RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE IN our Number for June, we adverted and that the statement which we re- · garded as calumnious is nevertheless true. We think it our duty to transcribe the whole of that statement as it has appeared in various publications. "In his pastoral charge to his clergy, his lordship expressed deep regret in observing, that many of the clergy of his diocese had become members of the British and Foreign Bible Society, when they might have obtained every advantage they there sought, from the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; whose principles and practice have been long tried. He considered the constitution of the Bible Society to be very dangerous to the Established Religion, and to the orthodox principles of those who attended its meeting, as it admits members of any creed, and of no creed; and he thought, that however sincere the motives might have been, which originally induced unsuspicious clergymen of the Church of England to join it, they st now have seen enough in the published accounts of its general and auxiliary meetings, and in the proceedings and speeches there, to induce them to withdraw from it; or at least to raise some misgivings in their minds, as to the real views of many of its most active members. His lordship stated, that though it be our duty to shew gentleness, and forbearance, and charity, towards all our Christian brethren, yet that we are not authorised to give the right hand of fellowship or cooperation to those who cause divisions; but on the contrary, we are taught (Rom. xvi. 7.) to avoid them: and he seemed to think it most absurd and unaccountable, that they who prayed in their liturgy to be delivered from false doctrine, heresy, and schism, should unite in religious associations with those who publicly avow the falsest doctrines, the most notorious heresies, and the most determined schism. As strange would it be (said his lordship) to see loyal Britors forming a political association with, or furnishing money and arms to, those whom they know to be exciters of sedition, abettors of privy conspiracy, and promoters of rebellion." The report of this extraordinary charge has produced several able vindications of the British and Foreign Bible Society, among which, one from the pen of "A Clerical Member of the Society," holds a distinguished place. The reply, however, which, on the whole, we are disposed to consider as the most effective, is contained in" A Letter to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Gloucester, by Thomas Gisborne, M. A." printed for Cadell and Davies. The name of its excellent author cannot fail to secure for this publication a very considerable share of the public attention; and we are persuaded that all candid readers will find in it a complete antidote to the hasty and unfounded representations of the learned prelate. The merits of the British and Foreign Bible Society have been so often discussed in our pages, that it seems hardly necessary for us to enter anew upon a vindication of its claims to the universal favour and support of the Christian world. The Charge of the Bishop of Lincoln, however, has given rise to a question of some importance, involving the obligations of clergymen, which is thus stated and answered by Mr. Gisborne. I have recently known a question mooted, as to the degree of influence due to opinions stated by bishops to their clergy, respecting the British and Foreign Bible Society. I have heard a doubt expressed, whether a clergy man of the Church of England, having solemnly promised, at his ordination, that he will reverently obey his ordinary, Sold by Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, 1815.] Relig. Intell.-British and Foreign Bible Society. 697 dience, the diocesan may lawfully and rightly deliver his advice to his clergy. In such cases it is the duty of the clergyman respectfully to weigh the advice, and the reasons on which it is founded. engagement preventing him from actBut he is not under any ing as his deliberate judgment concerning the soundness or the inconclusivethe supporting of Bible Societies is one ness of those reasons may dictate. As made at the time of ordination had no of the points, on which the promises prospective bearing; he is at liberty to act on that subject, whatever be the most conducive to the glory of God: sentiments of his diocesan, as he judges and in the sight of God he is bound so if I may so speak, completely upholds to act. The common sense of the case, tion of law and promises has guided us. the conclusion, to which the consideraWere a bishop warranted to interpose authoritatively beyond the line which has been described, where would be the limits of his power? Gloucestershire clergyman, you might Were I a require me reverently to obey your command not to contribute a guinea to the County Infirmary, so long as there should remain a subscribing Dissenter. You might prohibit me, by a godly admonition, from looking into any book written by a member of a Bible Society. You might enjoin me, by a godly judgment, the difficult task of volume of Mr. Norris; and the still committing verbatim to memory the memory with a glud mind and will. I do more difficult task of committing it to not conceive that our church, and our legislature, at the moment when, under the blessing of God, they emancipated themselves from the bondage of Popery, elevated each succeeding bishop into a pope." and other chief ministers unto whom is committed the charge and government over him, ~ following, with a glad mind and will, their godly admonitions, and submitting himself to their godly judgments; is not by that engagement bound to withdraw from the Bible Society, or to abstain from 'joining it, if duly apprized that his diocesan disapproves the Society. When I see the kind of spirit prevalent in certain quarters against the Bible Society; the question standing before me is one, from which I do not think it right to turn aside. While, on the one hand, I shall give a clear testimony of my conviction of the solid understanding, and of the Christian moderation, of the prelate whom I address, by delivering, with unqualified freedom, my sentiments on the subject of the question; I must unequivocally declare, on the other hand, that I am not of the number of those persons, who deem 'the lawful authority of our bishops too great. Authority, of whatever nature, of whatever degree, in whatever hands, may be wrongly exercised. But I know not how our ecclesiastical establishment could be so conducted, as to effect its beneficial purposes, were the lawful anthority of the bishops diminished. With respect to the main question, I think it manifest, that, in conformity with the general rules recognized in the interpretation of enactments of the legislature, the obedience required and promised in the ordination service relates exclusively to the office then to be conferred by the bishop, and received by the applicant for holy orders, the office of a minister of the Church of England; in other words, to the discharge of clerical duties publicly in the church, or in private ministrations, visits, and parochial superintendance, and any other specified points of con duct. As to all these particulars, so far as the legislature either has defined them, or has conceded to the bishop a discretionary right of settling them, the clergyman is bound by his engagement contracted at his ordination, to obey the lawful directions of the bishop, and reverently to submit to his just admonitions and reprehensions. But the engagement is not to be arbitrarily pushed forward to topics to which it never was understood to reach, nor designed to be applied. On points more or less connected with religion, but lying beyond the limits of the sphere of authority and necessary obe clusive; and we are happy in the oppor Charge without perceiving that his by such a test? If such a test were admitted, it is obvious that it would be in the power of any unprincipled adversary, who chose to assume the guise of a friend, to discredit and ruin this or any other society. The British and Foreign Bible Society is to be judged not by the writings or speeches of its advocates, but by its own intrinsic merits; by its constitution, its proceedings, and its effects; by its avowed objects, its -known acts, and its diffusive benefits. In this view of the subject, we concur most cordially in the closing remarks of Mr. Gisborne, which we would earnestly press on the conscieutious consideration of every opponent of this admirable institution. "If we look abstractedly to the purpose for which alone the British and Foreign Bible Society was instituted, the dispersion of the Inspired Volume at home and abroad;-if we look to the method by which that purpose is pursued, the union of all who can be persuaded to unite in dispersing the Inspired Volume;-it might seem surprising that against such a Society, opposition in any shape, or from any quarter, could be excited in the Christian world. In this country, in particular, had we been told that men from the midst of ourselves, men neither atheists, nor deists, nor sceptics, nor papists, nor heretics, nor destitute of understanding; -that men of talents, of learning, of respectability, men zealous for the truth of the Scriptures, members of our national church, ministers, dignitaries of the establishment, would oppose this Society; would oppose it, some with violence, some with bitterness, some with open calumny, some with secret machinations; would oppose it after ten years of meditation on its nature, and ten years of experience of its ef fects:-could the information have been deemed credible? Not by those who theorize on the native goodness of the human heart: not by those who derive not their anticipations from the fountain of Scripture. But our Saviour has prophetically taught us to expect, and ages liave borne practical testimony to his warning, that the same influence of evil, and of the author of evil, by which the Jews would speedily be impelled to kill the Prince of Life, by which they would afterwards be instigated to exterminate his apostles, and would be persuaded that by the most atrocions iniquity they were doing God service, would induce misguided Christians, in later periods, vehemently to resist measures eminently conducive to His glory, and to resist such measures, under the delusion that to resist was to render service to God. "While I consider not only the Society itself, and its object, but the season also of its origin, and the rapidity and the extent of its progress;-that it arose when every country in Europe felt itself fighting for life; when there was 'a time of' general 'trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time;' when, in many regions, the grasp of war had snatched away the very means of existence, and in others seemed to demand the last penny that could be spared from daily food and raiment; when licentiousness and impiety stalked triumphant on the continent over the principles of civil order, and the belief of a life to come; when, except in this providentially favoured island, every thing social, political, moral, religious, was assaulted, undermined, convulsed, dislocated, overthrown:-while I consider that the Society has now attained an annual révenue of nearly one hundred thousand pounds; that hosts of Auxiliary Societies have sprung up around it, throughout the British islands, and throughout every part of our empire from Quebec to Calcutta; that Europe, in all her divisions, and with her princes, and her kings, and her emperors, at the head of the hallowed undertaking, is establishing similar Societies, and avowedly through the example and the active and bountiful encouragement of our Parent Institution; that, through the same example and encouragement, seventy Bible Societies are numbered in the United States of North America; that versions of the Scriptures into numerons langua ges of our own quarter, and of each of the other quarters, of the globe, even into many languages in which the sound of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ had never yet been heard, have been aided or produced by the exertions of this Society; that through its medium, a very large portion of the civilized earth has linked itself to Great Britain by new and holy ties of affection and gratitude; that under the impulse of affection and gratitude, millions from among all the nations, and tongues, and people, and languages, supplicate the Throne of Grace for blessings on this Society, and on Great Britain for its sake: while I consider these wonders, all feelings are summed up and absorbed in one irresistible impression, This is the finger of God. "But let not the magnitude of the good which has been achieved, conceal from us the immensity of the work which lies before the Society. The whole number of Bibles issued from the stores at home, antecedently to the end of the month of March in the present year, and exclusive of a larger quantity of Testaments, amounted to 516,179; a number which, had it been wholly for the use of this country, would shew, as it equals only about one-twentieth part of our population, what multitudes of individuals among us yet stand in need of aid. Beyond the verge of our island the world awaits the Society. May it press forward, with Providence for its guide! By this institution, and by whatever other congenial associations, may Great Britain go forth throughout the world, like the great Apostle, and in the name of that Redeemer, who by the grace of God tasted death for every man, declaring the whole counsel of God; shewing and teaching publicly, and from house to house; testifying to the Jews, and also to the Gentiles, repen-tance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ! "If the British and Foreign Bible Society is still to encounter opponents, may opposition be an instrument to stimulate its friends, each in his own sphere, however narrow, however wide, to proportionately increasing exertions in its behalf; and to fervent and habitual prayer for the blessing of that Almighty Power, in whose hand are all events, on every such exertion, by whomsoever made! Let not the Society harbour a moment's fear. Its youth has thriven, and is thriving, amidst clouds and storms. Its maturity, I trust, will be continually expanding under the beams of millenian sunshine." We have often had occasion to refer to the case of the Naval and Military Bible Society, formed on the same principles in all respects with the Institution for which we are now pleading, yet zealously supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the late Bishop of London, and other distinguished friends of our Establishment, as a complete justification, on the ground of authorit, of that coustitution which confines the Society's object to the circulation of the Scriptures, without note or comment, and which admits Dissenters to a participation with Churchmen in the management of its concerns. This argument is again brought forward with decisive effect by Mr. Gisborne; and so perfeat is the analogy between the two cases, that there is not a single blow aimed by the Bishop of Lincoln, against the suppor ters of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which does not strike with equal force the present Metropolitan, of England, and Dr. Randolph the late Bishop of London. We shall conclude this article with one other extract from Mr. Gisborne's able and well-timed letter, describing the happy results which have hitherto attended each renewed attack of the enemies of the Society, and which we trust, will be found to be produced in a still higher degree by the efforts of its episcopal assailant. "It frequently happens, under the appointment of Providence, that un founded hostility defeats, more than defeats, itself. Of the effects of such opposition to the British and Foreign Bible Society, we have had very en couraging experience. "In the year 1810, that opposition acquired respectability from the name of Dr. Wordsworth. The revenue of the Society for the following year gained a vast increase, and amounted to more than 43,0001. "Towards the close of the year 1811, Dr. Marsh opened his first battery. The revenue for the year 1812 exceeded 76,0001. "During the year 1812, Dr. Marsh reiterated his assaults; and was seconded by Dr. Maltby. The revenue for the year 1813 was about 87,0001. "The year 1813 was rendered me morable-I do not mean by the battle of Leipsic-by the extraordinary demonstrations of Mr. Norris. The revenue for the year 1814 was 99,8941," COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY IN AMERICA. We have been favonred by a respected correspondent, with the copy of a Report made to the trustees of this college, on the 4th of April last, by the president, Dr. Green, relative to what is called a revival of religion, which took place among the students in the winter and spring of the present year. The following is the substance of this Report: For nearly a year past a very large First and chiefly, the study of the holy Scriptures *; accompanied with comments on the portion read, and a practical application of the leading truths contained in it. God has remarkably honoured and blessed his own word. Strange as it may seem, this study of the Bible has always been a favourite one among the youth of the college, not excepting the most gay and dissipated. Pains have, indeed, been taken to ren der it interesting: but the degree in which it has been so, has been truly surprising. And, under the Divine blessing, it has served to enlighten and instruct the youth in their duty: it has rendered their minds solemin and tender, beyond what they were themselves aware of at the time; it has given them a deep reverence for the truths of Divine Revelation; it has qualified them to hear preaching with advantage; and at length the revealed truth has, we trust, been powerfully and effectnally applied to their consciences, by the Holy Spirit its author. proportion of the students have attended siderable time in use. Its more im on all the religious exercises and in- mediate causes appear to have been structions of the college with more than these. ordinary seriousness. There was nothing more apparent, however, for six weeks after the commencement of the present session in November, 1814, than an increase of their serious attention to the religious duties of college; an increase both of the degree of seriousness, and of the number of those in whom it was visible. Every religious service, both on secular days and on the Sabbath, was attended with a solemnity which was very impressive. In the second week of January, however, without any unusual occurrence in providence; without any alarming event, without any extraordinary preaching, without any special instruction, or other means that might be supposed peculiarly adapted to interest the mind, the effect became more apparent, and in about four weeks there were very few individuals in the college who were not deeply impressed with a sense of the importance of spiritual and eternal things. There was scarcely a room-perhaps not one-which was not a place of earnest secret devotion. For a time it appeared as if the whole of our charge was pressing into the kingdom of God. This state of things has continued, without much variation, to the present time.. Some have indeed become confirmed in the hopes and habits of evan gelical piety; while others are serious, thoughtful and devout, though perhaps not in so great a degree, as once they had been; and some are losing the impressious they lately felt. The result is, that of one hundred and five students there are somewhat more than forty in regard to whom, so far as the time will permit us to judge, favourable hopes may be entertained that they are the subjects of renewing grace. There are twelve or fifteen more, who still retain such promising, impressions of religion as to authorise a hope that the issue may be favourable. And nearly the whole of the remainder shew a great readiness to attend on all the social exercises of religion; not only on those which are stated and customary, but those which are occasional, and the attendance on which is entirely volun tary. This revival of religion commenced without noise, and without any other means than those which had been a con 影 In consequence of the burning of the church in this place, the students have worshipped in the prayer-hall of the college, for more than two years past, and thus formed an audience by themselves. This has given an opportunity, which has been carefully improved, to choose such subjects, and adopt such a manner in preaching to them, as appeared best calculated to arrest their attention. Appropriate addresses have frequently been made, For more than two years, the holy Scriptures had been made the subject of as regular study and exami nation as the classics, the mathematics, or philosophy. The afternoon of the Lord's day was appropriated uniformly to the recitation of a certain number of the students, taken promiscuously (for all were required to be prepared) on five chapters of the Bible, assigned to them the preceding week. The recitation was always accompanied with exposi tions, critical remarks, and a practical application. The exercise was concluded with prayer and singing, and was considered as the afternoon reli gious service of the College. In the morning, public worship, in the usual' form, was celebrated. |