who acquiesce in the principle declared in the foregoing Resolutions; and we solicit the communication of their sentiments on the subject.'

In other words, That, entertaining the most friendly feeling towards a Society of which many of us have been for many years the most bitter and malignant calumniators and opponents, we invite the co-operation of any persons who acquiesce in our opinions, in carrying our point per fas et nefas, and ousting Brandram, Hughes, and the whole Earl Street Committee, with or against whom we find, to our mortification, that we avail nothing.'

6. That we have no intention of recommending that any TEST should be put individually to persons proposing to become members of the British and Foreign Bible Society, or that any questions whatsoever should be asked of them; it being pre-supposed that such persons are acquainted with the rules of the Society which they intend to support.'

This disclaimer comes rather late; and although we are not sorry to perceive the lowered tone in which this Resolution is couched, we must say that it looks more like an awkward attempt to ward off an objection, than an honest explanation of previous 'intention.' Experience has amply shewn, that nothing could be more illusive than the pre-supposition, that all persons who subscribe to a society are acquainted with its rules. Besides, let rules or articles be never so definite and explicit, they may possibly be understood and subscribed to as mere articles of peace.' Ignorantly, mistakenly, or insidiously, Socinians and other heretics might still creep in; and if no questions are to be asked, what is to prevent it? And as to those already in the Society, how are they to be got rid of? By a declaration that they ought not to be in it, cannot consistently be admitted members?' But some Socinians are members, and cannot be expelled by a mere ex post facto declaration. If, however, no test is to be imposed, and all the security is to be a pre-supposition, by virtue of which we are to take it for granted that thenceforward no Socinians will offer themselves as members, why not take it for granted now, that all the members of the Bible Society are as orthodox as any declaratory rule could make them? Since it must be, even then, by a sort of legal fiction, that all the members of the Society would be pre-supposed to be Trinitarians, why not avail ourselves of the same charitable hypothesis, as things stand, and take it for granted that they are all children of God, members of Christ, and 'heirs of the kingdom of heaven?' But the excess of courtesy and latitudinarianism in this Resolution really astonishes and perplexes us. What! are no questions to be asked? Why, surely, then there must at least be a secret ballot. Will it be

enough to fix up a board over the committee room, with the notice, No Socinians or Neologists admitted,' and then suffer every one to pass unquestioned, on the pre-supposition of his orthodoxy, and to take his seat on paying his guinea. We confess we cannot understand this, more especially when taken in connexion with the last Resolution.

8. That it is our opinion, that all persons, without distinction, should be permitted to purchase bibles and testaments upon equal terms, according to the amount of their respective contributions; but that no contribution or subscription should constitute membership, except in accordance with the first and third Resolutions.'

Then what is to constitute membership? Subscription and belief in the Trinity? But who is to decide upon the fact of membership, in the case of a subscriber, seeing that no test is to be put to the individual, nor any questions asked for conscience sake? Let us suppose a case very likely to occur. A person of suspected orthodoxy asserts his right to speak or to vote, and it is attempted to put him down with the intimation that he is not a member. No member,' he replies, when I sub'scribe my guinea annually?' 'No, sir, you are a Socinian.' 'I deny it. Do you not attend such or such a chapel?'

Sir,

'I am not bound to answer any questions?' How is this to end? By the decision of the Chair, or by a resolution duly moved and seconded, to the effect that A. or B., notwithstanding all pre-supposition and declaration to the contrary, is no member? We suppose that we could learn in Sackville Street, but the Circular does not throw any light on the difficulty.

We have passed over an intermediate Resolution, which we must not forget to notice.

7. That we learn with unfeigned grief, that an erroneous impression has been extensively made and received, that we contemplate a dissolution of the connexion which has hitherto subsisted, in the Bible Society, between the Members of the Established Church, and those of Dissenting Denominations of Christians. We therefore feel called upon distinctly to deny any such intention, and to declare, unequivocally and affectionately, that it is our earnest desire to bind together persons of all denominations who acknowledge the Scriptural doctrine of the Holy Trinity.'

We do not charge the actual framer of this Resolution with insincerity or with any conscious intention at variance with the tenor of it; but, as the declaration of all the subscribing parties, we say, it is not in harmony with either their spirit or their language. One very prominent individual among the Sackville Street junta has explicitly announced his intention to withhold all assistance (in future) from every Society which is ' under the management of Dissenters;' alleging as one of his

reasons, that the greater part of the Dissenters are not preach'ing the glad tidings of the kingdom,' (viz. the personal reign of Christ,) but perverting the plain language of the Bible, and giving it meanings which an honest infidel would be ashamed of, and which for disingenuousness is not to be exceeded by 'the Neologicians of Germany, or the History of the Jews by 'Professor Millman.' Besides which they, the Dissenters, have supported, as a body, Lord John Russell in Devonshire, and Lords Althorp and Milton in Northamptonshire, and are in favour, generally, of parliamentary reform! On these two grounds, and on account of their damnable doctrine' respecting the illegitimacy of the alliance of Church and State, this gentleman disclaims all further acknowledgement of Dissenters as Christian brethren.

Who would not laugh if such a man there be?
Who would not weep if Atticus were he.'

We should be happy to think that the gentleman alluded to is the only individual whose politico-theological notions have, after disordering his judgement, begun to eat up his charity. But the names of the Rev. Hugh M'Neile and the Member for Dundalk, meet our eye, whose affection for the Dissenters is so notorious, that we can easily understand what unfeigned grief it must have occasioned them, to be suspected of contemplating a separation from us. We know not whether the Editor of the Record is among the subscribers to the Circular, though we can hardly suppose that he would be guilty of the useless hypocrisy of affecting a desire to bind together all denominations of Christians. That mischievous and dishonest paper, is, however, the organ of the Sackville Street junta; and its perpetual slanders and calumnies are an admirable exposition of their 7th Resolution. But we shall not pursue the ungrateful topic; and we take leave of the subject with two brief extracts from the pamphlets before us, which we beg strongly to recommend to the perusal of our readers, as fraught with sound argument, clear reasoning, and an excellent spirit.'

In the spirit of the times, and in the characteristic habits, I will not say of the individuals, but of the parties generally, by whom this measure of change has been proposed and urged, I also see much that is highly objectionable. This is a season of dangerous and violent excitement in every department of society, and especially in the Christian church. In some, the leaven of political fermentation mingling with their religious principles and affections, and exhibiting by turns the extremes of liberalism and bigotry enlisted under the sacred banner of conscience; in others, the schemes and expectations of unfulfilled prophecy, in all possible grades, from the most calm and sober investigations of the real import of divine truth, to the most delirious ravings

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of an imagination broken loose from reason and instigated by overwrought emotion;-these circumstances combined have gathered an accumulation of elements over the horizon of the Christian church, which threatens to discharge itself in a tempest of the most disastrous and melancholy results. At such a time, the most enlightened and devoted part of the Christian community might surely have been expected to give an example of peace, moderation, and brotherly love. And yet this is the season, which the movers of the proposed measures have chosen to urge what, I fear, would occasion a total disruption of the structure of the Bible Society; to tear into party shreds that robe of charity, which rested with such comely and salutary effect over so large a portion of the body of Christ. I will avoid alluding to persons; but there are classes of men, whose views at such a period of unhealthy commotion ought to be received with circumspection. There are ambitious spirits, which can look with complacence upon no undertaking which they are not allowed to manage in their own way. There are headstrong spirits, which delight to force their way against the stream, in whatever direction it may chance to run, and can freely breathe only in the element of controversy,-deeming the maintenance of what they conceive to be a principle, worth the forfeiture of all that must be sacrificed in its behalf. There are feeble and narrow-sighted spirits, which are not accustomed to take a vigorous and comprehensive view of things, but are ready to embrace every project which comes recommended by a greater appearance of purity and devotion. All these peculiarities of natural character are not, in a degree, incompatible with integrity of Christian principle. The individuals, to whom they belong, may be entitled to our regard, and be pre-eminently useful in certain departments of labour. But in a case like the present, their opinions should be received with caution, and estimated according to their position in the general character. I deem it here necessary to remark, that I by no means intend to include in these classifications, all the individuals who are understood to be favourable to the desired alteration; and I hardly need say, that I exempt from among them the honourable and justly respected individual whom I address, as well as others that might be easily mentioned. Very far, indeed, am I from supposing that those who take the opposite view are not surrounded with similar infirmities and peculiarities, and that their judgement ought not to be weighed in the same balance. As a general measure however, the recent movement is too strongly tinctured with a specific colouring, not distinctly to connect it with the distinguishing views and habits of those with whom it originated.' Clericus, pp. 41-43.

The time is short; and enough has been already given to controversy: immortal spirits are hourly passing from the confines of this world to the bourn of eternity: opportunities of doing good are fleeting and precarious: the sands of life are fast expending themselves, and the Judge standeth before the door! What was said of St. Athanasius will, I trust, ever be found applicable to the Earl Street Committee-that to all estranged from him, he was attractive as a magnet; and to all striking against him, as immoveable as an adamant. Beware, Gentlemen, of the spirit of timid and temporising

submission. From your own experience, on another and not a dissimilar question, you may learn the inutility of concession to minds of a certain order. You have already made, and perhaps very wisely, one important concession to the opinions and scruples of those who were, as I still believe, a diminutive minority on the occasion to which I refer: but it was well judged to go far-even further than some might think it adviseable to go-in order to relieve the minds of Brethren, jealous of the immaculate purity of the sacred canon. But, now, the restlessness of discontent demands another, and a larger boon; and such an one, as many members of the Society, with myself, conscientiously believe can never be granted, but by the complete sacrifice of the Institution, of which the voice of your fellow-countrymen, and the will of Divine Providence, have made you the authorized dians.' Clayton, p. 26.

guar

Art. VI. The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society delineated. Published, with the Sanction of the Council, under the Superintendence of the Secretary and Vice-Secretary of the Society. Vol. I. Quadrupeds. 8vo. pp. xii. 308. Vol. II. Birds. pp. 328. Price 11. 4s. London, 1831.

THE Gardens of the Zoological Society certainly form one

of the finest lions of the British metropolis; and too much praise cannot be bestowed on the admirable arrangement which has converted a most delightful promenade into a gallery of Creation's living wonders,-where, in the very act of perambulation, one is made to pass through a course of natural history; the habits of the various animals, as well as their forms, being exhibited so far as possible, and Nature herself, in this beautiful theatre, becomes the most impressive of all lecturers. The instruction and gratification are of the purest and most beneficial kind; and it is no small part of the pleasure afforded to a benevolent mind, by a visit to these Gardens, to see the fashionable and gay for once so well amused; and, as the higher order of triflers drop off at the close of their morning, to notice those of the lower grades, the artisan and the mechanic, with their families, drinking at once health, pleasure, and useful knowledge in a ramble through these Gardens, after the toil of their day. And there is a patriotic pleasure, too, connected with this splendid establishment, not only as it comprises, or will comprise, the most extensive assemblage of living quadrupeds and birds ever exhibited in any country, but as that which, in other days and other climes, has formed part of the display of royal magnificence, is here brought together by British science and public spirit for the benefit of the people. To foreign visiters, these Gardens will be a powerful attraction, and they will reflect honour on the nation which can boast of such an institution as a popular establishment.