Union and peace promoted in Southwark.

nexion with your Bible Associations. From amongst numerous anecdotes illustrative of this fact, your Committee select the following:A tradesman in the parish of Rotherhithe had been frequently solicited to join the Association, but had declined, having, as he expressed it, "nothing to do with the Bible;" and truly his practice corresponded with his sentiment, as he lived in utter violation of the sabbath, never attending religious worship, and keeping his shop constantly open on that day. After many months, he was induced by the example of his neighbours to become a free-contributor; and on being asked by the collectors whether he had a Bible, he replied that he had, and that he should now look into it and see what it was about : he kept his promise, and the effect has been such as might be expected; his shop is now closed on the sabbath-day, his conduct and manners have undergone a total change, and he is constant and regular in his attendance on divine worship at his parish church. Surely every ingenuous mind must acknowledge, that the dangerous tendency of societies producing effects like these, is purely imaginary; and that the only unpleasant consequence to be apprehended from their universal establishment, is, that every place opened for Christian worship will be found insufficient to accommodate those who are desirous to attend.

3. An opinion having been expressed, that the union of persons of different religious persuasions would not only impede the progress of this work of mercy, but lead to strife and contention, it is observed :-Several years having now elapsed since the formation of your society, ample opportunity has been afforded for forming a just estimate of those means which have contributed to its success; and your Committee would not do justice to their feelings, did they not record, as one of the most prominent of those means, that spirit of harmony and love which has constantly governed their proceedings. Nor has this cementing power been confined to their own members; -like the precious oil poured on the head of Aaron, and which fell even to the skirts of his garment, it has descended to your children, and its sweet and balmy influence has been equally perceptible in the several Committees of your Twelve Associations; evincing its presence by that affectionate forbearance, that mutual concession, and that cordiality of co-operation, which so well become the singleness and purity of the object, and the character of its professed advocates. Your Committee cannot contemplate a scene like that which is continually before them, without asking whether this happy union of more than 650 individuals, comprising members of every denomination of professing Christians, annually formed, renewed, and preserved, could possibly exist, were the object in view unworthy of decided and unqualified support? On the broad and firm basis of THE BIBLE, they meet and they unite-they erect no separate tabernacles, but they preserve inviolate their individual partialities -they regret that they have been so long divided, but they rejoice in the discovery of that common centre where they can conscien

Ability of the labouring classes to contribute, illustrated.

tiously and cordially meet, and where the love which they bear one another is but an evidence of that affection wherein they embrace the universal family of man.

4. It has been asserted, that the labouring classes of society cannot comprehend the Bible alone. It is at all times painful to contradict a positive assertion; but your Committee would be guilty of a dereliction of their duty, did they not unequivocally declare, that they have had ample proof that the poor do comprehend the sacred writings, so far at least as to experience, in numerous instances, a happy change wrought in their lives and conversation by the perusal. How far the individuals who compose the great mass of society may view every text and passage in precisely the same light, it is not for your Committee to judge; nor, perhaps, would it be reasonable to expect it, until their more enlightened brethren exhibit this clearness of vision and unity of comprehension. You have already received the most satisfactory evidence, that the Bibles hitherto distributed by you have produced a great and beneficial effect; but if there be any one who is desirous of placing the "Book of Common Prayer," or any other "Illustration" of the Sacred Text, in the habitations of the poor, the way is plain and open; and he may conscientiously satisfy his benevolent intention, either personally as an individual, or through the medium of those excellent institutions formed for this special purpose. Your object is the circulation of the volume of inspiration alone-here, there can be no doubt, no diversity of opinion, no obstacle to cordial and entire union this is the ground of our common Faith, the source of our common Hope, the pledge of our common Charity: it is the sacred charter of our dearest privileges: it is equally addressed to all: it is the common property of created man; and he who withholds it from any portion of the universal family, deprives them of a right which they derive from GOD.

5. Some opponents of the Bible Society, who formerly denied both the inclination and ability of the labouring classes to co-operate in promoting its design, have now changed sides, and affect to trace, in the astonishing growth and success of Bible Associations, a desire to "oppress the poor." If such objectors be actuated by the spirit of Christian candour, they will behold satisfactory proofs of this ability and inclination, in the aggregate amount contributed; in the decided preference given to the highest-priced bibles; and in the lists of subscribers, which comprise a body exceeding 21,000 persons within the sphere of your society. And the same candid feeling will intimate, that it is a voluntary co-operation on the part of their less affluent neighbours, who experience, in this new exercise of benevolence, a pure delight to which they had previously been strangers; while many of them acknowledge that they have thus acquired habits of domestic order, sobriety, and economy, highly conducive to their temporal welfare. Among the many practical illustrations of these remarks, which have fallen under the observation of your Committee, there is one so peculiarly applicable to this sub

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 Southwark; 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 your district.

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 an 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

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• Rev. W. Dealtry, Rector of Clapham.