Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

blished, under the title of "The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge," which, with a zeal and ardour proportioned to its name and purpose, has been indefatigably employed in disseminating moral and religious truth amongst the people of this country; and by the labours of its Missionaries abroad, diffusing the doctrines of the Gospel among Pagan nations. A Society actuated by such views, and conducted, as it always has been, on the best and soundest principles, claimed in a pre-eminent degree the regard and support of the Established Church; and particularly of those members of it, who, from their exalted stations, were most able to advance its interests and uphold its reputation. Amongst these, I will take upon myself to affirm, the Society had not a more zealous, cordial, and determined friend.

[blocks in formation]

than the late Bishop of London. He was attached to it from every motive of private opinion and of public duty. The main objects, which it had in view, were those nearest to his heart; and to promote them by all practicable means had been the chief employment of his thoughts, and the anxious endeavour of his whole life. At the same time, the high and just estimation in which he held this venerable Establishment, did not preclude him from supporting other institutions founded for the same great end, the diffusion of Christian knowledge: and accordingly, about the period to which I have brought these Memoirs, he accepted the office of Vice-President of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The plan of this Society embraced a most extensive range of action and in order to raise an adequate fund, it was

thought

thought necessary, not to confine it merely to members of the Established Church, but to take in without exception all denominations of Christians. But then, on the other hand, it was laid down as a primary and fundamental rule, from which there was in no instance to be the slightest deviation, that its sole and exclusive object should be the circulation of the Scriptures, and the Scriptures only, without note or comment.

A limitation thus absolute and unequivocal, removed from the Bishop's mind all doubt and hesitation. He saw instantly that a design of such magnitude, which aimed at nothing less, than the dispersion of the Bible over every accessible part of the world, could only be accomplished by the association of men of all religious persuasions. He looked forward to great results from such

[blocks in formation]

a combination of effort. He entertained the hope, that it might operate as a bond of union between contending parties; and that by bringing them together in one point of vast moment, about which there could hardly be a diversity of opinion, it might gradually allay that bitterness of dispute, and put an end to those unhappy divisions, which have so long tarnished the credit of the Christian world. Whilst therefore he remained firmly attached to the original Society, whose exertions, as far as its limited sphere allowed, no one ever held in higher estimation, he gave at the same time the sanction of his name without scruple to the new one; and the more he considered its object, and the longer experience he had of the spirit and principles on which it was conducted, the more deeply he was convinced, that it merited all the support

which the Church of England could give it. "It is now," he observes, in a passage ❝ it

which strongly marks his sentiments, is now well known and firmly established, and has completely triumphed over all the attempts made to destroy it. None of those secret dark designs, none of those plots and conspiracies to subvert the Establishment and devour both the shepherds and their flocks, which were so confidently predicted by a certain set of men as the inevitable effect of this Society, have yet been discovered in it. It is, in fact, much better employed. It goes on quietly and steadily in the prosecution of its great object, and pays no sort of regard to the sneers and cavils of its intemperate opponents."-In another passage, written at a still later date, he says," that he cannot but add, in justice to this Society, which has been so much

[ocr errors][merged small]
« FöregåendeFortsätt »