them almost like a new revelation, thirty years having elapsed since the former edition was printed. They beheld it as the Magi beheld the star, and eagerly followed it as their guide to heaven. This edition was soon sold off, and the Welsh applied to the society for another. Four tedious years passed by. The application was reiterated; and the society at length, in March 1805, resolved on another edition. It appears, however, from the last Report of the society, that this edition, though resolved on in March 1805, in 1809 was not yet issued. But in the mean time the destitute condition of the Welsh had attracted the notice and excited the compassion of the Bible Society, who as early as Sept. 3, 1804, soon after they had formed themselves into an institution, and six months before any similar purpose on the part of the Bartlett's Buildings' Society was heard of, resolved to publish the desired work. Certain difficulties, almost inherent in a new institution, checked their design, and they were unable till Dec. 9, 1805, nearly eight months after a similar order had been passed by the Bartlett's Buildings' Society, to pass their final resolution for proceeding with the work. And yet this work was not only completed before that of the old institution, but a second large edition had been printed and distributed, by the Bible Society, before a single Bible from the sister society had reached Wales. Even these two editions, however, will prove insufficient for the demand in Wales. We ourselves have heard an eye-witness describe the emotion with which the sacred volume was received there. Far from being satiated with the contributions formerly sent from the Bartlett's Buildings' Society, when the arrival of the cart was announced which carried the first sacred load, the Welsh peasants went out in crowds to meet it; welcomed it as the Israelites did the ark of old; drew it into the Jown; and eagerly bore off every

copy as rapidly as they could be dispersed. The young people were to be seen consuming the whole night in reading it. Labourers carried it with them to the field, that they might enjoy it during the intervals of their labour, and lose no opportunity of becoming acquainted with its sacred truths. The barren. ness and desolation of their plains is forgotten. They are casting their characteristic pride at the foot of the Cross. By these, and by the truly apostolical exertions of the Bishop of St. David's, the good seed is scattered on these inhospitable mountains, and promises a glorious harvest to God and to their country.-Now we would fain persuade ourselves that those who are fond of contemplating this act as au act merely of rivalry on the part of the Bible Society, are not acquainted with these circumstances. We are confounded at the narrowness of those officers of a Spanish monarch, who suffered their master to perish rather than violate a rule of etiquette: and shall we be clamouring for all the puncti lios of the drawing-room, when the salvation of a nation is at stake? Is a whole people to starve for lack of the Bread of Life for years, that the Bartlett's Buildings' Society may enjoy its unenvied precedency? One would think that men who breathe the atmosphere of a room where the good have for a century assembled to distribute the word of God, would be persons of a different temper; that they would rejoice to see new streams springing up in the wilderness, and new deserts beginning to blossom like the rose. Is it possible for any one to contemplate the good that may have arisen from the distribution by the Bible Society, of, we believe, 40,000 copies of the word of life among the Welsh, while not a single copy was to be obtained from any other quarter, and yet not rejoice in the contemplation? If it be, we must say, that we cannot envy the texture of that man's mind. Let him, if he will, attribute the printing and the distri

bution of these Bibles to rivalry; still, if by any means Christ be spreached, and his salvation be made known, therein he ought to rejoice. How many, during the years 1806, -7, 8, and 9, may have passed into eternity, whose path thither has been brightened by the light from heaven -shed on it through the medium of the Bible Society, but whose course might have closed in utter darkness, had they been forced to depend on the faint and tardy efforts of the Bartlett's Buildings' Society! Let this single consideration silence the unreasonable, we had almost said the wicked, clamour which has been raised against an act that partakes more of the character of the divine beneficence, than any, perhaps, which a preceding century had produced."

A second point which we think may be shewn is, that the Bible Society has in more than one way a tendency to assist the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge.

Many, as Mr. Dealtry remarks, excited by the novelty and attractions of the new society, would feel it their duty to contribute to that which was peculiarly the society of their church. Many, first taught by this society what are the spiritual wants of their fellow-men, will rush in to fill up every channel by which the word of God may be circulated. Many, first roused to a sense of the supreme importance of religion by this society (and its annual meetings are well calculated to accomplish this end), will eagerly lend themselves to assist, by every method, in diffusing the knowledge of that word of which they themselves have learned the value. But the influence of the new society upon the interests of the old will be also of a more direct nature. It will not only open, by its example, a wider field of enterprise and usefulness; but it will tend to rouse the Bartlett's Buildings' Society to exertions more worthy of its constitution, its members, its means, and its objects. Let that society be worthy of itself, and

it will never want members. As certain bodies put into rapid motion begin to attract the surrounding objects, so this society in its more accelerated progress, would prove a source of powerful attraction to numbers; and hundreds of the doubtful and wavering would fall into its train. Let the society rise to its proper eminence, and its means will be abundant. We do not hesitate to say, that he who kindles a spirit of vigour in institutions such as these, is their greatest benefactor. In contributing his mite, he "gives more than they all," for he gives that which calls down the blessing of God, and which deserves and coociliates the support of all good men.

But, for our own parts, we are disposed to go farther, and to maintain, that, without some great improvement of spirit, some increase of activity, in the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, the prosperity of the new institution would not be dearly purchased even by the decay of the old.

According to the avowal of one of their warmest advocates, Mr. Spry, such is the "unobtrusiveness" of the society, that multitudes are ignorant even of its existence. Now, to be "obtrusive" is, as we conceive, to thrust ourselves into situations where we should not be. But where is the spot to which, if possible, the name and the influence of this society should not reach? Should not its report go forth into all nations? Should even the last points of habitable existence, were such an extension of it practicable, be hid from the light and heat thereof? Is it not designed to be come the visitant of every region, and the citizen of the world? Should not the benighted nations look to this, as to the great source of light; as that couch from which their Sun is to "arise with healing in his wings?" Call it not, then, «unobtrusiveness:" it is inertness, drowsi ness: it is being like the gods of Epi curus, slumbering when the concerns of a whole universe are at stake.

But shall we be told, that all this is the language of enthusiasm, of men demanding impossibilities; that the Bartlett's Buildings' Society has exhibited as much energy as could be expected in any body of men associated for such an object? Then we reply, Cast your eyes upon the Bible Society; read over the catalogue of the countries it has visited. See if the scene of the day of Pentecost is not in a degree re-acted by human agents; and if almost every people do not hear the glad tidings of salvation published in their own language. Go, in particular, to their annual meeting. Behold the tribute of gratitude which the most distant nations lay at their feet. See what an energy is darted through the whole mass of contributors. See, as in other ages, all who believe" of one mind;" and that mind, like that of their Great Master, an universal impulse to do good;-all consecrated to one great object; all, like Asdrubal, devoting themselves and their children, to an eternal war against ignorance and vice, and to the eternal maintenance of the true religion.

Upon this subject we cannot speak with calmness; because the feelings with which we ourselves have more than once been touched, as spectators of this scene, revive as we write, and compel us, to commend to our countrymen this glorious institution, and to summon the sister society to a like tone of feeling and action.

But, lest we should be thought to have no facts on which to ground our opinion of the necessity of the new institution, and our dissent from the allegations of Mr. Spry and others respecting the competency of those already in existence, for all purposes, foreign as well as domestic, we will detain our readers, only while we mention one circumstance, in addition to what we have already stated respecting the Welsh Bible. It is a circumstance, however, which speaks volumes. The only edition of the Scriptures in a foreign lan

guage (we will say nothing now of Ireland) which this society has ever produced, was an edition of 10,000 Arabic Testaments, printed near a century ago-namely, in 1720. But although the Arabic language is more extensively read than perhaps any other language in the world, and the sphere of distribution for these Testaments was therefore very large, yet, so slow has been that distribution, that a considerable number lay rotting, a few years back, in the cellars of the society. We hesitate not to affirm, that, in the space of five years, the British and Foreign Bible Society has done five times as much to make the word of God known in foreign nations, as the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge has done in one hundred years. This society has much time to redeem, and many breaches to repair. God give them grace to arise and shake themselves from the dust, and put on the garments of activity and holiness! It is with sincere pleasure we have observed some recent symptoms of such a revival; and in our last number we have recorded some resolutions of the society, which we trust will be the commencement of a new era of well-regulated zeal and judicious exertion.

But, after all, it is not sufficient that fresh activity and energy should be infused into this society, unless the spirit in which it acts be that of Christian forbearance, moderation, and charity. The spirit of such an institution is of the first moment, as it is that mainly which, in the first instance, attracts subscribers, and afterwards governs the proceedings of those who subscribe. Now we suspect that for some years the spirit of this society has been such that, although many of the most venerable names in the kingdom are amongst its members, many individuals of equal pretensions have been unwilling to join it. It will be remembered, that a few years since a clergyman, to whom the most unequivocal testimony was

borne by characters of the first eminence and virtue in the kingdom, was rejected by the society, simply, as it appeared, on the ground of his being recommended by two gentlemen whose piety, for we believe they had no other tangible fault, had rendered them obnoxious to certain individuals who usually attend the society's board. This act of rejection could be meant only to stigmatize these geutlemen, and to repel from their ranks that body of clergy whom the world strangely endeavour to discredit by the appellation of the evangelical clergy. Now for such an act, and it is by no means a solitary one, the society must expect to suffer. Is it to be endured, that a society instituted for the general purpose of propagating Christian knowledge, should stoop to meddle with the prejudices and jealousies of individuals, and should, at their bidding, issue its ban against a large body of ministers, and attempt to stamp the mark of the beast on their foreheads? But from a view of some of the transactions of the society, to say nothing of some of its publications, this might easily be shewn to be the case. This class of ministers, as well as those of the laity who embrace similar views of religion, have for a long period seen their intentions suspected, their zeal discredited, and their very presence viewed with distrust, by the governing party in the society: and if they obtained admission into it at all, it was obviously because they were not yet known to be of what is called the evangelical school. And what was the consequence? That which might be expected: many ceased to attend, or to interfere, where their services were considered as intrusive or dangerous; while others, not yet on the society's list, feared to propose themselves, with the precedent of rejection hanging over their heads. Now this spirit, we are bold to say, has materially injured the society. The evangelical clergy, as they are

called, have been the topic of much discussion in this work. We have fairly canvassed their faults, and as liberally, we hope, commended their excellencies. We wish it to be characteristic of our work, to have

—————————- “ Nothing extenuated, Nor aught set down in malice." Our testimony, therefore, to the value of such men as compose the main part of this body to any religious institution, ought to be regarded. We firmly believe, that a large incorporation of them with the present acting managers of the Bartlett's Buildings' Society, would have given an efficiency to that institution which it now wants. If the spirit, however, of the institution is not correct. ed; if individuals are to be subtracting the weights and powers from the great wheels of the machine, to work their own petty levers; if the society is to set the stamp of intoler ance upon every copy of the Bible it issues; if it is to forswear all zeal itself, and fulminate bulls of exclusion against the zealous; we sincerely think that the welfare of the new society "will not be dearly purchased even by the decay of the old." But we hope better things of this ancient institution. We trust that grey hairs will bring wisdom with them. We trust that she will rejoice to lean upon the crutch which the new society supplies; that she will feel for it as a daughter; that she will embrace it in her somewhat withered arms; and that, gaining in vigour what she yields in respectability, they may run hand in band their triumphant career; "provoke" one another to nothing but "good works;" and, wherever they appear, be in reality, what the twin stars were in fable, signs of peace, and love, and joy.

Quorum simul alba nautis
Stella refulsit,

Defluit saxis agitatus humor:
Concidunt venti, fugiuntque nubes,
Et minax (quod sic voluere) ponto
Unda recumbit.

GREAT BRITAIN.

In the press: The sixth Part of Mr. Nicholl's History of Leicestershire, which was nearly destroyed by the fire at that gentleman's printing-office, together with the remaining portions of the work;-A new edition, with a new volume, of Hanman's Pulpit Assistant, containing 250 Skeletons of Sermons, in four vols. small 12mo.;Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell: a Poem, by the Rev. S. Elsdale, Curate of Surfleet, near Spalding;-A new edition of the Sermons of President Davies;-A work on Scripture Biography, by Mr. Toy;-A new edition of Bishop Earle's Microcosmography; and of Brand's Observations on Popular Antiquities; and The present Picture of New South Wales, by D. D. Mann. Preparing for the press: A Vindication of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in Answer to Dr. Wordsworth's Letter to Lord Teignmouth, by the Rev. William Dealtry, M. A., Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol;-A work on the English Language, by Mr. Grant, author of Institutes of Latin Grammar;-A treatise on the doctrine of Fluxions, by Mr. W. Moore, of Woolwich ;-A new edition of Dugdale's Warwickshire, with additions, in three vols. folio;-A new work on Conveyancing, by Mr. Turner, of the Middle Temple; and Chronological Memoirs of Mohammedan History, from its earliest period, by Major Price, of the Bombay Establishment.

Messrs. Sharp and Co. having lately advertised a new edition of the volume of Essays by Mrs. H. More, her booksellers, Messrs. Cadell and Davies, have informed the public, that the publication is not only wholly unauthorised by her, but against her consent; she having given notice, many years ago, in the preface to her collected Works, that she had suppressed those essays, as a juvenile production; and having also treated the same subjects more in detail, in her Strictures on Female Education,

The first volume of the Theological Works of Mr. A. Maclean, of Edinburgh, has been reprinted, and is now ready for delivery. Vols. V. and VI. (the Paraphrase and Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews) are put to press. The whole, making eight or nine vols. 12mo., will be published as speedily as possible.

Mr. Baynes, in Paternoster-Row, is about

to publish an extensive and valuable col lection of books, both English and foreign, consisting of Divinity, Ecclesiastical History, Sermons, Dictionaries, Lexicons, Grammars, &c. &c.

The Savilian electors have appointed Mr. Regaud, of Exeter college, to be Savilian professor of geometry at Oxford, in the room of Dr. Robertson, promoted to the professorship of astronomy, vacant by the death of Dr. Hornsby.

The prizes at Oxford have this year been adjudged as follows-viz.: English Essay, to Mr. Whately, B. A. of Oriel; Latin Essay, to Mr. Miller, B. A. Worcester; Latin Verses, to Mr. Coleridge, Corpus Christi; and English Verse, to Mr. Chinnery, of Christ-Church.

The installation of Lord Grenville, as chancellor of the university of Oxford, which occupied the whole of the week beginning on the 2d instant, appears to have been a very splendid spectacle. It does not suit our plan or our limits to enter into any account of the various ceremonials employed, and fêtes given, and sights exhibited, on this occasion. We were gratified to hear, that the noble part which his lordship had taken in the Abolition of the Slave Trade formed a prominent feature in all the laudatory speeches and poems which were recited in honour of his appointment.

At the examination of the students of the East-India college at Hertford, in May last, the following prizes were presented, by the Honourable Chairman of the East-India Com→ pany, in the presence of the college committee, principal, professors, and inasters, to the undermentioned students, to whom the same had been awarded by the college council, for their superior attainments, in the several branches of study-viz. Books.

For their acquirements in Sanscrit; to Messrs. Stuart, and Swetenham.-For Bengalee; to Messrs. Richardson, Hobhouse, and Wilkinson.--For Persian; to Messrs. Lindsay, Clive, Norris.--For Hindustani; to Messrs. Macleod, Vaughan, Norris.-For Oriental writing; Mr. I. A. Pringle.-Mathematics; Messrs. Chastenay, Richardson, Macleod, Fraser.-Classics; Messrs. I. A. Pringle, Chastenay: Norris, Babington, junior class.-Political economy; Mr. Stuart.

Ditto and Modern History; Mr. Wynch. -Modern History; Messrs. Hobhouse: Valphy, junior class.-For Law; to Messrs.