tionably intended to give full effect to the blow aimed, in your charge, at the American Bible Society. "Of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Hackney curate thus speaks: I protest solemnly to your Lordship, appealing to the Searcher of all hearts for the sincerity of my protestation, that in my conscience I believe, that quietness, peace, and love, have rarely been assailed by a confederacy from which 'all Christian people have more to dread, than is threatened by this 'Institution.' Of the members of this Society, he gives the following character and comparison. I know from long experience with Bible Society propagandists, their talent at misrepresenta'tion.' Even in the first age of the gospel, my Lord, when 'inspired apostles promoted Christianity, there was an unaccountable propensity amongst Christians, to subject themselves to deceitful workers in religious matters. These, as we see St. Paul ' complaining to the Corinthians, (2 Cor. xi. 20.) might bring them into bondage, devour them, smite them on the face, i. e. palm any vain conceit, fleece them of their substance to any extent, or 'practise any degree of spiritual tyranny upon them, and be suffered gladly in all this craft and exaction.' The gentlemen of the Parent Society, who occasionally assist at the 'meetings of the auxiliaries, are thus likened to certain well-known atheists and jacobins. 'Its travelling agitators are such complete adepts in getting up these encænia, that there would be as effectual security taken to keep down every expression, look, or gesture, which could excite a moment's jealousy in your Lordship's mind, " as the German illumines were wont to take in their exoteric ex'hibitions, to repress whatever might give umbrage to their noble ' and royal patrons.' 6 "In allusion to Auxiliary Societies, and Bible Associations, he observes, In the very highest degree of the order, viz. the illumines, there were modified mysteries for those who, by their rank, were to serve for a protection to its plots, without knowing their ' tendency.' A late excellent work on the practical details of Bible Institutions, by a gentleman of the name of Dudley, is, Bible • Society craft, made easy to the meanest capacity.' Of the agency of females in soliciting subscriptions, and in forming associations for the diffusion of the scriptures, he thus expresses himself: The delicate office of extortioners to the Society, is assigned over to the ladies, who are for this purpose embodied in a sub-society, • a male counsellor or two being charged with the duty of regular ⚫ attendance upon their meetings, to act as a sort of safety-valve to a machine containing highly effervescent ingredients.' In that horrid letter from Baron Distfurt, under the illuminized designation of Minos, to Sebastian, another conspirator, suggesting the plan of a Female Illumine Association, which is recorded by Professor Robinson in his proofs of a conspiracy, the same male oversight, 'to give the proper tone to the proceedings, is laid down as indis 'pensable! Ptolemy's wife must direct them, and she will be 'instructed by Ptolemy, and my step-daughter will consult with me. We must always be at hand to prevent the introduction of 'improper questions. We must prepare themes for their discussion, thus we shall confess them, and inspire them with our 'sentiments.' The progress of female demoralization, amongst that portion of the sex which has fallen a prey to Bible Society beguilements, might be traced by one who had the daily registers of the period ' within his reach, and sufficient command of time for investigation; 'that it has been progressive, is well known to those who have 'been observers of the Bible Society's plans.' After quoting some well-meant, but perhaps rather injudicious encomiums on the participation of females in the great work of diffusing the scriptures, he adds, "If females can be induced to give a hearing to such rhapsodies as these, the result must be what we now experience. St. Paul, in his second epistle to Timothy, has set down both 'their character and their condemnation-they must be led captive ' at the will of those to whom they so disreputably listen; and be 'driven to any lengths to which these men may urge them on in • the furtherance of their designs.' 6 "It is thought most advisable in the management of Ladies' Bible Societies in England, that the subscriptions of their members should be collected by persons of their own sex; and their by-laws frequently require, that each district, where convenient, shall have two or more members of the Committee attached to it as collectors, and that, in all practicable cases, a matron and a younger lady shall be colleagues. This rule is declared by our curate, to be an obviously wicked device of sending forth in couples a young lady and her duenna, to give her confidence, to tutor her in playing off her winning airs, and to cover her retreat in case of an unwelcome reception.' Another common regulation, it seems, is, that every young lady, who obtains six or more weekly contributors, shall have the privilege of attending the meetings of the ladies who are the managers of the Society, and this regulation is denounced as equally demoralizing;' and the author invokes upon the British and Foreign Bible Society 'the indignation of every man who knows what genuine domestic happiness is, and ' desires to transmit that blessing to his posterity.' "Mr. C. S. Dudly, a member of the Society of Friends, whose indefatigable exertions in the cause of the bible entitle him to the gratitude of every friend to virtue and religion, is 'the Society's sergeant-major in the female department,' and is compared to a noted apostle of infidelity. 'German illuminism, it appears, had, in Baron Knigge, a propagandist of equal energy: he is stated 'to have been, next to Weishaupt, the most serviceable man in the ' order, and procured the greatest number of members.' "Two more extracts, and I have done. 'In the face of all the bible anecdotes, tricked out in such diversified particularity, I ' have no hesitation in denying it to have been any where practically demonstrated, that the Bible Society's labours have generally promoted Christianity, or in disputing the theory of this 'proposition, that there is any tendency in those labours to pro'mote it throughout the world.' 'I appeal to your Lordship, whether, notwithstanding the greatly increased exertion of the 'church during the period, infidelity and blasphemy have not been 'gathering confidence, and spreading their contagion almost in equal ratio with the Bible Society's progression?" 'When the contempt brought upon the scriptures by the Society's method of distributing them is considered-when moreover its terms of communion are ' added to the account, that the faith shall be held in diversity, ' instead of the unity of the spirit, and propagated in discordance, ' instead of in the bond of peace,-what other issue is to be ex'pected, than that righteousness of life shall be also cast away, and 'the utmost licentiousness, both in opinion and practice, be established.' "Think not, Sir, that I have selected these passages for the purpose of exposing their falsehoods, and disproving their atrocious insinuations; this task, however easy, I have no intention to assume. It cannot be the duty of the friends of the Bible Society, to enter into discussion with every blackguard who chooses to slander her; and her interests by no means demand such condescension on the part of her advocates. This vile pamphlet may, in the language of the Bishop of St. David's, applied to another work by the same author, be left to its own refutation.' My object in noticing this publication, is to exhibit the true character of an auxiliary, which you, Sir, have at least tacitly acknowledged, and which, unless common fame and the assertions of your friends do you injustice, you have yourself been instrumental in introducing to the American public. * "It is with grateful feelings of attachment for my own church, that I can turn from the disgusting insults heaped upon the matronry of Great Britain by this Hackney curate to the following extracts from a vindication of Female Bible Societies, by the truly venerable Bishop of Pennsylvania. If there should press on the minds of any of you, the apprehension of exceeding the 'bounds which the modesty of your sex prescribes, it does not appear to me, that there is the least ground for such reproach, * Some idea may be formed of the class of females who are the subjects of Norris's malignant aspersions, from the following names, selected from the officers of a Ladies' Bible Society in Ireland, viz.Viscountess Lorton, Lady E. Littlehales, Countess of Meath, Lady Castlecoot, Countess of Leitrim, Vicountess Lifford, Lady C. Crofton, Hon. Mrs. Hewitt, Lady M. Knox, Lady Lucy Barry, Lady H. Bernard. Of the Ladies' Societies in England, it is sufficient to say, that their Royal Highnesses, the Princess Augusta, and Duchesses of Kent and Gloucester, belong to them. so long as the association is within yourselves. As to the cir'cumstance, that some of you will be called upon to act in certain ' official characters, necessary for the conducting of business; if we look beyond names, there is nothing in the subject itself but 'what would apply with equal force against the presiding at a ' dinner, or at a tea-table; unless indeed it could be alleged, that 'this is less alien from the female character, than the gathering ' and dispensing of alms.' 'Can it be out of the sphere of your 'sex to be actively engaged in disseminating a system of truth and 'morality, which has so excellent a bearing immediately on your ' interests; and through you, on whatever contributes to the ' rectitude, to the decorum, and to all the rational enjoyments, of 'social life?' 'Contemplating the recent institution of Bible Societies, begun in England, and extending rapidly throughout 'the world, as a prodigious effort for raising of a mound against 'the threatened inundation of infidelity; as being one of the hap'piest expedients which have been devised, for spreading the knowledge of the gospel of Christ; and as tending directly to the 'accomplishment of the assurances given, that his kingdom will 'be at last coextensive with the world, I will not suffer myself to 'believe that your sex, any more than ours, are debarred from promoting these blessed ends in your distinctive character.' Address to the Philadelphia Female Bible Society. [pp. 70-77.] 6 Far be it from us to approve of the very strong and uncourteous expressions contained in the closing sentence of this notice of Mr. Norris ;-it may serve, however, to lower the self-complacency of that illiberal and virulent controversialist, by shewing him the estimation in which his labours and efforts are held by some men of rank and influence on the other side of the Atlantic. If he will write in a style unworthy of a Christian, a minister of the gospel, and a gentleman, he must not complain if others should go a step beyond him in the very easy work of calling names. Abuse is never used, but by those to whom no injustice is done, when they are abused. POETRY. CHRIST AT EMMAUS. 66 ABIDE WITH US, FOR 'TIS TOWARDS EVENING." ABIDE with us-the evening shades And as the ling'ring twilight fades, Dark clouds along the horizon sail. Abide with us-the night is chill, And thy repose shall be our care. Abide with us-thy converse sweet Abide with us and still unfold Abide with us-and still converse Abide with us our hearts are cold. We thought that Israel he'd restore; But sweet the truths thy lips have told, And, stranger, we complain no more. Abide with us-we feel the charm That binds us to our unknown friend: Here pass the night secure from harm, Here, stranger, let thy wand'rings end. Abide with us to their request The stranger bows, with smile divine; Then round the board, the unknown guest And weary travellers recline. Abide with us-amaz'd they cry, As suddenly, whilst breaking bread, Abide with us-thou heavenly friend, 0. |