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until the last annual meeting of which their catalogues and parthe society in November 1811, cels might be conveyed to them. when a new regulation was esta blished, which changed the mode of furnishing the subscribers with those quotas of books to which the society considered their subscriptions to entitle them. This regulation provides that instead of allotments of new tracts being, on their publication, awarded to the members, a catalogue of all the books, with the prices affixed, should be sent to them by the Se. cretary in the month of January in each year, out of which they should be allowed to claim, at their own choice, books to the amount of their several subscriptions, provided they made their Fel. 18, 1812. claim within three months from the date of the notice. A resolu. was at the same time past, that by way of apprising the subscribers of its publication, a single copy of every new tract should be sent to each, as far at least as the Secretary might find this practicable.

In calling, at this time, the attention of yourself and your rea. ders, to this society, it affords me sincere pleasure to be able to announce its growing success; and the demands for the tracts already published have been of late so ra. pidly on the increase as to yield the pleasing assurance that they need but be known to be approved, and to turnish a happy earnest of the extensive and lasting benefits which may, under the divine blessing, result from our labours.

Such is the present situation of the society in respect to the privileges of its members. The new plan has not yet been acted upon. Owing to some accidental circum. stances, which it is needless here to specify, it was found impracti. cable this year to circulate the catalogues in January. They are however now ready, and will be very shortly sent to the subscri. bers. But as it is likely some difficulties may occur as to the means of conveying them to those members who reside in distant parts of the country, they will perceive that they will be affording us essential aid, as well as securing for themselves the more certain reception of their books, were they to point out to me the channel by

THOMAS REES, Secretary. Barnard's Inn, Holborn.

осса

Dr. Marsh's Address to the Mem.
bers of the Senate of the Uni-
versity of Cambridge;
sioned by the Proposal to intro-
duce in that Place an Auxiliary
Bible Society.

Both of our

We have at present two very extensive Bible Societies, the one founded in 1699, the other n 1 4. the Prince Regent tthe head le memArchbishops and all our Bi hops with bers of the former: neither of the two Archb s ops, and only a small proportion of the B shops are members of the latter. The members of the former, now amounting to about five thousand, are exclusively Churchmen, no one being admitted to it wit out tes imony of his attachment to the Constitution, as well in Church as in state.

The members of the latter are much more numerous,

than those of the former; but they consist of Churchmen and Dissente s ndiscriminately. The to Soc et es agree in the very laudable o ject of d ributing Bibles both at honie and abroad though the number of Bibles detr buted by the latter, especially abroad, greatly exceeds the number distributed by the

former.

For not only are the funds of the latter much superior to those of the former, but those funds are eployed in the distribution of Bibles only, whereas

the funds of the former are employed, this Society, they may of themselves add partly on Bibles, partly on Prayer-Books, and partly on Religious Tracts, which are in unison with the doctrine and discipline of the Established Church.

Prayer-Books, and Religious Tracts in unison with the established faith, and that this correction will be rendered ca y, if (as frequently happens) they are members also of the other Society. But, to say nothing of the question, whether it is not more adviseable for Churchmen to adhere wholly to a Society, which, in proportion as its numbers increase, will supply their wants without the ne. cessity of correction, the Dissenting members have the same resource with their brethren of the establishment, it being equally in their power to distribute Bibles in company with such Religious Tracts, as favour their own opinions, and are always at hand, whenever they are wanted. The principle of equality therefore, on which the modern Bible Society is formed, and which places Christians of every denomination on the same level, is upon the whole preserved: and in this constitutional equality there is evident danger, that the pre-eminence of the established religion should be gradually forgotten and finally lost,

From this short statement it appears, that the former, or the ancient Society, is not only a Bible Society, but likewise (what the other is not) a Church-ofEngland Society. With the former it is an invariable rule, in promoting Chris tian knowledge, to keep in view the doctrines, which the members of the Society believe and maintain. Especially where the Church of England is established, they consider it as their duty to promote Christianity, not under any form, but under that particular form, which, above every other they are pledged to support, which alone is the tenure of ecclesiastical and even of civil preferment. In conformity with that rule, the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge (the ancient Bible Society) distributes in its home circulation, as well the Liturgy as the Bible: for though in the spirit of true Protestantism, it acknowledges the Bible as the only fountain It is far from my intention to be unof religious truth, yet, it knows from the friendly or disrespectful toward those, experience of all ages, that the waters whose religious opinions are different of that fountain will be clear or turbid, from my own. Though sincerely ataccording to the channel into which tached to the Established Church, and they are drawn. And as the members desirous of promoting its welfare by all of the Society believe (though without fair and honourable means, I fully rereproach to those whose belief is differ- cognize the natural, and in this country, ent) that the doctrines of the Liturgy legal right of private judgment in matters are correctly derived from the Bible, of religion; and I should be ever ready they consider it as their indispensable both to deplore and to oppose every duty, to unite the one with the other. effort to abridge the freedom of religious Indeed, uniformity of doctrine can never opinion, or religious worship, which is be produced without an adherence to exercised in this country by Dissentes of this rule: for every Christian party either every description But though I respect finds, or supposes that it finds, its pecu- religious opinions in general, however liar doctrines in the Bible-But this different from my own, and respect them salutary rule, so necessary to promote because they are religious opinions, yet I uniformity, so desireable therefore by deeply lament that such diversity exists, every true Churchman, cannot be ob not only because the greater the diverserved by the modern Bible Society; for sity the more abundant is the error, but such a rule would not only be contrary to because religious dissension, in conse its present avowed object, but absolutely quence of our mixed constitution, is inadmissible from the very constitution of clos.ly connected with political dissenthe Society. For it not only consists sion. Religious dissension therefore in of Dissenters as well as of Churchmen: but an equality of power and interest between the two parties is the avowed basis, on which this modern Society is built.

It is true, that those members of it, who are attached to the Church, may so far correct the evil, that when they have obtained Bibles for distribution from

this country becomes a political evil; and as such should not be encouraged, though Dissenters of every description should for conscience sake be tolerated. This is the true line of distinction, which every Churchman should invariably observe; and I am convinced that every candid Dissenter, so far from resenting this open and honest avowal,

will do justice to the purity of my intentions. Indeed every man, who loves his country, will be ready to adopt a principle, which is calculated to promote political good, without producing religious evil.

Let us apply this principle to the modern Bible Society, as far as relates to the conduct of Churchmen: for nothing which is here said is intended as a restraint on the conduct of those, who dissent from the Established Church. They have full liberty to distribute Bibles, either alone, or accompanied with such religious tracts, as they may think proper and if a Society consisting solely of Dissenters had been formed for this purpose, the members of the establishment would have had no right, either to interfere, or even to complain of it. Such a Society would have been perfectly consistent with those principles of toleration, which are happily established in these realms. But it is certainly a question for consideration among Churchmes, whether it is prudent to augment the power of such a Society, by throwing into its scale the weight of the Establishment. If Churchmen give the whole of their influence to the antient Bible Society, they retain the strength of the Established Church within its own channel, and thus contribute to preserve it.

If they divide their influence, and still more, if they give it wholly to the modern Bible Society, they divert the strength of the Establishment into a foreign channel, where the current may at least be turned against them. In supporting the antient Bible Society, they have ample security, that they are supporting at the same time the Established Church: but in supporting the modern Bible Society, they have no such security, either in its constitution, or in the general friendship of its members. It is true, that the professed object of the modern Bible Society is to distribute Bibles without note or comment, and, in this country, according to the authorized version. But were it certain, that, as the power of this Society increases, the present avowed object would still be retained, we can have no guarantee that other objects, inimical to the Church, will not in time be associated with the main object. The experience of only seven years, under circumstances where circumspection has been peculiarly necessary, is a poor ground of consolation. The Dissenters, however well affected

in other respects, cannot be well affected to the Church, or they would not he Dissenters from it. Their interests in respect to religion are different from ours, and therefore must lead them a different way: and though we know from experience, that they can combine for the purpose of opposing the Church, it would be contrary both to experience and to the common principles of human action, to expect their co operation, if the object in view was the interest of the Church. If we apply then the principle abovementioned, that Churchmen should tolerate, but not encourage Dissenters, we shall find in it a strong argument against the promotion of the modern Bible Society. For, independently of the reason above-stated, that Churchmen should unite the Liturgy with the Bible, and thus prevent its misapplication to other doctrines, the very constitution of the modern Bible Society gives an importance to the dissenting interest, which otherwise it would never have obtained, and consequently brings a fresh accession of danger to the Established Church. That Churchmen by their association with Dissenters in this modern Bible Society, increase both the political and the religious importance of the latter, is too obvious to require illustration. And that this increase of influence may hereafter be applied in a manner not contemplated by those, who now inadvertently promote it, is likewise a position which cannot be controverted.” But by increasing the influence of the ancient Bible Society, we necessarily increase the influence of the Established Church: for the ancient Bible Society is one of its firmest bulwarks. On the one hand, therefore, our encouragement of the ancient Society must contribute to the welfare of the Established Church, while on the other hand, our encouragement of the modern Society, not only contributes nothing to it in preference to other churches, but may contribute even to its dissolution. Now if we injure, or even neglect to support our own Church, we shali hardly make compensation by our own distribution of Bibles in foreign parts. If our own Church, as we have reason to believe, professes Christianity in its purest form, the downfall of such a church, would be an irreparable loss, not to this nation only, but to the whole, world.

Under these circumstances, I respect. fully submit the question to the consi

deration of this University, which of the two Bible Societies is most entitled to encouragement on the part of a body, whose peculiar duty (a duty so nobly displayed on a late occasion) is the support of the Established Church.

HERBERT MARSH, Margaret Professor of Divinity. Cambridge, Nov. 25, 1811.

The Report of the Manchester
New College, removed to York,
at the Twenty-fifth Annual
Meeting, August 30, 1811.

The trustees of the Manchester New College, removed to York, have great sat.staction in being able to present to its friends so favourable a report of the state of its funds; and, which is much more essential, of its discipline, and the proficiency of the students.-The rental arising from the property in Manchester is increased; the interest also of the permanent fund increases gradually, in proport on to the additions made to it from the benefactions. The whole of these it has been the practice of former years to annex to the permanent fund; but, in consequence of the great additional e penses incurred in the acquisition of the lately purchased buildings, and on other accounts, the state of the general funds of the college would not admit of the appropriation, this year, of more than one half of their amount. The purchase alluded to has been made by the kind assistance of twenty-five gentlemen, who have agreed to advance the purchase money, on condition of its being repaid by small annual instalments. Of these gentlemen, the particular thanks of the trustees are due to the Rev. William Grindrod, of Chester, for the very liberal terms on which he has proposed that the sum advanced by him should ultimately become the property of the college; and to T. B. W. Sanderson, Esq of Chewbent, who has ordered that his annual instalments should be paid, as they become due, into the permament fund, together with the interest arising therefrom-In these buildings, situated nearly opposite to Mr. Wellbeloved's, the classical and mathematical tutors, and all the students are comfortably lodged They furnish, besides, commodious lecture and diningrooms, with the several requisite conveniences. The trustees have hitherto

made no repairs or alterations, but what are absolutely necessary to the accommodation of the present society of students; but a considerable number of additional apartments may be fitted up, if required, at a very reasonable expense. The trustees have been greatly indebted to the unremitted attention of Mr. Thomas Smith, of York, who has, in the most judicious manner, and with the utmost attention to economy, superintended the alterations which have this year been made.-The subscription-list is considerably enlarged, through the activity and zeal of the deputy-treasurers: and the congregational collections a little exceed the amount of the last year. This mode of providing for the exigencies of the college, appears to the trustees particularly desirable, as it affords an oppor tunity to the several ministers, not only of extending the knowledge of this particular institution, but also of directing the attention of our societies, and particularly of the younger part of them, to the principles of religious liberty, and to the exercise of individual inquiry and judgment. On these accounts the trustees are desirous to return their thanks to those ministers who have already preached sermons for the benefit of this institution; and they beg leave to recommend a similar measure to the attention of other ministers and congregations throughout the kingdom.-The business of this institution is distributed among three tutors. The Rev. John Kenrick, M. A. gives lectures on the Greek and Roman classics, on the principles of grammar, and on ancient and modern history, and superintends the exercises of the students of the first three years in Latin and English composition. The Rev William Turner, jun. M. A. undertakes the departments of mathematics and of natural and experimental philosophy, and also gives lectures on logic, metaphysics, and ethics. The Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, theological tutor and director of the Institution, gives lectures on the evidences of natural and revealed religion; on the principles of biblical criticism, and on ecclesiasti-. cal history; instructs the divinity students, and such lay students as may desire it, in the languages of the original Scriptures, and of the most important versions; critically reads over with them the whole of the Old and New Testaments; and from those pure sources, encourages them, each for him

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self, to form his own views of the im- settled as a min ter at Stand, near Manportant doc rines of Revelat on. He chester.-In orde: to secure, as far as is also pays par i ular attention, during po-si le the respec ability of the stu the last two years of their course, to the dents who shall be edu ated for the formation of a proper style of composis minetry in this seminary with regard tion for the pulpit.-The trustees are both to character and literary attainhappy to say. hat the general character ments, the trustees have resolved, given of the students by their tutors, for orderly and exemplary conduct, is highly encouraging; and that the annual exa mination continue to be attended by many friends to the institution, with increasing pleasure and satisfaction. At the last examination, June 27 and 8, ISII, the first prize offered to students of the first three years for diligence, regulari y, and proficiency, was ad udged to Mr. Hagh Ker, of Hull, the second to Mr Thomas Crompton Holland, of Manchester, and the third to Mr. Robert Wallace, of Dudley. The prize for the greatest progress, during the session, to ards the attainment of a just and natural elocution was given to Mr. Willian Hincks, of Cork-The number of students during the ensuing session will be twenty-one: eleven divinity, and ten lay students. Of the former Messrs. Manley, Hutton, H. Turner, and G. Kenrick, wil be in the fourth year of their course; Messrs. Lewis, Brettell, Ashton, and Holland, in the third; Messrs. Wallace, and Bakewell, in the second; and Mr. Benjamin Mardon, jun. of Exeter, in the first. Mr Hincks will not return during the next session, but the trustees hope that he will rejoin his fellow students at the commencement of that which will succeed it. Mr. Arthur Dean, the only divinity student who this year completed his course, is

Tha', in future, 10 candidate shall be admitted on its foundation, but on the recommendation of three protestant dissenting ministers, residing in the neighbourhood where he lives, who shall certify, that at the comencement of his course, he will have atta ned the full age of sixteen; that on their personal e amination, his moral character, natural endowments, and classical proficiency, are such as to qualify him for becoming a student for the ministry; and that the profession is the object of his own voluntary choice. His ability to read Homer and Horace will be considered as essen ial to his admission."-All applications must be addressed to "The Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, York;" who will lay them before the annual meeting of trustees, at York, on the last Wedne day in June, at which meeting they will be taken into consideration, and those candidates pr ferred, who appear, from the testimonials produced, to be most eligible.-Letters on the subject of this institution may also be addressed to George William Wood Esq. Treasurer, Manchester, or to the Rev. William Turner, Newc stle uponTyne, by whom, or by any of the de puty treasurers, subscriptions and dona tions are received

SAMUEL SHORE, Jun.
Pres.dent.

Statement of the Funds of the College, June 30, 1811.

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Premises in Manchester, valued before the alterations at 4000 0
Expence incurred in altering the centre building

79

3 101

Permanent Fund, June, 1810

Allow 21 per cent for depreciation .

Addition made thereto, June 30, 1811.

Premises in York, first instalment of Purchase money

Subscriptions in Arrear

Balance in the Treasurer's hands.

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VOL: VII.

GEO. WM, WOOD, Treasurer'

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