The temporal wants of the Poor receive greater attention. ject, that they deem it worthy of particular notice.-A publican, who had been repeatedly, but vainly solicited to subscribe, at length addressed the collectors in these words: "Gentlemen, I have often told you that you would spoil my trade; and now I find I was right; for I do not sell near so much liquor as I formerly did; and instead of spending their Sunday evenings at my house, drinking and smoking, my customers stay at home poring over your Bibles." The collectors asked him whether he did not believe that his customers got all they wanted from his house, and whether they did not now pay for all they got. After a pause, he replied, "Yes, Gentlemen-I see it is a good thing:" and he has since become a member of the society. 6. Much has been said relative to the supposed danger of convening together the labouring classes; and much ingenuity has been wasted in the supposed discovery of manifold evils which were to follow those general meetings of Bible Associations. Your Committee would again answer by Fucts. In no part of Great Britain has the experiment been so long, so fully, and so frequently tried as in Southwar':; and you know the result: not only have those dangers been proved to be altogether visionary, but the most prominent advantages have been of a nature diametrically opposite : instead of "disorder and confusion," the greatest regularity and decorum characterize those annual assemblies; instead of "ignorant enthusiasts," we see rational and quiet auditors; instead of fanatics, we behold sober-minded Christians. If our opponents would only favour us with their company on these interesting occasions, they would speedily find that their views of the subject are merely imaginary, and that the advantages of those general meetings are equally numerous and striking. 7. Some worthy individuals have expressed a fear, that the temporal necessities of the poor may be neglected in the universal desire to administer to their spiritual wants: and others have been apprehensive lest the numerous charitable institutions of our land should suffer, by having the stream of public bounty directed into a new channel. Your Committee rejoice that they are enabled to remove those fears, and that your district affords a perfect illustration of the train of argument adopted in a late admired and valuable publication* :-the funds of other institutions are not only unimpaired, but materially augmented, and the temporal wants of the poor are relieved beyond all former precedent. 8. Nor should it be forgotten, that there is indisputable evidence, that to the influence of Bible Associations we may confidently look for that ultimate amelioration of the state of the labouring classes of society, which has long been rather the desire than the expectation of every true friend to his country. While the gradual increase of • Dr. Chalmers on the Influence of Bible Societies on the temporal necessities of the Poor."! Bible Associations a barrier against pauperism. pauperism has afforded a subject for deep and serious concern, it is consoling to reflect, that something comparable to a moral sinkingfund has been thus established, which operates powerfully towards the liquidation of this heavy and deplorable incumbrance, and the effect of which may be already traced in the improved aspect of numerous families within district. your 9. But let it always be remembered, that an object infinitely higher, and effects incomparably more valuable, are involved in these considerations. To place the sacred volume in every cottage of our land, and, by interesting its inhabitants in the nature and design of a Bible Association, to "raise a defence against the extension of pauperism," is a great and happy result. But will the effects terminate here? We have the most conclusive evidence that they will not: the fountain of charity is opened; the stone has been rolled away from the well's mouth, and the waters, long restrained, now burst forth and flow in every direction. No one is such an enthusiast as to suppose that a moral change has been wrought in every mind; or that every habitation into which the Bible has been introduced, has resounded to the song of gratitude and praise the LIP of TRUTH itself has declared, that all would not receive the seed of the kingdom; and those who are privileged to dispense this inestimable blessing are sensible, that when, like "the sower," they have gone forth to sow, some has "fallen by the way side," some "on stony ground," and some "among thorns;" but they gratefully feel and know that much has "fallen upon good ground," and that the fruit is rapidly maturing. The poor already begin to feel that they live not for themselves alone; that they can assist in throwing open the portals of benevolence; and that, while they receive the greater share of benefit themselves, they may dispense blessings to the universe. It has been well observed by the enlightened author to whom reference has just been made, "that it is not so easy to awaken the benevolent principle out of its sleep, as, when once awakened in behalf of one object, to excite and interest it in behalf of another." And never has this truth been so strikingly exemplified, as by the results of Bible Associations. The heart that appeared cold even to its own immediate claims, has awakened at the unwonted voice of kindness to a sense of relative and social duties: no longer rendered torpid by the persuasion that its happiness or misery was alike the subject of indifference to all around, it shakes off the benumbing influence, and rejoices in the light of the Sun of Righteousness, whose beams not only irradiate its path, but animate its hopes. The low pursuits Bible Associations the most efficient means of elevating the moral character. that had so long degraded and enslaved, assume their proper aspect; and as they diminish in the estimate, the value and the beauty of industry, morality, and religion, are beheld and appreciated; the claims of duty are recognised; and, as these are discharged, the generous principle expands. He who recently believed that no one felt for him, now feels for all mankind: he to whom the Bible was an object of total unconcern, now glows with an ardent desire that all may be partakers of the blessings it offers and imparts: he may, indeed, be one of "the poor of this world," but, "rich in faith," his charity extends, his capacity enlarges; he has tasted the "luxury of doing good;" and his existence has derived new charms from the exercise of Christian benevolence: wherever man exists, he hails a brother-wherever misery is found, he pants to be a friend. "If we would fully appreciate the glorious exercise of charity, to which the Bible Society invites us," says a distinguished advocate of the cause, "we should consider ourselves not merely as Englishmen, but as members of the whole family of man. The miserable savage, who wanders in the desert of the forest, untutored and unsubdued, is still a brother of our own, created like ourselves in the image of GOD, and like us an heir of immortality. For near six thousand years, the groans of nature have been heard in every land: but sages and prophets have consoled us with the assurance, that these times shall have an end; that a new order of things shall arise, and that the blessings of the Gospel shall, ere long, call forth from all nations the sacred and lofty measures of adoration and praise. Even now, I seem to myself to behold the dawning of that brighter day: even now, by the favour of Providence upon the labours of Englishmen, and especially by means of the Bible Society, the glad tidings of the Gospel are heard in the most distant regions. Translations of the Scriptures are proceeding to ani extent beyond all example; and if the society continue to act according to the promise of its present exertions, the Gospel will soon have been preached not in this island only, or where its institutions and language are known, but ' unto all that dwell on the earth, to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.' Wherever the footsteps of civilization can be traced, there will men read, in their own tongue, the wonderful works of God. In the contemplation of these things, I am struck with a degree of admiration and astonishment which I cannot express. I would venture to borrow the words of that sacred book which it is the object of this meeting to dispense to all men, and inquire, Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things?' 'Ask now of the days that are past since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?" Except the day of Pentecost, I know of nothing to compare with it. The temple of Truth has been founded and built up in Britain; but the light is streaming through every outlet to all the regions of the world. It has penetrated the hut of the shivering native of Labrador: it has cheered the dwelling of the poor Hindoo. The glory of the LORD is visiting his Church; from every quarter the gentiles are coming to her Rev. W. Dealtry, Rector of Clapham. Testimonies of the Parent Society in favour of Associations. light, and kings to the brightness of her rising. The consoling declarations of the prophets appear, even in these days of conflict, to be fast approaching their completion; the brightest visions of our poets seem on the point of being realised, when, "One song employs all nations, and all cry, "As sure as the voice of prophecy has foretold them, these glorious times will arrive; and we in our generation are called to the distinguished honour of acting as instruments in the Divine Hand to hasten their approach. We are invited to the privilege of humbly combining our efforts as workers together with GOD.' Let us then work, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work: the opportunity is now in our hands: we soon shall go hence, and be no more seen." 10. This chapter cannot be more appropriately closed, than in the language of the Committee of the Parent Society, in their Twelfth and Thirteenth Annual Reports: "Your Committee think it unnecessary to repeat what has been said on former occasions respecting Bible Associations, farther than to certify, that their experience has again confirmed all that has been asserted in their favour in former reports. They acknowledge, with gratitude, the great efficiency which the Parent Institution has derived from their assistance, while they contemplate with admiration and delight the moral effects which have resulted from them, in the encouragement of religious habits, and in the increase of kind affections and brotherly love: and they are persuaded, that nothing is better calculated to extend the influence of the holy scriptures, to excite a personal interest in the knowledge of revealed truth, and (what is the natural consequence of such knowledge) an anxious desire to make others partakers of it, than these most laudable and efficacious Associations..... The very principle of those Associations is calculated to operate as a monitory and restraining influence on the members of them. They see and feel the inconsistency of a life devoted to licentious indulgences and immoral habits, with the open and reiterated profession of a veneration for that Book which so forcibly and explicitly condemns them; while their regulated orderly meetings, and their monthly and weekly contributions, for promoting the circulation of it, tend to invigorate those feelings, and render them habitual. And when this influence is considered as extending (as, from the active parti. cipation of females, and the young, in this service of love, it will naturally. do) to the families of the members of these Associations, the consideration opens a new source of exhilarating hope, with respect to the rising and future generations.” 66 CHAP. IV. ASSOCIATIONS OF MECHANICS. TO SET FORWARD THE WORKMEN IN THE HOUSE OF GOD." EZRA, III. 9. PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. Ir is impossible to enter on this part of the system, without mingled emotions of pleasure and regret. To behold those useful and intelligent men, from whose industry and skill so much of the wealth and comforts of our country are derived, associating for such a purpose, affords the most lively satisfaction; while we cannot but feel desirous, that the example so nobly set by a few, had been followed by the many. The subject is one of peculiar importance; and were it only taken up with that interest, which it merits, by those who conduct and superintend our manufactories, the most happy results might be anticipated. It was the observation of a celebrated statesman, "When the bad combine, the good must associate;"-and if the same industry were manifested by the latter in circulating moral and religious information, which characterizes the former in distributing publications of the most pernicious tendency, there is every reason to believe that the consequences would have surpassed the most sanguine expectations. Instead of Combinations for bad purposes, we should behold Associations for the best: instead of lamenting over the progress of infidelity and disloyalty, we should witness the extension of scripture principles, and rejoice in their blessed effects;-for those who had learned to "fear God," would also "honour the King" instead of indulging improvident and profligate habits, our Mechanics would more generally feel the value of character and the blessings of independence. If those who possess the means of giving a right direction to the minds of their workmen, would only make trial of the experiment now recommended, the seeds of good order, subordination, and virtue would be scattered throughout the land; and we might safely leave the |