REMARKS ON THE BULL OF 1. THE reader has now before him an official instrument, which will probably be quoted with abborrence for generations to come! It will afford to divines, politicians, and philosophers, abundant occasion for remark; but we do not at present offer any reflections on the motives of the Roman Hierarchy in issuing this Bull, nor on its tendency at so critical a period of public affairs. It must, however, affect a variety of nations, excite a diversity of human passions, and remain as a lasting evidence of the unchangeable tendency of Roman Catholic principles to oppose Divine truth and religious liberty. The date of this Papal document, being on the 29th of June 1816, shows it to have been purposely contrived to frustrate the efforts of the Russian Bible Society (one of the great branches of a wide-spreading tree which has its deep roots in London), and that the Archbishop of Gnezn was the immediate agent of the Roman See. For, Mr. Pinkerton informs the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, that a General Meeting was convened at the Palace of Prince Czartorisky in Warsaw, on the 9th of May last, when the Polish Bible Society was finally and unanimously established;" but, after several "Catholic Bishops," had been elected Vice-presidents, and other proofs of an harmonious union of Christian feeling had appeared, the Pope's Bull interposed to throw down all the fond hopes of these pious men ! Thus it was demonstrated, that "the spirit of Papism" (as Mr. Villers says, in his beautiful Essay on the Reformation) "is exclusive and intolerant,- and that the spirit of un institution can never cease to act, until the institution itself ceases. 66 the late Dr. Geddes, when be published his critical version of the Bible. (See his "Letter to the Right Rev. John Douglass, Bishop of Centuriæ, and Vicar Apostolic in the London District," Lond. 1794.) But, perhaps, some of our readers may know nothing about the "Index Librorum Prohibitorum," and it may be neces sary for us to explain a little. 3. The "Index" is a barbarous inquisitorial engine, by means of which Literature has too long been kept down, and made wholly subservient to the designs of a tyrannical hierarchy: Rome has its Index, Madrid has its Index, and Lisbou, &c. &c. have an Index; each containing a copious list of books, which cannot be sold, kept, or read, by people professing the religion of the Pope, without incurring ecclesiastical penalties and severe pains, in body, soul, and property! This Papal and diabolical invention was hatched by the Council of Trent, soon after Luther began to write against the Church of Rome, and his Reformation had won the hearts of all considerate men in Europe. Antibiblion, No. 1. SHOREDITCH, NORTON FAL ARTILLERY GATE, AND OLD GROUND, BIBLE ASSOCIATION. ON Tuesday Evening the 25th of February, the Third Anniversary Meeting of the Shoreditch, Norton Falgate, and Old Artillery Ground Bible Association, was held at St. Leopards Church, Shoreditch, when a very numerous assembly including many persons of the labouring and poor classes attended. The Rev. JOSIAH PRATT, B. D. in the Chair. The Chairman opened the business by taking a general glance at the extent of the blessings resulting from the operatios of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in diffusing the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures throughout the world. He also reminded the audience (which nearly filled that large Church) that as they were assembled in the house of God-be relied on their attention to the decorum which might be expected in a place devoted to the service of God. In proposing or seconding the Resolu2. Our next observation is, that if all tions of the Meeting, The Rev. George Protestant Bibles, here called "Bibles Hendrick stated his knowledge from enprinted by Heretics," must be num-quiry of the good arising from the distribered among other prohibited books of the Index," then it becomes totally impracticable for us to hold any friendly intercourse with real adherents to the Papal religion; for, we shall always be at open war, and the intolerant principles of "the Congregation of the Index" will necessarily govern all our Roman Catholic brethren in the British empire. Now, in fact, the Rules of the Index" are maintained, and acted upon, as far as possible, by the Vicars Apostolic; and they were attempted to be enforced against bution of the Holy Scriptures in that neighbourhood amongst the poor. The Rev. Edward Bickersteth described the happy improvement he had noticed in Africa, among those persons to whom the Scriptures had been introduced by the power of reading, and the assistance of Bible Societies. The Rev. John Clayton recommended the continued support of Bible Associations, in which he was followed by the Rev. David Ruell who des cribed the depravity of persons ignorant of the word of God, and left to follow the tide of human corruption. The Rev. M. Britain very warmly recommended the support of Bible Associations. The Rev. Ducas Schmid of Saxony gave a highly interesting account of the success of Bible Societies in Germany. The Rev. Matthew Wilks, and the Rev. W. F. Platt commended the zeal of the Collectors, and paid a just tribute to the valuable exertions of these men who have devoted their time to this cause. Mr. Ballance looking at the vast extent of the want of the Holy Scriptures as yet unprovided for, earnestly proposed the continuance of every possible exertion. The Rev. John Campbell in very striking language pointed out the vast difference between the state of man ignorant of his Creator, and when by the blessing of God on the Holy Scriptures he is directed in the way to eternal felicity. The Rev. Robert M'Call concluded with some general reflections on Bible Societies. We cannot detail at length the valuable and eloquent speeches made on this occasion, but we have seldom if ever witnessed a more interesting Meeting. The speakers were varied in their remarks, while the spirit of the meeting was supported by a succession of observations highly interesting and well calculated for general improvement. To those who may object to the use of Churches for such assemblies, we may say if they were conducted like the Shoreditch Meeting, no such objection can be reasonably made. And surely an assembly of Christians met for the purpose of diffusing the revelation of heaven, ought to be so conducted, that the temples of divine truth might not be considered misused in being applied to such an object. ORDINATION. Friday Morning May 2nd, at 11 o'Clock, the Rev. RICHARD WATSON will preach to those Ladies, and other persons, who have acted as Collectors for the Methodist Missions, and to the Methodist Juvenile Missionary Society, in the Rev. Dr. WINTER'S Chapel, New Court, Carey Street. In the Evening, at 7 o'Clock, the Rev. JOSEPH BENSON will preach in Hinde Street Chapel, Manchester Square. Wednesday May 7th. The BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY will hold its ensuing Meeting at Free Mason's Hall, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, to commence at 12 o'clock.. LONDON ITENERANT SOCIETY - The Annual General Meeting of this Society will be held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, on Tuesday Morning May the 13th. Breaksfast to be provided by a quarter-past Six o'Clock; and the Chair taken at Seven o'clock. The Annual General Meeting of the NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY, will be held at the King's Concert Room, Haymarket, on Tuesday May 13th. Chair to be taken at 12 o'clock. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. The Annual General Meeting of this Society will be held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, on Wednesday Morning, May 14th, Breakfast will be provided by Six o'Clock, and the Chair taken at half-past Six. TRACT SOCIETY-The Annual General Meeting of this Society will be held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, on Thursday Morning May the 15th. Breakfast to be provided by Six o'Clock; and the Chair taken punctually at half-past Six. HIBERNIAN SOCIETY-The Annual April 9th 1817. Rev. Thomas Beigh-General Meeting of this Society will be ton was ordained as a Missionary to the held at the City of London Tavern, heathen at the Meeting-house of his Pas- Bishopsgate Street, on Friday Morning, tor, the Rev. James Gauthorn, of Derby. May the 16th. Breakfast to be provided Mr. Weaver of Macclesfield began the by Six o'Clock; and the Chair taken service by reading and prayer, Mr. Alliott punctually at half-past Six.› of Nottingham delivered the introductory Discourse from Acts xiii 2, 3. and asked the questions. Mr. Williams of Matlock offered the Ordination prayer, Mr. Gawthorn presented a Bible to Mr. Beighton in the name of Pastor, Church, and Sunday School of that place. Mr. Bennett from Rotherham delivered the Charge from Acts xvi. 10. latter clause, and Mr. Rome of Sutton concluded with prayer. ANNIVERSARY MEETINGS IN MAY. METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. On Thursday Morning, May 1st, at 1lo'Clock, the Rev. JOHN STEPHENS, from Leeds, will preach in the City-Road Chapel. In the evening, The ANNUAL MEETING of this Society will be held at 5 o'clock. On The Annual Meeting of THE PROTES TANT SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, will be held at half-past 10 o'Clock precisely on Saturday May 17th, at The New London Tavern Cheapside. ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY, THE 23rd. GENERAL MEETING. The arrangement of the intended Services are as follows: WEDNESDAY May 14th. Morning, Surry Chapel. The Rev. THOMAS CHALMERS, D. D. Minister of the Tron Church Glasgow, to preach. As it is probable that many more persons will seek admission into Surry Chapel than can be accommodated, a Missionary Sermon will be preached at an adjacent Evening, Sacramental Services at Islington Ditto, (Rev. Mr. Jones's) The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered at the above places, to those Members and Friends of the Society, who statedly communicate with a Christian church, in Town or Country; who produce at the door communion Tickets, signed by Ministers who know them to be regular communicants, and to no other persons. Ministers in Town are requested to apply for Tickets for their respective Friends, at the Missionary Rooms, No. 8. Old Jewry, on Friday or Saturday, May 9th or 10th. Ministers from the country may be supplied at the same place on Monday or Tuesday, the 12th or 13th. The Morning Services to commence at half-past 10 o'Clock, and the Evening at 6 o'Clock, A Collection in aid of the Funds of the Society will be made at the close of every Service. Original Poetry. SONNETS. I. To Hesperus. WITH such mild radiance, Hesper! dost thou shine, Do not the spirits of the blessed rise, And pass thy portal? And oh! say shall mine Presumptuous thought! had not my Saviour died. But for His love, to deepest misery My wretched soul had sunk, and when I eyed No hope that I should reach thy peaceful shore Had warmed my bosom. Immortality! Thou lovest not our clime where tempests roar, II. Supposed to be written at the grave of Henry Kirke White. In reverence I kneel-but not to thee, Albeit I pay no midnight rites to Fame. Far from tumultuous folly's noisy peal, |
