the number and magnitude of the charges established against them,-and the fact of their being the occasion of so greatly dividing public opinion, and producing so unhappy a schism, that they would long ere now have voluntarily resigned the direction of the society, and been willing to commit it to others who might re-unite in its favour the suffrages of Christians. But, notwithstanding the circumstances in which they have been placed, they have tenaciously clung to their situation, although they are well aware that there is no prospect of their being able to regain that general confidence which they once possessed, but which they have irretrievably lost. In this state of things, it ought to be considered, whether the Auxiliary Bible Societies should not require their resignation of office.'

We have thought it worth while to transcribe this furious and scandalous libel, fit only for the notice of a court of justice, and which, had it proceeded from Taylor and Carlile, would have been duly appreciated,-in order that none of our readers may be ignorant of the real views of at least some who sanctimoniously clamour about religious tests and prayer. So did the Pharisees stand up for the sanctity of the Sabbath, while bearing false witness against the Saviour! The name of Robert Haldane is not attached to the circular, but that of his faithful nephew, and deputy, Alexander Haldane, is of course among the subscribers; as well as that of Mr. Henry Drummond, who, in 1821, sounded the first note of warfare against the Bible Society Committee; and those of some other worthy persons well known for their hostility to the very principles of the Institution. Five years ago, in noticing the malignant shape which the dispute about the Apocrypha had assumed, the Eclectic Review warned the Committee of the sort of warfare which they might prepare to encounter. Our readers may now judge whether the language employed was not too appropriate. If any persons imagine that the opposition which has for some time been ri'pening, originated in the Apocrypha question, or that it will expire with it, they are under a complete delusion. Many years ago, a notorious heresiarch, the high-priest of Antinomianism, yet holding a benefice in the Establishment, is said to have termed the Institution, the Devil's Society. And 'there are other religionists, not precisely of this school, men of 'purer creed and better feeling, yet whose doctrinal eccentrici'ties and party zeal render them scarcely less inimical to the 'irenical plan and catholic principle of the Institution. A 'party is springing up in the religious world, the progress of 'which will require to be closely watched and vigorously con'trolled; for they will not be content till they have remodelled ' every religious institution, and stamped them with their own 'features of intolerance. For this time, the experiment on the Bible Committee has failed. The Secretaries and three-fourths

' of the Committee have not gone out. But the contest is not 'over.'*

Such was the language held in this Journal in 1826. We now ask, were we not in the right? It proceeded from no random conjecture, nor was it spoken in the oracular spirit of prophecy, except that experience will sometimes attain

To something like prophetic strain ;-'

but expressed a firm conviction, grounded on the knowledge of character and facts. Mr. George Clayton, the Author of the 'Considerations', does not appear to be fully aware of the filiation of the Sackville Street Committee, or rather of the school from which it has emanated, although he has most truly characterized the main part of these reformers. 'I do', he says, 'I must, and ever shall congratulate myself, that the stir and 'strife on this lamented occasion have not sprung from the non'conforming members of the British and Foreign Bible Society.' He then adds:

From clergymen or laymen of the established churches of this kingdom, and, for the most part, from the younger and less matured among these, men green in judgement and warm in temperament, who, as John Bunyan would say, have the egg-shell still upon their heads, this unhappy contest has emanated. Is it to be attributed to the power of prejudice-to the long seclusion within college walls—to an imperfect acquaintance with the principles of religious toleration and of human nature-to the lack of due initiation into those theological studies which ought to precede (and that in preference to all classical and mathematical science) an introduction to the labours of the ministry,—or to what other cause is it to be assigned, that these are the dear brethren who have poured upon us all this confusion?'

Not these only. We could mention individuals whose age and standing might seem to entitle them to be looked up to as leaders and guides, whose zeal and, perhaps, amiableness of character, command veneration, and seduce many an ardent and generous mind into the feelings of discipleship; but whose original feebleness of judgement, indicated by prominent eccentricities, has neither been remedied by sound learning, nor improved by age. We cannot forget whence sprang the epidemic heresy of the years 1817, 18, which was confined entirely to ministers of the Established Church,-for the 'seceders never blended with the 'dissenters,'-and which, according to the confession of its leading advocates, derived its seminal principles from the doctrinal instructions of one who has been a loud denouncer of the iniquities of the Bible Society, and

* Eclectic Review, Vol. XXVI. p. 220.

figures in the Provisional Committee. And we are grieved to notice the name of another much esteemed clergyman, who is no green-horn, but whose constitutional vehemence, extending itself to all his opinions, right or wrong, gives an almost fantastical character to sound learning and fervent piety, and disqualifies him as a safe guide in practical matters. The greater part of the clerical subscribers are, however, what Mr. Clayton justly describes them to be,-'green in judgement and warm in temperament,'-vehement, confident, and intolerant,—strongly reminding us, in their moral physiognomy, of the Cowans, and Bevans, and Barings of the Antinomian secession, although their ultra-orthodoxy assumes a less dangerous character. May we be pardoned if we again cite the language of our own Journal some thirteen years back, in reference to the true cause of these phenomena. The defectiveness or the entire want of a 'theological education, we have often remarked to be a conco* mitant, and we believe it to be, in many instances, a direct cause of the adoption of such sentiments... How far even the most judicious theological education affords a security, independent of personal piety, against errors of the sceptical class, is a question of fact which we need not at present discuss. But we may with confidence affirm, that it will, generally speaking, obviate the 'danger of falling into fantastic incoherencies, similar to those ' with which we are at present concerned. Where men (what'ever may have been their advantages as to general education) 'become suddenly acquainted with the first truths of Christ'ianity, and are immediately called upon to commit themselves, in the most public manner, upon its several doctrines, and 'where vivacity of temper is met by stimulating circumstances, '-nothing less, we imagine, than eminent grace, and that, probably, imparted under the pressure of affliction, will preserve such persons upon the plain, humble path of scriptural sim'plicity. Perhaps, some one luckless hyperbole, uttered in the heat of declamation, which is unhappily remembered, admired, and repeated, may first tempt the feet upon the field of extravagance; and this enchanted ground once trodden upon, how fearful is the chance that the wanderer may return!'*

6

Upon the whole, with all due respect for the private worth of the individuals whose names are attached to this Circular, we must say, that they form a class, to whose collective judgement we should not think it safe greatly to defer. Nay, although, while acting separately, or in association with Christians of cooler judgement and less exalted sentiments, they may be useful and valuable members of the body, yet, when compacted

* Eclectic Review, 2d Series, Vol. IX., pp. 539–541.

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U

' of the Committee have not gone out. ' over."

But the contest is not

Such was the language held in this Journal in 1826. We now ask, were we not in the right? It proceeded from no random conjecture, nor was it spoken in the oracular spirit of prophecy, except that experience will sometimes attain

To something like prophetic strain ;—'

but expressed a firm conviction, grounded on the knowledge of character and facts. Mr. George Clayton, the Author of the 'Considerations', does not appear to be fully aware of the filiation of the Sackville Street Committee, or rather of the school from which it has emanated, although he has most truly characterized the main part of these reformers. 'I do', he says, 'I must, and ever shall congratulate myself, that the stir and 'strife on this lamented occasion have not sprung from the non'conforming members of the British and Foreign Bible Society.' He then adds:

From clergymen or laymen of the established churches of this kingdom, and, for the most part, from the younger and less matured among these, men green in judgement and warm in temperament, who, as John Bunyan would say, have the egg-shell still upon their heads, this unhappy contest has emanated. Is it to be attributed to the power of prejudice-to the long seclusion within college wallsto an imperfect acquaintance with the principles of religious toleration and of human nature-to the lack of due initiation into those theological studies which ought to precede (and that in preference to all classical and mathematical science) an introduction to the labours of the ministry, or to what other cause is it to be assigned, that these are the dear brethren who have poured upon us all this confusion?'

Not these only. We could mention individuals whose age and standing might seem to entitle them to be looked up to as leaders and guides, whose zeal and, perhaps, amiableness of character, command veneration, and seduce many an ardent and generous mind into the feelings of discipleship; but whose original feebleness of judgement, indicated by prominent eccentricities, has neither been remedied by sound learning, nor improved by age. We cannot forget whence sprang the epidemic heresy of the years 1817, 18, which was confined entirely to ministers of the Established Church,-for the 'seceders never blended with the dissenters,'-and which, according to the confession of its leading advocates, derived its seminal principles from the doctrinal instructions of one who has been a loud denouncer of the iniquities of the Bible Society, and

Eclectic Review, Vol. XXVI. p. 220.

figures in the Provisional Committee. And we are grieved to notice the name of another much esteemed clergyman, who is no green-horn, but whose constitutional vehemence, extending itself to all his opinions, right or wrong, gives an almost fantastical character to sound learning and fervent piety, and disqualifies him as a safe guide in practical matters. The greater part of the clerical subscribers are, however, what Mr. Clayton justly describes them to be,-green in judgement and warm in temperament,'-vehement, confident, and intolerant,—strongly reminding us, in their moral physiognomy, of the Cowans, and Bevans, and Barings of the Antinomian secession, although their ultra-orthodoxy assumes a less dangerous character. May we be pardoned if we again cite the language of our own Journal some thirteen years back, in reference to the true cause of these phenomena. The defectiveness or the entire want of a 'theological education, we have often remarked to be a conco'mitant, and we believe it to be, in many instances, a direct cause ' of the adoption of such sentiments... How far even the most 'judicious theological education affords a security, independent of personal piety, against errors of the sceptical class, is a ques'tion of fact which we need not at present discuss. But we may 'with confidence affirm, that it will, generally speaking, obviate the 'danger of falling into fantastic incoherencies, similar to those 'with which we are at present concerned. Where men (what'ever may have been their advantages as to general education) 'become suddenly acquainted with the first truths of Christ'ianity, and are immediately called upon to commit themselves, in the most public manner, upon its several doctrines, and 'where vivacity of temper is met by stimulating circumstances, -nothing less, we imagine, than eminent grace, and that, pro'bably, imparted under the pressure of affliction, will preserve such persons upon the plain, humble path of scriptural simplicity. Perhaps, some one luckless hyperbole, uttered in the heat of declamation, which is unhappily remembered, admired, ' and repeated, may first tempt the feet upon the field of extravagance; and this enchanted ground once trodden upon, how 'fearful is the chance that the wanderer may return!'*

6

Upon the whole, with all due respect for the private worth of the individuals whose names are attached to this Circular, we must say, that they form a class, to whose collective judgement we should not think it safe greatly to defer. Nay, although, while acting separately, or in association with Christians of cooler judgement and less exalted sentiments, they may be useful and valuable members of the body, yet, when compacted

Eclectic Review, 2d Series, Vol. IX., pp. 539-541.

VOL. VI.-N.S.

U