limited; they ought to be extended The Sultan Kattegerry spoke very feelingly of the light which the Divine blessing on the Scriptures had shed on his mind, and desired the Jews might participate in the same blessing. Two Jews from Poland and Germany explained their happiness since they became acquainted with Christianity. WM. CUNNINGHAM, Esq. very eloquently descanted on the Scripture promises relative to the Jews; but through a cold we heard him very indistinctly. The Rev. Mr. Bickersteth, the Rev. B. Woodd, and the Rev. Lewis Way, severally addressed the meeting. The latter said, three things appeared to be requisite for the future conversion of the Jews, which he ventured to prognosticate would soon be obtained,-1,--a Missionary for the Jews in Poland,-another for Palestine, and a Hebrew college for the instruction of Missionaries to the Jews. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE THE Anniversary of this invaluable Institution, was held at the Freemasons' Hall, on Wednesday, May 17th. the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President, in the chair. cent of Mahomet sinks before the rising beams of Christianity; a Mahometan aged 40 had learned to read, purposely that he might read the Scriptures. The first Bible sold in Africa was to an Hottentot. An African said of the Scriptures, "These are the weapons that will conquer Africa they have conquered me." The Report stated the formation of various Bible Societies at home and abroad, particularly in Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, &c. and even among the Catholics, thousands of whom now read the Bible: also in the East and West Indies, America, and Africa, where a Hottentot, of 50 years of age, learned to read that he might read the Bible. The Report concluded with giving thanks to God for a disposition to encourage the distribution of the Scriptures, and imploring the Divine blessing on its exertions. The distribution of Bibles and Testaments collectively, amount to one million and three quarters, including 25 languages. After the Report was read, apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the Bishop of Durham, Lord Exmouth, and Mr. Vansittart. W. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. congratu lated the Society on the favourable Report just read, and on the animating intelligence it contained. My Lord, (said Mr. W.) you have even awakened Siberia itself to life and action." Mr. W. moved the acceptance and printing of the Report, which was seconded by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Salisbury. A number of eloquent addresses were then delivered, but we are unavoidably compelled by want of room, to postpone the insertion of them till next month, when we hope to do more ample justice to this meeting, than is at present in our power. We cannot, however, dismiss the subject this month without mentioning a singular circumstance which has since come to our ears, and on the truth of which we think we can rely. It is that the late Meeting of the Bible Society was attended by a Gentleman of the order of the Jesuits. This person found his way to the very platform on which the speakers and members of the Committee are always accommodated, and actually took his place among them, with what views or whether The Report, which every year encreases in extent, was read by the Chair-known to them, we do not undertake to man, assisted by the Rev. Daniel Wilson. say. He was, however, recognized by It took a review of the state of the Society, a person who resides in Lancashire, as a which our readers will rejoice to hear is member of the College of Jesuits, at extremely flourishing, and of its rapid Stoneyhurst, in that county, and to whom extension through the world. The spirit he is well known. We have ourselves of peace had poured on the world a rich seen and conversed with the person who abundance of moral and intellectual bles- communicated this information. At any sings. Christian knowledge is now con- other time than the present, we should fined to no country: the African and the not have thought a circumstance of this Asiatic the Hottentot and the Hindoo, kind worth mentioning; but when we are enabled to trace the mind of God in perceive how much the Bible Society has the pages of Scripture, and rejoice in become the subject of alarm at Rome, and there contemplating a sublimer revelation hear the fulminations of the Vatican roarthau in sun, moon, and stars. The cres-ing against it month after month, we can not help shrewdly suspecting that this ANOTHER BULL, OR PAPAL in order that the church, scattered over the whole world, might be of one lip, and of the same speech. Truly, when we perceive in a vernacular tongue very frequent changes, variations, and alterations, proceeding from the immoderate licentiousness of biblical versions, that immutability must be destroyed; nay, the divine testimonies, and even the faith itself, must be shaken, especially as from the signification of one syllable the truth of a dogma may sometimes be ascertained. 4. Wherefore, by this means, heretics have been accustomed to bring forward their corrupt and most destructive machinations; in order that they might insidiously obtrude each their own errors, dressed up in the more holy garb of the Sep-divine word, by publishing the Bible in Addressed to the Archbishop of Mechlin, POPE PIUS VII. To our Venerable Brother Stanislaus, 1. We are worn down with poignant the vulgar tongues, (though concerning the wonderful variety and discrepancy of these they mutually accuse and cavil at each other). "For heresies arise only," saith St. Augustine, "when the excellent Scriptures are not well understood; and what in them is ill understood, is nevertheless rashly and boldly asserted." 5. But if we lament that men, the most renowned for piety and wisdom, have often failed in interpreting Scripture; what may not be feared, if the Scriptures, translated into every vulgar tongue, are allowed to be freely read by the ignorant common people, who usually judge not from any preference, but from a sort of temerity? exclaims St. Augustine properly, "that you, untinctured by any poetical skill, do not venture to open Terence without a master; yet you rush without a guide upon the Holy Books, and dare to give an opinion upon them without the assistance of an instructor?" Is it so, 2. But we were still more deeply grieved, when we read certain letters signed with the name of you, our brother; 6. Wherefore, our antecessor Innocent wherein you authorized and exhorted the III. in his celebrated epistle to the people committed to your care, to procure faithful of the Church of Metz, most for themselves modern versions of the wisely commanded these things: "The Bible, or willingly to accept them when hidden mysteries of the faith are not offered, and carefully and attentively to every where to be laid open to all peoperuse them! Nothing certainly could ple; since they cannot every where be more aggravate our grief than to behold understood by all men, but by those only you, who were placed to point out the who can comprehend them with a faithways of righteousness, become a stone of ful mind."- "On which account (the stumbling. For you ought carefully to Apostle says, 1 Cor. iii. 2.) to you who have kept in view, what our predecessors are the more ignorant, as it were babes have always prescribed; namely, "That in Christ, I gave milk to drink, not food; if the holy Bible in the vulgar tongue for strong meat belongeth to the elder. were permitted every where, without dis- As he himself said to others: We speak crimination, more injury than benefit wisdom among the perfect; but among would thence arise." you I determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. For so great is the depth of the Divine Scriptures, that not only the simple and illiterate, but even the prudent and learned, are incompetent fully to discover their meaning. On which account the Scripture affirms: Because many who have diligently searched have failed. Whence it was rightly ordained of old, in the 3. Further, the Roman church receiving only the Vulgate edition, by the well known decree of the council of Trent, rejects the versions in other languages, and allows only those which are published with notes, properly selected from the writings of the fathers and Catholic doctors; lest so great a treasure should be subject to the corruptions of novelties, and divine law, (Exod. xix. 12.) that the beast which shall touch the mountain should be stoned; lest truly any simple and unlearned person should presume to reach after the height of Sacred Scripture, or even proclaim it to others: for it is written, Mind not high things. Therefore the Apostle commands; not to be more wise than is becoming, but to be wise soberly." 7. Yet not only the letter of Innocent III. just quoted, but also the Bulls of Pius IV. Clement VIII. and Benedict XIV. are very well known; in which they fore-warned us, lest, if the Scripture was unreservedly laid open to all, it would perhaps be despised and disregarded, or being improperly understood by persons of low capacities, it would lead them into error. But you, our brother, may know plainly what is the opinion of the Church, concerning the reading and interpretation of the Scripture, from the famous Bull Unigenitus by another of our predecessors, Clement XI; wherein are expressly refuted those opinions which assert, "That it is useful and necessary at all times, in all places, and for all descriptions of persons, to know the mysteries of the Scripture, the reading of which was intended to be for all, That it is pernicious to keep it back from Christian people,-Yea, that the mouth of Christ was closed against the faithful, when the New Testament was taken out of their bands." part of that letter in which these things are related: and thus not only have you excited the strongest suspicion of your judgment on this subject, but also, by not fully quoting both the context of the holy Synod, and that of our aforesaid predecessor, you have given an occasion to others to err, in an affair of so great importance. 10. For what else, venerable brother, can these mutilations mean, but that either you thought not rightly concerning the most holy Traditions of the Church, or that these passages were expunged by you for the purpose of favouring the machinations of innovators? which certainly tend to deceive the faith of the readers, and to make even the common people themselves read with an unsuspicious mind those versions which, as we showed above, must to them be much more injurious than profitable. 11. Moreover, if this would by no means be lawful for any Catholic person, what shall we say of a holy Prelate of the Church, whom pastoral dignity has constituted the guardian of the faith and doctrine committed to him; and who is strictly bound by the force and obligation of the oath he has taken, both strenaously and diligently to remove from the people dangers of erring, and to observe and maintain the laws and regulations of the Church. from suspicion of a secret confederacy, who evidently neglects to oppose mischief." 12. You see therefore, venerable brother, what ought to be our mode of act8. But what caused even still greater ing toward you, if we were disposed to grief, is this; that you have gone so far enforce the severity of the Canon laws! as, when transcribing the decree of the "For," said St. Thomas of Canterbury, Council of Trent, concerning the Canon "he who does not come forward to of Scripture, that you omit those things remove what ought to be corrected, respecting Traditions, which are sanc-gives his sanction to error; nor is he free tioned by the same context. For, when these holy fathers openly declare, That the Word of God is contained not merely in the written books, but also in the most indubitable Traditions of the Church, in things pertaining to faith, as well as to morals; which, as proceeding either from the mouth of Christ, or dictated by the Holy Spirit, and preserved by continued succession in the Catholic Church, this most holy Synod receives and venerates with equally pious affection and reve rence : 9. You, venerable brother, have not feared entirely to garble this passage, with the same artifice with which we observe you have quoted the letter of Pius VI. our predecessor, to Martini, Archbishop of Florence! For, when that most wise Pontiff, for this very reason commends a version of the Holy Scriptures, made by that prelate," because he had abundantly enriched it by expositions drawn from Tradition, accurately and religiously observing the rules prescribed by the sacred congregation of the Index, and by the Roman Pontiffs" You have suppressed the 13. But we, for the love we bear you, insist only upon that thing, from which, since it must be enjoined upon you by divine authority, we cannot refrain; namely, that you would take away the scandal, which by this mode of acting you have occasioned. Hence we most earnestly exhort you, our brother, and beseech you by the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you will strive to repair, by a due and speedy amendment, all those things which you have improperly taught or done concerning the new versions of the Bible, 14. And I wish, venerable brother, emulating the example of illustrious men, which procured for them such honour, that you would consider how you might reprobate these your deeds by a solemn and formal retractation ! We cannot, however, avoid exciting you, and by virtue of holy obedience, we even command you to do at least what is necessary for preserving the purity of doctrine, and the integrity of the faith; namely, that in a fresh letter addressed to the people, containing the whole contents both of the decree of the Council of Trent, and of the letter of Pius VI. on this subject, you should sincerely and plainly teach, "That the Christian truth and doctrine, as well dogmatical as moral, are contained not in the Scriptures only, but also in the Traditions of the Catholic Church; and that it belongs to the Church herself alone to interpret each of them. 15. Moreover, you should declare; that you did not intend to recommend those versions of the sacred books in the vulgar tongues, which were not exactly conformable to the rules prescribed by the Canons and Apostolic Institutions: lastly, you should make known and likewise declare, that, in advising and recommending the perusal of these divine Scriptures, you had not respect to all the faithful indiscriminately, but only to ecclesiastical persons, or at most to those Laymen, who in the judgment of their pastors, were sufficiently instructed. 16. If you shall truly perform all these things, as we trust in the Lord you will, and which we promise ourselves most certainly from your prudent and tractable disposition, you will afford great consolation to our mind, and also to the Church universal. Filled with this hope, we permanently impart to you, venerable brother, and the flock committed to your care, the Apostolic Benediction. Given at Rome, at St. Mary the Greater, on the third day of September, 1816; the seventeenth year of our Pontificate. POPE PIUS VII. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Anniversary of this Society commenced on Wednesday May 14th. with public worship at Surry Chapel, when Dr. Chalmers of Glasgow delivered a discourse from 1 Cor. xiv. 23-25. “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all he is judged of all; and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest: and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth." Although this text may, at first sight, appear to have been rather strangely selected by the preacher, on this particular occasion, yet when we come to take a nearer survey of it, we shall find a peculiar appropriateness in it on two accounts. Dr. Chalmers is well known to have written some treatises of uncommon excellence on the external evidences of Christianity-to which indeed we have had frequent occasion to call the attention of the readers of our Magazine. These publications have deservedly conferred upon him a large portion of well-earned celebrity. But to the reflecting mind of Dr. C. it was not likely to escape attention that, important as the external evidences of the truth of the gospel manifestly are, there is a source of evidence still more important attending it, and that evidence exists in itself—it arises out of its own nature -and is therefore properly denominated internal. Now, the words which the preacher chose on this occasion, as the ground of his discourse, led him immediately into the consideration of this source of evidence, and his Sermon, may, without hesitation, be pronounced the finest illustration of it, that is known to any of his hearers, while the impression which was produced by it upon them, can be adequately conceived of only by those that witnessed it. But another consideration which evinces the propriety and suitableness of this particular text to the occasion is, that it laid a foundation for the preacher to justify the conduct of the Society in sending plain, unlearned men, as Missionaries into distant lands, to convey the knowledge of salvation among nations sitting in darkness and the region of the shadow of death and thus strengthening the hands of the friends of the Mission, in the good work in which they are engaged. Allowing Dr. Chalmers his own interpretation of the prophesying mentioned in the text, namely, the simple teaching of the doctrine of Christ, we need not take time to show what a field the passage presented to him of useful illustration, and of purof the meeting. Considering the gospel poses expressly consonant to the objects as the record or testimony which God hath given of his Son, the preacher remarked that it contained in itself indisputable evidence of the source from whence it issued. It includes in itself all that is necessary to inform the judg ment, to renew the mind, and to save the sout. Its discoveries and doctrines and precepts commend themselves to the conscience of every man, as in the sight of God; and they need no miracles or signs from heaven to attest their truth. Human learning is not necessary to qualify men for teaching it. The mechanic while engaged about his daily occupation may communicate the knowledge of the Savi our to sinners around him, and through the blessing of God whose record it is, may make them wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. For the sake of . our friends at a distance, we should certainly have attempted to furnish an outline of this admirable discourse; but Dr. Chalmers has been importuned to print it, and in so pressing a manner, that she has manifested the spirit of true religion. It is also believed, that her husband is a converted man. The parents and friends of both reside at Lattakoo, to which place they are gone with Mr. Read; and as they can speak the Dutch as well as the Bootsuanna language, it is hoped that they may be very useful in the first introduction of the Gospel into that city. at Malta, and in the West Indies-the growth of missionary zeal in the Netherlands and in the United States-that there are 20 missionary students under the care of Dr. Bogue, at Gosport, and states that the Society is meditating new missions to Madagascar and Siberia. Mr. HANKEY then gave a brief statement of the Society's funds, by which it appeared that the expenditure of the past year amounted to nearly £19,000, which had been more than equalled by the receipts. Dr. BOGUE of Gosport then moved the adoption of the Report, and in a speech of some length, took a review of the pre GRIQUA TOWN.-Occurrences of an unpleasnat nature disturbed the peace and threatened the safety of this station, at the beginning of the last year; but the arrival of Corn Kok, in Sept. last, appears to have produced good effects. He has greatly promoted the spirit for agri-sent state of the Mission, and closed his culture, so that more corn has been sown than ever before. He has also brought with him several lively Christians from Bethesda; and many young people have lately been turned from darkness to light, of whom 40 were thought to be fit subjects for baptism. BETHESDA, about 600 miles north of the Cape. By a letter received from Mr. Sass, it appears that his labours have been so much blessed, that he has baptized 60 adult persons, and many others are convinced of their sinful state. LATTAKOO.-It may be proper here to observe, that some of the brethren who were designated to commence a mission at Lattakoo, having proceeded on their way as far as Griqua Town, continued there for some time, waiting for the expected arrival of Mr. Read, who intended to accompany them. But being impatient to make a beginning, and having received information from Lattakoo favourable to their wishes, determined themselves to make the attempt. The attempt, however, failed, and they returned. BETHANY, in Namaqualand.-From the Journal of Mr. Schmelen, for the year 1815, which was long detained, we learn that he has baptized 65 adults, beside 40 children. He says, "There is sincere desire among the Namaquas to be instructed in the way of salvation." a PEACE MOUNTAIN, formerly Africaner's Krall.—Mr. Ebner has enjoyed the high gratification of baptizing Africaner, the man who was once the terror of the whole country, and the unhappy instrument of dispersing the settlement at Warm Bath; but now the lion appears to be transformed into a lamb, and he warmly espouses that faith which he once oppos ed and persecuted. Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Marquard are gone to labour in the Namaqua country. Mr. B. coming to a krall of Namaquas, was forcibly detained; the people would not suffer him to depart till he had instructed them in the way of salvation; some of them, it is said laid themselves down in the road before him, to prevent his departure. The Report finally takes a brief notice of the Society's Missionaries in Canada, address by remarking the activity of the Society in having sent out 17 fresh Missionaries in the course of the last year, and the great diligence of all their Missionaries in their respective sphere of labour. As to other societies, they were to be regarded, not in the light of rivals, but as allies: the only wish he had for their Society was, that it might excel all others in labours and success; and as we now seemed to be fast approaching the age of the millennium, he hoped that the ecclesiastical history which should then be read, would in great part be filled by the successful exertions of this Society. Robert Stephen, Esq. Mr. Bennet of Rotherham, Dr. Mason of New York, and several others also addressed the Meeting. |
