THE BRITISH CRITIC, FOR JULY, 1814. ART. I. A practical Exposition of the Tendency and Pro ceedings of the British and Foreign Bible Society, begun in a Correspondence between the Rev. H. H. Norris and J. W. Freshfield, Esq. relative to the Formation of an Auxiliary Bible Society at Hackney, and completed in an Appendix, containing an entire Series of the public Documents and pri vate Papers which that Measure occasioned. Illustrated with Notes and Observations. Edited by the Rev. H. H. Norris, M. A. Curate of St. John's Chapel, Hackney, and Chaplain to the Earl of Shaftesbury. 440 pp. 9s. Riving tons. 1813. THE British and Foreign Bible Society is become an associa= tion of such magnitude and power, that it is impossible for any considerate person to view it with indifference. It has nothing weak, nothing undecided, nothing stationary, or inactive, in its character. Plurimum audaciæ ad pericula capessenda, plurimum consilii inter ipsa pericula." We have seen it gaining strength. from every attack, and assuming a tone of confidence fully pro→ portionate to its success; loudly proclaiming its own merits, and obtaining credit from the world for all the excellence it has chosen to attribute to its objects or its measures; leaving no means untried to procure the approbation of men, and appealing to the success of its efforts as a proof of the favour of God. It was stated at the last annual meeting of the Society, that its receipts during the year had amounted to 87,2167. 6s. and its expenditure to 84,652l. 1s. 5d. This single fact will, we are convinced, excuse us to our readers for devoting our particular attention to a work which professes to give " a practical exposition of its tendency and proceedings." Money is power-and power thus extensive, thus actively employed, calls for careful investigation. It becomes indeed a matter of national concern, that an institution possessing such influence should be properly appreciated; VOL. II. JULY, 1814. B appreciated; that its tendency should be carefully examined, and thoroughly understood; that its proceedings should be watched with unremitting vigilance. It is an "imperium in imperio," which already is able to bias the opinion of not a few in the country; and should it continue to prosper as it has hitherto done, may soon be able to impede, if not to controul, the government itself. Viewing it in this light, we question if even the clearest proofs of the beneficial tendency of its professed object, of the integrity, judgment, virtue, and loyal affection to the constitution, both in Church and State, of the persons who have the present direction of its power, and the disposal of its funds, would justify those, whose duty it is to take care “ne quid detrimenti capiat respublica," in allowing it to pursue its course to universal supremacy. At all events, this proof they are not only warranted in expecting, but, as it appears to us, are bound to require. Every true Christian must be a friend to the circulation of the Scriptures, because the spirit of Christianity, which teaches him to seek the glory of God before all things, and to love his neighbour as himself, will also make him desirous of contributing 10 the speedy arrival of that promised time, when the "way of God shall be known upon earth, and his saving health among all nations;" and anxious to see others in possession of those treasures of knowledge and consolation, the value of which he is so well able to appreciate. Such being the feelings universally prevalent among sincere Christians, it was to be expected that a new Society, whose sole professed end and aim was the circulation of the Bible, which recommended itself to public notice by striking representations of a lamentable want of the Scriptures actually existing, both at home and abroad; and by confident assertions, that the only efficient means of supplying that want was to be found in its plan and operations, would attract a very considerable portion of that attention which it claimed. The simplicity of its avowed object, and the zeal with which it seemed to pursue it, soon procured it numerous and active supporters. And as its first appeals to the great, the wealthy, and the pious, were made by advocates who, to unconquerable perseverance joined a very accurate knowledge of the human heart; its success soon exceeded the expectations, not only of its sanguine admirers, but probably even of its original projectors. There is no reason to doubt that, of the persons who became early members of this Society, numbers were induced to join it by the most upright and laudable motives. They wished to promote the circulation of the Scriptures, and they saw, in this new association, only a great and efficient instrument for the purpose. Credulity is, perhaps, to a certain extent, inseparable from real goodness |