which they are founded4 ,and this inquiry1 all that love truth1 must most earnestly desire4 ,the friends of the ,bible ,society wish to lay open every fact1 to offer every plan for investigation1 conscious of the simplicity and purity of their object and conduct4 ,when the members of this ,society1 those of them1 at least1 who are not under an error of judgment1 are said in this pamphlet to 8have the aim and ambition to puritanize the whole community1 and to raise the fabric of enthusiasm upon the ruins of church and state10 ,i look to fact1 which our author will at least allow to be as good a weapon as hypothesis1 and having used in vain all my faculties to discover any ground for the assertion1 ,i venture to conclude1 either that the author has in his study dreamt of enemies whom he cannot have seen1 or that he has inserted this passage for the purpose of concluding his work with a flourish1 even at the expence of truth4 ,i recollect a fable1 by which1 some years since1 this same false and foolish charge was illustrated4 ,it said1 that philosophers had fancied they saw a monster in the sun1 which1 however1 upon further examination1 proved to be a fly in their own glass4 ,and my firm conviction is1 that the supposed monsters in this ,society will prove to be flies in the glasses of our opponents4 ,from no single fact1 at least1 in the constitution and general proceedings of the ,bible ,society1 can these persons shew1 that the slightest ground for such portentous apprehensions as are suggested1 does exist1 but in their own imagination4 ,the ,bible ,society has now existed long enough to prove how vain are aspersions of this kind4 ,if such suppositions had been warranted1 fourteen years would have developed them2 but they still remain utterly unproved1 and this ,society is sufficiently known1 and has been sufficiently examined4 ,we have1 indeed1 sometimes seen its brilliancy for a short time obscured by works like our author's1 where every thing is charged and taken for granted1 but these clouds have passed away1 and then we have1 when they have passed1 observed this institution in the mean time risen to a higher meridian1 beaming with more pure and brilliant lustre1 and imparting more extended and beneficent animation4 ,it is a happiness for the friends of the ,bible ,society to know1 that opposition like this1 is not new against an institution of the most acknowledged merits2 and which has the testimony of the very writer of these 8,reasons40 ,at an early period of the existence of the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge1 the very same opposition was raised against itself4 ,in the year #agah1 that ,society thought proper to answer these allegations1 and ,i will extract a passage from a preface which it published to some missionary letters4 ,extract from the ,preface to a ,collection of ,letters from ,foreign ,missionaries1 part #c1 published by the direction of the ,society for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge4 ,london1 #agah1 page vii4 8,as things of this nature are generally subject to various opinions and reflections1 so hath in particular this undertaking met with the same treatment since it came to be known in ,europe4 ,it hath been highly approved by some1 and disliked by others4 ,some1 who do not suppose an enterprize of this nature to be altogether impracticable1 do1 however1 think it now very improper1 when every one complains of hard tines1 and is called upon by other expences nearer at home2 and1 for this reason1 they are fur putting it off to a more convenient season4 ,others have been startled at the newness of the thing and are shy to venture into a road so little beaten in this age1 and so much exposed to danger and difficulty4 ,others have been bare spectators in this matter1 unwilling to judge of a work1 which1 like a tender blade1 did but just appear above ground1 not discovering as yet what its fruit might prove4 ,others again1 have taken a transient view of the scheme1 but declared their unwillingness to be farther concerned1 till they should see some eminent men espouse it1 and by their example encourage others to engage in the same4 ,others are displeased with the heathen themselves1 who1 for the sake of a little gain1 will conform to the christian name1 but1 at the approach of danger1 quit it again1 and relapse into their former ways4 8,it is not the design of this preface to examine at large the various opinions and judgments which hitherto have been passed on this affair1 much less to determine how far they might be well-grounded1 or how far1 perhaps1 they might be biassed by mistaken and prejudices4 ,however1 thus much may be said in answer to those1 who1 on the one hand1 are so easily terrified by the common calamities of the times1 and1 on the other1 by the expensiveness of the design1 that they seem to be little acquainted with the ways and dispensations of ,providence4 ,for if we take a survey of the most considerable transactions1 both under the law and the gospel1 it will plainly appear1 that1 generally1 the best of works have been carried on in the worst of times1 and that they have triumphed at last 7though after much toil and labour7 over all the clamours and oppositions that wicked men and devils could raise against them4 8,the prophet assures us1 that ,jerusalem was rebuilt in strait and troublous times4 ,and another of the inspired writers tells us1 that they were fain to work with one hand1 and to hold their weapons in the other4 ,and yet did the work gain ground in the midst of all those adversities2 and the attempts made against it1 were so far from disheartening the builders1 that they did but more encourage them to go on with their labour1 till they saw the design brought to a happy conclusion4 ,however1 it cannot be denied1 that the opposition is then most destructive and fatal1 when it comes from those that are ,,within ,,the ,,pale ,,of ,,the ,,church1 ,,and ,,who1 ,,under ,,an ,,external ,,shew ,,of ,,the ,,same ,,confession1 ,,destroy ,,the ,,vitals ,,of ,,the ,,christian ,,faith4 8,how backward the ,jews were in building the ,lord's temple1 and under what frivolous pretences they put off so unwelcome a work1 doth plainly appear from the reproof given them by the prophet4 ,the time is not come1 the time that the ,lord's house should be built1 was the common plea for their sloth and drowsiness2 but then the effect was1 that whilst governors1 priests1 and people1 were wholly bent on advancing their worldly interest1 and shamefully neglected the ,lord's house1 their vines and olives did not yield their increase1 and the earth denied her fruits4 ,all which may possibly convince us1 that even outward prosperity doth in a great measure depend upon the care employed in the worship of ,god1 and its enlargement among ,,jews ,,and ,,heathens4 8,nor have those a sufficient plea for themselves1 that undervalue a design because it is new1 and because it hath been little attempted by protestants4 ,truly1 this should rather be an inducement 7not to stifle the work in its infancy1 but7 to inflame that little of the spirit of power and love1 which is left among us4 ,should we be also willing to die1 because we see so many dead about us8 ,i mean1 so many who are supine and negligent in the greatest concerns of life and happiness4 ,should we not rather strengthen the more the things which remain1 but are ready to die1 except they be supported betimes8 ,which consideration should make us shake off that natural drowsiness1 which confineth the mind to narrow ends and purposes1 and indisposeth it for any generous enterprise4 ,nothing is more common1 even among those who call themselves christians1 than to frame new ways and new methods for increasing their stock1 and to improve every opportunity offered for that end4 ,almost every year produceth new schemes1 and these new pursuits after the things of this world4 ,let a design be never so new and uncommon1 it will soon be embraced1 if it be but profitable1 and conducive to some temporal end or other4 ,why should a christian1 then1 be shy of a work because it is new1 when it may carry with it a never-fading reward8 ,should not he be as ready and watchful to lay up riches in heaven1 as the profane worldling is to improve his income on earth80 ,such was the opposition once shown to this venerable ,society1 and by persons too within the pale of the church4 ,who these persons were signifies now as little to us1 as the arguments which they advanced1 and which have so happily failed of success4 ,and such we hope will be the fate of all objections to the ,bible ,society4 ,could these opposers of the ,old ,society1 now contemplate its progress1 how would they shrink within themselves1 and condemn their own blindness and bigotry4 ,could they now see the fields trodden by ,ziegenbalgh and ,swartz1 once 8a waste howling wilderness10 now 8rejoicing and blossoming as the rose10 with what anguish would they regard their own hostility1 and how would they bless the author of all good1 for having wrenched the weapons from their hands4 ,now every thing is seen by them in its proper colour and dimensions2 now every object is merged in the one great object of the prevalence of truth4 ,the triumphs of the gospel fills1 if we may so speak1 their whole field of vision4 ,let the opponents1 then1 of the ,bible ,society1 learn a lesson from this4 ,for with them1 soon1 all the hopes and fears of this world will have passed away2 they will see every object in the light of the sanctuary1 and measure every institution upon its sacred scale3 the world will be nothing1 and ,christ will be all in all4 ,may these persons at that awful day be enabled to justify themselves before that ,god1 who would not that any should perish1 but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth2 before that ,saviour who has commanded us to preach his gospel to all nations1 and who1 in the glowing language of his own book1 has shadowed out this and similar institutions1 under the image of an angel carrying the everlasting gospel to every nation1 and language1 and tongue1 and people2 before those souls1 who are now crying to us for help--for that help1 which the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society is seeking to impart4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,finis4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author1 ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,bible ,,society1 ,,preached ,,at ,,beccles1 ,,and ,,at ,,st4 ,,mary',s ,,church1 ,,bungay4 ,price #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,also1 ,,the ,,fisherman',s ,,daughter3 ,a ,,narrative ,,from ,,real ,,life4 ,price #c;d4 or #bs4 #f;d4 per dozen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,printed by ,j4 ,keymer1 ,king-,street1 ,yarmouth4 ,,footnotes4 #ab;a ,vide ,british ,critic for ,may #ahaf1 ,arte #aj4 #ab;b ,vide ,british ,critic for ,may #ahaf1 ,arte #aj4