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Edinburgh, July 25. 1757.

An account of the defign of the fociety in Edinburgh for promoting religious know ledge among the poor.

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ward induftry, and cultivate the arts of peace; when a fpirit of humanity prevails fo remarkably for relieving the poor, the afflicted, the difeafed; it is hoped, that a plan to fupply their more important wants, by fpreading among them the knowledge of Chrift, and of his falvation, will meet with a favour. able reception.

With a view to this, and encouraged by the fuccefs of a fociety lately erected in London, fome minifters and gentle men in and about this city, in the year 1756, entered into a fociety and fubfcription for diftributing the facred fcriptures, and fome plain practical books, among the poor and ignorant, gratis; and do now call on their Chriftian brethren to join with them in carrying on the fame charitable, interefting defign.

This method of promoting religious knowledge does not, cannot interfere with other fchemes of liberality; neither is it meant to diminish them: on the contrary, it tends more highly and effectually to advance them; fobriety, one of the great objects of religious inftruction, being, of all things, the most friendly to industry.

The fociety indeed do not confine their views to the police of the country alone, nor even to the prefent life; they confider this matter in a further and much higher light: their fcheme extends beyond the narrow limits of mortality, and propofes to make men happy when this world, and all the fafhions thereof, fhall have paffed away; when admired arts, and the beft improved country, fhall be no more.

Works of charity and love, of every kind, are good, and praife-worthy; for God is love, and what is like God, must be excellent. The bodies of our fellow-men being allied to us as we are of the earth, claim our friendly regards; but their immortal fouls being our kinVOL. XIX.

dred as we are from heaven, become of our love and compaffion. When these the more noble, the more fpecial objects fouls are ready to perifh, and may be faved, what fhall be faid of the heart that does not pity, of the hand that

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That multitudes, even in this land of light, are ready to perish through lack of knowledge, through ignorance of God, and of his Son Jefus Chrift, whom to know is life eternal, is, be yond queftion, a melancholy truth; what condition, then, fo proper to excite our Chriftian fympathy in all its bowels, in all its energy and ardour, to relieve?

The beholding mankind in this mi ferable state so excited the love of God, that, to deliver them, he fpared not his own Son. And furely, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another (a). The fame loving fpirit was in the Son of God; who, though he was rich, for our fakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be made rich (b). The like benevolent mind appeared in the apoftles, and first followers of the Lamb, who went about doing good to the bodies and to the fouls of men; and we find all Chriftians required to walk in the fame fteps. Be ye followers of God as dear children, fays the infpired apostle, and walk in love, as Chrift also hath loved us(c). Let the fame mind be in you which was in Chrift Jesus (d). And, Look not every man on his own things, but every man alfo on the things of others (e). To love our neighbour as ourselves (f), is an effential branch of the royal law, in keeping of which it may be faid, with peculiar propriety, there is great reward. While we communicate comfort to others, the action rebounds, and the labour of love returns into our own bosom.

Here, then, both our duty and intereft, the most amiable precepts, and the most fhining examples, happily anite in recommending the prefent pious, charitable defign. But those who are taught from above the true value of fouls, by being themselves made par.

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takers of redemption by Jefus Chrift, will need no other argument to influence their conduct. They know, from experience, what a vaft boon is obtain ed when one foul is faved from death; when the multitude of any one man's fins is covered (g): and, because of their own obligations to mercy, will confider themselves as debtors both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wife and to the unwife (h).

Influenced by fome measure of this spirit, animated, they truft, in fome degree, by thofe motives, this fociety publishes to the world their fmall beginnings. They wish well to the wife and the wealthy their prayers for them are, that they may employ for the great purposes of eternity the multiplied means of knowledge and falvation which they enjoy. The poor they pity; and, deep ly affected with their deplorable ignorance, they would open among them the fountains of faving knowledge contained in the holy fcriptures, and other books of plain instruction, or of warm perfuafion to a religious life.

By fetting on foot a fubfcription for this purpose, the fociety mean to give to fuch as have truly tafted that the Lord is gracious, and, from his bounty, have to fpare of this world's goods, the wifhed-for opportunity of honouring him with their fubftance; in a way, too, which to them must be very dear, by communicating to others the fame heavenly bread which fo oft has fatisfied, and the fame living waters which fo feafon. ably have refreshed their own fouls.

They hereby also invite the benevolent among men, to exert, on this, as on the belt occafion, their liberality. Such have often felt the pleasure of feeding the hungry, of clothing the naked, and making the widow's heart to fing for joy; by this they fhall feel a pleasure ftill more divine, that of faving fouls from death (i). Hereby they fhall become the happy inftruments of guiding poor benighted creatures, now fitting in darkness and the fhadow of death, to the paths of knowledge, ho(i) James v. 20.

(g) James v. 20. (b) Rom. i. 14.

linefs, and endless peace; and hereby alfo they fhall do real fervice to their country, and to mankind, by rendering men better parents and children, more agreeable neighbours and friends, more useful fervants and members of society: and who knows what ftore of bleffings the prayers of such persons may procure for their generous and kind benefactors? The method now propofed may be alfo viewed as a just acknowledgment of the kindness of providence, in favouring this laft age of the world with the art and invention of printing. By em. ploying this furprising difcovery for propagating to every corner of the earth, for fending to every eye, the knowledge of God, and of falvation by his Son, we comply with his gracious defign, of having the gofpel preached to every creature, and the manifeftation of the truth made to every man; that if the gospel be bid, it may be hid only to them who are loft (k).

Zeal to ufe the prefs for this great end is become the more neceffary, that evil men and feducers are so indefatigable in polluting the world, (and, alas! with too much fuccefs), by fending forth, through this channel, fwarms of books of the worft tendency, both as to the prin ciples and morals of mankind. These are fcattered every where, and unhappily read by fome of the lowest rank, and weakest understandings. Who then that fears God, and loves fouls, can fee the prefs pouring out fo much poison, and not be concerned, at the fame time, to improve it for conveying proper antidotes?

In this manner, formerly, have wife and good men preached the gofpel to the poor. That excellent and publicfpirited minifter of Chrift, Mr Gouge, when filenced for non-conformity in England, became, in this way, an apotle to Wales *. The most honourable of men, Mr Boyle, through this channel, poured mercies upon the world †. All the focieties in Germany, Denmark, Britain, and Ireland, employed in pro、

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pagating Christianity, have used this as one good mean. A fociety at London, already mentioned, was lately erected for this very purpose *; whofe charity extends itfelf even to the neglected negroes in our America; and, while many poor in England blefs them, by their means Ethiopia itself stretcheth out her hands to Jefus. And why fhould not the poor of Scotland be alfo cared for? why fhould not Ethiopia alfo be helped by us? Our gofpel throws down all diftinctions of nations. If men are faved, and heaven filled with inhabitants, whe. ther the gathering is from the east or the weft, or from the fouth or the north, our joy should be full.

No Chriftian attached to any fide of the unhappy divifions among us, has reafon to heftate about his liberality to the purposes of this fociety, as no books relating to thofe divifions are to be diftributed by them. They lament our many religious differences, whereby vital, practical Chriftianity, has fuffered fo much; and would willingly call back mens thoughts from what engenders ftrife, rather than godly edifying, by putting into their hands fuch books only as belong to that unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to which all that are faved muft come (1).

On the whole, it is hoped that thefe confiderations, void of all party-views, which influenced the fociety to enter into this pious defign, of miniftering to the poor the words of eternal life, will have the fame influence on Chriftians of every denomination, and excite them to countenance and promote it. By this means, the handful of feed now fown may, through the divine bleffing, bring forth a great and lengthened harvest. Such labour of love, though its fruit be unknown to us, fhall not be forgotten of God; but, in eternity, be acknowledged by the lover of fouls, the gra

cious rewarder of all who have been

workers together with him; when they

Some of the worthy names who established, and continue to promote this fociety, are, the Reverend Dr Chandler, Dr Stennet, Mr Gibbons, Mr Thompfon, Mr Forfitt, Mr Nicklin, Mr Holmes, Mr Ward, &t. (Eph. iv. 13.

that be wife, or teachers, fhall fine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the flars for ever and ever.

Rules of the fociety.

THE defign of the fociety is, to diftribute the facred fcriptures, and other books which may be judged ufeful, among the poor; and to fend fuch books to minifters or others, who may give them gratis among those who most need them, and may be moft likely to improve them.

The funds for executing this charitable defign to arife from a fubfcription

of the members, with fuch other volun. tary contribution, donation, or legacy of fubfcribers or others as are defirous to promote this pious undertaking.

If any person send fuch books as shall be approved of by the fociety, or money to purchase them, the faid books fhall be diftributed in any manner the donor pleases to point out.

donation to the fo

That when books are fent to any perfon, it will be expected he acknowledge the receipt of them; and alfo, from time to time, that he acquaint the fecretary of the fociety what fuccefs he has reafon to apprehend has attended the diftribution. The proper form of a ciety by will. ITEM, I A. B. hereby give and difpone the fum of unto the treafuvoluntary fociety, commonly called or known rer and Secretary for the time being of a by the name of The fociety of Edinburgh for promoting religious knowledge among the poor; which fociety now ufually meet, or did lately meet, at the fociety-hall for propagating Chriftian knowledge; the fame to be paid within months next after my deceafe, and to be applied for the ufes and State of the fociety's accounts, from its bepurposes of that fociety. ginning in January 1756, to January 1757. To annual fubfcriptions and contri- £ s. d.q.

butions received

By fundry payments for Bibles and other books, &c.

Cash in hand,
3 D 2

44 760

40 16 3 2

3 11 2 2

Such

Such as have opportunity of diftribu- after they fhall have accepted their re ting books agreeable to the defign of fpective commiffions. the fociety, may have them, upon making application by letter to any of the under-mentioned gentlemen; who are also impowered to receive contributions. The Rev. Mr Alexander Webßler, at Edinburgh. The Rev. Mr George Kay,

James Nimmo, Efq; receiver general of excife,
prefes of the fociety

Archibald Wallace merchant, treasurer.
Robert Walker furgeon, fecretary.
Mr William Hogg merchant in Edinburgh.

An abstract of the act tricefimo Georgii II.
intitled, An act for the better ordering
of the militia forces in the feveral coun-
ties of that part of G. Britain called
England.

[One word is frequently made to ferve in the abstract, for several that are commonly found

2. Nothing herein contained shall vacate any commiffion of lieutenancy already granted, nor any deputations granted to deputy-lieutenants, fo as the faid dePuty-lieutenants be qualified as is after

directed.

3. The lieutenant of every county fhall have the chief command of the militia thereof. In every county there fhall be appointed twenty or more deputy lieutenants, if fo many perfons, therein found; if not, fo many quali qualified as is herein expreffed, can be fied perfons as can be therein found. The deputy-lieutenants, colonels, and other officers, fhall have or be related to eftates of the yearly values refpective. ly following, viz. each deputy-lieutenant and colonel fhall be poffeffed of an eftate of 4001. or heir apparent of one of 8001.; each lieutenant-colonel and major fhall be poffeffed of an eftate of 3001. or heir-apparent of one of 6001.; each captain fhall be poffeffed of an eftate of 2001. or heir-apparent of one of 4001. or a younger fon of a person poffeffed or who fhall have died poffeffed of one of 600l.; each lieutenant fhall Pre- Well-ordered and well-di- be poffeffed of an estate of 100l. or fon emble. poflefed or who shall have

together in the act, in both fingular and plurál

numbers, connected by the particles and or or:
fuch as,

County, for county, riding, and place.
divifion, for hundred, rape, lath, wapentake,

and other divifion.
parith, for parish, tything, and place.
chief conftables, for chief conftables, or other

officers of the hundreds, &c. conftables, for conftables, tythingmen, headboroughs, or other officers of the parifhes, &c.]

tially neceffary to the fafety, peace, and profperity of this kingdom; and the laws now in being for the regulation of the militia are defective and ineffectual. § 1. From and after the 1ft of May 1757, his Majefty shall iffue forth commiffions of lieutenancy for the counties after mentioned. Thefe lieutenants fhall have full power to call together all fuch perfons, and to arm and array them, at Tuch times and in fuch manner, as is after expreffed; fhall from time to time appoint perfons living within their reIpective counties to be their deputy-lieutenants, whofe names fhall be first prefented to and approved of by his Majefty; and fhall give commiffions to a proper number of colonels and other officers, to train and difcipline the perfons fo to be armed and arrayed, certifying to his Majefty the names of fuch commiffion-officers within one month

died poffeffed of one of 2001.; and each enfign fhall be poffeffed of an eftate of 501. or fon of a perfon poffeffed or who fhall have died poffeffed of one of 1001.; all thefe eftates to be in England, Wales, or Berwick upon Tweed, and one moiety of them within the counties for which the perfons fhall be respectively appointed.

4. The immediate reverfion or remainder of an estate leafed for one, two, or three lives, or for any term of years determinable upon the death of one, two, or three lives, on referved rents, and which is to the leffee 300l. yearly clear, fhall be deemed equal to an eftate before defcribed as a qualification, of 100l. yearly; and fo in proportion.

5. Any officer may be promoted, on account of merit, in the militia, when affembled in cafe of actual invasion, or upon imminent danger thereof, or in

cafe

case of rebellion, by the lieutenant of the county, from a lower to a higher commiffion, inclufive of that of lieutenant-colonel, notwithstanding he fhould not have the qualifications requifite for his first admittance into fuch higher rank.

6. Provided, that no perfon not having the qualification of a captain, fhall be promoted to a higher rank than that of a captain.

7. The qualifications above recited fhall not extend to commiffions granted by the conftable of the tower, or lieutenant of the tower-hamlets.

8. His Majefty fhall from time to time, as he fhall think fit, fignify his pleasure to his lieutenant of any county, to difplace all or any fuch deputy-lieutenants; and thereupon the lieutenant fhall appoint others, under the like qualifications, to serve in their stead.

9. Every fuch deputy-lieutenant and commiffion - officer fhall, within fix months after he fhall have accepted his commiffion, leave with the clerk of the peace, his qualification, in writing, figned by himself; and take the oaths and make and fubfcribe the declaration appointed by the act 1° Geo. I. [viii. 362, 3, 4.], at fome general quar ter-feffion for the place, or in one of the courts of record at Westminster; and the clerk fhall enter the qualifications upon a roll to be kept for that purpose. 10. If any perfon fhall execute any of the powers hereby conferred on deputy-lieutenants, colonels, &c. (not being qualified as aforefaid), or fhall not, within the time limited, deliver in fuch qualification, and take the oaths, &c. every such person fhall forfeit, if a deputy-lieutenant, colonel, lieutenant-colonel, or major, 2001.; and if a captain, lieutenant, or enfign, too l.; the penalties to be recovered in any of the courts of record at Westminster; one moiety to go to the prosecutor, and the other to the ufes after directed.

11. Nothing in this act fhall oblige any peer of this realm to ferve in the militia perfonally, or by fubftitute; or reftrain the lieutenant of any county from appointing any peer, or heir-ap

parent of any peer, of this realm, to be a deputy-lieutenant, or commiffion-offi cer in the militia, within the county where fuch peer or heir-apparent shall refpectively have fome place of refidence; or oblige any fuch peer or heir-apparent to leave with the clerk of the peace, any fuch qualification in writing as aforefaid; but it fhall be lawful for every fuch peer or heirapparent, on taking the oaths, &c. as aforefaid, to act as a deputy-lieutenant or commiffion-officer, although he fhall not be poffeffed of any fuch eftate as is required by this act.

12. The acceptance of a commiffion in the militia fhall not vacate a feat in parliament.

13. The lieutenant, with three or more deputy-lieutenants of any county, and on the death or in the abfence of the lieutenant, any five or more deputylieutenants, fhall, at the end of every four years, at their annual meeting, discharge fuch a number of the militiaofficers (not exceeding one field-officer of each regiment or battalion, and one third part of the officers of inferior rank refpectively) as fhall be equal to the number of perfons who fhall be fit, and willing, and qualified to ferve; and the lieutenant fhall appoint fuch perfons to ferve in the room of the officers fo difcharged.

14. His Majefty fhall appoint a proper person who fhall have ferved, or fhall, at the time of fuch appointment, actually ferve in fome of his other forces, to be adjutant to each regiment or battalion of militia; who fhall, during his fervice in the militia, preferve his rank in the army. His Majefty shall also appoint, in the proportion of one ferjeant to twenty private men, two or more proper perfons who shall have fer ved three years in his other forces, to be ferjeants to every company in the militia. The fervice of fuch perfons in the militia fhall intitle them to Chelfea hofpital in the fame manner as if they had continued in the faid forces; and every perfon fo appointed to be a ferjeant out of Chelfea hofpital, fhall be intitled to be put again upon that establishment,

after

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